Again to the Vaults: “Hand Maid Mai” Reviewハンドメイドマイ
Some time again, I noticed a put up on Twitter/X, the place somebody remarked on the character designs of Hand Maid Mai, the spinoff of Hand Maid Could. It prompted me to do a C.A.R. rescue put up, however then I bought to considering, “How would this anime be at the moment?” At just one episode earlier than bankrupcy of the OVA’s distribution firm halted manufacturing, I figured I’d rewatch for previous time’s sake and see what’s what.
The Story, in Temporary
OZU Hideo works as a video editor for an AV film firm, however goals of being a respectable director. He has a small condominium of the roof of his firm’s constructing. Hideo receives an e mail from his childhood buddy, KUROSAWA Mai. Mai is now an up and coming actress, however she invitations him to her suite at a luxurious resort. As requested, he carry the movies he’s recorded of Mai through the years.
Initially, issues appear cordial, however then Mai will get indignant and destroys Hideo’s new digital camera. She accuses him of being a stalker. Mai’s producer, the center aged OOSHIMA Kouzou, presents to pay ¥10M for Hideo’s video tapes. He declines, leaving the tapes together with her. In frustration, he will get drunk, however on the way in which house, he’s intercepted by a Cyberdoll named Sara Mark II. She will get his authorization for a purchase order and leaves.
At his condominium, Hideo finds three ladies in maid outfits, wanting like Mai at numerous phases in her life — Mii, Ai, and Mai. The following morning, the women inform him they’re from the long run, bought for him by a shopper. Additional, all of them can operate as cameras and have full enhancing software program. The AV director dumps work on Hideo, however the firm’s enhancing computer systems are fried.
Cyberdoll Mai helps him put collectively the movie, however there’s a lacking scene. Aya, the AV actress, movies the scene with the three Cyberdolls as Hideo directs. The movie will get completed, however Hideo learns that the movie his former buddy Mai is to star in is a documentary of her life, utilizing the footage he made. The three Cyberdolls provide to assist Hideo make his personal movie about Mai.
Hand Maid Could This Ain’t
Though Hand Maid Mai is the spinoff of Hand Maid Could, it lacks the appeal of the unique. Positive, the unique had a plot that didn’t make sense, unhealthy animation at occasions, and a number of pointless, ecchi content material to cowl the assorted sexual fetishes of the viewers (loli, darkish elf, maid, mom, lady subsequent door, and so on.). And but the appeal of the characters, mixed with the silly but amusing comedy overcame all the different shortcomings.
For this primary of what was alleged to be three episodes, Hand Maid Mai presents no appeal in any respect. I suppose Wonderfarm thought that since Hand Maid Could was ecchi and beloved, rising the ecchi will make the spinoff even higher. They had been incorrect.
Additional, it doesn’t assist that this spinoff collection facilities round an AV manufacturing firm. So a substantial amount of the episode offers with filming, enhancing, and producing the corporate’s newest AV product. I’m not thinking about any of that. Thus utilizing these three, “similar” Cyberdolls for AV functions was not even remotely pleasant. Heck, Cyberdoll Mai ended up crying because of the filming session. Who thought this crap was humorous or a good suggestion?
Childhood Good friend Turned Well-known
The central plot of Hand Maid Mai is Hideo desirous to be a film director, and his childhood, feminine buddy changing into well-known, thus needing to interrupt ties with him. I don’t know which path Wonderfarm would have gone with the story. On one hand, we’d get a Macross scenario the place the MC initially falls for the idol, however finally ends up with another person. That another person may very well be the Cyberdoll age variations of Mai. Heck, it’d even be the AV actress.
Alternatively, we might have the scenario the place Mai is sleeping together with her center aged producer and president of the company she works for. However then she realizes she threw her one real love away. Laborious to say, however I’ll admit that I want the ultimate two episodes, which reportedly had been made, may very well be launched so I might get a decision to the story.
Last Ideas and Conclusion
Let me wrap up issues with some remaining ideas.
Cyberdoll Sara from the primary collection will get a cameo as a “Mark II” model. For some purpose, we don’t get to see her face although.
Kasumi from the unique collection will get a small cameo with strains when Hideo walks previous the condominium complicated from Hand Maid Could. Right here too, we don’t get to see her face for some purpose.
The character designs of Hand Maid Mai are…completely different. One will get used to them, however they nearly look AI, despite the fact that in 2003, that wasn’t a factor. I believe it was simply the way in which the digital art work was executed then.
I suppose Cyberdyne Company focuses on sending superior AI to the long run. 😅
The reference to FireWire gave me amusing. Years in the past, I had a PC that had an previous USB connection and a few FireWire ports. I haven’t seen a FireWire port in years, although they nonetheless exist.
In the long run, Hand Maid Mai has a sliver of curiosity, however in any other case lacks the appeal of its predecessor.
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