Again to the Vaults: “Hand Maid Mai” Evaluation
ハンドメイドマイ
Some time again, I noticed a publish 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 publish, however then I obtained to pondering, “How would this anime be right this moment?” At just one episode earlier than bankrupcy of the OVA’s distribution firm halted manufacturing, I figured I’d rewatch for outdated time’s sake and see what’s what.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 house of the roof of his firm’s constructing. Hideo receives an electronic 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 lodge. As requested, he carry the movies he’s recorded of Mai through the years.
Initially, issues appear cordial, however then Mai will get offended and destroys Hideo’s new digital camera. She accuses him of being a stalker. Mai’s producer, the center aged OOSHIMA Kouzou, provides to pay ¥10M for Hideo’s video tapes. He declines, leaving the tapes along with her. In frustration, he will get drunk, however on the best way dwelling, he’s intercepted by a Cyberdoll named Sara Mark II. She will get his authorization for a purchase order and leaves.
At his house, Hideo finds three ladies in maid outfits, wanting like Mai at varied levels in her life — Mii, Ai, and Mai. The subsequent morning, the ladies inform him they’re from the longer term, bought for him by a consumer. Additional, all of them can perform 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 supply 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 attraction of the unique. Positive, the unique had a plot that didn’t make sense, dangerous animation at occasions, and plenty of pointless, ecchi content material to cowl the varied sexual fetishes of the viewers (loli, darkish elf, maid, mom, woman subsequent door, and many others.). And but the attraction of the characters, mixed with the silly but amusing comedy overcame the entire different shortcomings.
For this primary of what was imagined to be three episodes, Hand Maid Mai provides no attraction in any respect. I suppose Wonderfarm thought that since Hand Maid Could was ecchi and beloved, growing the ecchi will make the spinoff even higher. They have been flawed.
Additional, it doesn’t assist that this spinoff collection facilities round an AV manufacturing firm. So quite a lot of the episode offers with filming, enhancing, and producing the corporate’s newest AV product. I’m not involved in any of that. Thus utilizing these three, “similar” Cyberdolls for AV functions was not even remotely gratifying. Heck, Cyberdoll Mai ended up crying on account 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 eager 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 along with her center aged producer and president of the company she works for. However then she realizes she threw her one real love away. Exhausting to say, however I’ll admit that I want the ultimate two episodes, which reportedly have been made, may very well be launched so I might get a decision to the story.
Closing Ideas and Conclusion
Let me wrap up issues with some ultimate 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 traces when Hideo walks previous the house 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 virtually look AI, regardless that in 2003, that wasn’t a factor. I believe it was simply the best way the digital art work was executed then.
- I assume Cyberdyne Company focuses on sending superior AI to the longer term. 😅
- The reference to FireWire gave me amusing. Years in the past, I had a PC that had an outdated 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 attraction of its predecessor.
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