While Mai Otome lacks in the drama and character relationship department compared to HiME, Otome is more explosive and action packed. ^_^ I loved it and Arika Yumemiya freakin' rules!!!
Yeh a girl with same hairstyle as Nina sits in ft of Tate. But her eyes are green and they are not shaped like Nina's. They are round. I didn't like Manga Otome because of the Harem thing Manshiro gets all the girls. he a drag queen.
i think this is not really season 2 coz its setting is completely different from Hime. I think its more like a cross between Hime and new characters. And besides in Hime, Nina is classmate of Mai and Arika is at the same level at Mikoto.
This was an excellent anime! I'm still sad that CR took off almost everything...I watched this somewhere else but I just wanted to spread my love for this anime! =D Very good and intense plot! (the romance was a bit weird though..haha)