Saber Marionette J to X

This sort of picks up where Saber Marionette J Again leaves off. I say sort of because while certain things that happened there are referenced in this series (like Tiger's repair, the Saber Doll's reason for being in Japoness, Lorelei's clone's status, etc.) but some were totally dropped (Marine isn't even mentioned and Otaru's restaurant is gone with no explaination). So if you skipped the OAV, you may be somewhat confused by why the Saber Dolls and Saber Marionettes are such good friends.

The primary story of the attempts to steal Lorelei's female clones combined with the plot going on in Xian isn't all that interesting. However, it serves perfectly as the vehicle to tell the real story, that of Lime, Cherry, Bloodberry, and Otaru. It is the exploration of their relationship that makes Saber Marionette J to X superior to its predecessors. I love the harem genre of anime, but I always want to have the guy pick a single girl (TM!R for example). Throughout the entire series, Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry work well together and are as close as sisters, but each dreams of being Otaru's sole lover. Otaru likes them all and has always tried to keep the status quo. Now, the Saber Marionette's are pushing Otaru harder than ever, but he doesn't want to be forced to choose any single girl for anything over another. When he wins a trip by train for two to Xian, he works himself extra hard to purchase two additional tickets so that he can be with all of the girls. The girls may not be totally satisfied with the "treat them all equal" policy of Otaru's, but they accept it.

But the writers don't stop there but instead explore the harem situation further as well as the issue of maturing and how the passage of time causes changes, some good some not so good. They seperate the girls from Otaru and from each other. Otaru's desperate search for the girls is very heart wrenching, though the several "near misses" in his searching got annoying (he'd leave, and one of the girls would show up an instant later). But when he sees that the girls can live happy lives on their own, it changes everything for him. Since he can't choose a single girl as they wish, maybe allowing them to be with others is best. Very touching though Lime said it best when she called him a coward. I won't say any more about that for fear of a spoiler, but it is the drama and personal growth of the characters that is so great.

On additional great thing is the 26th episode. Episode 25 actually wraps up the series and would have been the end for most titles. However, the series creators decided that the final episode should be dedicated to aftermath. Indeed, this episode takes place about 4-5 years after episode 25. So we get to see the first batch of Lorelei's clones alive and well and a school being built for them. We get to see how everyone is doing after the passage of time and I felt it was great to see.

On the downside, besides what I mentioned earlier, this is a VERY predictable series. Everything is telegraphed for miles, including the ending. While I liked the exploration of the harem and the aftermath episode, many will be put off by the story's resolution in episode 25.

One little thing I would have liked to have seen was a romantic interest for Lorelei. There is someone perfect for her in the series and in episode 26, they could have shown her with him. But she's still living under the close protection of Baiko and Tamasaburou in the Japoness castle. If you watch the series, you'll know what I mean. She has a brief scene with the guy she should be with and it is nice, but oh well.

Bottom line: more of the same as far as humor and action go. However, the added drama elements of the 2nd half of the series elevate this to a "Buy" level for me.

Last updated Saturday, February 07 2004. Created Thursday, February 05 2004.