Countries of the Mai-Otome universe

Now, Billy and I were watching Mai Otome and figured there must be some correlation to these fictional countries and our real countries. Because, who makes up all that back story for shortly mentioned countries without having it based on something real?

It seems like the writers took from many time periods in history, but I think the main time period for most countries is World War II...minus mass murder.


Zipang = Japan. This much is made pretty obvious by their ceremonies and ideals. Also, Takumi saying his nation is going to stay out of the Western World's affairs (also historical in that Japan cut itself off from the Western world at one point) leading us to believe all the other countries were Western countries.

Artai = Nazi Germany. They're trying to take over the world's technology, take out the Otomes and create a "perfect world"

Schwartz = Soviet Union. Working with Nazi Germany.

Cardair = Austria. Austria was a part of Nazi Germany. As far as I understand it was more a political move on Austria's part. Cardair did seem very political.

Windbloom = Pre-French-Revolution France. The set-up in the society looks like pre-revolution France, with the monarchy thriving and so many people out of work and starving. Also that Mashiro is an obvious play off Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette's son, who died in prison, Louis Charles, was known as the 'Lost Prince' because a rumor went around that he had escaped from prison and the corpse was someone else's. Sounds a little like what went on with the Fake Princess, except with a few tweaks) And, France also took part in WWII.

An Nam = England. I don't really know, I figured since they were helping Franc-- Err..Windbloom with the World War...

Aries = America. They're Democratic. The generals (Haruka, in this case) wanted to help out, but the President (Yukino) didn't want to get involved. UNTIL the attack on an Aries military base *coughPearlHarborcough* and then they went in and BAMF-ed it up.

Garderobe = CERN in Switzerland. It is definitely technologically the most advanced complex on Earth and many expensive and big toys are there (Large Hadron Collider). Its in Geneva which is a 2nd largest Swiss city. Also CERN is multi-country project - currently 20 (+6 observer countries). (< as observed by Defiant)

Florence = Italy. Obvious reference to Italy! But, if we're going with the World War theme here, I don't remember what Florence's involvement with Artai was...If they were with them, then it's for sure. If they were neutral it could be, kind of. And if they were against them, then I don't know if this is a possibility. BUT, Italy did have a long-standing rivalry with Austria-Hungary dating back to like, 1815. Just as Cardair and Florence do in Mai-Otome.

Lutesia = Rome Pre-Split. I think this because: (see below)

Lutesia Romulus: Western Rome. Romulus and Remus are obvious references to Rome. So two brother nations made me think of when Rome split into two empires.

Remus: Byzantine Empire to the East. The Eastern part of the split. Specifically, because Rome was named after Romulus (who killed his brother Remus in an argument over the location of Rome) and since eventually the Byzantine Empire started calling themselves Greek, rather than Roman, it would only make sense that the Eastern Empire would be called Remus while the Western (who I believe still called themselves Roman) would be called Romulus, after the original name.


EDIT: Aswald = Aztecs Katie was reading our list and said it would more likely be the Aztecs or the Mayans. Not Greece, she said Greece wasn't that technologically advanced. I guess it was the Romans who were advanced years before their time.




Of course, I could be wrong in these conclusions. I'm going off a lot of what Billy says since he seems to know a lot about WWII. I know some, but ehh. Not too much. This could be over-thought and over-analyzed. Plus, we could be wrong on some facts.

What do you guys think??

You really did a lot of research o_o I have to agree with you. Windbloom is definitely France, the word 'Garderobe' itself is a French word(considering that Garderobe is a school located in Winbloom; France) France's declarations of war on Germany is the same as how Windbloom(Mashiro,Arika,Natsuki etc) decides to fight back.

Artai's goals definitely fits Nazi Germany's but Artai is based on Russia(Artai is snowy and located in North right?). In Zwei, Artai is written as 'Altai' and Altai Republic is a part of Russia. Moscow was a Grand Duchy/Principality(Artai was a principality during Nagi's reign) and one of the earliest royal titles in Russia are Kniaz and Velikiy Kniaz which mean Prince/Duke and Grand Prince/Grand Duke.

Artai is a mix of China too, I think, considering that Zhang and Wang are both Chinese surnames. Or it could come from Altai Mountains. It's in a central Asia where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together. Maybe that's where the Chinese mix comes from.

Aries is obviously America, the democratic system and the president elections.So obvious...and I have to agree that Florince is Italy, definitely originated from Florence, Italy.

Don't know much about the world war though.

Haha, it wasn't that much research, we were more just putting our brains together .

Artai's goals definitely fits Nazi Germany's but Artai is based on Russia(Artai is snowy and located in North right?). In Zwei, Artai is written as 'Altai' and Altai Republic is a part of Russia. Moscow was a Grand Duchy/Principality(Artai was a principality during Nagi's reign) and one of the earliest royal titles in Russia are Kniaz and Velikiy Kniaz which mean Prince/Duke and Grand Prince/Grand Duke.

Artai is a mix of China too, I think, considering that Zhang and Wang are both Chinese surnames. Or it could come from Altai Mountains. It's in a central Asia where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together. Maybe that's where the Chinese mix comes from.

See, that's what we were thinking with Artai. But, we didn't know too much about Russia and wars involving them. The only thing that made us look at it as Nazi Germany, was that it was trying to create a 'perfect world' and that Nagi could make a good Hitler haha.

Don't know much about the world war though.

It's ok, I only know the basics and some small interesting details. Billy really gave me all the facts up above! lol

A lot of these sound very accurate, you guys (especially Billy) know your stuff. It's safe to say Zipang isn't directly related to Japan during the second World War, as Prince Takumi found it pointless to fight and didn't approve the use of Otome as weapons (the same way Russia and the U.S. do with nuclear weapons).

Garderobe is definitely Area 51, just a lot less strict. :) When Arika, Zhang, Erstin, Irina, Nina and Erstin discovered the Forbidden Library, as well as the graves of Otome predecessors, their punishment was mild to say the least (CLEANING!? IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO, MARIA?!)

Amazing thread, Kara. Looking forward to more input by other members.

Yeah, Zipang took on the role of an older and more traditional Japan.

(CLEANING!? IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO, MARIA?!)

I KNOW! That's the same thing I was thinking!!

I totally agree with the others, Kara. You're pretty right in all of these matters.

One thing I remember is that Zipang helped Aries when it was attacked by Artai. It seems like it was a return gift to them since they (Zipang) gave ceremonial equipment to Aries. I remember that America helped Japan after the WWII to recover from all damages done and to reconstruct the government. Japan seemed to have a debt of gratitude to the America so I think in Mai-Otome, they seemed to portray their thanks to America.

@ Ruby: I don't remember that part...But then again, while we were watching the last few episodes, I was painting my nails, so I easily could have missed it! But yeah! Definitely! :)

I believed that Florence had something to do with France...

Oh? How so?

I wouldn´t compare Area 51 (aka Groom Lake) to Garderobe for several reasons:
A-51 is in the middle of Nevada desert and no unauthorized person can come in 15 km radius. Garderobe is in the middle of a city.
It is US only and I think its USAF only because US Navy has its own A-51 (besides what possibly could Navy test in desert?).
Identity of personal who works there is unknown.
There is no nuclear test range behind Garderobe ;D
Garderobe was unique, but Russians have a very similar facility as A-51 - Kapustyn Yar (where its said that Russian MiG actually shot down UFO, because it was sabotaging Russian rocket tests).

If I should compare Garderobe to anything from our world it would be CERN in Switzerland. It is definitely technologically the most advanced complex on Earth and many expensive and big toys are there (Large Hadron Collider). Its in Geneva which is a 2nd largest Swiss city. Also CERN is multi-country project - currently 20 (+6 observer countries).

@Krystal: Huh...That's weird! I didn't pay that much attention to Zwei, maybe I should go back and watch it. If Windbloom is modeled after France pre-revolution, that could be a reason the Arc isn't there because it wasn't built until like 1835. But, if Florence was France, it would make sense that Florence and Cardair had bad relations because France and Austria hated each other for a long time. Marie Antoinette (an Austrian) marrying France's Louis XVI was an attempt at some good relations between France and Austria-- Sorry, that was TMI haha. Hmm..


@Defiant: Oooh! Good thinking! I didn't know that! I'm so adding that to the list:)

-- Well, I guess not at this moment I won't add it, everytime I go to 'edit' and scroll down, it deletes the text! I'll try tomorrow and then delete this horrid double post haha

Kara wrote:
@Defiant: Oooh! Good thinking! I didn't know that! I'm so adding that to the list:)

-- Well, I guess not at this moment I won't add it, everytime I go to 'edit' and scroll down, it deletes the text! I'll try tomorrow and then delete this horrid double post haha

No problem CERN will most definitely wait (unless they make more antimatter than they can handle ).

Kara wrote:
France and Austria hated each other for a long time.

just a bit OT - Austria at a time hated almost everyone, but probably worst conflict (if I don´t count WWs) with France was during Napoleon wars...I know since one of the biggest Napoleon triumph happen on current Czech land - Battle of Austerlitz/Slavkov

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PS.:If you wanna know about country involvement in WW2 I can provide a lot of info. I know a lot since the main events happen close.

Spoiler:

Kara wrote:@ Ruby: I don't remember that part...But then again, while we were watching the last few episodes, I was painting my nails, so I easily could have missed it! But yeah! Definitely! :)

It was Episode 24 perhaps in Mai-Otome.

@Defiant: I should have consulted you on this in the first place! Jeez, if only I had known you knew so much! :D

@Ruby: Ah yes, I was working on my toes at that point, so I wasn't really paying attention haha

Kara wrote:@Defiant: I should have consulted you on this in the first place! Jeez, if only I had known you knew so much! :D

We had a very tough History teacher on higher elementary school (that was when I was 11-15 years old) she was pretty strict and wanted us to know lot of dates, names and events.
Czech history goes from 624 AC to 1993 AC + world history from old Egypt so it was quite a nightmare. WW2 stuff and aftermath are actually touching since it happened here and even your Grandparents can remember where US-tanks parked.
I am actually glad that I know what I know nowadays, few decades back people here had to learn "the Red-Russia-approved" version (f.e. 40 years of denial that West Bohemia was liberated by US not Soviets ). My Grandma actually got herself into lot of trouble (she was a teacher) just because she spoke truth.

Well, for quite a while I've been thinking on this myself, there are quite a few references which suggest certain traits of different countries throughout Earth of both the modern and ancient eras.

Garderobe State
The academy in its own right is a state which is beside Windbloom for international purposes (since Windbloom and Aries seem to hold the same form of alliance which the UK and USA hold for one another).

In the Caribbean there is an island owned by France known as Guardeloupe which consists mainly of black background (African, Indian, etc). With the tropical environment which Guardeloupe holds, this goes perfectly with the Garderobe State being right beside the Black Valley (the Harmonium held area where Mai and Mikoto are based is entirely tropical, also). It is just a shame there weren't more black characters.

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The Windbloom Kingdom, from my blog ~ https://ltahime.forumotion.com/t1311-wolvetta-s-mystery-project-series-blog#74324

I thought it was about time I went over the background of Windbloom and how I think Sunrise connected it with the United Kingdom, not France.

Mai Otome ~ finished airing in 2006

In 1992, Windsor Castle suffered one of the most costing and damaging fires in its history which destroyed over one hundred rooms.

Fourteen years ago there was the fire of Windbloom Castle which cost the lives of Bruce and Sifr, the royal family of Windbloom has never been the same again.

The separation of years from 1992 to 2006 = fourteen years.

Windsor - Windbloom

Arika, Mashiro and Nina ~ born on the 7th September.
Queen Elizabeth Tudor ~ born on the 7th September 1533.

Archduke Bel Glan De Artai ~ had six wives. (Princess Sakura is which wife...? Presumably not Anne considering she was beheaded for being a "witch", although it is possible due to her being an Otome and the fact that Sakura is more than likely Mashiro's mother).

King Henry VIII ~ had six wives and a few undercover children.

The placements for who Nina and Arika might be based upon is awkward, however.

Although Bruce and Sifr scream out relation to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (they were cousins) I'm thinking that instead of being from the Victorian era, the inspiration is still within the Tudor House. Due to Nina having royal background, it is likely possible that she and Mashiro could be related through blood.

Arika ~ Robert Dudley (Elizabeth I's apparent lover and most trustworthy servant).

Nina ~ Lady Jane Grey (Was Queen for just over a week and executed, it gives off a tragic example to how Nina is treated throughout the series). But, the detention tower Nina is inside during the beginning of the anime gives off a possible reference to Elizabeth I due to her being imprisoned inside the Tower of London before becoming Queen.

Mashiro ~ Elizabeth I (Eventually, Mashiro screams out the traits of Elizabeth I during the end of Otome and throughout Zwei).

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Aries Republic
I would say that this is entirely obvious when it comes to culture, since Aries is a gigantic clash of a futuristic America (New York in the 2050s?).

The Hexagon of Aries
The Pentagon of America.

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Schwartz (in German, schwarz means black, blackly, noir, etc)
The Nazi-Germans believed that the true super race were from Atlantis whom supposedly originated from Norway. E,g; the Valkyries are supreme in Schwartz's belief, they experiment upon Lena's body (reference to the Jews) in order to further process with their testing into creating the Valkyrie who they want to overhaul the Otome forever.

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An Nam
Historically Vietnam used to be called Annam centuries ago.
E,g; Ho, Lu, Anh, Bao - Vietnamese.

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Zipang
In Asia, Japan has been called Zipang for centuries, in many animes there are Japanese inspired countries called Zipang also. The fact that Takumi and Mai are the offspring of a Shogun who became the leader of Zipang suggests enough.

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Taiyun (Princess Sakura's homeland, also known as the Kingdom of the Rising Sun)
I believe that this might be either a state or an island of some sort which was taken over by Zipang, however, this could also be China, considering that there are such locations as Taiwan, etc), so Taiyun is a blank right now. (Although Sakura's clothes are inspired upon Japan anyhow).

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Florence
Another French inspired nation, Florence has its most obvious reference which is of course the Arc of Triumph. (http://www.wallcoo.net/human/france/images/%5Bwallcoo%5D_france_travel_france_EF004.jpg)

E,g;
Huit - translates into eight in French. The symbol of 8 is eternity in appearance.
Rosalie - is of French origin which obviously means rose.

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Lutecia
Remus and Romulus were twin brothers of the wolf, they were believed to have founded Rome.

Old Lutecia ~ before Romulus and Remus split, there was Lutecia, due to the fall of the nation (perhaps during the Dragon King War) the two fragments of country soon became separate which soon became governed by two leaders.

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Artai Principality
There is an area in Russia on the border of China which is called the Altai Republic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altai_Republic).

Wáng ~ Chinese
Sergei/Sergay ~ Russian.

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Aswad ~ still researching, however, perhaps they are a group of outlaw archaeologists/scavengers.
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Galelia ~ Arika's nation (mistranslated as Galleria)

I've only gone into this vaguely, however, there is a possibility that Galelia is in fact inspired upon an area in Spain.

E,g; Galicia.

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Cardair Empire (the true name which Sunrise gave to the Cardair Empire is the Chaldean Empire. The translations of term got confused).

King Argos ~ there is an ancient city within Greece which is known as Argos.
Under an era in Babylon, there formed the Chaldean Empire.
[There is also reference of Mayha, Akane and Kazaya]. Due to Mayha stalking Akane and Kazaya around to disallow the rights of the Otome to not be broken, she literally captures them constantly. This could be a reference of Persia which captured the Babylon.

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Mayha

I'm still researching about Mayha's background at the moment, but it is definitely Persia, though it is an arse into finding out a lot out since the only thing you get spammed with is Prince of Persia.

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Other information

The Five Columns/The Five Pillars of Islam

Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad ~ Mayha
Establishment of the daily prayers ~ Natsuki
Concern for and almsgiving to the needy ~ Viola
Self-purification through fasting ~ Nao
The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able ~ Sara

My Only Regret is there is no Australia equivalent, then again maybe Aswald is supposed to be the Australian Desert, it certainly did remind me of it

Midori Sugiura wrote:My Only Regret is there is no Australia equivalent, then again maybe Aswald is supposed to be the Australian Desert, it certainly did remind me of it

We can say Aswald represents Australia then. Though before sealing the deal, mind showing us some areas of Down Under that resemble those from the Aswald valleys?

Luu Sky Sapphire wrote:

Midori Sugiura wrote:My Only Regret is there is no Australia equivalent, then again maybe Aswald is supposed to be the Australian Desert, it certainly did remind me of it

We can say Aswald represents Australia then. Though before sealing the deal, mind showing us some areas of Down Under that resemble those from the Aswald valleys?

Remember to make day night and animate it in your mind, then exagerate, mind you these were in my mind the first time I watched it

Visual from Episode 18

Australian Desert Rocks

3 Sisters


Visual from Episode 18

A photo from the Olgas


There are also tons of caves on any wilderness, and Australia is no exception, and there is a large amount of sandstone, something in abundance in the Australian outback (trust me I've slipped on enough of it)

And as for all the sand?

we've got more than enough for it to be Australia, also ancient Australians were nomadic, and in cases when they were settled to an area it was usually around caves and water sources, as most nomadic tribes are

this explains why the aswad make their homes in hollowed out rock