The
series can best be described as the Orochi legend being
told using lesbians and giant robots, though it's more of
the "love" aspect that takes the majority of the
story's time than the giant robots or any real lesbian action.
The
story itself revolves around the relationship between Chikane
and Himeko and their connection to the Orochi.
Himeko
is a klutz and not very popular among her fellow students.
Chikane is the opposite; graceful in everything she does
and ridiculously popular. A chance meeting in the depths
of the rose garden makes the two fast friends, though they
pretend they don't know one another in the school.
The
two were born on the same day and on their 16th their lives
change forever. It turns out the two are special priestesses
whose job it is to defend the Earth and its people from
the evil and destruction of the Orochi. Himeko is the Solar
Priestess while Chikane is the Lunar Priestess. Himeko is
attacked by her childhood friend, Souma and is from that
point on targeted by the other seven heads of the Orochi.
The other heads consist of humans who also share the Orochi
blood.
Souma,
being in love with Himeko and has been since childhood,
forsakes his Orochi blood, receiving a curse from the Orochi
for his desire to protect the Solar Priestess.
Herein
lies the problem. While Souma loves Himeko, Chikane also
shares a love, a love deeper than that of friendship, for
Himeko. As Chikane seems feel awkward towards her feelings
for Himeko, who doesn't seem to share the same type of feeling
as best she can tell, she pushes Himeko towards Souma. This
is the beginning of the end for Chikane and Himeko as Chikane
is eventually overtaken by her desire and takes over the
Orochi in what appears to be an effort to eliminate Himeko.
As
far as the ending goes, we learn that the two Priestesses
are connected via a fate that spans much of the time humans
have been on the planet. We also learn why Chikane acts
the way she does plus the love angle is completely laid
bare. When Himeko awoke from her dream I was afraid it would
end on a cliché, however I was pleasantly surprised
by what was a depressing ending, highlighted at the end
by a very uplifting moment.
I was
largely satisfied with this series. The only part that really
bothered me was the incident that occurs between Chikane
and Himeko as Chikane makes her departure for the Orochi's
lair. Not wanting to spoil the show I will leave it as that
event is a sort of singularity and is thankfully not dwelled
upon in later episodes. |
