Ladies versus Butlers [Archive]

Ryllharu

Thu, 12-31-2009, 01:29 PM

Ladies versus Butlers!

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8169/40788.jpg

Description from AniDB: The school romantic comedy revolves around Hino Akiharu, an ordinary high school student who unfortunately looks like a juvenile delinquent. He enrolls into an academy that was once a school for upper-class ladies, and he is placed in the school's newly established servant training department. The students there are raised to be either maids or butlers, and Akiharu finds himself in the middle of the bickering cliques.

AniDB (http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=7009) | ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11059)

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 01 - PreRelease (1280x720) (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=31794)

Director, character designer, studio, and primary broadcast station have all been affiliated with Kanokon, so those who watched that series should find some familiar ground here.

Primary Cast:
Kawasumi Ayako (Kanokon, F/SN, Nodame, etc)
Okitsu Kazuyuki (Toradora as the friend with glasses)
Nakahara Mai (Higurashi, Mai Hime, Clannad)

---------------------------

There was some heavy censorship, but considering it is airing on one of the satellite channels (same one as Kanokon and Queen's Blade), it will probably be less of an issue once the real broadcast starts. If the censorship is still that heavy, I'll probably wait for the DVDs to watch this.

I liked seeing Kawasumi Ayako as a sadist character, and Nakahara Mai as a rich, fiery ojou-sama (who is comes from the 'Fireheart' family, heh). The rich ojou-sama has the enormous twin-drills. That picture does their size no justice. Ecchi levels are high, but the humor wasn't bad. The episode basically gave zero indication of where it is going, if anywhere, but they introduced much of the cast so it should be good for a bit of shallow fun.

Inazuma

Mon, 01-04-2010, 12:28 PM

I like it, don't ask me why.

Archangel

Tue, 01-05-2010, 03:10 PM

I like it, don't ask me why.

I'm sure the tits have nothing to do with it

Ryllharu

Wed, 01-06-2010, 09:28 PM

Uncensored versions, with the OP/ED:

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 01 - (1280×720 h264) (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32016)
[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 01 - (848×480 XviD) (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32017)

Kraco

Thu, 01-07-2010, 01:24 PM

I almost dropped the show during the tea serving practice session when nothing happened but the rich girls talking. For some reason I'm not a huge maid and butler fan. I have even avoided many of the major titles belonging to that category.

However, I suffered through that tedious scene and the show got considerably better when the ruffian dude appeared and left a very lasting first impression on many of the bitches and girls. I'll check the second episode to see whether I can stomach the butler-lady interactions.

Pandadice

Thu, 01-07-2010, 10:27 PM

well it was an interesting ep. I'd say i enjoyed it much more than chu-bra at least O_o.

i figure i'll watch the next ep to see where this goes..

man, the animation style was so similar or Kanokon.

David75

Fri, 01-08-2010, 12:21 PM

Totally uncensored...
[Ryuumaru] Ladies vs Butlers - 01 [1024x576 H264] [820B5AC8].mkv (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=torrentinfo&tid=107860)

So this is considered ecchi only.

Another nice facesitting there...

oyabun

Thu, 01-14-2010, 01:12 AM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 02 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [46BAA915].mkv (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32268)

It seems like uncensored version is out earlier than last week.

Kraco

Thu, 01-14-2010, 11:46 AM

I think I'll keep watching this show. The dude has no attitude of servitude whatsoever, and that makes the scenes good. Certainly this episode explained the series title as well.

The only thing that bothered me was Kazamatsuri Toichiro aka Daikiji's VA, whose voice sounded insanely familiar yet I can't connect the voice and a name (or rather the other role from which I recognize the voice). ANN isn't listing the character. Damn, I can almost remember but not quite.

David75

Thu, 01-14-2010, 01:02 PM

This is bad, to a new level for me.
That shower room scene had an incredibly bad scenario... but my pervertedness was ok with it, so I guess I'll keep watching :D

Ryllharu

Thu, 01-14-2010, 04:27 PM

I was pleasantly surprised that Tomomi actually seems to be treating Akiharu as a friend. She might be a sadist, but it seems she has had most of her fun abusing him, and will now happily use him to abuse Flameheart. She seemed convincing enough anyway in the infirmary. Perhaps she is determined to look like a proper lady while at school, so her overt sadism can't be displayed. She has to play games with the other girls rather than the way she used to do things. So as a result, she finds school life very dreary. Akiharu gives her a person tool who is aware of how she is really like and subtly lets her get attacks in on her targets while still coming off as a "true lady."

I don't recognize Daikiji's VA, but while watching it again in an attempt to try, I noticed how incredibly girly his character design is. I wouldn't be surprised if it was intentional, but he resembles a number of prominent female characters who have long pink hair.

As for the scenes with the clumsy maid, this is the second time that position has appeared in two episodes. Are we going to get a third next episode?

Lastly, my favorite character is Mikan-sensei. She's like Roberta from Black Lagoon. She seems to be friends with the super cheerful principal from some point in their pasts, but treats her like just another one of her students. The situations she described for why the pool training was so harsh only furthered the comparison to Roberta. I love how her fountain pen can smash clean through computers and bury itself into solid marble.

MFauli

Sun, 01-17-2010, 04:24 AM

god, i hate the hair of the blond girl. It doesnt even look like hair anymore, but like a big chunk of plastic. so silly.

David75

Sun, 01-17-2010, 06:14 AM

Should the dumb green haired maid become a Limited Girl (aka Hatsukoï Limited Bonus), the guy will be in for the real deal, should she continue putting her a*** in his face.
Also, I like her big sister's way of thinking :D

For that show, I guess we have to only activate reptilian neurons, any other part of the brain would be a waste, cause you would not enjoy it as much.

Marik

Wed, 01-20-2010, 11:25 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 03 - 720p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32516) | 480p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32517)

--

god, i hate the hair of the blond girl. It doesnt even look like hair anymore, but like a big chunk of plastic. so silly.
I don't mind the drill style if it's small like Touko's from Maria-sama, but Flameheart's is way too big.

The principal is awesome. I love how she's into H-games and she seems to be quite perverted herself. She's easily my favorite character so far.

Edit: Doki needs to use a different tracker. This indirect linkage is terrible.

Archangel

Thu, 01-21-2010, 12:08 AM

They're both the same style but they don't have the same shape Marik. While in Maria it's more like a chocolate cone these are 2 full on giga drill breakers

Yes i get the feeling you and the principal would get along great :p

And yah, fuck these indirect links >_>

After watching the episode:

This is a really cute harem series with a pretty likable protagonist and quite a nice variety of girls, but i can't help but think that it would all be so much better without all this forced ecchi.

There was absolutely no point in that final shower scene other than competition with Vampire Bund for pedo show of the year

Ryllharu

Thu, 01-21-2010, 07:28 PM

Tomomi is my favorite character behind Mikan-sensei. She uses Akiharu pretty unapologetically, but when her schemes don't directly abuse him, they usually benefit him.

It was a pretty nice power play to not only short circuit Selnia's nearsighted plan to make him beg for her aid, get something out of it (the loli drawing again, since she likes them too), and benefit Akiharu by letting him easily and mostly painlessly take the test.

Akiharu's senses are pretty impressive too. More so that Tomomi underestimated his abilities and got spotted before Selnia made it easy. I wonder if the reason they are so keen is because Tomomi torturing him in elementary school made him super wary of his surroundings.

The OP is really awesome in headphones, they use stereo nicely. I thought it was a bit generic when I first heard it, but it really grows on you. One of the better seiyuu ensemble OPs in a while.

Marik

Wed, 01-27-2010, 11:16 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 04 - 720p (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=111111) | 480p (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=111114)

[LonE] Ladies versus Butlers! OP Single - LOVE X HEAVEN [Various Artists].rar (http://losslessone.fansub-torrents.com/%5BLonE%5D_Various_Artists_-_Ladies_versus_Butlers%21_OP_Single_-_LOVE_X_HEAVEN_%5Bw_scans%5D_%28mp3%29.rar.torrent )

[Nipponsei] Ladies Versus Butlers! OP Single - LOVE X HEAVEN [Various].zip (http://tracker.minglong.org/torrents/%5BNipponsei%5D%20Ladies%20Versus%20Butlers%21%20O P%20Single%20-%20LOVE%20X%20HEAVEN%20%5BVarious%5D.zip.torrent)

Ryllharu

Thu, 01-28-2010, 07:44 PM

There were three things that made this episode awesome.

3) The lesbian scene in the gym storage room, and the Principal's comment.

2) The Principal molesting Flameheart while reminiscing about the latest yaoi game she had just played.

1) Haruka Tomatsu's undeniably and 100% insane performance as Ayse's bodyguard Hedyeh. I think she went through nearly all the variations of the past roles she's played in one character and in a single episode. No one else could have played a character that comes off as psychotically as she did in this episode.

Ayse is cute/hot though too. Not a bad deal for Akiharu this time, all things considered. I have a weakness for silver-haired beauties though.

Marik

Thu, 01-28-2010, 07:53 PM

3) The lesbian scene in the gym storage room.
That was my favorite, along with the principal's reaction to it.

I also enjoyed Flameheart's constant yelling while Akiharu was trying to explain what happened. "You violated her there and then!" made me laugh out loud. I just really like Flameheart's voice in general.

Bath scene was awesome as well.

I'm hoping that they focus on the reverse trap soon. I want to know why she chose to be a butler instead of a maid.

Archangel

Thu, 01-28-2010, 08:36 PM

That main character appeal seems to be working as well as ever, but other than that i thought this episode was nice ( not as cute as the last one but still enjoyable )

I agree with Marik, i'm also curious as to why obvious reverse trap-kun decided to enroll as a boy

Kraco

Fri, 01-29-2010, 02:38 AM

I didn't like this episode that much. Jokes seemed to be few and far between and some of them not overly relevant. The only thing going for it was the fact Ayse indeed was cute and hot.

Plus I'm somewhat tired of the uber cliche scene of somebody knocking on a door as if to make sure anybody inside won't be surprised yet still immediately proceeding to open the door and step inside. Why the heck knock and even ask if you aren't going to wait even 10 seconds before going in? The servant was totally correct to brandish her sword to the brute.

Marik

Wed, 02-03-2010, 11:04 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 05 - 720p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32920) | 480p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=32924)

Ryllharu

Thu, 02-04-2010, 08:36 PM

Tomomi and Selnia's inferiority complexes toward each other are fairly predictable, but nicely handled in this episode. It seems that Tomomi had a hard time adjusting to the rich girl lifestyle at first. The two might be rivals, but they help each other out as well. Lots of good scenes with Mikan-sensei in this episode.

The clumsy maid and the casual undresser being sisters was unexpected, but not really all that surprising in the end. Put the two side by side, and it is pretty obvious. Their hair colors might be different, but their eyes are very much the same, and their personalities have a number of similarities.

Since it looks like the next episode is getting into it, Dachi doesn't do a very convincing job of hiding as a boy when she wears girl's panties as her usual underwear.

Pandadice

Fri, 02-05-2010, 12:02 AM

so that cake cg was pretty awesome. looked so fluid, i had to watch it like 3 times. really all the animation in this is great. Like either scene when the two lead chicks were walking outside. it just looked so great.

I'm really liking this series. a lot more than I thought I was at least. This episode just seemed really enjoyable to me.

Marik

Fri, 02-05-2010, 12:09 AM

I'm highly anticipating the next episode to see what the deal is with the reverse trap. I find it funny that she goes through the trouble of wrapping up her chest, when she doesn't have breasts to begin with.

I loved the principal at the end. She's so awesome.

Archangel

Fri, 02-05-2010, 01:02 PM

Marik

Wed, 02-10-2010, 04:21 AM

[LonE] Ladies versus Butlers! ED Single - my starry boy [Nakahara Mai].rar (http://losslessone.fansub-torrents.com/%5BLonE%5D_Nakahara_Mai_-_Ladies_versus_Butlers%21_ED_Single_-_my_starry_boy_%5Bw_scans%5D_%28mp3%29.rar.torrent )

[Nipponsei] Ladies Versus Butlers! ED Single - my starry boy [Nakahara Mai].zip (http://tracker.minglong.org/torrents/%5BNipponsei%5D%20Ladies%20Versus%20Butlers%21%20E D%20Single%20-%20my%20starry%20boy%20%5BNakahara%20Mai%5D.zip.to rrent)

Pandadice

Wed, 02-10-2010, 08:15 PM

episode 6

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 06 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [1B8F6069].mkv (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=33057)

Archangel

Wed, 02-10-2010, 10:45 PM

Lmao, how do you disassemble a whole dress from 1 string? I fucking love this show for being so retarded

Still i felt sorry for Daichi in the end, but her flatness saved the day!

Pandadice

Thu, 02-11-2010, 04:34 PM

"but I'm a guy" rofl. the way that line was dilvered was awesome xD

dang, when Kugimiya's signature tsundere voice came in, that was awesome

rofl. i loved the small talk goes to pompous laugh scene xD

Marik

Wed, 02-17-2010, 11:16 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! – 07 - 720p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=33267) | 480p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=33271)

Archangel

Thu, 02-18-2010, 04:25 AM

I'm going to the toilet! Haha, good old pervert.

Beach episode next week, i'm wondering how the reverse trap will get herself out of that one

Marik

Thu, 02-18-2010, 04:39 AM

She could probably show up wearing only swim trunks and not have her secret exposed. The bandages would blow her cover faster than her plain flat chest.

Archangel

Thu, 02-18-2010, 04:45 AM

She could probably show up wearing only swim trunks and not have her secret exposed. The bandages would blow her cover faster than her plain flat chest.

True, but not gonna happen. It would take a very brazen flat chested girl to walk around topless in a beach after all

Ryllharu

Thu, 02-18-2010, 04:13 PM

It'll be the old sweatshirt + "I don't know how," ploy, and then in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep, she'll be either trying on a swimsuit she secretly bought, or frolicking in the surf under the moonlight.

The cosplay was funny, but the Princess seems like a bit of a one-gag character. The Principal going all fangirl before being completely frozen out by Mikan-sensei was my favorite part.

Marik

Wed, 02-24-2010, 09:50 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 08 - 720p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=33481) | 480p (http://www.anirena.com/viewtracker.php?action=download&id=33483)

Ryllharu

Thu, 02-25-2010, 05:37 AM

It'll be the old sweatshirt + "I don't know how," ploy, and then in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep, she'll be either trying on a swimsuit she secretly bought, or frolicking in the surf under the moonlight.
I'm rather delighted that I was wrong. Daichi sweating it out (literally and figuratively) says a lot about her determination, despite Tomomi's best attempts at mischief.

More interesting was how jealous Tomomi and Selnia are getting of each other in relation to their emotional proximity to Akiharu. The only difference is how bad Selnia is at hiding it. In fact, a number of Tomomi's jabs actually backfired on her completely. Tomomi was surprised that Selnia wasn't showing her usual angry and upset reaction to accusations about herself and Akiharu. Selnia's embarrassed response and stuttering concerned Tomomi. Enough that she actually asked Akiharu later, and his honest (but incorrect) response that nothing possibly could have returned Tomomi to usual. Of course, the CPR one was the big one. Tomomi knew Selnia was alright, and tried to prod Akiharu into doing it, hoping for an embarrassed response and refusal. What she got took her aback, enough that she couldn't even hide her surprise.

Selnia won some major points this episode.

Archangel

Thu, 02-25-2010, 07:29 AM

We finally get to the main girls, about time if you ask me

I found myself becoming a fan of both Selnia's personality and even character design, her pretty blue eyes and face make up for her unusual hairstyle and i found the braided version to be quite cute

I still don't feel anything in particular about Tomomi but hopefully the next episode will change that

I don't expect him to make an actual choice among the harem by the end of this but some sort of confrontation between those two would be greatly appreciated

Ryllharu

Wed, 03-03-2010, 06:20 PM

[Ryuumaru] Ladies vs Butlers! - 09 [720p] (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=116845)

Normally I'd wait for Doki (which is better than Ryuumaru), but I wanted to see the Tomomi response episode to the previous Selnia episode.

-----------------------------

I wonder as Tomomi becomes more aware that she actually might like Akiharu rather than just like teasing him, has she lost her chance with him? She's done enough damage during their childhood and now with their reunion that he doesn't trust her at all anymore. In terms of a date, it was a total failure. Akiharu didn't enjoy himself at all really. He felt like a slave, and expressed it. Bad form on his part, but not without merit. The more time he spends with her, the more he expects her to do something nefarious. In stark contrast, the more time he spends with Selnia when she isn't freaking out, the more he is impressed by her. Selnia acts like her station, respects her subordinates, and returns favors.

Akiharu liked Tomomi back then. He doesn't like her so much now. She may have felt a moment of victory when he said that he had intended to become her bride, but with all their past history, he has almost no trust in her anymore. Selnia he has started to trust a great deal more after their very bad first impression of each other.

Marik

Wed, 03-03-2010, 09:32 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 09 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [49BD3B65].mkv (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=116939)
[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 09 (848x480 XviD MP3) [F5E17606].avi (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=116970)

Archangel

Thu, 03-04-2010, 02:36 PM

I'll have to agree with Ryll. Selnia has one hell of an advantage at this point but i also believe that you should never underestimate the "childhood friend card" when it comes to anime, it's like a wild joker in these things

That aside, the blushing in the end was pretty cute

shinta|hikari

Thu, 03-04-2010, 07:01 PM

While I don't expect any final choice to be made in the series, I'm thinking that Tomomi still has an advantage. One, as already mentioned she is a childhood friend, and not only that, she is a childhood friend that the guy previously liked. Two, in some parts of that episode, Akiharu actually did see her as a girl, and not just the evil conniving sort. Three, she has always been helping Akiharu out from the shadows (even if she started most of the problems in the first place), and when Akiharu realizes this, he will probably regain trust in Tomomi, which may awaken his feelings for her as well. Four, Selnia is more of a tsundere comic relief character, and those types practically never win in the end in these kinds of shows.

Ryllharu

Thu, 03-04-2010, 07:17 PM

1) Tomomi is a childhood friend he previously liked. He liked her when he said that his dream was to be a bride, but after that, Tomomi stepped up her efforts teasing him until she moved away. He became her target the same way that Selnia is her primary target now. This one is up for debate, but given the mistrust he has for her, I don't think his feelings are anything more than memories now.

2) The way he said it had the air of, "Oh, so you really are a girl after all." A snide remark to go along with his unending skepticism of her motives the entire episode.

3) I don't think he'll regain trust in her because of that. She told him she would be his ally, but he doesn't trust her, again, all due to their prior interaction. He knows what Tomomi is really like, not who she appears to be to everyone else in the school. She doesn't try to hide it from him. Just like here, his first intuition is that she is up to something. You can say she's been doing it for him, but that doesn't change the truth. Tomomi has been helping out Akiharu because whatever he gets involved in, she usually gains a great deal of amusement in return. Keeping him in the school made Selnia furious, helping him out with the various girls granted her abnormal things to do. Keeping him from being married to the one keeps him accessible to her. Life playing the rich and cultured girl was boring before she had a proxy to use her plans through.

He won't regain trust in her because he knows what she is really like, not the role she plays when she's around others. She even threatened him in the first episode if he dared reveal it.

Furthermore, Tomomi even wondered to herself if she had gone too far with her pranks.

4) Not all tsundere comic relief characters lose. In fact, quite a number of them do win. That would depend on your definition of what comedy relief constitutes to. Tsunderes in comedy romance series win a lot. Selnia has shifted from comedy relief in Akiharu's eyes considerably in recent episodes. You can't just ignore the gains in respect he has given her, and the the respect she now gives Akiharu compared to the initial episodes.

shinta|hikari

Fri, 03-05-2010, 07:31 PM

2) I did not mean one specific scene. There are several scenes where Akiharu was embarrassed when Tomomi made advances. This won't happen if you don't think of the partner as a girl, and a possible romantic interest.

3) Akiharu thinks that Tomomi is incapable of anything other than doing pranks for her own amusement. However, we (the audience) know that she is not just that. While she loves her entertainment, she also has genuine concern for Akiharu. If he realizes this, then the wall between them will most likely disappear.

4) What I mean by tsundere comic relief characters is that they are the brunt of most of the jokes in the show. Tsundere characters usually win in the end, but not when they are treated like comic relief characters. Selnia is simply hard to take seriously or sympathize with because of how she is portrayed.

EDIT: I may have simply forgotten them so I am not sure, but I can't seem to remember many series with a tsundere comic relief character (that accurately fit the definition I stated above) winning in the end. The only one that popped out is Narusegawa. Louise also seems to fit, but not Shana or even Taiga. Can you refresh my memory of others? I can easily name those that don't fit into the category though, leading me to believe that the latter is much more prominent.

Ryllharu

Fri, 03-05-2010, 10:46 PM

3) Akiharu thinks that Tomomi is incapable of anything other than doing pranks for her own amusement. However, we (the audience) know that she is not just that. While she loves her entertainment, she also has genuine concern for Akiharu. If he realizes this, then the wall between them will most likely disappear.

4) What I mean by tsundere comic relief characters is that they are the brunt of most of the jokes in the show. Tsundere characters usually win in the end, but not when they are treated like comic relief characters. Selnia is simply hard to take seriously or sympathize with because of how she is portrayed.

EDIT: I may have simply forgotten them so I am not sure, but I can't seem to remember many series with a tsundere comic relief character (that accurately fit the definition I stated above) winning in the end. The only one that popped out is Narusegawa. Louise also seems to fit, but not Shana or even Taiga. Can you refresh my memory of others? I can easily name those that don't fit into the category though, leading me to believe that the latter is much more prominent.
3) Do we? Tomomi doesn't even seem to recognize it herself. She certainly didn't before this episode. She was wondering where her feelings came from the same as Selnia. So unless you mean the clear assumption that she will realize it (or had at the conclusion of this episode,) I disagree that was as the audience know she is more than that.

4) I don't find Selina hard to take serious or sympathize with. She is a rich, smart, high class girl who takes a great deal of pride in herself and her position. We saw it clearly last episode. She cares for her servants (mentioned that the beach was usually for them), acts as a lady should when favors are done to her, and attempts to regain her pride when she perceives it to be slighted (as with the first episode). She is hot-headed and occasionally irrational, but that doesn't make her a Sunohara. Selnia is not a comedy relief character for the sake of comedy relief. She is far more like a Narusegewa.

Naming tsunderes who "win" would in my mind constitute as spoilers, and the phrasing of the question would imply those same spoilers by naming the series they are in. I'll name a few if you wish, but it will be in PM if you ask for it.

However, I think you are not taking Selnia seriously enough, and giving her the role of the pointless comedy relief character, in the same capacity that the Otaku Princess, principal, and overreacting handmaiden are to this series. The previous episode made it abundantly clear that Selnia should be considered a serious candidate, especially in light that the only other serious candidate recognized that something is growing between Selnia and Akiharu, leading to this date.

I am by no means stating that Selnia will win, but to imply that Tomomi has some sort of advantage given these four discussed criteria is a falsehood. The two are on quite equal footing after this episode and the previous. Akiharu may trust Tomomi infinitesimally more (yet is still constantly wary), but Selnia is on his mind far more than Tomomi is. To him, his relationship was a one-sided affair, long in the past.

shinta|hikari

Sat, 03-06-2010, 03:39 AM

3) Do we? Tomomi doesn't even seem to recognize it herself. She certainly didn't before this episode. She was wondering where her feelings came from the same as Selnia. So unless you mean the clear assumption that she will realize it (or had at the conclusion of this episode,) I disagree that was as the audience know she is more than that.

She did realize it at the end of this episode, and I am pretty sure that Akiharu will too before this show ends. It is a guess, I know, but one with really high probability.

I think that there are numerous scenes before this episode that show that she does actually care, even if not romantically at that point, for Akiharu (like how she stopped the marriage to the princess character), so we simply have to agree to disagree on the matter of the audience knowing that Tomomi cares for Akiharu beyond being a plaything.

However, I think you are not taking Selnia seriously enough, and giving her the role of the pointless comedy relief character, in the same capacity that the Otaku Princess, principal, and overreacting handmaiden are to this series.

I have to admit that I do feel that way towards her, but mainly because she acts like it. She isn't Sunohara, but she is like a ton of other tsundere comic relief characters that simply get relegated as an after thought when another girl gets the spotlight. It almost seems like she is a comedy character with some personality added to make her a main love interest, instead of the other way around, but that judgment is probably tainted by my dislike for noisy tsundere types like her.

Also, I would appreciate it if you can pm me the shows that you have thought of, excluding the ones I have already mentioned. It would serve as a good refresher on old anime that I may have forgotten. Thanks.

Ryllharu

Sat, 03-06-2010, 09:33 AM

To clarify, the issue between the two of us is whether or not Tomomi has a distinct advantage, which I found to be baseless given the four things you mentioned. I certainly believe if she has an advantage it is because of past history and childhood first crush status. Akiharu is more comfortable around her, and does confide in her from time to time. That does not mean he trusts her, nor is the first thought when he thinks of her is that she is a girl, he thinks of her as the dreaded Tomomi, terror of his childhood.

He thought of her as a first love before she began her reign of terror on him. That was eroded under her onslaught until he was terrified of her. To her credit and further evidence, her methods of "torturing" him are a rather convincing sign that she did like him. Little girls that age absolutely pick on the boys they like. The difference is perhaps that Tomomi never recognized that aspect of her terrorism. In fact, I think she has only started to realize it. The closest thing Tomomi has to "friends" are those whom she frequently abuses. Selnia is both her rival and the person she spends the most time with. Akiharu is her only true confidant. She plays pranks on the other main girls, who also seem to trust in her to a reasonable level enough to show parts of themselves they had kept secret before now.

But I don't believe she has a distinct advantage. Tomomi may be the closest to Akiharu, but even if it was out of obligation, Selnia has made the first move. The two are on each others minds quite a bit. Selnia is too dense to realize she likes him, Akiharu doesn't know what to make of it yet, and Tomomi is starting to realize she has pushed him away. I think they are all about equal distance from each other, though Akiharu probably is the furthest along in determining his own feelings, for whomever they may be.

David75

Sat, 03-06-2010, 10:36 AM

There's something very important to factor here, Tomomi and Akiharu are slowly getting away their chilhood and will become adults.
They are at a time when views change and Akiharu can't forever hold a grudge or be afraid of Tomomi.
He's portrayed as slightly uninterested in women for the moment (but gets body reactions), but that will change too.
From there, everything can change.

Regarding Selnia, it is strange to think that in a way Akiharu treats her a little like Tomoni does treat him. You would think that he likes her enough for her to be his favourite partner. Same could be for Tomomi, that's what she tried to find out this episode at least.

shinta|hikari

Sat, 03-06-2010, 10:43 AM

To clarify, the issue between the two of us is whether or not Tomomi has a distinct advantage, which I found to be baseless given the four things you mentioned. I certainly believe if she has an advantage it is because of past history and childhood first crush status.

But this was the first thing I mentioned.

Akiharu is more comfortable around her, and does confide in her from time to time. That does not mean he trusts her, nor is the first thought when he thinks of her is that she is a girl, he thinks of her as the dreaded Tomomi, terror of his childhood.

But I never said that the first thought when Akiharu thinks of her is that she is a girl. I said that he still considers her a girl, despite also being a terror. Rather than this being an advantage, I noted it as a condition that allows Tomomi to be a candidate. If Akiharu did not even consider her a girl, then she would be out from the get go.

But I don't believe she has a distinct advantage... I think they are all about equal distance from each other, though Akiharu probably is the furthest along in determining his own feelings, for whomever they may be.

I didn't say distinct advantage either. I just said Tomomi still has an advantage, one that she retained from before when Akiharu still didn't know much about Selnia. I also think it is a very close race, like you said.

Ryllharu

Sat, 03-06-2010, 11:02 AM

But this was the first thing I mentioned.You specifically mentioned, "Childhood friend that he previously liked," where I just wrote it as an advantage if the fact remains that he still likes her, which I have my doubts. Fair enough then, I will formally concede this one, which is why I went on to focus on your second and fourth points. They aren't sufficiently distinct enough phrases to make an issue out of it.

But I never said that the first thought when Akiharu thinks of her is that she is a girl. I said that he still considers her a girl, despite also being a terror. Rather than this being an advantage, I noted it as a condition that allows Tomomi to be a candidate. If Akiharu did not even consider her a girl, then she would be out from the get go.
And I don't think he does still consider her a girl after all the terrorism he suffered. He thinks of her as Tomomi, like a figment of a nightmare. Perhaps he is beginning to reconcile with that notion, but not anywhere completely, even in episode 9.

There's something very important to factor here, Tomomi and Akiharu are slowly getting away their chilhood and will become adults.
They are at a time when views change and Akiharu can't forever hold a grudge or be afraid of Tomomi.
He's portrayed as slightly uninterested in women for the moment (but gets body reactions), but that will change too.
From there, everything can change.I agree, but is certainly hasn't happened yet, which is why shinta should not be considering it as an advantage for Tomomi. However, I do think he has begun to get interested in Selnia recently, where to contrast he no longer thinks of Tomomi as anything but a past childhood romance.

Regarding Selnia, it is strange to think that in a way Akiharu treats her a little like Tomoni does treat him. You would think that he likes her enough for her to be his favourite partner. Same could be for Tomomi, that's what she tried to find out this episode at least.I'm not sure what you mean by this here (or I'm not remembering). He's only gone on one outing with Selnia, and that was because he knew that she couldn't abuse him as she had hoped. Like you said above, it seems that he is generally disinterested about women, and more concerned about finding a partner for the exercises at all (because most girls in the school are scared of him). He has typically taken the first offer made to him. It's worked out that either Selnia or Tomomi just missed their opportunities, usually resulting in comedic shock for Selnia or mild surprise for Tomomi. Care to give a few examples of what you mean about Akiharu treating Selnia the way Tomomi treats him?

David75

Sat, 03-06-2010, 03:10 PM

Well, the comparison with Tomomi's behavior was a bit strong, but Akiharu always calls Selnia "Drill" to have her react. To my knowledge, she's the only one he treats in such a way being averagely polite to everyone else except Tomomi of course.

Kraco

Mon, 03-08-2010, 06:01 PM

Akiharu is not the only one calling Selnia's hair drills, though. Not that it would make it any more okay, but I view him a bit cynical and maybe stoic, which would be explained by his harsh past. Considering the way Selnia welcomed him to the school, he's just paying back that way, but not showing her quite the level of respect Selnia herself thinks she deserves.

Well, it's an uber traditional plot element, really. People who treat you more personally or differently are sure to catch your attention more. I guess objectively speaking from Selnia's pov, she paid so much attention to him also because she wanted to prove him she's a real lady despite what happened (and kept happening due to the comic relief).

All in all I couldn't say which one has an advantage. I tend to agree with David regarding the fact that when/if Akiharu notices Tomomi is a girl in love, provided it sufficiently alters her behavior, he might sweep aside the past as mere childhood. On the other hand the more he sees Selnia's true character, the more it could widen the social class gap between them. That might not happen with Tomomi since those two were the same back in their childhood. She has hardly been a lady for him ever.

Marik

Wed, 03-10-2010, 10:03 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 10 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [A87E0B2F].mkv (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=118218)
[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 10 (848x480 XviD MP3) [1686D85D].avi (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=118256)

Marik

Wed, 03-17-2010, 11:01 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 11 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [F626356F].mkv (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=119562)
[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 11 (848x480 XviD MP3) [ECCA1BD3].avi (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=119586)

Marik

Wed, 03-24-2010, 10:51 PM

[Doki] Ladies versus Butlers! - 12 (1280x720 h264 AAC) [6AEEBA20].mkv (http://www.nyaatorrents.org/?page=download&tid=120672)

oyabun

Wed, 03-24-2010, 10:59 PM

Thanks, I can't beleive how thick headed a person can be.. Mostly they are like this in harem animes and i didn't mind it too much but somehow I didn't like how the ending episode was proceeding. I got irritated tru the end. :(

Yukimura

Fri, 03-26-2010, 11:43 AM

While I glad this is over I liked how it ended with respect to Akiharu's decision and the effect it had on the girls though I didn't particularly like how the two girls behaved in response. The climax of this episode revealed the gross oversight on the part of both sides of the battle for Akiharu. Neither seemed to consider the notion that Akiharu simply wasn't romantically interested in EITHER of them enough to make anything happen. I can see how to romance fans out there this might be cause to vilify Akiharu but for me it was a step in a positive direction in terms of harem male-lead behavior. It takes two people to make a relationship, no matter how much one character wants to be with another if that other character is not even looking for love then there is no good end to be had.

I think Selenia and Tomomi wanted something from him that he was at best neutral to and at worst actively disinterested in. Akiharu seemed content to just live his life, make friends, and try to be a decent person. I don't think it ever even occurred to him that the girls could want him romantically . This is where my beef with the final scene comes in. Akiharu did what he was told to do, listened to their speeches, believed their lies, and tried to make the best of the situation as it was presented to him. The fact that the two girls couldn't or wouldn't come clean to him is not his fault yet in the end he is bitch slapped AND criticized by the entire cast for essentially trusting his friends at their word when interpreting the meaning behind their behavior.

Maybe my Y chromosome goggles are making me interpret this in too male-centric a way but the way I see it he treated the girls like I would expect a person to treat another person while they treated him like a toy they both wanted to play with. In the end I think the girls got exactly what they deserved from him which was exactly what they asked for and nothing that they didn't.

Ryllharu

Fri, 03-26-2010, 03:53 PM

Hmm, I like that take on it Yuki. Not something I thought about.

As for me, I expected that precise outcome the moment that Akiharu was given the tickets, even before Selnia and Tomomi found out about it. He's too dense (or as you point it disinterested) in romance with them. But because he's a nice guy, he sees two girls in a very heated competition for a single ticket, and he immediately thinks that they must really want to go to the water park. He figured it was the best way to make them both happy/satisfied, which as a servant-in-training, is his primary duty.

I wonder if Tomomi's brutality when they were younger didn't scar him for life. He liked a girl, confided in her, and was nearly immediately betrayed. Whether Tomomi was really solely malicious or just acting like an elementary school girl who picks on the boy she likes is up for debate.

But that is a bit on the bleak side, so I think a more appropriate to say that he doesn't consider them romantic interests because in his mind, the two are far out of his league. He is a servant, and they are both high class ladies. Tomomi already proved to him long ago that he wasn't good enough for her. He was her servant back then, or maybe even slave. Selnia is a rich and high class lady. He may have taken her down a few notches when they first met, and he didn't respect her because of her brash attitude. But the beach episode changed that. He saw that she acted in the way that is expected of those in the upper class. Akiharu probably can't even conceive of the concept of them liking him. I wonder what his reaction might be if the clumsy Shikikagami sister started to express a subtle interest in him. Perhaps he might not be so dense about it.

Like you said, if they two had been a bit more honest with themselves and with Akiharu, we may have seen a very different outcome. There was the similar event with Ayse. He didn't want her to be forced into marriage with a guy like him simply because he saw her naked on accident. But he reacted very differently when she wished that one day he might be able to accept her feelings. Selnia and Tomomi both saved him out of not wanting to lose him (before they both knew they loved him), but each made an excuse that he took.

Ayse might be even more of an upper class lady than Tomomi and Selnia, but once she admitted her feelings, he saw her differently, though it did not last for the rest of the season since she and Hedyeh immediately became side characters.