Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel Review
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By konno oyuki
39 volumes
1998
Description
Maria-sama ga Miteru’s story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls’ School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for “sister” ) , in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur (“big sister” ) , will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur (“little sister” ) , and promise to look after them and guide them. When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a new first-year student admitted to Lillian, is praying in front of the virg*n Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi’s uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi’s classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi’s meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko’s permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko’s rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur. This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Toudou — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satou respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. This was the original novel that the Manga and Anime are based on.
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Publication Information
- Original Publisher
- shueisha
- Original Language
- japanese
- Type
- Light Novel
Maria-sama ga Miteru Review & Spoilers - Novel Translator
My Thoughts on Maria-sama ga Miteru
"Maria-sama ga Miteru" (MariMite) has been on my radar for a while, mainly because of its reputation as a foundational yuri series. After diving in, I can definitely see why it holds such a prominent place, even if it's not quite what I initially expected.
First Impressions
Stepping into the world of Lillian Girls' Academy is like entering a different era. The emphasis on tradition, the formal language ("gokigen-yo"!), and the almost complete insulation from modern problems create a unique atmosphere. It's definitely a character-driven slice-of-life story, and the pacing is deliberately slow. This isn't a plot-heavy narrative, so be prepared to settle in for a gentle, character-focused experience.
What Works Well
The strength of MariMite lies in its exploration of relationships, particularly the sœur system. The bond between senior and junior students is portrayed with a delicate touch, and I found myself invested in the development of Yumi and her onee-sama, Sachiko. The author does a great job of making the reader care about these characters and their individual struggles, even if those struggles are relatively low-stakes.
The novel excels at creating a heartwarming, almost fantastical portrayal of female friendship and affection. It's a world of decency and propriety, where darker themes are hinted at but rarely explored directly. Some might find this limiting, but I appreciated the focus on the positive aspects of these characters' lives.
Areas of Concern
While the slow pace and focus on the minutiae of school life can be charming, it can also feel a bit drawn out at times. There are a lot of details that some readers might consider extraneous, and the plot moves at a snail's pace. Also, if you're expecting explicit yuri content, you might be disappointed. The romantic elements are subtle, and the series primarily focuses on the emotional bonds between the characters.
Final Verdict
"Maria-sama ga Miteru" is a unique and charming slice-of-life story that offers a glimpse into a bygone era of elegance and tradition. While its slow pace and lack of explicit content may not appeal to everyone, I found it to be a heartwarming and enjoyable read. If you're looking for a character-driven story with a focus on female friendship and subtle romance, this might be just what you're looking for.
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