My-Otome Anime
In the My-Otome anime series, Mai Tohika is a much more relaxed and carefree person (much to Natsuki's consternation), but still has good cooking skills. Despite her attitude, she is knowledgeable about Otome and political affairs, due to her status as a princess.
Nobody knew of this since she herself had left her homeland without anyone's knowledge. Keeping it a secret while trying to get admitted into Garderobe, she was luckily found by a wealthy family in the area, who agreed to also sponsor her tuition. She was given the rank of #1 Coral and was roomed alongside the #2 Coral - Natsuki Kruger, who explained much of the Otome system to Mai. The two became fast friends during their time together, with Mai noticeably helping Natsuki become the Room Attendant of Shizuru Viola, the #1 Pearl at that time, despite the stiff competition for that particular role. In battle, she was nearly undefeatable, a streak that continued well into her Pearl year.
When she became Pearl #1, Mai claimed the young Sara Gallagher as her Room Attendant. At graduation, she faced a dilemma that rapidly multiplied itself when the family that was sponsoring her made their desire known that they wanted her to come work as their family's Otome. She agreed on the spot but she was then told that she was chosen, along with Natsuki, to become one of the Five Columns of Garderobe. She also remembered the real reason why she wanted to become an Otome was to help her younger brother, Takumi, who was to become the leader of Zipang. Not knowing what else to do, she took an insanely long 'walk to clear her head' and fell into one of Mikoto's traps, where her GEM was eaten and formed an unofficial contract between them.
Mai first appears as a silhouette and in pictures in My-Otome episodes before her onscreen appearance, being referenced as the legendary "Tragic Meister" by other characters. However, when the interior of Backstage, a shop for die-hard Otome fans, was shown, a poster that depicted Mai in her #1 Pearl Uniform was briefly seen. She is also alluded to when Natsuki speaks of her own 'rival' when discussing the Arika/Nina rivalry, and when Prince Takumi Tokiha comes to visit Windbloom. It is not until episode 23 that she finally shows her face onscreen when Arika, Mashiro, and Miyu arrive in the Black Valley. Mai lives there and serves as the Otome to Mikoto the Cat Goddess.
While Arika trains with Mikoto, Mai teaches Mashiro to become a better queen, due to the former position as royalty and Otome. Also, as an experienced Senior Meister Otome, Mai shares her experience, cooking skills, knowledge and strength with Arika, and treats her dearly like her younger sister, whenever and whatever possible. Mai and Mikoto escort Arika and Mashiro back to Windbloom, and Mai does battle against Nagi's forces, destroying much of the fleet by herself.
In the 1st episode of the My-Otome Zwei OVA, Mai has set up a ramen shop in the Cat God Mountain Park, which Mashiro visits for food and advice. After a huge Slave appears, Mai and Arika do battle against it, combining their attacks to defeat it. However, before the two can celebrate, a shadowy being knocks Mai into the roof of a building and the Mountain vanishes. The next episode reveals that Mai and Mashiro have been missing since the incident. In the 3rd episode, it shows that they have been relocated to an island somewhere otherwise unharmed.
In the 4th and final episode of My-Otome Zwei OVA, Mai's Child, Kagutsuchi, from the My-HiME Series, makes a surprise cross-over appearance, after having been summoned/created by the Founder of Garderobe, Fumi Himeno, and battles Mai fairly evenly power for power (at one point, Mai is seen being pressed between Kagutsushi's jaws and a cliff, trying keeping herself from being crushed). She eventually defeats Kagutsuchi in an ironic twist by tearing out the sword embedded in its head (for the My-HiME incarnation, the sword acts as a seal to Kagutsuchi's powers), which results in Kagutsuchi being turned into a small white kitten with a bandage on its forehead and wings on its back.
The 8th My-Otome DVD omake reveals the truth behind the "Tragic Meister" legend. It seems that the origin of the legend stemmed from Natsuki herself in trying to explain Mai's sudden disappearance.
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