The disadvantage of having a conventionalist like Yoshino on board is, quite naturally, his conventionality. He does a lot of recycling. Shu is one result, a direct descendant of generations of wishy-washy romantic comedy leads. Inori is as well, her personality (or lack thereof) and hints of back-story strongly recalling Evangelion's Rei Ayanami. The post-apocalyptic future, viral outbreak, and government oppression in the name of safety have all been floating around for years, as have little touches like the girl with mechanical cat ears. And when Yoshino isn't availing himself of the anime collective consciousness, he's recycling... himself. My-HiME contributed the materializing weapons derived from loved ones, and the colonization of Japan and oppressive regime armed with mecha are straight from Code Geass (to which Yoshino contributed). Even Gai, probably the most compelling of Guilty Crown's players, borrows his mission and methods from Lelouch Lamperougethough minus the megalomania and cartoonish flourishes. I once said that if My-Otome was a drink it would be My-HiME Lite. If Guilty Crown was a drink, it'd be a cliché-smoothie.
It's not even that great.
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