When I first learned about Rozen Maiden, I have immediately categorized this into the Harem anime as Tenchi Muyo or Shuffle. I mean Shinku is already the fifth dolls, I would not be surprised that two or three more of her sisters will join her. At the best, it may match Ah! My Goddess in terms of sweet and innocent affection than just hitherto of fan service.
But the truth is, I was very much mistaken.
Maybe it is the beautiful character designs, or splendid voice acting, or just the distinct humanity in the female casts (in a good way, comparing to Higarushi no Naka Koro ni ... or When They Cry), Rozen Maiden became an immediate favorite, a pleasant surprise.
The story all begins with the legendary doll maker, Rozen, who spent his life to create the perfect girl, "Alice." In his pursuit, six sister dolls, who he called "Rozen Maidens," are created as models or prototypes for his ultimate masterpiece. However, Rozen did not build Alice. Instead, in each Rozen Maiden, he placed a mysterious power called "Rosen Mystica" and set a system called "Alice Game." It is said that the Rozen Maiden, who gathers all piece of Rosen Mystica, will become Alice. The Rozen Maidens, who are capable of motions and feelings by the Rosen Mystica, love Rozen as daughters love their father. They believe that their greatest achievement will be complete Alice for the sake of Rozen.
Of course, every one of the Rozen Maidens wants to be the one to become Alice, even by the meanings of force to covet others' Rosen Mystica. Battles are assured. To gain an advantage, the maidens form contact with human, who they called "Medium," to receive energy (Fate/Stay Night, anyone?). The losers in the Alice game will forfeit their Rosen Mystica, rendering them thoughtless and motionless as ordinary dolls.
And one day many many years later, Sakurada Jun receives this email...
Story wise, I have to say--it is a killer. The story is very nicely paced. Drama is slowly built by in each episode by subtle revelation, by language or by action. The plot line is mostly enhanced by the characters. Even though there are only twelve episodes, each character is well developed but not completely revealed. The personalities of the dolls are clear and unique. Also, characters are consistent; their roles in the story are not overly dramatic to be perceived as unrealistic, but still exciting enough for a slight laugh or a saddening sigh. The juxtaposition of more mature mind and a very childish appearance of the Rozen Maidens leaves behind an impression, especially in the case of Shinku and Shugintou. However, there are also the childish cuteness manifested in every Maidens, maybe more so in Hinaichigo. Shinku's love for Detective Kunkun and Suisenseki's devious pranks are quite memerable. The male lead, Jun, is the most developed character as he moves away from the initial self-isolation and learns the courage to care for the others. The awkwardness of "boy meets girl" with the particular situation gives many heartfelt comedy.
The visual presentation is great. Though not to the level of astonishing as some other anime like Last Exile, the details presented are excellent. The complex clothing in the character designs is very well done. Although not strong in action, the battle sequences are enough to convey the overall situation without the sense of repetition. The overall style is warm and simple, which fits the subject and the length well.
Great voice acting helps to bring out the emotional elements even more so than the story itself.
There are quite a few memorable inserts, like Battle of Roses and Kowareta Sekai. As the most tracks cover the calm (most of the time) daily life in the Sakurada Household, the slow light rhythms do their job. Overall, the soundtracks are difficult to stand out in situations to control the emotional flows in most cases. However, whenever they do, the effect is more than amazing.
Overall, I gave Rozen Maiden a 9.3 / 10.0 as the conflicts to become the perfect girl continue to intervene the lives of the sister dolls. Maybe the whole judgment is based on a betrayal of expectation, but the excellent performance is more than enough to make Rozen Maiden an outstanding title.
Greatly Recommended for those liking a story driven anime.
But the truth is, I was very much mistaken.
Maybe it is the beautiful character designs, or splendid voice acting, or just the distinct humanity in the female casts (in a good way, comparing to Higarushi no Naka Koro ni ... or When They Cry), Rozen Maiden became an immediate favorite, a pleasant surprise.
The story all begins with the legendary doll maker, Rozen, who spent his life to create the perfect girl, "Alice." In his pursuit, six sister dolls, who he called "Rozen Maidens," are created as models or prototypes for his ultimate masterpiece. However, Rozen did not build Alice. Instead, in each Rozen Maiden, he placed a mysterious power called "Rosen Mystica" and set a system called "Alice Game." It is said that the Rozen Maiden, who gathers all piece of Rosen Mystica, will become Alice. The Rozen Maidens, who are capable of motions and feelings by the Rosen Mystica, love Rozen as daughters love their father. They believe that their greatest achievement will be complete Alice for the sake of Rozen.
Of course, every one of the Rozen Maidens wants to be the one to become Alice, even by the meanings of force to covet others' Rosen Mystica. Battles are assured. To gain an advantage, the maidens form contact with human, who they called "Medium," to receive energy (Fate/Stay Night, anyone?). The losers in the Alice game will forfeit their Rosen Mystica, rendering them thoughtless and motionless as ordinary dolls.
And one day many many years later, Sakurada Jun receives this email...
Story wise, I have to say--it is a killer. The story is very nicely paced. Drama is slowly built by in each episode by subtle revelation, by language or by action. The plot line is mostly enhanced by the characters. Even though there are only twelve episodes, each character is well developed but not completely revealed. The personalities of the dolls are clear and unique. Also, characters are consistent; their roles in the story are not overly dramatic to be perceived as unrealistic, but still exciting enough for a slight laugh or a saddening sigh. The juxtaposition of more mature mind and a very childish appearance of the Rozen Maidens leaves behind an impression, especially in the case of Shinku and Shugintou. However, there are also the childish cuteness manifested in every Maidens, maybe more so in Hinaichigo. Shinku's love for Detective Kunkun and Suisenseki's devious pranks are quite memerable. The male lead, Jun, is the most developed character as he moves away from the initial self-isolation and learns the courage to care for the others. The awkwardness of "boy meets girl" with the particular situation gives many heartfelt comedy.
The visual presentation is great. Though not to the level of astonishing as some other anime like Last Exile, the details presented are excellent. The complex clothing in the character designs is very well done. Although not strong in action, the battle sequences are enough to convey the overall situation without the sense of repetition. The overall style is warm and simple, which fits the subject and the length well.
Great voice acting helps to bring out the emotional elements even more so than the story itself.
There are quite a few memorable inserts, like Battle of Roses and Kowareta Sekai. As the most tracks cover the calm (most of the time) daily life in the Sakurada Household, the slow light rhythms do their job. Overall, the soundtracks are difficult to stand out in situations to control the emotional flows in most cases. However, whenever they do, the effect is more than amazing.
Overall, I gave Rozen Maiden a 9.3 / 10.0 as the conflicts to become the perfect girl continue to intervene the lives of the sister dolls. Maybe the whole judgment is based on a betrayal of expectation, but the excellent performance is more than enough to make Rozen Maiden an outstanding title.
Greatly Recommended for those liking a story driven anime.
