The appeal and reviews of "Rozen Maiden": A deep look into the story of the dolls

Rozen Maiden: A tale of beautiful dolls' battles and growth

■Overview of the work

Rozen Maiden is a TV anime series based on the manga by PEACH-PIT that aired on TBS from October 8 to December 24, 2004. The 12-episode series is a fantasy and human drama woven by beautiful dolls. It was animated by Nomad and directed by Kou Matsuo.

■ Story

An antique doll arrives at Sakurada Jun's house. When Jun winds the doll's screws, he becomes the medium of a living girl doll named Shinku. Jun then becomes embroiled in a mysterious battle in which living girl dolls called Rozen Maidens fight over Rosa Mystica. This battle is an important element in depicting the meaning of their existence and Jun's growth.

■ Characters

crimson

The fifth doll in the Rozen Maiden series. She has a queenly temperament and is very proud, but she grows through her interactions with Jun. She has the ability to control dolls and has mysterious powers, and her presence is at the center of the story.

Jun Sakurada

Her hobby is ordering products through mail order, then cooling off as soon as they arrive, and enjoying the thrill. Although she appears indifferent to others, she has a heart that is sensitive to other people's feelings. Her special skill is sewing, and there are scenes in the story where she uses her talent.

Sakurada Nori

Jun's older sister, who attends high school. She is caring and has a very kind personality, but Jun sometimes finds her too nosy and meddlesome. Her airheaded side also adds color to the story.

Mercury lamp

One of the characters in the Rozen Maiden series who is after the crimson Rosa Mystica. With a cold and ruthless personality, she is an important character who increases the tension of the story.

Hina Ichigo

A doll from the Rozen Maiden series who uses a different human as her medium than Jun. Although she is childish in appearance and spirit and has a selfish personality, her purity adds warmth to the story.

Suiseiseki

A character in the Rozen Maiden series who is quite a sharp-tongued character. Although she changes her attitude depending on who she is talking to, she has a deep compassion hidden behind her.

Blue Star Stone

Although she is a twin sister of Suiseiseki, her personality is the complete opposite, and she is very serious. She doesn't express her opinions much, but rather shows her feelings through her actions. Her quiet presence adds depth to the story.

Sniff sniff

She is the protagonist of the TV puppet show that Shinku and her friends often watch. She appears as a colorful presence in their daily lives.

Kashiwaba Tomoe

Jun's classmate. A former medium of Hinaichigo, she is a character who grows through her relationship with Jun.

■ Production staff

The original work was by PEACH-PIT and the director was Ko Matsuo. The series was written by Jukki Hanada, character design and general animation director was Kumi Ishii, image design was Hiroyuki Kasugai, art direction was Chika Shibata, color design was Madoka Katsunuma, director of photography was Katsuyoshi Kishi, editing was Mutsumi Takemiya, sound direction was Yota Tsuruoka, and music was Shinkichi Mitsumune. Animation was produced by Nomad, with production cooperation from Pony Canyon, Movic, and Memory Tech, and produced by the Bara Otome Production Committee and TBS.

■Broadcast information

The series was broadcast from October 8 to December 24, 2004, on TBS every Thursday from 25:55 to 26:25, and on BS-i every Thursday from 24:30 to 25:00. It consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: Rose Maiden Fräulein Rose (2004/10/07)
• Episode 2: Hinaichigo Kleine Beere (2004/10/14)
• Episode 3: Mercury Lampe (2004/10/21)
• Episode 4: Jade Stern (2004/10/28)
• Episode 5: The Stairs (2004/11/04)
• Episode 6: Tears (2004/11/11)
• Episode 7: Dream Träume (2004/11/18)
• Episode 8: Lapislazuri Stern (2004/11/25)
• Episode 9: The Cage (Die Gefängnis) (2004/12/02)
• Episode 10: Abschied (2004/12/09)
• Episode 11: Fate Schicksal (2004/12/16)
• Episode 12: Shinku Reiner Rubin (2004/12/23)

■ Theme songs and music

OP1

"Forbidden Play"
Lyrics: Arika Takarano Composition: Mikiya Katakura Arrangement: Mikiya Katakura Vocals: ALI PROJECT

ED1

"Transparent Shelter"
Lyricist: myu
Composer: myu
Arrangement: refio
Sung by: refio + Haruka Shimotsuki

■ Related works

• Rozen Maiden Traumend
• Rozen Maiden Ouverture
• Rozen Maiden (2013 edition)

■Cast

• Jun Sakurada/Asami Sanada
• Crimson/Sawashiro Miyuki
• Hinaichigo/Sakura Nogawa
• Mercury Lamp/Rie Tanaka
• Nori Sakurada/Noriko Chikaramaru
• Kashiwaba Tomoe/Masayo Kurata
• Suiseiseki / Natsuko Kuwatani
• Souseiseki/Morinaga Rika

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Rozen Maiden" has captivated many fans with its beautiful visuals and deep story development. In particular, PEACH-PIT's unique character designs and Director Ko Matsuo's meticulous direction combine to create a visually beautiful and deep story. In addition, ALI PROJECT's opening theme "Forbidden Play" and refio + Haruka Shimotsuki's ending theme "Transparent Shelter" are also important elements that enhance the worldview of the work.

The story centers around the relationship between Jun and the Rozen Maidens. At first, Jun lives a closed-off life, indifferent to others, but gradually opens up after meeting Shinku. This process of growth deeply moves viewers. Additionally, the individual characters of the Rozen Maidens are also fascinating, and a human drama is depicted through their battles and conflicts.

Additionally, the work is packed with fantasy elements, and the battles over Rosa Mystica, journeys to other worlds, and other visual treats abound. All of these elements combine to make Rozen Maiden a work worth watching.

■ Recommendation points

"Rozen Maiden" is a work that is attractive for its beautiful visuals and deep story development. It is especially recommended for those who are moved by the portrayal of character growth and human relationships. It will also be enjoyed by those who like fantasy elements and ALI PROJECT's music. There are many related works, so you can enjoy the entire series.

This work is a truly artistic animation that combines visual beauty with a deep storyline. Please give it a watch.