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「TALE 3」
Shinku has always been my favorite doll – hands down. Since I started watching the original Rozen Maiden (way back when), I’ve always had a sweet spot for her. I know newer audiences probably don’t have a good gauge on her personality yet, but I adore her strong will and her insistence on being “a lady”. So far we’ve only seen her slap Jun around a few times, but she’s actually much more than that and I think we’ll get to see a lot more of her (and hopefully the other dolls too) now. Shinku appears to be pretty cold most of the time (especially towards Jun), but underneath all that, she has a huge heart and that’s why a lot of her sisters adore her as well (Hinaichigo for one and Suiseiseki for another). Not going to lie – there aren’t that many anime characters out there (especially girls) that I have a crush on, but Shinku is definitely one of them. I love her grand entrance at the end and it’s a shame that there weren’t any full-lengths where I could capture that beauty.
It was a genuinely nice surprise to see that flashback to Jun’s past this episode. I’m certain that this is new material because I don’t remember why Jun became a shut-in in the original anime, but it wasn’t because he was teased for designing dresses. I thought that was a nice touch because Jun is someone that was raised by his sister and that heavily influences you as a child growing up. It’s an amazing artistic skill to have when you’re young and able to stitch and draw. What’s sad is that kids don’t see it that way and middle school tends to be the time that most preteens suffer from bullying and teasing and the dreaded cliques. I was too so I can empathize with Jun. Unfortunately for him, that trauma has carried out throughout his life and he’s been unable to socialize much because of it. He doesn’t seem to care much for his sister anymore either from the tone he gave off texting to the “other” Jun. It’s a sad thought but it goes to show two things in my opinion: 1) Jun is destined to be Shinku’s owner (past or present) and 2) Jun was never meant to be a loner forever and the dolls will help him break out of that.
Now we can talk about the scary mountain of doll parts and the sudden change in music. I think Rozen Maiden is on a roll with these mood swings and cliffhangers at the end. It makes me feel like there’s a darker and deeper story than what’s on the surface – and I’m not just referring to the N-Field. I explained this before and will do it again – the N-Field is another world which Kirakishou (the 7th doll) exists in… Except it’s very much real when you’re in it. Kirakishou has no “physical” body to exist in the real world and therefore attempts to steal others to become a “real doll”. In the process, she’s become the main antagonist in the series because she seems to eliminate all her sisters in the process by stealing their Rosa Mysticas. Her weapon is in the form of vines and thorns and she’s also missing an eye which I always thought was creepy. I don’t think she’s going to be the only problem that Jun and Shinku have to face in the series, but it seems like she is the main issue at the moment. What’s weird is that Jun also said he’s “on the way to help” so I guess the N-Field allows time dimensions to overlap as well.
I’m very pleased with the progress that this series has made so far. Despite the first episode “recap”, the two episodes which are based on the second series of the manga has done a great job incorporating all the reasons why I love Rozen Maiden. There’s a bit of mystery, fantasy and slice-of-life but that’s all surrounded by a gothic tone that I don’t see a lot in recent anime. The artwork has gone on me a lot as well and it doesn’t seem like the production value has decreased – or maybe I’m biased. Shinku just looks so angelic in the last frame. I was expecting Jun to find a key to wind her up, but it seems like all he had to do was wake her up (her hair sudden appeared!). Maybe her Rosa Mystica wasn’t taken… but that’s a question that’s likely answered next week. I think the “younger” Jun pointed out that Holly would play a role in her return.
Preview
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I’m definitely liking this series- as someone who didn’t watch the original.
Sad that Jun is ostracized when he has such talent.
I agree! I was so unsure about the first ep: the but this and the second one definitely piqued my curiosity and interest. Jun is a much more attractive character as an adult.
The only thing I disliked about this ep is that the eyeballs, mouth, hair, and coloring just conveniently popped in after the feet and head were attached. But oh well.
I’m really liking the atmosphere and the pace so far.
Except for the recap episode which was simply unnecessary, in my opinion.
Now I can’t wait to see more of Shinku and maybe even another doll will show up in the next episode.
It wasn’t really a recap episode as such, it was there to introduce the original manga version of the story, which season 2 appears to be following, rather than being a direct continuation of season 1.
Yes, that’s what I meant. A recap of the events in the first manga. I think it might give a bad first impression to new viewers. They could have started directly with the unwound world story and make a reference to events of the first manga as they go along.
The more I look at her, the more she is starting to look like Saber from the fate franchise.
And older Jun looks a bit like a younger Kirei.
I could really give a flying f’ about the bookstore and all of its associated characters. Here’s hoping that the show will be happy that it used the bookstore to establish context and we can all move on.
I’m sure they seem irrelevant now but they’re probably going to play a larger role later on… especially Saitou. Otherwise they wouldn’t have been introduced.
I nvr watch the first rozen anime and I nvr read the manga
but deym I love this one
I for one feel the recap is a good one. It give a intro to new audiences and let old viewers know where this new series is starting from given how long ago it has ended. And yeah, love where is going so far and hope it keeps it up.
Really enjoying the show so far, it’s been forever. I really enjoy the voice cast so hope I get to hear all of them again soon.
The only thing that’s weird is shinku voice actress, because I’m also watchin majestic prince and she’s a hotty there and sassy cutness in this. It’s like my mind can’t make up what I want to see when I hear the voice. The only way to tell is shinku doesn’t use suffixes for most part. Speaking of suffuxes I hope there is a return of Detective Kun-Kun, shinku is always hilarious in those scenes.
Shinku was so adorable watching Detective Kun-kun. Not sure if they’d show it this time around but it’d be a shame that people can’t see that side of her ^^
Shinku may have the aura of a Victorian era lady but I still prefer Suigintou
Love how that, in any universe, as long as Jun meets Shinku, Shinku will slap Jun right off the bat.
Haha yeah. It gave me a good chuckle and a sense of nostalgia when she slapped him like that (once again XD)
oooh why does it always end on cliffhangers? Dx The moment you’re going “OMG WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?!” the end credits roll…
The new character design of Shinku in my opinion is much better than the old ones.
I also like how they are taking time to introduce the dolls and concentrate on Jun’s past, making me better understand his character.
You think?
I think the older one is more detailed and stylish.
Not to mention taller.
Yes, the slaps! That officially announce Shinku is completed. =D
I think the original series Jun claim to be smartest in class but fail in the exam and is made fun because of it. I think this new take is much better than old one to blend well with fact Jun was able to sew in the original series. I think Jun even sew or repair Suiseiseki dress at one point which net him a complement from her which is rare for her to be nice to him.
Was that really the reason? I totally forgot… which probably means it wasn’t that impactful as this one >_< I remember that scene with him and Suiseiseki as well! She rarely shows much appreciation for Jun (kind of like how Shinku abuses him a lot) but it's nice to see a different side to their character ^^
The manga has Jun being teased by his classmates for sewing girls’ clothes…but it didn’t go into the reasons why he stayed home at the time of the first anime. So the first anime had to make something up.