After talking all about computers, I realized one thing: I loved Suigintou, and I loved Rozen Maiden!
Rozen Maiden and its sequel, Rozen Maiden: Traumend are two series concentrating on magical dolls and their relationships with their masters and peers. Although it may sound gay and childish, believe me, Rozen Maiden is NOT for children, and definitely NOT only for girls. I am a guy; although I was biased towards these series before I decided to watch the first episode. Twenty-three episodes later, the two series having already ended I still wanted more~! Yes. More.
Guys are often turned off when it comes to dolls. I myself was that way before watching Rozen Maiden. As guys, we attach a symbol of femininity to dolls, and perhaps because of our social structure that attachment is only pertinent. It will all change, however, when you watch it yourself.
Not only is it an anime about dolls, it is also among the most well-crafted anime I've seen. Although the dolls act anthropomorphically, their human dimensions is what makes them extremely likable by the end of the series. You will laugh when they are happy; you will cry when shit will happen … believe me, as a guy, though I haven't cried in anime I have been saddened and deeply affected by Rozen Maiden, especially by Traumend.
Although the relationships between the dolls are of note and beautifully molded, the social connotations behind too much education and the reality of life in Japan are also reflected in Rozen Maiden. In Japan, because of the extremely high expectations parents have of their children, only a little stress can trigger these children to break down and literally 'lock themselves away' from society. They hermetically seal themselves even from their own family. Known as hikikomori in Japanese lingo, these children have been growing in number ever since.
Our hero, Jun Sakurada, suffers from this ailment and the first series of this two-part anime deals with his recovery because of the unflinching kindness and love of his sister and of the dolls that surround him. It is a very poignant story and can definitely stand alone without the second series.
However, after watching the first series you most definitely will not stop watching Rozen Maiden. By then you will have fallen into a deep pit of fanboyism or fangirlism, and different degrees apply to different people. (I've fallen into a very deep pit of fanboyism.)
The second series continues directly after the first series, and as much as I would like to spoil you I'm just going to tell you that the second series is more plot-driven than the first series, which was more character-driven. Your enjoyment will not be attenuated, believe me, as a bittersweet story lies waiting for your consummation.
All in all, let me tell you that YOU (t3h r3ad3r) must like Suigintou (t3h hotti3). This is a rule in fanboyism … there isn't really much boys in this series, but YOU can still be a fangirl! Yes, you! But don't worry, although every doll has different characteristics from one another, they are extremely likable. Just don't expect to like them immediately, though.
If you plan to watch this anime, definitely watch it. I did, and I've never regretted seeming to be gay … for watching a show about dolls. If you don't plan to watch this anime, definitely watch it, as you may change your mind on the whole about dolls – you may even get to like them.
Don't worry, us regulars of the Rozen Maiden thread in the Fansubs forum can attest to that.
-physics223
March 20, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Hi there!
I agree with you at the Gin part!
March 20, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Listen to the guy and watch it, seriously.
Throughout the series, you will definetly get a liking to the characters, there hasn’t been a person we’ve met that has watched this series and still held the same idea of it he/she had before.
You might even identify yourself with the story; a lot of people have objects that they really care about, and to them these objects really gain life. This is the synthesis of Rozen Maiden.
March 20, 2006 at 10:44 pm
Yes. Another fanboy here. Watch it. I do, and I’m not gay either!!
Great Intro, physics, I like the way you tackled the boy-doll issue at the start; take the bull by the horns I say! And.. erm… yes.. more Gin I guess. Dont forget SUI!!! :p
March 23, 2006 at 9:04 am
awesome intro. =P
@zero: sadly, there ARE people I’ve met who have seen the series, but still remain the same. ►_◄
March 23, 2006 at 9:42 am
Rozen Maiden owns. But I’ll have to say I’m a Shinku fan. Can’t let the Gin fans have all the fun 😛
March 23, 2006 at 5:11 pm
i got an episode but i havent watched it since it looked dodgy. but now i`m convinced. im gonna take a good look
March 28, 2006 at 9:41 pm
This post has been removed by the author.
March 28, 2006 at 9:42 pm
Yo dKiWi here, I linked this post to my blog in an effort to convince more Singaporeans to watch the best anime (imho) yet. Nice post dude!
And Suiseiseki still owns.
April 7, 2006 at 12:06 am
Yes I started to like it after watching the first episode. Actually I thought this kind of bishoujo anime was geared toward guys in the first place. At the beginning it seriously seemed like they were the magical/living version of sex dolls. Maybe I’m wrong but, no, it’s definitely not gay and I don’t think many girls would find it very interesting.
Any yes, Suiseiseki still owns.
April 19, 2006 at 6:25 pm
Yes. SuiseiSeki owns. 🙂
(heh couldnt help it)
April 22, 2006 at 6:42 am
десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-десу-
April 23, 2006 at 12:48 pm
your a fag, come out of the closet
April 23, 2006 at 12:50 pm
You’re a freaking woman, watch a real anime and pull out Night Shift Nurses you fag.
April 23, 2006 at 1:17 pm
Sorry to say but this is kinda sad. How can you guys call yourself a man enjoying an anime about some fucking nerd developing relationship with a bunch of dolls. Go out and get laid for god sakes.
April 25, 2006 at 9:28 pm
You people had not really bothered to watch the whole of the series. This anime’s a piece of art, not like the others that is choke-filled with senseless violence/overwhelming fanservice/reused plots.
And what I wouldn’t give to be Suigintou’s butler.
April 27, 2006 at 12:29 am
Ohohohoho! I’m posting a comment in a blog. You’re comments about the condition of Jun are pretty much true, as I saw him as pure hikikomori when I started watching. He’s one charcter I could really relate to at that age, especially with his skills in crafts and sewing – also unconventional for a “guy”.
Kickass blog you got here.Though I have to admit, you’re kinda opening yourself up in saying “this is totally not gay”.
As for the people here who think it sad to enjoy such things: grow up. The whole “fag” and “go get laid” stuff should be reserved for unintellectual – yet often hilarious for the observer – frat-boy nonsense.
September 16, 2006 at 9:16 pm
Observing that previous comments well all from anonymous and allw within a 20 minute period (give or take), I think it’s safe to say this is one immature person. To you, go back to watching your dumbed-down cartoons on TV.
Now, to Physics, as a guy who is very much invovled with a wonderful woman right now, I can safely say your analysis of Rozen Maiden is very right-on and I wholeheartedly agree with how you view the series.
Jun went through his life and learned some very “non-conventional for a guy” skills during his younger years. Because of that and other issues, he was alienated by others and he ended casting himself into complete social exile. To what he learned, I say “So what?” Does that make him any less of a human being because he knows a few things most people of his age gender develop a phobia towards? So he can sew and stitch. I was in Scouts and learned techniques on sewing and stitching my badges on my uniform so they looked just as good as any parents’ work. I also familiarized myself with other needle-work skills, though knitting was a little much for me… I made some rather nice-looking mouse keychains during my younger years. As someone who likes to “make things”, it does have uses (though I haven’t touched that sort of thing in a very long time.)
One conern… who says being gay is a requirement. I always thought there was a certain creepiness to the dolls and that made it an interesting watch all the way.
Anyway, things are looking great!
– Kuro-chan.
November 27, 2009 at 11:36 am
Да, инет – огромен, если и такое можно откопать 😉