Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen

~~~~PLEASE READ IF YOU HAVE ALREADY WATCHED THE ORIGINAL TWO SEASONS OF ROZEN MAIDEN~~~~ This review is to shed some light on the direction of the anime as it is very different from the original plot and story, but it's so good and I don't want people to be discouraged by the first episode like I was! I really loved the original story of Rozen Maiden. It was so addicting and I was completely on an emotional roller coaster, especially once the Alice Games really started. When I saw that they had made a new anime of it, I assumed they were doing what they did withSailor Moon and doing a new release that condensed Seasons 1 & 2 into one season. However, I was mistaken. This Anime takes that story and rewrites the Alice Games into an alternate reality. The creativity is amazing with what they've done to the story and I won't go into detail because it'll ruin the whole anime. It's better to watch this plot develop as you watch for the first time! When I watched the first episode, I was angry. I didn't understand what they were doing, and I didn't understand why things were happening as they were. I also went into the series thinking it was a condensed version of the original though, so that has something to do with it for sure. You get no character development on the Rozen Maiden dolls you meet in this episode, and you feel no connection to what happens in the first episode unless you have seen what happens in the original and know their relationships and personalities. It's a shocking and confusing first episode for sure. However, when you watch the second episode you begin to understand more clearly as you switch and start following the life of some other guy in university who works at a bookstore. Pay attention to his name. When you hear the name and see what he finds, everything begins to make sense. It's in this episode that the series plot and direction become a little more clear. As you go into the third episode, there's no doubt what the direction is and you'll look back on episode one and see why things happened as they did and what it all meant in retrospect. So in short, don't be discouraged by the first episode. It's a great series that puts a new spin on Rozen Maiden and is full of the characters you know and love, just in a new storyline. In later episodes you get glimpses of the original story and you get more character development that complements what you learned in the original story. You'll really enjoy it!

Because I'm feeling awesome today, I'm gonna write a review of Rozen Maiden: Season 3. May include minor spoilers. I edited a few typos. I'm pretty sure most people are aware that Rozen Maiden (2013) is not really a season 3, but because most people called it that, I will leave it as Rozen Maiden: Season 3 for easy identification. Story: 7 Let's begin. To those people who have watched Season 1 and Season 2, you will realize that season 3 has nothing to do with Season 1 and 2. Because, Season 3 is based on the Jun who did not wound the key. (Hey, at least thatsatisfied my question what happened if they did not wind the key.) That aside, the story is rather slow-pacing for 12 episodes, especially when he builds Shinku and unknowingly builds Kirakishou. I was about to drop the show at that time (Episode 6 - 8, I guess), but thanks to the previous work of Rozen Maiden, I managed to pull through. Let's see, the battle sence wasn't all that good, although it was much like the previous 2 seasons. It was rather cliff-hanging when Kirakishou just when BOOM!, instead of them seriously fighting it out. Thankfully, it doesn't end like that. The ending was pretty meh, since it makes people think that Episode 14 is coming instead of leading to a new Season. It was a pretty decent story, although the back (battle part) seems rather rush as they most likely used up too much time in building Shinku and Kirakishou. Good thing is the story is clear and there's not a lot Critical thinking to do until your brain might bleed, like the Season 2 of Darker than Black. There's a nice twist about the two Maidens who lost the battle in Season 2, so look forward to it. Art: 9 It looks better, although I would prefer the dolls to be slightly bigger. Then again, this is Future Jun we're talking about and not the middle school guy, so it is pretty acceptable. The dolls look somehow different, especially Suigintou, her eyes doesn't look so evil now (or I must be imagining it). If you watch the previous 2 seasons and this season back-to-back you will sure as hell notice the difference, maybe it's because of the new technology. Special effects for battle scene are harder to grade, because there were barely any. But the final battle does show some promising effect and the first battle Future Jun was involved in looks relatively decent too. Compared to the previous 2 seasons, there's nothing new about this part. Sound: 8 What am I suppose to write here? The music does suit it's setting, I have to admit it. There's a little background music during the 13 episodes so I can't really comment on it. I always think that music are personal opinions so I won't get too deep into this. The character's voice does suit their personality, which I gives a thumbs up. It does reflect their personality to a certain extend. To be clearer on this, you might need to watch Season 1 and Season 2 first... Character: 9 Here we can see some pretty decent development in the main characters, the dolls, not so much, except a certain one. If we're talking about character design (not the art, mind you, I mean their personality and stuff), it is pretty good. The main focus on this will be Kirakishou as the other dolls didn't change much, like Kanaria's -kashira and Suiseiseki's -desu. Don't put up your hopes for Hinaichigo, though, she hardly gets any screen time this season, I hope she appears more later on. Anyway, Kirakishou have a pretty solid build, if you're willing to do her equation yourself. There are parts where Future Jun assumes that he is like her and stuff. It will be easier to understand if you would watch it for yourself. Yet, in the end, I still pity Kirakishou. Personal Opinion: Holy ****, Kirakishou's new body looks creepy as hell. I would rather watch Chuck Norris than her new body. Enjoyment: 7 It is pretty enjoyable, once you get past the boring part of building dolls. Once that is over, I can bet you'll be sitting at the edge of your chair asking, "What happens next? God dammit, what happens next?!" Leaving that aside, it is quite refreshing, especially the ending parts, where a lot of stuff comes into place. Overall: 8 Overall, I would give this an 8, although it seems a little high for me. My expectations for it was originally 9, (I'm sorry, I never rate animes 10 as nothing is perfect), but the boring parts made me drop it to 7. Thankfully, it made a pretty good comeback and I'll give it back an 8, at least. This season is pretty decent, although it can be a little meh compared to the previous 2 seasons. I highly suggest watching in. Try to bear with some parts as the reward for bearing it is relatively good. A small tip: Do not attempt to jump episodes, as it will cause a load of confusion, each episode is important in it's own way. Thanks for reading!

“Will you wind it?” Story ----------------------- Fans of the Rozen Maiden series are already familiar with what happens when Jun circles “Wind”, but what happens when he chooses “Do Not Wind”? That is what Rozen Maiden Season 3 (as people are calling it) answers. We now see Jun grown up as a university student, with a job, and even a love interest. Personally, I enjoyed observing Jun’s life outside of his room. Based on the second series of the Rozen Maiden manga, I love the fresh take Peach-Pit took on this classic series; yet, in a genius way, they were able to tie together the older Jun withthe younger one. While the story opts to remain light on its characters and plot, by systematically switching between the mundane real world of the older Jun and the N-Field where the two Rozen Maiden universes collide, it retains the ominous beauty and calm pacing of the first two series. However, there is a serious lack of character development outside of Jun himself. That is why I recommend you watch the first two seasons (if you haven’t already) before watching this one, so that you understand the background of the characters beforehand. The anime is only thirteen episodes long, and it seems that many threads were left purposefully untied. Here’s hoping that we will see a proper conclusion soon. Animation ----------------------- The art is perhaps the best aspect of this anime, complementing the gothic, surreal atmosphere that is set throughout. The minimalist look works well for a dark, ominous series like this. The shift in art style really comes off as refreshing, beautiful and maybe even intentional, so as to differentiate itself from the first two anime. They even gave the dolls a touch-up, adding texture to their outfits, making their hair more natural, and other neat minor details, like Suigintou’s wings having a brush-stroked look. Sound ----------------------- The soundtrack remains just as sinister and mystical as ever. Thankfully, all of the iconic voice actors return, and ALI PROJECT opens each episode with the theme of “Watashi no Bara wo Haminasai” in grand fashion. The popular catchphrases from the dolls are still abound. Overall, I didn’t find anything I was disappointed with in the voice acting or music department. Character ----------------------- Aside from is hair and height, Jun hasn’t really changed all that much, although it’s nice to see him with a different lifestyle, and I appreciate how they portrayed him realistically. The parts where he meets his younger self are especially endearing. For those whose favorite doll was either Shinku or Suigintou (the first and best doll, in my opinion), you won’t be left feeling disappointed. The humorous fights and snide remarks between the two dolls continue, and it’s hilarious to see the different ways they get on each other’s nerves. Although, for those who prefer the other five dolls, it’s hard to say what you will feel while watching this anime, since you barely get more than a few glimpses at them until over halfway through the anime. There are a few cameos which will fill fans with nostalgia, but the regretful lack of presence from some beloved dolls is evident. Enjoyment ----------------------- Rozen Maiden (2013) handily doses out references to the original series, while crafting a completely new direction within a new universe. Skeptics will find many things to criticize, due to the lack of character presence and arguably slower pace, but at the same time, those who were wishing for something fresh and not just another Alice Game may be pleasantly surprised. At the end of every Rozen Maiden season, I always hope that this is not the last time we see Shinku and her friends. Once again, I wish that there won’t be another 7 years before we can enjoy this beautiful anime and its characters over again. From this series’s conclusion, it looks like this may not yet be the end; the only question is when. Overall ----------------------- Like Jun himself, Rozen Maiden has matured over time. Studio DEEN could’ve easily remade the entire first two seasons with a fresh coat of paint, but instead of doing their own interpretation, they left the original alone and expanded on it. Rozen Maiden reminds us once again that just because an anime is about tiny dolls, that doesn’t mean it’s aimed solely at little girls. Though, more importantly, Rozen Maiden (2013) tells the tale of a universe that is full of infinite choices and possibilities. Will you wind it?

Il try to leave as minimum amount of spoilers as i can Everyone who is a fan of Rozen Maiden would agree it was nothing but in short as a miracle that this show was even made in the first place, considering the time gap between the last series which was over 7 years ago. Also what is even more amazing is that this one actually goes back and follows the Manga's plot and original story. The first 2 seasons were great but had a few flaws, one of them being that they deviated from the main manga storyline and the other is the major cliffhanger thesecond season left us with, which made every fan of this show grind there teeth. This one on the other hand actually goes back and resets the series and adapts the original material, however newcomers would be confused as to that is going on the plot due to the rushed up introduction and starts of at the middle of manga storyline. So any who is interested in watching this series must at least read the first part of the manga or the very least watch the previous shows to get a good grasp of the plot, characters and theme of the series. The animation in this one is even more unique than the previous series, it actually animates it as if each animation slide was like an artistic painting. like those of the 17th and 18th century, which fits well considering the circumstances. it is also more detailed and a lot more representative than the previous animation used in the other series. it truly shines as an artistic masterpiece. The characters are also well done and truly fit to there roles as they should just like in the manga. if anything they actually added the characteristics and rivalry and feelings that the ones in the original series lacked. If i had to point out some of the bad notes in this show, it would be first the rushed up 1st episode which new fans to the series might find confusing. the rather slow progression during the first half of the series and that the series still leaves us in a sort of cliffhanger but unlike the previous series which the cliffhanger was an original ending this one u can actually pick up from where it left off and continue it in the manga.