Looking For That Last Maiden…
Ξ March 30th, 2012 | → 2 Comments | ∇ The Anime Annals, The Dolls' House, The Little(r) Ones |
Still smarting over losing my Elfen Lied figures (and will be for awhile, I’ll bet), I was going through my figure-photos and came across a set with Pennie, my 13 year old black Manx, hanging out with “her girls”, the seven Rozen Maiden Pullip and Dal dolls standing on the dresser. This proves that you’re never too old to enjoy them 
(Sorry for the mess; it was a rare opportunity to catch Pennie daydreaming, and if I’d taken ONE FALSE STEP she’d have bolted. So, I “captured” her this way instead xD The upside is that I had one more day to not have to clean the dresser, so.)
She seems to have taken a shine to Suiseiseki, desu~
Pennie shares my enjoyment of (some) dolls, and seems to regard them as little humans, except for Lily-Doll, whom she regards as a big comfy human, albeit a very quiet one. Major points in Pennie’s eyes, so it figures that she adores her. When I stored her horizontally Pennie’s regular sleeping place was firmly between her feet. That was her place, and her “human” LOL
She’s obviously intrigued by them, and is unafraid in getting close. Unlike some squeamish humans 
Only Soony (my Luts-Delf BJD) escapes Pennie’s curiosity, sitting high above the computer, serenely gazing down at everything beneath her. Like me. But Pennie knows who she is, by name. She’ll look right at her when I say it; Lily-Doll too. So funny! Wish I knew what she was thinking…
Hm, maybe not LOL
Soony’s size may intimidate Pennie a little, not that much else does. I can’t get a picture of them together; she’ll always run away! She was totally out of the room during the Rozens’ party for Soony’s arrival:
Too much activity, I guess. Doll-parties and cats don’t mix
Hey, it’s not like I sit down and have tea with them, or anything! But they are fun to “play” with, and that’s the thing: they are Instruments of the Imagination. That should be easy enough to understand
Rozen Maiden was one of my first anime, and along with Chobits was the first “real” anime I’d heard discussed outside of giant robots and wannabe ninjas. I’d seen them mentioned in a doll-forum (which figures), and so my belated “real” introduction to anime in May 2007 was through this unexpected channel. To say it’s been well-worth it is an understatement of high order! So, I make sure that my anime girls, dolls or otherwise, have a nice home. Assuming they like cats.
The series may not be a masterpiece, but I thoroughly enjoyed both seasons and OVA. The parallels between our human world and the doll’s world were striking at least in one respect: that we both wage wars based upon what we believe our own “Father” commands us to, as the dolls obey whom they believe to be their Father (the mysterious doll-maker Rozen) and his dictum that they battle each other to the death to determine which among them is worthy of becoming transformed into Alice, the ideal (and real) girl. It’s as sad for them as it is for us…
Hmm… Rozen Maiden combined with the Kronos Quartet’s theme from Requiem for a Dream… it works! :-O
You probably blinked and missed her, but at around 2:45 and accompanying “The Rabbit” there appears the ONE Rozen Maiden Pullip doll that I missed out on: the beautiful and mysterious Kirakishou. Naturally she’s gone already. In fact, she was only limited to 1,000 dolls (IIRC) and pretty much vanished on the spot. She remains my Grail, so anyone with an extra $1000 to burn … *cough splutter choke* – I can’t believe the prices for her! The regular Rozens cost around $80 to $110 upon release, for reference; Kirakishou probably cost around $120 or so.
Still, like Elfen Lied, Rozen Maiden is an important and significant anime for me, and if there’s anything worth collecting collectibles of, it’s important and significant stuff 
I spent over a year following each Pullip Maiden release as they were issued with the knowledge that I would get the complete set of SEVEN of them. When the last doll rolled out I turned my focus onto learning HTML and building this site; it was only for two months that I “blinked”. I had no idea they’d pull something like sneaking out a Limited Edition Kirakishou (who only appears in the whole anime in that one scene in the above AMV), thereby invalidating the collectors who bought each doll assuming they could complete the set of SEVEN. Not eight. Now I have an incomplete set, so I’m not a very happy collector 
This is why I HATE collecting anything anymore. Greed and manipulation proliferate, ugh. Bitter much? Nah.
Um, well… kinda.
Anyway. Much of the show’s humor is best appreciated going in with the knowledge that this is a comedic anime involving doll-antics and the like. But the relationships drive the bulk of it, and are so enjoyable and lots of times hilarious: Shinku’s spoiled attitude becomes (somewhat) humbled; Suiseiseki’s wild and unpredictable behavior is (somewhat) tamed; Hina Ichigo’s story, probably the most heartrending, shows her growing from an obnoxious, spoiled brat into an aware and considerate little doll.
The second season, Traumend (German for “dreaming”), has several deeply moving scenes towards its end; those looking for a darker tale will appreciate this set and the two-episode OVA, Ouverture. (EDIT: Coincidentally, The Anime Network Online will be streaming Rozen Maiden: Traumend beginning this week! (To see beyond episode one you’ll have to subscribe, FYI.)
But Shinku and Jun’s interplay is at the core of the series; they play the odd couple to perfection, and warm to each other so well over the course of both seasons. Here’s a very sweet, nice-quality AMV that focuses on just that bond. By the way, for casual viewers, this (or better) quality is best-suited to view anime with; it’s very sharp and clear. Expression is paramount, and its full visibility is a must to fully enjoy the characters’ reactions, thoughts, and emoting. And, normally I dislike subtitles in AMVs, but the few in this one really help; those unfamiliar with the anime may get a good taste of what’s in store for them…)
I’m sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, as a lot of folks are doll-a-phobic (why I have no idea), and the childish antics a bit much, but if you put aside your mean inner critic you may find a show to love, in spite of it- (and your-) self! Besides, why let criticism spoil the enjoyment of something you have fun with? 
It’s fun, outlandish, (doll-)violent, heartwarming and heartbreaking, thoughtful and even provocative. Bang-for-buck ratio is high
Pennie has good taste!
on April 17th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Oh lala♥ You have nice Website♥ Sorry, but I dont speak English well, I speak finnish >__< You have a lot of Rozen Maiden dolls, I would also like h_h
on April 17th, 2012 at 11:26 am
Welcome
We have many foreign visitors so I like to post photos and videos which don’t need much translation ^^
I haven’t checked their site out in a while (because I’m still mad at them), but if you Google “Pullip” you may find some Rozen Maiden dolls for sale. It’s worth a try!
Thanks for your visit, please come again xD