Setting

Jun is a problematic boy. With an amazingly low self-esteem, he can no longer leave home and lives locked into his room buying weird mystic objects from the Internet - only to see them and return before the return expiration. As his big sister tries to bring him back to normal life, he actually ends up more and more centered in his closed world.

Preview

In one of the many letters with mystic products Jun receives, one of them is special. It asks him just to write 'yes' or 'no' and to be put on the second drawer of his desk to receive something very special. Jun obviously does it, and as soon as he closes the drawer, a mysterious case appear in the middle of his room. As he opens it, he finds the perfect doll. As he springs her clockwork, not only she moves, but also actually gains life. Now, Jun have a pact with Shinku, the 5th Rozen Maiden - he is now her servant, which might cost his life.

Pacing

With lots of dark tones and a little suspense, Rozen Maiden is actually a romantic fantasy with some action and social themes. Eventually Jun gets involved with lots of the dolls and their battles to win a strange game called 'Alice Game'.

The title focuses deeply on Jun and his relation with the other dolls as they come to his life, but specifically between Jun and Shinku. The theme subtly focuses the problems that Jun faces denying his life, as it unfolds the main Rozen Maiden plot.

Aside the drama and suspense from the plot itself, what will really get your attention is the personal aspects and characteristics of the title characters. Rozen Maiden is a pack of memorable characters, from Shinku, Suigin Tou (also know as one of the best villains in Anime history) and other dolls like Suisei-seki and Sousei-seki.

Conclusion

A masterpiece, with a little of everything: Romance, Drama, Terror, Suspense, fighting and strong dialogs. Rozen Maiden is a nice call for every fan, from those who like cute romances, to those who like fighting or deep psychological themes.

With strong and profound characters, Rozen maiden is one of the best titles of it's year, and although it have a quite definite ending, there is a nice follow up - Rozen Maiden Traumend - which actually managed to deliver even better content (see separate review)

Obviously impossible to not to mention, we also have Suigin Tou, that steals the scene every time she is onscreen. The best villain ever, and might I add, the most elegant and pretty.