Minato Nagase (長瀬 湊)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Minato Nagase
Yuuhi Katagiri
Yuuhi Katagiri (片桐優姫)
Yuuhi is the main heroine in the series. She is very beautiful, which often causes trouble for her, such as being harassed constantly by men. One day, when she was being harassed by two men, she was saved by Jun'ichi. She transferred to his school hoping meet her fiance because she heard that he was in this area. Later, after a misunderstanding from Jun'ichi, he kisses her in public, causing her to have ill feelings towards him, but her feelings grow more for him throughout the series.
Junichi "Jun, Genokiller" Nagase
Junichi "Jun, Genokiller" Nagase
Jun'ichi is the main protagonist of the series. He is a second year high school student and had a quarrel with a transfer student, Yuuhi Katagiri on the first day of school. It turns out that Yuuhi is his fiancé as arranged by his family. His life takes a drastic turn with Yuuhi entering his life.When he first met her he had the impression she was a helpless girl and kissed her because of a misunderstanding. After that, Yuuhi becomes much more violent towards Jun'ichi. Since Yuuhi is often harassed, he finds himself protecting her; as time progresses, their love for each other grows, even though neither of them will admit it. Throughout the anime series it is hinted that Jun'ichi has romantic feelings for his sister Minato, but he is reluctant to admit this even though he sometimes has fantasies about her.
Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka
Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka
Alternative Titles
English: The Hill Dyed Rose Madder
Synonyms: Akasaka, Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka
Japanese: あかね色に染まる坂
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 12
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 2, 2008 to Dec 19, 2008
Duration: 25 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company Synopsis
On his way to school Junichi Nagase saves a girl from danger. Later due to a misunderstanding he kissed her. Shocked and disgusted, and without understanding what just happened or why, she screams at him and tells him to "just die!" As it turns out, the girl, Yuuhi Katagiri, is a new transfer student and, much to the surprise of Junichi and his younger sister Minato, their father arranged for Yuuhi to be Junichi's future wife! Of course, getting married to "that perverted idiot" is the absolute last thing Yuuhi wants! Junichi's crazy school life with his tsundere bride-apparent has begun!Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: Unknown
Status: Currently Airing
Aired: Apr 4, 2010 to ?
Duration: 24 min. per episode
Rating: None
L represents licensing company Synopsis
The Fairytale World is in trouble. Its princesses and their respective worlds are disappearing, causing a ripple effect in the human world where their stories are popular. In order to save the Fairytale World, the Queen sends three magic animals, Sei, Dai, and Ryoku, to the human world with magic gems to find three girls who can become the "Super Miracle Idols," the princesses Snow White, Cinderella, and Kaguya-hime. Those "princesses" end up being three little girls: Yukimori Ringo, Takashiro Layla, and Sasahara Natsuki. But the gems transform them into older singing superstars, and after their accidental debut at the singer Wish's concert, they become known as "Little Princesses," or "LilPri." Now they must collect Happiness Tones from humans in order to restore the Fairytale World.
Akira "Air King" Takizawa
Akira "Air King" Takizawa
He lost his memory during a brain washing program. At first he thinks he is a terrorist. He met Saki in Washington D.C., being naked and only carrying a gun and a cellphone. When he helps her out, because she threw a coin in the grounds of the White House and is questioned by policemen, she gives him her coat, scarf and her hat. He has a very modern cell phone with the phrase "noblesse oblige" printed on it and 8.2 billion yen in digital money credit. When he makes his first call, a female voice claiming to be Juiz answers. After she sent him a map with the place where he was supposed to go he finds, in his apartment, guns and many different passports which seemed to all belong to him (after his arrival in Japan, Juiz told him that he has to use up all his digital money). Then he met the girl named Saki and they return to Japan together. According to his passport, he lives in Japan, Toyosu, his name is Akira Takizawa and he was born on January 7, 1989 and is, therefore, 21 years old. According to the phone, he is identified as Seleção No. 9.
Higashi no Eden
Alternative Titles
English: Eden of The East
Japanese: 東のエデン
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 11
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 9, 2009 to Jun 18, 2009
Duration: 23 min. per episode
Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
L represents licensing company On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be known as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later... Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory, is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he's holding in the other. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash.
Angel Links
Angel Links
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 7, 1999 to Jun 30, 1999
Producers: Bandai Entertainment
Duration: 24 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company Synopsis
Li Meifon is the head of a free, no expenses paid protection/security agency for escorting ships across outer space. Though only 16, she posesses great skill and leadership qualities while commanding her crew aboard their ship, the "Angel Links." However, some unpleasant memories begin to trouble her and she starts questioning her own past and reason for existence. Join Li Meifon and the rest of the Angel Links crew on their adventures through the Oracion star system as they battle pirates, government organizations, and a Tao master, all while finally uncovering Meifon's dark and mysterious past.Android Ana Maico 2010
Android Ana Maico 2010
Alternative Titles
English: Android Announcer Maico 2010
Japanese: アンドロイド・アナ MAICO ２０１０
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 24
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 6, 1998 to Sep 28, 1998
Duration: 14 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company Synopsis
In the year 2010, the Japanese radio industry is in decline. To reverse their flagging ratings, a station staffed with perennial losers makes a daring gamble: to hire the industry's first android on-air host. Maico is cute, but it will take more than novelty to win over the fickle audience -- especially with a crew as inept as this one.Amon: The Apocalypse of Devilman
Amon: The Apocalypse of Devilman
Information
Type: OVA
Episodes: 1
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: May 24, 2000
Producers: None found, add some.
Duration: 45 min. per episode
L represents licensing company Synopsis
Fear runs rampant throughout Tokyo with the revelation that demons in fact exist amongst us. Paranoia and the darker side of humanity boils onto the streets as people turn on one another, suspecting that anyone could in fact be a demon hiding in human clothing. Amidst the growing tensions, tragedy strikes Akira causing his mind to snap, retreating into his subconscious, allowing his Devilish alter-ego Amon to break free from Akira's cage of flesh and wreak havoc on both human and demons alike.
Amatsuki
Amatsuki
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 13
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 4, 2008 to Jun 27, 2008
Duration: 23 min. per episode
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing companySynopsis
Tokidoki is a Japanese high school student who, when he fails his history class, is sent to a high-tech history museum that virtually recreates the Edo period to do make-up work. However, what was supposed to be a simple school project becomes much more complicated when he's attacked by two supernatural beings known as "the nue" and "the yakou" and loses the vision in his left eye. After he's saved from the nue by a girl named Kuchiha, he realizes that he's no longer wearing the simulation goggles, and is trapped in the virtual Edo.Amagami SS
Amagami SS
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: Unknown
Status: Not yet aired
Aired: Jul 15, 2010 to ?
Producers: AIC
Genres: Romance
Duration: 20 min. per episode
Rating: None
L represents licensing company Synopsis
A second-year high school boy finds himself uneasy during Christmas time due to an experience in the past. However, this year at Christmas, he gets his last chance to ask out a graduating female senior named Haruka Morishima — or one of several other classmates. The story of the anime will be arranged in an omnibus format, with each heroine getting her own version of the story animated. Each heroine will sing her own version of the ending theme song.Alien Nine
Alien Nine
Information
Type: Special
Episodes: 4
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Jun 25, 2001 to Feb 25, 2002
Duration: 28 min. per episode
Rating: R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
L represents licensing company Synopsis
Yuri Ootani, a girl who has been afraid of aliens, has been chosen to be on the alien party with the class president Kumi Kawamura, whose only intention to join the alien party is to get out of presidential duties, as well as Kasumi Tomine who is perfect at everything she does, including fighting all the aliens that come in their way. But can they defeat a massive alien who has already abducted Kasumi?Nurarihyon no Mago
Nurarihyon no Mago
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: Unknown
Status: Not yet aired
Aired: Jul 2010 to ?
Producers: Studio DEEN
Duration: Unknown
Rating: None
L represents licensing companySynopsis
Rikuo Nura - a kid that is 3/4 human and 1/4 youkai. He lives in a house full of spirits alongside his grandfather who is the leader of the youkai. Rikuo is destined to take over his grandfather leadership but his human side has no interest. Rikuo is just a normal kid who has no interest to become the leader of youkai.
YOO AH DOK-JON
YOO AH DOK-JON
| Alternative Name | 唯我獨尊 -my first idol-; 유아독존 -my first idol-; Yoo Ah Dok Jon -my first idol-; My First Idol |
|---|---|
| Years of Released | 2007 |
| Status | Ongoing Dropped |
| Author(s) | Im Ae-joo |
| Artist(s) | Im Ae-joo |
| Related Scanlators | Nolja! |
| Genre(s) | Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Harem, Romance, School Life, Shounen |
| Reading Direction | Unknown |
| Rank | 3029th, it has 7,029 monthly views. |
| Rating | Average 4.88 / 5 out of 123 total votes.  |
| Like it | RSS Bookmark Share |
| Latest Chapters | Vol.02 Ch.015 Vol.02 Ch.014 Vol.02 Ch.013 more... |
Summary
To be the third (to continue the family name) and only son (also only child) of the rich Han family, ever since he was little Sang-Ah was ingrained with the motto 「A Successful Future comes from a Perfect Mate」 by his mother and raised with "Spartan-like" education. And due to his mother's harsh teachings about females Sang-Ah developed a serious aversion or trauma towards females. But one night during his age of 16, he's introduced to his fiance whom he has never met and Sang-Ah finally decides to leave his home. He leaves after making a deal with his mother that he'll find his own wife 'til he's 19 years old.From volume one's backcover:
「 Don't Interfere with My Life!! 」
Handsome face and allround sportsman,
also being young master of an enormous rich family...Chung-sol High school's No. 1 Han Sang-Ah!! This young master who doesn't lack anything ventures running away from home?! Officially permitted runaway time is 3 years! During this time there is something he says he must get in his hands...!! From then on starting to confront him are woman!! woman!! women!!!
Harem Flood Mixed with Comedy and Action! Explosion of Heart Fluttering Pink that would tail all Korea's Bookstores!!
Beach Stars
Title: Beach Stars
OM Rank: 555
Categories: ecchi, seinen, sports Author: Morio Masahiro
Artist: Morio Masahiro
Chapters: 31 - ongoing - irregular
Categories: ecchi, seinen, sports Author: Morio Masahiro
Artist: Morio Masahiro
Chapters: 31 - ongoing - irregular
Summary
This is the story of Nanase Iruka. She's short, tomboyish, and her one joy in life is volleyball. On Iruka's 17th birthday her Volleyball club is disbanded. Feeling somewhat depressed she and her friends from the club take a trip to the beach and discover Beach volleyball. Iruka cant wait to play and rushes to the court only to be told to give up being a player because of her short stature by the local Volleyball Diva. In a rage Iruka challenges her to a match to prove her abilities. It doest look like she has a chance but Iruka has a secret weapon and nobody will ever make fun of her on the beach again....well....Not about her ability to play Volleyball anyway...
Samurai Champloo
Anime Review:
Samurai Champloo
Genre Chanbara, Comedy-drama, Action
In the last episode, he confesses to both Fuu and Kariya that he has spent his entire life with no devotion to anyone. He lived only for his sword and no master; saying that the lords of that time have no sense of honor, only caring about self-preservation. But he seems to change during his travels with Fuu and Mugen, saying that they are his "first friends."
His seiyū is Ginpei Sato. His dub actor in the U.S. version is Kirk Thornton.
Genre Chanbara, Comedy-drama, ActionPlot
A young woman named Fuu is working as a waitress in a tea house when she is harassed by a band of ruffians. Another customer, Mugen, offers to take care of them in exchange for food, but ends up instigating a brawl. Jin, a stoic young ronin in samurai garb, enters the tea house in the midst of the fight. Mugen attacks Jin after he proves to be a worthy opponent and they begin fighting one another, ignoring a fire that started during the brawl. They both faint from smoke inhalation. When they awaken, they find they have been arrested for the murder of Shibui Tomonoshina, the magistrate's son, and are to be executed. With help from Fuu, they escape and Fuu asks them to travel with her to find "the samurai who smells of sunflowers," a mysterious man Fuu can give little description of, but whom she insists she must find. They agree to join her, with Fuu making only one condition: they are not to duel one another until the journey is done.
Samurai Champloo employs a unique blend of historical Edo period backdrops with modern styles and references. The show relies on factual events of Edo-era Japan, such as the Shimabara Rebellion ("Unholy Union;" "Evanescent Encounter, Part I"), Dutch exclusivity in an era where edict restricted Japanese foreign relations ("Stranger Searching"), Ukiyo-e paintings ("Artistic Anarchy"), and fictionalized versions of real-life Edo personalities Mariya Enshirou and Miyamoto Musashi ("Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 2"). As well as more prominent anachronisms like Mukuro having a revolver or the presence of Americans ("Baseball Blues".)
Incorporated within this are signature elements of modernity, especially hip hop culture, such as rapping ("Lullabies of the Lost, Verse 1"), graffiti ("War of the Words"), bandits behaving like "gangstas" (both parts of "Misguided Miscreants"), The censorship bleeps replaced with Record Scratching and much of Mugen's character design, including a fighting style influenced by breakdancing. Samurai Champloo's musical score predominantly features hip hop beats. Certain anachronistic references are not based upon hip hop, however, such as baseball ("Baseball Blues") and references to the atomic bombing of Nagasaki ("Cosmic Collisions").
Main Characters
Mugen
Mugen (無限)is a 19 year old man and was born in a penal colony on the Ryukyu Islands (most likely Miyako Island since it was a penal colony in the past), which in the Edo period was a separate kingdom with close ties to the Satsuma domain of Japan. His name means without limitation, as the components of it are the characters for "without" and "limitation." Incidentally, he writes his name using the infinity symbol (∞), a pun on his name, 'Mugen,' which is a homophone of the Japanese word for 'eternity'. His Japanese is quite rough and "Yanki"; and he is illiterate until later in the show. It also appears that he may be of Ainu origin, commenting that he grew up on the same music an Ainu fugitive was playing, though the Ainu man came from the far North, and Mugen came from the far south. As for his parents, Mugen states that he never knew who they were in episode 20, "Elegy of Entrapment, Verse 1." The blue tattoos on his wrists and ankles indicate that he was once in prison. The circumstances of his imprisonment are unclear at first, but it is later verified that he was to be executed for engaging in piracy.
Rude, lewd, vulgar, and nihilistic, Mugen is somewhat of an antihero. He is fond of fighting and has a tendency to pick fights for petty reasons. In several episodes it is made clear that Mugen is a womanizer. Character designer Kazuto Nakazawa stated in an interview: "When I was doing character design, the most difficult one was Mugen, as I expected. I'm pretty sure that as far as the director's image went, he probably was thinking of someone like a 'rapper who acts like a bad guy.' But the way Mugen acts is relatively based on his core conviction."
Highly unorthodox swordplay and a fighting style based on breakdancing - dubbed "champuru kendo" and ostensibly developed by himself - taking bits and pieces from all forms of martial arts and making up the rest as he fights his opponents, make him a force to be reckoned with although it looks like capoeira. He carries two blades, his principal weapon a unique sword with a curved blade and a hilt with two prongs sheathed across his back and the other a small tanto concealed at the end of his scabbard (only resorted to as a trump card). His main weapon appears to be an amalgamation of the okinawan sai and Japanese katana. Mugen also has a tendency to parry attacks with the steel base of his geta.
His seiyū is Kazuya Nakai. His dub actor in the U.S. version is Steven Jay Blum, credited as Daniel Andrews to circumvent union regulations. However in the English version of the game for PS2, he is played by Liam O'Brien.
Jin
Jin (仁) is a man in his mid 20s who wields a Katana, Wakizashi and spent the majority of his life training in kenjutsu dojos. Unlike Mugen, it is legal for him to carry a daisho, as he is of the samurai class. His swords have a lightning and twin-eyed design on the tsuba. He wears traditional hakama and gi in indigo blue patterned with a white diamond kamon made up of four small white diamonds. His kamon closely resembles that of the great Takeda Clan, leading to speculation that his family origins may be of nobility. He wears glasses but Fuu states that they are "fake", indicating Jin wears them as an accesory rather than actually needing them.
When he was 18, he was to be assassinated in his sleep by his sensei, Mariya Enshirou, at Kariya Kagetoki's insistence. However, Jin killed Mariya in self-defense and fled the dojo, becoming a ronin. His death is sought by former classmates and other fame-seekers. Mujushin was a real sword-fighting dojo, and Mariya Enshirou is known to have been the third master — although the circumstances of his death are unclear.
Jin is highly devoted to upholding Bushido and is in fact named after jin (benevolence), one of the seven samurai virtues. Jin is usually taciturn and unusually collected. He is an extremely skilled swordsman, using swift, refined, orthodox moves of the Mujushin Kenjutsu discipline, making him the perfect foil for Mugen.
In the last episode, he confesses to both Fuu and Kariya that he has spent his entire life with no devotion to anyone. He lived only for his sword and no master; saying that the lords of that time have no sense of honor, only caring about self-preservation. But he seems to change during his travels with Fuu and Mugen, saying that they are his "first friends."
His seiyū is Ginpei Sato. His dub actor in the U.S. version is Kirk Thornton.
Fuu Kasumi
Fuu (風) is a 15 year old girl and the leading lady of the show. In her childhood before the beginning of the series, her father left her and her mother for unstated reasons. Without her father around to support them, Fuu and her mother led a difficult life until her mother died of illness. After a not-so-successful stint as a teahouse waitress, she saves Mugen and Jin from execution and recruits them as her bodyguards to help her on a quest. She is searching for the Samurai who smells of Sunflowers, but never explains what a sunflower smells like or what the man looks like. Mugen and Jin are often reminded of their life-debt to her when they wish to fight each other, much to their chagrin.
Her relationship with Mugen and Jin is apparently sororal, though it is hinted several times in the series that she may have subtle romantic interest for either of them and at one point it's stated by herself that she's specially concerned about parting ways with them because of Mugen. She is a surprisingly big eater (in one episode she entered an eating contest and was one of the last two remaining, shocking all the spectators), has a bright and trusting personality, and is strongly prone to accidents and trouble although she is quite practical. She often puts on a front of being more worldly and experienced than she actually is so as not to appear completely ingenuous in front of her bodyguards. Fuu wears a deep pink kimono with a pattern of flowers and carries a matching tantō. Attached to the tanto are three netsuke: a skull (a Christian pendant from her father), a pair of dice and a dog.
Her voice actress in the Japanese version is Ayako Kawasumi. She is voiced by Kari Wahlgren in the U.S dub.
Pics
Saki
Anime Review
Saki
Genre mahjong, school life
Pics
Genre mahjong, school lifePlot
Saki Miyanaga, a high school first-year student, hates mahjong because her family would always force her to play it and punish her regardless of the outcome of the game. Due to this, she learned how to keep her score at zero, neither winning nor losing. However, her friend Kyōtarō from middle school convinces her to join the school's mahjong club upon entering into high school. After the club discovers her ability, they recruit her and convince her to win instead of breaking even. She easily does so with her skill, leading the team to enter a mahjong tournament so that its members may reach the national competitions.
Saki Miyanaga, a high school first-year student, hates mahjong because her family would always force her to play it and punish her regardless of the outcome of the game. Due to this, she learned how to keep her score at zero, neither winning nor losing. However, her friend Kyōtarō from middle school convinces her to join the school's mahjong club upon entering into high school. After the club discovers her ability, they recruit her and convince her to win instead of breaking even. She easily does so with her skill, leading the team to enter a mahjong tournament so that its members may reach the national competitions.
Characters
Kiyosumi High School
- Saki Miyanaga (宮永 咲 Miyanaga Saki)
- Voiced by: Kana Ueda
- Saki Miyanaga is a high school first-year student and is the titular character of the story. She initially joins the mahjong club so she can reach the Nationals to see her sister, a top-ranked professional mahjong player.[1] She is notorious for her ability to score zero points every round.[2] Her skill primarily comes from her ability to read her opponents and their tiles to see the flow of the game.[3] A mahjong move she favors most is rinshan kaihō. At the mahjong tournament, she is made the captain of the team.[4]
- Nodoka Haramura (原村 和 Haramura Nodoka)
- Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu
- Nodoka Haramura is a high school first-year student who attends the same school as Saki and is a member of the mahjong club. She was the previous year's National Middle School Individual Champion.[5] Nodoka always carries her penguin doll, affectionately named Etopen, to give her a sense of calmness when playing mahjong. Her skill, in comparison to Saki's, comes from practicing via online mahjong. [3]. She has an ability where she views mahjong tables digitally; this ability ignores other player's presences in the game, giving her an edge against players with an ability to manipulate presence. At the mahjong tournament, she is the vice-captain of the team.[4] Her nickname is "Nodocchi" after her play style, quickly and efficiently racking up points as fast as possible.[6]
- Yūki Kataoka (片岡 優希 Kataoka Yūki)
- Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya
- Yūki is a high school first-year student who attends the same school as Saki and is a member of the mahjong club. She is highly skilled, though cannot stay focused and makes more mistakes as the game progresses,[7] so she is made the first to play at the mahjong tournament. She is often seen eating tacos, which increases her skill when playing mahjong.[8] Additionally, food with names similar to tacos, like takoyaki can increase her skill partially as well.[9]
- Hisa Takei (竹井 久 Takei Hisa)
- Voiced by: Shizuka Itō
- Hisa is the leader of the mahjong club, and the President of the school's Student Congress. Although she does not possess any special ability, her mahjong skills makes up for it. Her main tactic is to hold out until she is waiting for tiles with bad odds, where she feels she has the best chance of winning; Nodoka disapproves of this. She is formerly known as Hisa Ueno.
- Mako Someya (染谷 まこ Someya Mako)
- Voiced by: Ryōko Shiraishi
- Mako is Hisa's friend, and is also a member of the mahjong club. She grew up near a family owned mahjong parlor, and when she takes her glasses off when playing, she can remember past games she's witnessed to help her win.
- Kyōtarō Suga (須賀 京太郎 Suga Kyōtarō)
- Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama
- Kyōtarō is Saki's male friend who joined the mahjong club before her. He has a crush on Nodoka.
Rozen Maiden
Anime Review
Rozen Maiden
Genre Comedy, Drama, Supernatural
Voiced by: Sakura Nogawa (Japanese), Sherry Lynn (English), Tomoko Kaneda (early drama CD)
The sixth doll, and the very embodiment of childishness. Although she can be ridiculously naïve and selfish, she has nothing but the best intentions for those that she cares about. Her disposition is also a mismatch for her power, which is a series of attacks based on strawberry vines, which she mostly uses to restrain opponents. She loses to Shinku in the Alice Game, becoming the first doll to lose the right to become Alice. Shinku does not beat Hinaichigo outright; the younger doll simply exhausted the energy of her medium, Tomoe. Shinku then warned Hinaichigo that continuing the fight would kill Tomoe, whereupon Hinaichigo renounced the tie that made Tomoe her medium. Despite being the victor, Shinku does not take Hinaichigo's Rosa Mystica. Instead, Shinku lets herself be an inter-medium so that Hinaichigo can tap into Jun's energy. In the latter half of Rozen Maiden träumend, with the Alice Game apparently having begun in earnest, "Father" cuts off this link, so when Hinaichigo uses up what little energy she has, she loses her Rosa Mystica to Shinku. She is the second doll to lose her Rosa Mystica.
In the manga, Hinaichigo is taken from Jun after Odille Fosset, granddaughter of a previous owner of Hinaichigo, arrives at the Sakurada home and displays a ring, thought to be from Hinaichigo, on her finger. Though Jun tells Hinaichigo that she may choose who she wishes to stay with, Hinaichigo apparently does not consciously decide to go with Odille; after awakening from sleep, Hinaichigo is confused to find herself in Odille's room, which she recognizes as that of Odille's grandmother, Corinne. Shortly afterwards, Hinaichigo is ruthlessly destroyed by Kirakishou; after being shown a montage of her loved ones saying goodbye to her and made to feel unloved and alone, Hinaichigo is consumed from the inside out by Kirakishou's rose vines as the seventh doll watches in gleeful anticipation of taking control of her sister's body. Hinaichigo sends her Rosa Mystica to Shinku through Berrybell, her artificial spirit, asking Shinku to use the Rosa Mystica to end the Alice Game. Shinku commends Hinaichigo for her courage to face Kirakishou despite her disadvantage, considering Hinaichigo as a true Rozen Maiden.
Hinaichigo's favorite foods are strawberry daifuku, and Nori's "Hanamaru Hamburger," which is a hamburger patty topped with a fried egg in the shape of a flower. She adores the puppet detective Kun Kun, though her fandom is not as avid as Shinku's. She also loves to draw, as shown often in both seasons of the anime and the OVA. She usually ends her sentences in "na no" (meaning "that's why" or "because" in Japanese), complimentary to Kanaria's "kashira" (meaning "I wonder" or "maybe?"). She also says "uunyuu" out of curiosity.
In the anime, Hinaichigo's singing, as well as most of her quarreling with Suiseiseki, are actually ad-libbed by her seiyū, Sakura Nogawa (with Natsuko Kuwatani in the quarreling scenes).[citation needed]
Barasuishou (薔薇水晶 Barasuishō, Rozenkristall, Rose Crystal)
Voiced by: Saori Goto (Japanese), Tara Platt (English)
Barasuishou is a doll created by Enju, Rozen's apprentice. She introduces herself as the seventh Rozen Maiden doll, though this is a lie; she simply intends to dupe the other six Rozen Maidens into entering the Alice Game so that she may obtain their Rosae Mysticae and become the strongest doll. She is clad entirely in lavender and wears an eyepatch over her left eye, though she is revealed to not be missing an eye at all. In the first and last episodes of Rozen Maiden träumend, she taunts Shinku by repeating whatever Shinku says to her. Barasuishou is unnaturally calm most of the time, showing little, if any, emotion. She is also hinted to be mad; when Shinku has her pinned to the floor towards the end of their battle, Barasuishou simply giggles and smiles disarmingly. She has the ability to manipulate all sorts of crystalline elements and uses it in many of her attacks which include blasting her opponents with a barrage of sharp crystal rocks and creating a purple crystalline sword.
Although Barasuishou is not the true seventh Rozen Maiden, Shinku is unaware of this fact and, believing that all seven dolls are now awake, concludes that Barasuishou's appearance marks the "true" start of the Alice Game. Barasuishou false-starts the Alice Game when she and Souseiseki come across an image of "Father" in a state of misery. Barasuishou tells Souseiseki that "Father" is grieving because he "cannot find Alice", so they must conclude the fight once and for all in order to fulfill his wish of seeing Alice. Barasuishou's "Father" is Enju, who was initially believed to be Rozen himself, but is revealed to merely be Rozen's jealous apprentice. Barasuishou's true origin is revealed in the final episode of Rozen Maiden träumend. Enju was obsessed with surpassing Rozen as the greatest dollmaker; to achieve that end, he created Barasuishou to oppose the Rozen Maidens, take their Rosae Mysticae, and finish as the last doll standing. The elements of Barasuishou's attire and overall appearance suggest that Enju had seen Rozen's design for Kirakishou and created Barasuishou from his recollection of it. Barasuishou is presumed dead after being overwhelmed by the six Rosae Mysticae she absorbed; despite Enju's plea for her to release the Rosae Mysticae once he discovers that Barasuishou cannot contain their energy, she continued to cry out to "Father" and crumbled to pieces in Enju's hands.
Barasuishou appears only in Rozen Maiden träumend and in one scene of the OVA; she does not appear in the manga.
Kirakishou (雪華綺晶 Kirakishō, Schöner Schneeblüten Kristall, Sparkling Snowdrop Crystal) (spelled Kirakisho in the Tokyopop translated manga)
The true seventh Rozen Maiden doll. Both her hair and her ornately ruffled dress are white, as indicated by Shinku's description of her in volume 6 of the manga, and by the remodeled version of the original manga. However, she has been shown with a pale pink dress (anime), pale pink hair (Rozen Maiden AliBat, a fan-created fighting game), or both (the cover of volume 6 of the manga). Kirakishou's right eye is missing. In the anime, a layer of tissue covers the right eye socket and a single white rose grows from it, but in the manga, she simply has a rose growing out of the empty eye socket, as described by Shinku: "Her left eye can see everything, but reflects nothing, while her right eye is an empty hole, with a white rose growing out of it." In the anime, Kirakishou's shoulders are not ball jointed as the other dolls' are, presumably because she is an entity that only exists in the N-Field.
Kirakishou's first appearance in the manga is in volume 6, but is not properly introduced until volume 7. In the anime, however, she has not been formally introduced. Her only anime appearance was towards the end of the finale of Rozen Maiden Träumend; she is shown for only a few seconds.
In the manga, Kirakishou claims that the seventh doll lacked a physical body and could only exist in the N-Field. Because of this, she destroys and consumes Hinaichigo so that she can use the sixth doll's body to materialize outside of the N-Field. Even though Kirakishou could not initially exist in the real world, she could still affect real world events; she gives a rose ring to Odille Fosset, the granddaughter of Corinne Fosset, Hinaichigo's former mistress.
Kirakishou offers her Rosa Mystica to Suigintou in volume 7, in order to trick her "big sister" and take Megu. Suigintou, however, refuses to accept the Rosa Mystica, saying that she would take it later on her own terms. During her first encounter with Shinku, in volume 6, Kirakishou parrots whatever Shinku says, much like Barasuishou does in the anime.
Because Kirakishou's appearance in the anime was merely a headshot, her abilities remain unknown. In the manga, she controls white rose vines, which she can manipulate into a spiderweb-like construct on which she crawls like an actual spider would. She used her vines to destroy Hinaichigo and to restrain Shinku and Suigintou during each's first encounter with her. Kirakishou also has the ability to trap people's consciousness in crystals within the N-Field and Sea of Unconsciousness, as evidenced by Odille's status as shown in both the N-Field and the real world.
Later in the manga, Kirakishou has tricked the Jun in another world into helping her materialize herself by sending him parts of Souseiseki's body. And, using Jun's power, she shields herself from Shinku and Suigintou's attacks to allow herself time to make Souseiseki's body fully hers. She has made it clear that she is jealous of the other sisters enjoying material bodies while she herself is no more than a fleeting thought. She wishes to have Shinku's nobility, Hinaichigo's innocence, Kanaria's charm, Suiseiseki's passion, and Souseiseki's earnestness. Before sending out another set of rose vines, she uttered the words, "Hold me more."
In the latest chapter, when Jun is forced to choose the doll whom he'll form a contract, Kirakishou restrained him from choosing Shinku. She also promised him the power to change the past should he form a contract with her instead. However, as Jun has kissed Souseiseki's ring, it may seem that Kirakishou is once again losing her material body.
Pics
Genre Comedy, Drama, Supernatural Season 1: Rozen Maiden
Plot Summary:
Due to a deep trauma at school Sakurada Jun has refused to return. He spends his time in his room, surfing the web and ordering anything that takes his fancy, only to return the items just before payment is due. One day, he finds a web site that tells him to put his order in a drawer of his desk. He does so thinking it to be a joke, only to find that the letter disappears and a strange package arrives soon afterwards. It contains an exquisite doll, that, when wound, comes to life. She treats him as a servant of little worth, but over time helps him come to grips with his fears and in the life-or-death fights that soon follow her arrival.
OVA: Rozen Maiden Overture
Set during the second season, the story between Shinku and Suigintou is told by Souseiseki when Jun buys Shinku a brooch. The first OVA starts with the creation of Sugintou, Rozen's first doll, which he abandons and moves on to create the rest of the Rozen dolls, ignoring Sugintou's cries for help.
Characters:
Humans
Nori Sakurada (桜田 のり Sakurada Nori) is Jun's older sister. An avid lacrosse player, who had to give up many of her other hobbies when she assumed parental care of Jun while their parents are out of the country on business. While initially resistant to the responsibility, Nori became kind and gentle towards Jun. Nori is quick to find, get and resort to books for cures, treatments and copings with Jun's hikikomori-ism. Early in manga volume 1, when she hears Jun and Shinku arguing in his bedroom she leaps to the conclusion that he has developed schizophrenia (multiple personality disorder) and gets a book on that. She unfortunately takes the brunt of Jun's abuse and criticism. Shinku constantly provides Nori with advice on everything from the proper way to brew tea to taking care of Jun. Nori is very fond of the dolls who live and play in her house.
Tomoe Kashiwaba (柏葉 巴 Kashiwaba Tomoe) is an honor student at Jun's school. She is quiet, and kind-hearted, although her speech and style tend to be very dry, and she often hides her true feelings. Tomoe was originally Hinaichigo's medium, but the bond between them was broken when Hinaichigo relied too much on Tomoe's energy and was defeated by Shinku. Currently, Tomoe helps Jun in his dealings with the Rozen Maidens and also assists him with his make-up work for school. Before it was severed, Tomoe's bond with Hinaichigo was about as close as siblings. In Rozen Maiden träumend, before Hinaichigo loses her Rosa Mystica, Tomoe reflects on all of the good times and memories she they shared and thanks Hinaichigo for being there. She is mistaken by Shirosaki as Jun's girlfriend.
Tomoe learned kendo from her father from an early age and is a member of the kendo club at school. She is often seen carrying her shinai when class is over. She is also a member of the school committee, seemingly reluctantly.
Mitsu "Micchan" Kusabue (草笛 みつ (みっちゃん) Kusabue Mitsu (Micchan)) (Mit-chan in the Tokyopop translated manga) is Kanaria's medium. She loves dolls to the point of obsession, which shows in both her room's decor and her frequent doting on Kanaria; she has shelves upon shelves crammed full of dolls, and makes frequent trips to the doll shop to purchase gifts for Kanaria. Although her work attire is that of an office lady, she is introduced as a professional photographer by Kanaria to the other dolls. In the manga, Micchan reveals that she has quit her old, comfortable job and becomes a pattern make for doll's dresses, selling her products on her personal website called "Angels Cage", despite the increased workload and the minor success. Micchan is generally regarded as being just as harmless and eccentric as Kanaria. She only appears in Rozen Maiden Träumend and the manga. In the manga, she has freckles, whereas her anime counterpart lacks this trait.
She never actually meets Jun in the anime, but in the manga, Kanaria brings her to the Sakurada residence, where Micchan shortly after nicknames Jun as "Junjun." She recognizes Jun's natural talent in designing and making dresses and offered a form of partnership, though Jun refuses.
Megu Kakizaki (柿崎 めぐ Kakizaki Megu) is a sickly girl (she has congenital heart disease in the anime, but the disease is not specified in the manga) who is Suigintou's medium. She lives in a hospital room, under constant care from nurses. Megu has a very bleak outlook on life and often prays for an "Angel of Death" to take her away. She sees herself as a burden upon her parents, who she claims are "guilty" of having her. She initially believes that Suigintou is the "Angel of Death" she has hoped for and requests that Suigintou kill her by draining away her energy. Despite her apathy (and, at times, contempt) towards life in general, she is quite needy, and increasingly desires Suigintou's company, even throwing tantrums when Suigintou is away. Megu's blatant disrespect towards her father is shocking to Suigintou, who would never consider such an attitude toward her own "Father." In addition to her manga appearances, Megu appears in Rozen Maiden träumend and briefly in Rozen Maiden öuverture. She has a more stronger bond with Suigintou in the manga, and is the only human Suigintou has strong feelings for, other than Father. In the anime, Megu was the last person Suigintou thought about before collapsing in Shinku's arms. In the manga, it was after Suigintou's witness of Megu driving her father away in a fit of rage that evoked sympathy from the doll, thereby agreeing to take Megu as her medium. However, she was unable to do so as Kirakishou took Megu away into the N-field.
Dolls
Suigintou (水銀燈 Suigintō, Mercury Lampe, Quecksilber, Mercury Lamp)
Voiced by: Rie Tanaka (Japanese), Mia Bradly (English), Mamiko Noto (early drama CD)
Suigintou is the first of the Rozen Maiden collection. Her desire to win the Alice Game is the strongest of all the dolls, and is primarily driven by her wish to gain the attention of their "Father", the fantastic dollmaker Rozen. Sadistic, spiteful, and arrogant (all due to her spectacular superiority complex), Suigintou has no inhibitions when it comes to the Alice Game. She will use any method available to her, regardless of how brutal it may be, to reach victory. Although she avoids socializing with all of her sister dolls, she has a particularly bitter hatred for Shinku. However, upon meeting Megu, her medium, Suigintou's attitude and motivations begin to shift; she begins to feel a strong affection for someone other than "Father", and a will to fight for something other than the honor of becoming "Alice", the perfect girl. Suigintou's desire to protect Megu begins to even overpower her wish to meet "Father," and she hopes to use the collected Rosae Mysticae, not to become Alice, but to heal Megu's heart ailment instead. However, Suigintou fails in this endeavor, discovering to her horror that she has used up Megu's energy. She also hates being called "junk".
Initially, Suigintou's will to exist was so strong that she was able to move without actually possessing a Rosa Mystica. Suigintou did not consciously make a contract with Megu, rather, Megu came upon Suigintou as she was reawakening. Suigintou's strong sense of independence, as well as disdain towards humanity, had her avoiding the perceived weakness of having a medium. She is also the only Rozen Maiden to have been defeated and revived three times.
Suigintou has a number of unique traits and flaws amongst the seven Rozen Maiden. In the anime, she is missing her torso; Shinku explains at one point that before Suigintou was completed, her design was erased, but gives no further explanation as to why or how. In ouvertüre, it is shown that Rozen abandoned her half-completed form in two parts on his worktable. She was never assembled—although her clothing was completed—and as such, not initially given the life force that is a Rosa Mystica. It was her love for Rozen that brought her to life, and she crawled off of the table to seek him out. Rozen does later provide her with a Rosa Mystica, only after she is sliced in half by Souseiseki and presumably fated to fade out of existence. Curiously, after Suigintou is destroyed in battle by Shinku at the end of the anime's first season, she is restored midway through Rozen Maiden träumend. The identity of the person responsible for her restoration is never revealed, however it is strongly implied to be Rozen. In the träumend finale, she tells Shinku that "Father" had told her that even with her flawed body, she is also entitled to a part in the Alice Game. Later, Rozen is seen lovingly fixing Suigintou's neck ribbon as she sleeps, and even grips her gently around the waist afterwards, implying that he has mended her incomplete body.
In the manga, her body is flawed by wings—notably, she is the only Rozen Maiden with them—that have ravaged her back with cracks. Despite these flaws, her love for "Father" and willpower is so strong that she can use her powers independently of a medium.
Along with her artificial spirit, Meimei, Suigintou's weapons are her ragged black wings. With their arrow-like feathers, she can conjure up a shield, a large sword, or even twin black dragons. Suigintou can also create destructive blue flames as a last resort in battle. Suigintou's varied abilities, particularly when combined with her savagely cunning nature, make her a strong player in the Alice Game.
In Rozen Maiden ouvertüre, Suigintou and Shinku are shown to actually be friends, but the friendship sours significantly after Suigintou discovers that Shinku only pretended to be her friend out of pity. It is also revealed that Rozen abandoned her without a Rosa Mystica (which she later acquires) and started moving towards her affection for him. When Megu shows Suigintou a bouquet of bright red roses, Suigintou destroys the bouquet, indicating that she either hates roses as a whole, or that she particularly dislikes bright red roses, since Shinku uses bright red rose petals.
In the manga Megu and Suigintou seem to have a stronger "bond" than in the anime. Megu was also the reason Suigintou traveled to the alternate dimension and subsequently declaring a truce with Shinku so that the two may work together to bring down Kirakishou.
Her artificial spirit, "Meimei," is named for the Japanese word "Mei", meaning darkness.
Kanaria (金糸雀 Kanaria, Kanarienvogel, Canary Bird) (spelled Canaria in the Tokyopop translated manga)
Voiced by: Yumi Shimura (Japanese), Cristina Valenzuela (English)
The second Rozen Maiden doll, who is as adorable as she is eccentric. Not only does she constantly refer to herself in third person, but she also talks about taking her sisters' Rosen Mysticas, though she repeatedly fails in her attempts to do so. She fancies herself as quite the stealthy prowler, and makes a hobby of watching the exploits of her sisters, usually through binoculars. Kanaria's bright, somewhat arrogant disposition makes her the ideal subject for many of the comedic episodes. Despite this, she is a competent opponent and attacks with a violin that can emit particularly destructive sound waves. Her personality mostly complements that of Hinaichigo, who eventually becomes her good friend and rival; they often debate on whose medium is "better," i.e. prettier. In the manga, she visits the Sakurada home more often than in the anime, and even invites Mitsu, her medium, after Hinaichigo is taken by Kirakishou, in order to fulfill the void left by Hinaichigo.
In Rozen Maiden: ouvertüre, the other dolls apparently forgot Kanaria's name most of the time, though in the manga, Hinaichigo admits to Kanaria that she was only kidding.
Kanaria has the unusual habit of ending her sentences with "kashira" ("I wonder?" or "maybe?"), which is likened to Hinaichigo's penchant for ending sentences with "na no" (meaning "Because"). Kanaria's favorite food is tamagoyaki, or Japanese thick omelet, which, more often than not, is snatched away from her by hungry birds before she can enjoy it. She is introduced in the second season and makes a brief appearance in Rozen Maiden: Ouvertüre, making yet another humorously over-the-top attempt to infiltrate Jun's home to steal her sisters' Rosae Mysticae.
Her artificial spirit, Pizzicato, is named after the technique of playing orchestral instruments by plucking the strings, which she uses as a counterattack.
Voiced by: Natsuko Kuwatani (Japanese), Rebecca Forstadt (English), Nana Mizuki (early drama CD)
The third Rozen Maiden doll, and Souseiseki's older twin. She and Souseiseki are both referred to as "gardeners" for their ability to communicate and tend not only to regular plants, but also to the "soul trees" of humans.
Despite her attitude towards Jun, Suiseiseki does care a great deal for him, and her attempts to cover that up usually manifest in the form of more insults. In fact, she cares deeply for everyone in her life, even if she does not show it outwardly. In Rozen Maiden träumend, Suiseiseki stands out among the dolls in that she values her sisters' love more than the goal of becoming Alice. She is one of the few dolls who opposes the Alice Game, and has no intentions of becoming Alice if it means taking her fellow sisters' Rosa Mystica. Suiseiseki and Jun attempt, without much success, to convince the other Rozen Maidens that the Alice Game is a meaningless endeavor. In her brief appearance in the OVA, she makes the same appeal to her twin several times.
In the anime, Suiseiseki's first impression is different than that of the manga. She appears very shy and nervous, and is very distrustful of humans because one had kidnapped Souseiseki. Shinku once described Suiseiseki as being the most shy and timid of the Rozen Maidens.
Suiseiseki tries to avoid participating in the Alice Game as much as possible, but she can use her watering can to make plants emerge from the ground and manipulate them. Her artificial spirit is named after the popular Anna Sui perfume. Suiseiseki was also the winner of the Anime Saimoe Tournament in 2006.
In the Rozen Maiden träumend, after Jun become her medium. She is jealous of Shinku that Jun always stay with her alone. That means she also loves Jun.
In the next-to-last episode of Rozen Maiden träumend, Suiseiseki attempts to protect Kanaria from Barasuishou's crystal stakes, and is crystallized for her trouble and her Rosa Mystica seized. Suiseiseki was revived by Rozen in the träumend finale and is last seen watching "Detective Kun Kun" along with Nori and the lifeless forms of Souseiseki and Hinaichigo.
In the latest chapter of the manga, Suiseiseki makes a return to the story as she travels to the alternate dimension where Shinku and Suigintou currently reside. Knowing that Kirakishou now has Souseiseki's body, Suiseiseki intends to protect Kirakishou from being destroyed, much to Shinku's and Suigintou's dismays. She has also actively (and somewhat forcibly) make Jun form a contract with her. However, she was actually making him form a contract using Souseiseki's ring, so that Souseiseki may be revived.
Suiseiseki is a very prominent and popular character in the series.
Voiced by: Rika Morinaga (Japanese), Julie Ann Taylor (English)
The fourth doll of the Rozen Maiden collection and Suiseiseki's twin, Souseiseki possesses a sharpness in her speech that is similar to Shinku's, attacks ruthlessly in combat, and does not tolerate sub-par actions. She is also quite stubborn and very devoted to her masters. Her appearance is not only the most masculine of the dolls, but her speech is also noted to be of the masculine form, using the first person pronoun "boku" instead of gender neutral pronouns like "jibun" or "watashi." Souseiseki's presence is much more significant in the anime than in the manga.
In the manga, Souseiseki's master wanted to use her power to enter other people's dreams and exact revenge on his brother's lover, who he felt had stolen his brother from him. Since Souseiseki alone could not achieve this goal, she fights Suiseiseki to gather the two gardeners' tools, the shears (which is her primary weapon) and the watering can, which together can affect an individual's soul tree. She eventually realizes that it is her master's heart that needs to be freed and sacrifices herself to do so. The dolls present are shocked by Souseiseki's actions and Suigintou uses the confusion to snatch Souseiseki's Rosa Mystica, enraging both Shinku and Suiseseki. In the latest chapter, it is revealed that Souseiseki's body is currently manifested by Kirakishou.
In the anime, Souseiseki is devoted to a lonesome old man, who uses her as a substitute for his deceased son, Kadzuki. Souseiseki apparently does not have a medium, because Motoharu Shibasaki was never shown to have a rose ring. She is shown to be slightly more eager, probably from a sense of duty, to participate in the Alice Game than her sisters. In the OVA, she is introduced in the flashback in mid-fight with Shinku and later does not hold back in attacking a then-harmless Suigintou. Throughout Rozen Maiden Träumend, she questions her idyllic lifestyle, and, much to Suiseiseki's disappointment, takes part in the Alice Game out of devotion to Rozen after being accosted by Barasuishou, who was believed to be the seventh Rozen Maiden doll, in order to fulfill his wish of finding Alice and relieve his perceived grief. She battles Suigintou, but is defeated and loses her Rosa Mystica.
Even though the two versions progress differently, Souseiseki is still the first doll to lose her Rosa Mystica, and her Rosa Mystica transfers to Suigintou on both occasions. However, at the end of Rozen Maiden träumend, Laplace is seen dancing with two Rosae Mysticae, one of which is believed to be Souseiseki's. To add to the confusion, after Shinku is resurrected by "Father," she tells Jun that Souseiseki's and Hinaichigo's losing their Rosa Mysticae is her burden to bear. The most likely reason for this is that essentially they were under the care of her medium, which makes sense for Hinaichigo, but not so much for Souseiseki.
In the manga, Souseiseki has gone missing from her case, after Suiseiseki tells Souseiseki's master that she found her sister's hat in the N-field. Later, in the last volume of the manga, she is reunited with Suiseiseki. Souseiseki tells Suiseiseki that she didn't want to play the Alice Game anymore, because she didn't "want to go against the Suiseiseki that I love". Soon afterwards she dies once again, growing rose vines and a white rose out of her right eye. Though she is the first doll to lose her Rosa Mystica, Souseiseki is actually the second doll to lose in the Alice Game. In the latest chapter of Rozen Maiden Tale, it is revealed that while Suigintou has her Rosa Mystica, Kirakishou has her body. And, because Jun from the alternate dimension has inadvertently kissed the ring, it may grant Souseiseki the revival Suiseiseki wished for. Her artificial spirit is named for a fragrance by Lolita Lempicka. Souseiseki was also the first runner-up for Saimoe 2005.
Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese), Mela Lee (English), Yui Horie (early drama CD)
Shinku is the fifth Rozen Maiden doll and the first to appear in the series. Her name, in addition to its Japanese meaning, could be also a play on the Japanese pronunciation of the word "cinq" (French for "five"). She embodies the traditional Victorian aristocrat. She is extremely demanding and can seem unappreciative of others. Her favorite words are "tea", "servant" and "What?" She seems to enjoy lecturing, slapping, and generally abusing Jun, her medium, at every opportunity. She is perceived as rather angry, but it is a facade that she puts up to show that she feels that she is most deserving of becoming Alice. Shinku is also perceived as being cold, but she is actually very protective of, and cares deeply for, her sisters and for Jun. Shinku's presence at the Sakurada home has led to other Rozen Maidens appearing there. She hates cats because one almost swallowed her wind-up key in the past.
Initially, Shinku is determined to become "Alice", even if it means fighting her sisters. However, after causing Suigintou's first death and some careful questioning by Jun, she begins to shift views on her purpose and begins to engage in simpler and quieter activities, such as reading cookbooks in order to bake better cookies.
Shinku does not use honorific suffixes such as "-chan," "-san," or "-kun," except when she refers to "Father" and Mitsu. In the anime, Shinku does have a cute side, which is evident in her intense, almost obsessive, admiration for the puppet detective Kun Kun, believing them to be connected by an invisible thread. In the anime, Shinku wins a human contest and receives a Kun Kun cosplay costume as her prize. Jun was once able to win her over during an argument by playing her with a Kun Kun doll.
In Rozen Maiden ouvertüre, Shinku initially befriended the then broken and weak Suigintou out of pity and taught her many basic life skills, such as walking and brewing tea. However, Suigintou later destroys Shinku's brooch, her prized possession from "Father", which opens wide the intense enmity between the two.
In combat, Shinku fights with rose petal-based attacks. The rose petals are extremely versatile; Shinku can direct them to spread out for wide-ranging attacks, or group them together to use as a shield. Her other weapon is a cane, which she skillfully wields like a sword. Shinku has other special powers, such as restoring broken objects, typically Jun's bedroom windows after Suiseiseki and Souseiseki show up, with a form of time-reversing magic. Shinku was the second runner-up for both Saimoe 2006 and 2007.
Plot Summary:
Due to a deep trauma at school Sakurada Jun has refused to return. He spends his time in his room, surfing the web and ordering anything that takes his fancy, only to return the items just before payment is due. One day, he finds a web site that tells him to put his order in a drawer of his desk. He does so thinking it to be a joke, only to find that the letter disappears and a strange package arrives soon afterwards. It contains an exquisite doll, that, when wound, comes to life. She treats him as a servant of little worth, but over time helps him come to grips with his fears and in the life-or-death fights that soon follow her arrival.
Season 2: Rozen Maiden Traumend
Plot Summary:
As summer break arrives for the students, Jun Sakurada is busily studying on his own in the library, making up for time lost while he had confined himself to his home. Meanwhile, his Rozen Maiden doll, Shinku, has been having troubling dreams of late. The pain and sadness of defeating Suigintou was overwhelming, despite the inevitable battle they waged. After waking suddenly from a nightmare, she finds Suigintou's companion spirit wandering; upon giving chase, she discovers that the seventh Doll-- Barasuishou-- has awakened. She now realizes that Suigintou's fate may very well befall the other Dolls, for the appearance of the last Doll signals the beginning of the end of the Alice Games.
Plot Summary:
As summer break arrives for the students, Jun Sakurada is busily studying on his own in the library, making up for time lost while he had confined himself to his home. Meanwhile, his Rozen Maiden doll, Shinku, has been having troubling dreams of late. The pain and sadness of defeating Suigintou was overwhelming, despite the inevitable battle they waged. After waking suddenly from a nightmare, she finds Suigintou's companion spirit wandering; upon giving chase, she discovers that the seventh Doll-- Barasuishou-- has awakened. She now realizes that Suigintou's fate may very well befall the other Dolls, for the appearance of the last Doll signals the beginning of the end of the Alice Games.
OVA: Rozen Maiden Overture
Set during the second season, the story between Shinku and Suigintou is told by Souseiseki when Jun buys Shinku a brooch. The first OVA starts with the creation of Sugintou, Rozen's first doll, which he abandons and moves on to create the rest of the Rozen dolls, ignoring Sugintou's cries for help.
Characters:
Humans
Jun Sakurada
Voiced by: Asami Sanada (Japanese), Mona Marshall (English), Sanae Kobayashi (early drama CD) Jun Sakurada (桜田 ジュン Sakurada Jun) is a traumatized boy who lives a hermit's existence in his room and does not go to school after cracking under the pressure of entrance exams. He suffers from what is known as tōkō kyohi, or a refusal to go to school, as well as hikikomori, the phenomenon of isolating oneself from society.
He spends a lot of time in front of his computer, and has a hobby of ordering things from the Internet — mostly fake magical or occultic implements— and then returning them before he has to pay, for the thrill of receiving something ridiculously stupid. He is also interested in cars and collects miniature versions of them. When he comes into possession of Shinku and winds her up, he is unwittingly and unwillingly caught in the crossfire of the Alice Game — Shinku declares him to be her "servant" and demands that he obey her at all times. Jun is extremely skilled at crafts and at sewing. Although he is arrogant, and occasionally cold and rude, he cares for others but typically refuses to let his feelings show. He is especially friendly with Hinaichigo, and at times, blushes around Shinku, which portrays that he cares deeply for her.
In Rozen Maiden träumend, Jun's personality has changed, thanks to the Rozen Maidens who have taken up residence in the Sakurada home. No longer afraid of his classmates or of going out in public, he goes to the library frequently to catch up with his school studies and is more sociable and kind. He even becomes friends with Tomoe, Hinaichigo's former medium, as she helps him catch up with his studies. Jun also helps Suiseiseki try to convince the other Rozen Maidens that the Alice Game was a futile endeavor. He strongly believes that because Shinku and the other Rozen Maidens are sisters, they should not fight or keep secrets from one other.
Shinku states that when Jun sews, it is like watching magic. Jun is the only or one of the few people in the world who can bring a doll's 'soul' back, doing so in the first volume with an old doll. It is implied that Jun is extremely similar to Rozen in his abilities, possibly able to become the next Rozen. Jun is able to be the master of three dolls at once and have them take his energy in battle with little problem. This is unusual because most people have a hard time with just one doll taking their energy. The reason why he is able to do this is unknown and might have something to do with the fact he is similar to Rozen.
Nori Sakurada
Voiced by: Noriko Rikimaru (Japanese), Minx Lee (English), Aya Hisakawa (early drama CD)Nori Sakurada (桜田 のり Sakurada Nori) is Jun's older sister. An avid lacrosse player, who had to give up many of her other hobbies when she assumed parental care of Jun while their parents are out of the country on business. While initially resistant to the responsibility, Nori became kind and gentle towards Jun. Nori is quick to find, get and resort to books for cures, treatments and copings with Jun's hikikomori-ism. Early in manga volume 1, when she hears Jun and Shinku arguing in his bedroom she leaps to the conclusion that he has developed schizophrenia (multiple personality disorder) and gets a book on that. She unfortunately takes the brunt of Jun's abuse and criticism. Shinku constantly provides Nori with advice on everything from the proper way to brew tea to taking care of Jun. Nori is very fond of the dolls who live and play in her house.
Tomoe Kashiwaba
Voiced by: Masayo Kurata (Japanese), Dorothy Elias-Fahn (English), Ayako Kawasumi (early drama CD)Tomoe Kashiwaba (柏葉 巴 Kashiwaba Tomoe) is an honor student at Jun's school. She is quiet, and kind-hearted, although her speech and style tend to be very dry, and she often hides her true feelings. Tomoe was originally Hinaichigo's medium, but the bond between them was broken when Hinaichigo relied too much on Tomoe's energy and was defeated by Shinku. Currently, Tomoe helps Jun in his dealings with the Rozen Maidens and also assists him with his make-up work for school. Before it was severed, Tomoe's bond with Hinaichigo was about as close as siblings. In Rozen Maiden träumend, before Hinaichigo loses her Rosa Mystica, Tomoe reflects on all of the good times and memories she they shared and thanks Hinaichigo for being there. She is mistaken by Shirosaki as Jun's girlfriend.
Tomoe learned kendo from her father from an early age and is a member of the kendo club at school. She is often seen carrying her shinai when class is over. She is also a member of the school committee, seemingly reluctantly.
Mitsu "Micchan" Kusabue
Voiced by: Akiko KawaseMitsu "Micchan" Kusabue (草笛 みつ (みっちゃん) Kusabue Mitsu (Micchan)) (Mit-chan in the Tokyopop translated manga) is Kanaria's medium. She loves dolls to the point of obsession, which shows in both her room's decor and her frequent doting on Kanaria; she has shelves upon shelves crammed full of dolls, and makes frequent trips to the doll shop to purchase gifts for Kanaria. Although her work attire is that of an office lady, she is introduced as a professional photographer by Kanaria to the other dolls. In the manga, Micchan reveals that she has quit her old, comfortable job and becomes a pattern make for doll's dresses, selling her products on her personal website called "Angels Cage", despite the increased workload and the minor success. Micchan is generally regarded as being just as harmless and eccentric as Kanaria. She only appears in Rozen Maiden Träumend and the manga. In the manga, she has freckles, whereas her anime counterpart lacks this trait.
She never actually meets Jun in the anime, but in the manga, Kanaria brings her to the Sakurada residence, where Micchan shortly after nicknames Jun as "Junjun." She recognizes Jun's natural talent in designing and making dresses and offered a form of partnership, though Jun refuses.
Megu Kakizaki
Voiced by: Shiho Kawaragi (Japanese), Erika Weinstein (English)Megu Kakizaki (柿崎 めぐ Kakizaki Megu) is a sickly girl (she has congenital heart disease in the anime, but the disease is not specified in the manga) who is Suigintou's medium. She lives in a hospital room, under constant care from nurses. Megu has a very bleak outlook on life and often prays for an "Angel of Death" to take her away. She sees herself as a burden upon her parents, who she claims are "guilty" of having her. She initially believes that Suigintou is the "Angel of Death" she has hoped for and requests that Suigintou kill her by draining away her energy. Despite her apathy (and, at times, contempt) towards life in general, she is quite needy, and increasingly desires Suigintou's company, even throwing tantrums when Suigintou is away. Megu's blatant disrespect towards her father is shocking to Suigintou, who would never consider such an attitude toward her own "Father." In addition to her manga appearances, Megu appears in Rozen Maiden träumend and briefly in Rozen Maiden öuverture. She has a more stronger bond with Suigintou in the manga, and is the only human Suigintou has strong feelings for, other than Father. In the anime, Megu was the last person Suigintou thought about before collapsing in Shinku's arms. In the manga, it was after Suigintou's witness of Megu driving her father away in a fit of rage that evoked sympathy from the doll, thereby agreeing to take Megu as her medium. However, she was unable to do so as Kirakishou took Megu away into the N-field.
Dolls
Suigintou
Suigintou, the first Rozen Maiden doll.
Voiced by: Rie Tanaka (Japanese), Mia Bradly (English), Mamiko Noto (early drama CD)
Suigintou is the first of the Rozen Maiden collection. Her desire to win the Alice Game is the strongest of all the dolls, and is primarily driven by her wish to gain the attention of their "Father", the fantastic dollmaker Rozen. Sadistic, spiteful, and arrogant (all due to her spectacular superiority complex), Suigintou has no inhibitions when it comes to the Alice Game. She will use any method available to her, regardless of how brutal it may be, to reach victory. Although she avoids socializing with all of her sister dolls, she has a particularly bitter hatred for Shinku. However, upon meeting Megu, her medium, Suigintou's attitude and motivations begin to shift; she begins to feel a strong affection for someone other than "Father", and a will to fight for something other than the honor of becoming "Alice", the perfect girl. Suigintou's desire to protect Megu begins to even overpower her wish to meet "Father," and she hopes to use the collected Rosae Mysticae, not to become Alice, but to heal Megu's heart ailment instead. However, Suigintou fails in this endeavor, discovering to her horror that she has used up Megu's energy. She also hates being called "junk".
Initially, Suigintou's will to exist was so strong that she was able to move without actually possessing a Rosa Mystica. Suigintou did not consciously make a contract with Megu, rather, Megu came upon Suigintou as she was reawakening. Suigintou's strong sense of independence, as well as disdain towards humanity, had her avoiding the perceived weakness of having a medium. She is also the only Rozen Maiden to have been defeated and revived three times.
Suigintou has a number of unique traits and flaws amongst the seven Rozen Maiden. In the anime, she is missing her torso; Shinku explains at one point that before Suigintou was completed, her design was erased, but gives no further explanation as to why or how. In ouvertüre, it is shown that Rozen abandoned her half-completed form in two parts on his worktable. She was never assembled—although her clothing was completed—and as such, not initially given the life force that is a Rosa Mystica. It was her love for Rozen that brought her to life, and she crawled off of the table to seek him out. Rozen does later provide her with a Rosa Mystica, only after she is sliced in half by Souseiseki and presumably fated to fade out of existence. Curiously, after Suigintou is destroyed in battle by Shinku at the end of the anime's first season, she is restored midway through Rozen Maiden träumend. The identity of the person responsible for her restoration is never revealed, however it is strongly implied to be Rozen. In the träumend finale, she tells Shinku that "Father" had told her that even with her flawed body, she is also entitled to a part in the Alice Game. Later, Rozen is seen lovingly fixing Suigintou's neck ribbon as she sleeps, and even grips her gently around the waist afterwards, implying that he has mended her incomplete body.
In the manga, her body is flawed by wings—notably, she is the only Rozen Maiden with them—that have ravaged her back with cracks. Despite these flaws, her love for "Father" and willpower is so strong that she can use her powers independently of a medium.
Along with her artificial spirit, Meimei, Suigintou's weapons are her ragged black wings. With their arrow-like feathers, she can conjure up a shield, a large sword, or even twin black dragons. Suigintou can also create destructive blue flames as a last resort in battle. Suigintou's varied abilities, particularly when combined with her savagely cunning nature, make her a strong player in the Alice Game.
In Rozen Maiden ouvertüre, Suigintou and Shinku are shown to actually be friends, but the friendship sours significantly after Suigintou discovers that Shinku only pretended to be her friend out of pity. It is also revealed that Rozen abandoned her without a Rosa Mystica (which she later acquires) and started moving towards her affection for him. When Megu shows Suigintou a bouquet of bright red roses, Suigintou destroys the bouquet, indicating that she either hates roses as a whole, or that she particularly dislikes bright red roses, since Shinku uses bright red rose petals.
In the manga Megu and Suigintou seem to have a stronger "bond" than in the anime. Megu was also the reason Suigintou traveled to the alternate dimension and subsequently declaring a truce with Shinku so that the two may work together to bring down Kirakishou.
Her artificial spirit, "Meimei," is named for the Japanese word "Mei", meaning darkness.
- Medium: Megu
- Artificial Spirit: Meimei (メイメイ Meimei)
Kanaria
Kanaria, the second Rozen Maiden doll.
Voiced by: Yumi Shimura (Japanese), Cristina Valenzuela (English)
The second Rozen Maiden doll, who is as adorable as she is eccentric. Not only does she constantly refer to herself in third person, but she also talks about taking her sisters' Rosen Mysticas, though she repeatedly fails in her attempts to do so. She fancies herself as quite the stealthy prowler, and makes a hobby of watching the exploits of her sisters, usually through binoculars. Kanaria's bright, somewhat arrogant disposition makes her the ideal subject for many of the comedic episodes. Despite this, she is a competent opponent and attacks with a violin that can emit particularly destructive sound waves. Her personality mostly complements that of Hinaichigo, who eventually becomes her good friend and rival; they often debate on whose medium is "better," i.e. prettier. In the manga, she visits the Sakurada home more often than in the anime, and even invites Mitsu, her medium, after Hinaichigo is taken by Kirakishou, in order to fulfill the void left by Hinaichigo.
In Rozen Maiden: ouvertüre, the other dolls apparently forgot Kanaria's name most of the time, though in the manga, Hinaichigo admits to Kanaria that she was only kidding.
Kanaria has the unusual habit of ending her sentences with "kashira" ("I wonder?" or "maybe?"), which is likened to Hinaichigo's penchant for ending sentences with "na no" (meaning "Because"). Kanaria's favorite food is tamagoyaki, or Japanese thick omelet, which, more often than not, is snatched away from her by hungry birds before she can enjoy it. She is introduced in the second season and makes a brief appearance in Rozen Maiden: Ouvertüre, making yet another humorously over-the-top attempt to infiltrate Jun's home to steal her sisters' Rosae Mysticae.
Her artificial spirit, Pizzicato, is named after the technique of playing orchestral instruments by plucking the strings, which she uses as a counterattack.
- Medium: Mitsu
- Artificial Spirit: Pizzicato (ピチカート Pichikāto)
Suiseiseki
Suiseiseki (翠星石 Suiseiseki, Jade Stern, Jade Star)
Suiseiseki, the third Rozen Maiden doll.
The third Rozen Maiden doll, and Souseiseki's older twin. She and Souseiseki are both referred to as "gardeners" for their ability to communicate and tend not only to regular plants, but also to the "soul trees" of humans.
Despite her attitude towards Jun, Suiseiseki does care a great deal for him, and her attempts to cover that up usually manifest in the form of more insults. In fact, she cares deeply for everyone in her life, even if she does not show it outwardly. In Rozen Maiden träumend, Suiseiseki stands out among the dolls in that she values her sisters' love more than the goal of becoming Alice. She is one of the few dolls who opposes the Alice Game, and has no intentions of becoming Alice if it means taking her fellow sisters' Rosa Mystica. Suiseiseki and Jun attempt, without much success, to convince the other Rozen Maidens that the Alice Game is a meaningless endeavor. In her brief appearance in the OVA, she makes the same appeal to her twin several times.
In the anime, Suiseiseki's first impression is different than that of the manga. She appears very shy and nervous, and is very distrustful of humans because one had kidnapped Souseiseki. Shinku once described Suiseiseki as being the most shy and timid of the Rozen Maidens.
Suiseiseki tries to avoid participating in the Alice Game as much as possible, but she can use her watering can to make plants emerge from the ground and manipulate them. Her artificial spirit is named after the popular Anna Sui perfume. Suiseiseki was also the winner of the Anime Saimoe Tournament in 2006.
In the Rozen Maiden träumend, after Jun become her medium. She is jealous of Shinku that Jun always stay with her alone. That means she also loves Jun.
In the next-to-last episode of Rozen Maiden träumend, Suiseiseki attempts to protect Kanaria from Barasuishou's crystal stakes, and is crystallized for her trouble and her Rosa Mystica seized. Suiseiseki was revived by Rozen in the träumend finale and is last seen watching "Detective Kun Kun" along with Nori and the lifeless forms of Souseiseki and Hinaichigo.
In the latest chapter of the manga, Suiseiseki makes a return to the story as she travels to the alternate dimension where Shinku and Suigintou currently reside. Knowing that Kirakishou now has Souseiseki's body, Suiseiseki intends to protect Kirakishou from being destroyed, much to Shinku's and Suigintou's dismays. She has also actively (and somewhat forcibly) make Jun form a contract with her. However, she was actually making him form a contract using Souseiseki's ring, so that Souseiseki may be revived.
Suiseiseki is a very prominent and popular character in the series.
- Medium: Jun
- Artificial Spirit: Sui Dream (スィドリーム Sui Dorīmu) (Also called "Jade Dream" before she takes a medium and "Sui Dream" after in the anime, and "Sweet Dream" in the Tokyopop translated manga)
Souseiseki
Souseiseki (蒼星石 Sōseiseki, Lapis Lazuli Stern, Lapis Lazuli Star)
Souseiseki, the fourth Rozen Maiden doll.
The fourth doll of the Rozen Maiden collection and Suiseiseki's twin, Souseiseki possesses a sharpness in her speech that is similar to Shinku's, attacks ruthlessly in combat, and does not tolerate sub-par actions. She is also quite stubborn and very devoted to her masters. Her appearance is not only the most masculine of the dolls, but her speech is also noted to be of the masculine form, using the first person pronoun "boku" instead of gender neutral pronouns like "jibun" or "watashi." Souseiseki's presence is much more significant in the anime than in the manga.
In the manga, Souseiseki's master wanted to use her power to enter other people's dreams and exact revenge on his brother's lover, who he felt had stolen his brother from him. Since Souseiseki alone could not achieve this goal, she fights Suiseiseki to gather the two gardeners' tools, the shears (which is her primary weapon) and the watering can, which together can affect an individual's soul tree. She eventually realizes that it is her master's heart that needs to be freed and sacrifices herself to do so. The dolls present are shocked by Souseiseki's actions and Suigintou uses the confusion to snatch Souseiseki's Rosa Mystica, enraging both Shinku and Suiseseki. In the latest chapter, it is revealed that Souseiseki's body is currently manifested by Kirakishou.
In the anime, Souseiseki is devoted to a lonesome old man, who uses her as a substitute for his deceased son, Kadzuki. Souseiseki apparently does not have a medium, because Motoharu Shibasaki was never shown to have a rose ring. She is shown to be slightly more eager, probably from a sense of duty, to participate in the Alice Game than her sisters. In the OVA, she is introduced in the flashback in mid-fight with Shinku and later does not hold back in attacking a then-harmless Suigintou. Throughout Rozen Maiden Träumend, she questions her idyllic lifestyle, and, much to Suiseiseki's disappointment, takes part in the Alice Game out of devotion to Rozen after being accosted by Barasuishou, who was believed to be the seventh Rozen Maiden doll, in order to fulfill his wish of finding Alice and relieve his perceived grief. She battles Suigintou, but is defeated and loses her Rosa Mystica.
Even though the two versions progress differently, Souseiseki is still the first doll to lose her Rosa Mystica, and her Rosa Mystica transfers to Suigintou on both occasions. However, at the end of Rozen Maiden träumend, Laplace is seen dancing with two Rosae Mysticae, one of which is believed to be Souseiseki's. To add to the confusion, after Shinku is resurrected by "Father," she tells Jun that Souseiseki's and Hinaichigo's losing their Rosa Mysticae is her burden to bear. The most likely reason for this is that essentially they were under the care of her medium, which makes sense for Hinaichigo, but not so much for Souseiseki.
In the manga, Souseiseki has gone missing from her case, after Suiseiseki tells Souseiseki's master that she found her sister's hat in the N-field. Later, in the last volume of the manga, she is reunited with Suiseiseki. Souseiseki tells Suiseiseki that she didn't want to play the Alice Game anymore, because she didn't "want to go against the Suiseiseki that I love". Soon afterwards she dies once again, growing rose vines and a white rose out of her right eye. Though she is the first doll to lose her Rosa Mystica, Souseiseki is actually the second doll to lose in the Alice Game. In the latest chapter of Rozen Maiden Tale, it is revealed that while Suigintou has her Rosa Mystica, Kirakishou has her body. And, because Jun from the alternate dimension has inadvertently kissed the ring, it may grant Souseiseki the revival Suiseiseki wished for. Her artificial spirit is named for a fragrance by Lolita Lempicka. Souseiseki was also the first runner-up for Saimoe 2005.
- Medium: Motoharu Shibasaki (Anime) / Kazuha Yuibishi (Manga)
- Artificial Spirit: Lempicka (レンピカ Renpika)
Shinku
Shinku (真紅 Shinku, Reiner Rubin, Pure Ruby)
Shinku, the fifth Rozen Maiden doll.
Shinku is the fifth Rozen Maiden doll and the first to appear in the series. Her name, in addition to its Japanese meaning, could be also a play on the Japanese pronunciation of the word "cinq" (French for "five"). She embodies the traditional Victorian aristocrat. She is extremely demanding and can seem unappreciative of others. Her favorite words are "tea", "servant" and "What?" She seems to enjoy lecturing, slapping, and generally abusing Jun, her medium, at every opportunity. She is perceived as rather angry, but it is a facade that she puts up to show that she feels that she is most deserving of becoming Alice. Shinku is also perceived as being cold, but she is actually very protective of, and cares deeply for, her sisters and for Jun. Shinku's presence at the Sakurada home has led to other Rozen Maidens appearing there. She hates cats because one almost swallowed her wind-up key in the past.
Initially, Shinku is determined to become "Alice", even if it means fighting her sisters. However, after causing Suigintou's first death and some careful questioning by Jun, she begins to shift views on her purpose and begins to engage in simpler and quieter activities, such as reading cookbooks in order to bake better cookies.
Shinku does not use honorific suffixes such as "-chan," "-san," or "-kun," except when she refers to "Father" and Mitsu. In the anime, Shinku does have a cute side, which is evident in her intense, almost obsessive, admiration for the puppet detective Kun Kun, believing them to be connected by an invisible thread. In the anime, Shinku wins a human contest and receives a Kun Kun cosplay costume as her prize. Jun was once able to win her over during an argument by playing her with a Kun Kun doll.
In Rozen Maiden ouvertüre, Shinku initially befriended the then broken and weak Suigintou out of pity and taught her many basic life skills, such as walking and brewing tea. However, Suigintou later destroys Shinku's brooch, her prized possession from "Father", which opens wide the intense enmity between the two.
In combat, Shinku fights with rose petal-based attacks. The rose petals are extremely versatile; Shinku can direct them to spread out for wide-ranging attacks, or group them together to use as a shield. Her other weapon is a cane, which she skillfully wields like a sword. Shinku has other special powers, such as restoring broken objects, typically Jun's bedroom windows after Suiseiseki and Souseiseki show up, with a form of time-reversing magic. Shinku was the second runner-up for both Saimoe 2006 and 2007.
- Medium: Jun (anime/manga) / Sara (Ouvertüre OVA)
- Artificial Spirit: Hollie (ホーリエ Hōrie) (Also called Hollier (Tokyopop translation))
Hinaichigo
Hinaichigo (雛苺 Hinaichigo, Kleine Beere, Strawberry Doll)
Hinaichigo, the sixth Rozen Maiden doll.
The sixth doll, and the very embodiment of childishness. Although she can be ridiculously naïve and selfish, she has nothing but the best intentions for those that she cares about. Her disposition is also a mismatch for her power, which is a series of attacks based on strawberry vines, which she mostly uses to restrain opponents. She loses to Shinku in the Alice Game, becoming the first doll to lose the right to become Alice. Shinku does not beat Hinaichigo outright; the younger doll simply exhausted the energy of her medium, Tomoe. Shinku then warned Hinaichigo that continuing the fight would kill Tomoe, whereupon Hinaichigo renounced the tie that made Tomoe her medium. Despite being the victor, Shinku does not take Hinaichigo's Rosa Mystica. Instead, Shinku lets herself be an inter-medium so that Hinaichigo can tap into Jun's energy. In the latter half of Rozen Maiden träumend, with the Alice Game apparently having begun in earnest, "Father" cuts off this link, so when Hinaichigo uses up what little energy she has, she loses her Rosa Mystica to Shinku. She is the second doll to lose her Rosa Mystica.
In the manga, Hinaichigo is taken from Jun after Odille Fosset, granddaughter of a previous owner of Hinaichigo, arrives at the Sakurada home and displays a ring, thought to be from Hinaichigo, on her finger. Though Jun tells Hinaichigo that she may choose who she wishes to stay with, Hinaichigo apparently does not consciously decide to go with Odille; after awakening from sleep, Hinaichigo is confused to find herself in Odille's room, which she recognizes as that of Odille's grandmother, Corinne. Shortly afterwards, Hinaichigo is ruthlessly destroyed by Kirakishou; after being shown a montage of her loved ones saying goodbye to her and made to feel unloved and alone, Hinaichigo is consumed from the inside out by Kirakishou's rose vines as the seventh doll watches in gleeful anticipation of taking control of her sister's body. Hinaichigo sends her Rosa Mystica to Shinku through Berrybell, her artificial spirit, asking Shinku to use the Rosa Mystica to end the Alice Game. Shinku commends Hinaichigo for her courage to face Kirakishou despite her disadvantage, considering Hinaichigo as a true Rozen Maiden.
Hinaichigo's favorite foods are strawberry daifuku, and Nori's "Hanamaru Hamburger," which is a hamburger patty topped with a fried egg in the shape of a flower. She adores the puppet detective Kun Kun, though her fandom is not as avid as Shinku's. She also loves to draw, as shown often in both seasons of the anime and the OVA. She usually ends her sentences in "na no" (meaning "that's why" or "because" in Japanese), complimentary to Kanaria's "kashira" (meaning "I wonder" or "maybe?"). She also says "uunyuu" out of curiosity.
In the anime, Hinaichigo's singing, as well as most of her quarreling with Suiseiseki, are actually ad-libbed by her seiyū, Sakura Nogawa (with Natsuko Kuwatani in the quarreling scenes).[citation needed]
- Medium: Corrine / Tomoe / Jun (Indirectly)
- Artificial Spirit: Berrybell (ベリーベル Berīberu)
Barasuishou
Barasuishou, the fraud of the seventh Rozen Maiden doll.
Voiced by: Saori Goto (Japanese), Tara Platt (English)
Barasuishou is a doll created by Enju, Rozen's apprentice. She introduces herself as the seventh Rozen Maiden doll, though this is a lie; she simply intends to dupe the other six Rozen Maidens into entering the Alice Game so that she may obtain their Rosae Mysticae and become the strongest doll. She is clad entirely in lavender and wears an eyepatch over her left eye, though she is revealed to not be missing an eye at all. In the first and last episodes of Rozen Maiden träumend, she taunts Shinku by repeating whatever Shinku says to her. Barasuishou is unnaturally calm most of the time, showing little, if any, emotion. She is also hinted to be mad; when Shinku has her pinned to the floor towards the end of their battle, Barasuishou simply giggles and smiles disarmingly. She has the ability to manipulate all sorts of crystalline elements and uses it in many of her attacks which include blasting her opponents with a barrage of sharp crystal rocks and creating a purple crystalline sword.
Although Barasuishou is not the true seventh Rozen Maiden, Shinku is unaware of this fact and, believing that all seven dolls are now awake, concludes that Barasuishou's appearance marks the "true" start of the Alice Game. Barasuishou false-starts the Alice Game when she and Souseiseki come across an image of "Father" in a state of misery. Barasuishou tells Souseiseki that "Father" is grieving because he "cannot find Alice", so they must conclude the fight once and for all in order to fulfill his wish of seeing Alice. Barasuishou's "Father" is Enju, who was initially believed to be Rozen himself, but is revealed to merely be Rozen's jealous apprentice. Barasuishou's true origin is revealed in the final episode of Rozen Maiden träumend. Enju was obsessed with surpassing Rozen as the greatest dollmaker; to achieve that end, he created Barasuishou to oppose the Rozen Maidens, take their Rosae Mysticae, and finish as the last doll standing. The elements of Barasuishou's attire and overall appearance suggest that Enju had seen Rozen's design for Kirakishou and created Barasuishou from his recollection of it. Barasuishou is presumed dead after being overwhelmed by the six Rosae Mysticae she absorbed; despite Enju's plea for her to release the Rosae Mysticae once he discovers that Barasuishou cannot contain their energy, she continued to cry out to "Father" and crumbled to pieces in Enju's hands.
Barasuishou appears only in Rozen Maiden träumend and in one scene of the OVA; she does not appear in the manga.
- Medium: None
- Artificial Spirit: None (Barasuishou is made by Enju not Rozen, So she has no artificial spirit)
Kirakishou
Kirakishou, the seventh Rozen Maiden
The true seventh Rozen Maiden doll. Both her hair and her ornately ruffled dress are white, as indicated by Shinku's description of her in volume 6 of the manga, and by the remodeled version of the original manga. However, she has been shown with a pale pink dress (anime), pale pink hair (Rozen Maiden AliBat, a fan-created fighting game), or both (the cover of volume 6 of the manga). Kirakishou's right eye is missing. In the anime, a layer of tissue covers the right eye socket and a single white rose grows from it, but in the manga, she simply has a rose growing out of the empty eye socket, as described by Shinku: "Her left eye can see everything, but reflects nothing, while her right eye is an empty hole, with a white rose growing out of it." In the anime, Kirakishou's shoulders are not ball jointed as the other dolls' are, presumably because she is an entity that only exists in the N-Field.
Kirakishou's first appearance in the manga is in volume 6, but is not properly introduced until volume 7. In the anime, however, she has not been formally introduced. Her only anime appearance was towards the end of the finale of Rozen Maiden Träumend; she is shown for only a few seconds.
In the manga, Kirakishou claims that the seventh doll lacked a physical body and could only exist in the N-Field. Because of this, she destroys and consumes Hinaichigo so that she can use the sixth doll's body to materialize outside of the N-Field. Even though Kirakishou could not initially exist in the real world, she could still affect real world events; she gives a rose ring to Odille Fosset, the granddaughter of Corinne Fosset, Hinaichigo's former mistress.
Kirakishou offers her Rosa Mystica to Suigintou in volume 7, in order to trick her "big sister" and take Megu. Suigintou, however, refuses to accept the Rosa Mystica, saying that she would take it later on her own terms. During her first encounter with Shinku, in volume 6, Kirakishou parrots whatever Shinku says, much like Barasuishou does in the anime.
Because Kirakishou's appearance in the anime was merely a headshot, her abilities remain unknown. In the manga, she controls white rose vines, which she can manipulate into a spiderweb-like construct on which she crawls like an actual spider would. She used her vines to destroy Hinaichigo and to restrain Shinku and Suigintou during each's first encounter with her. Kirakishou also has the ability to trap people's consciousness in crystals within the N-Field and Sea of Unconsciousness, as evidenced by Odille's status as shown in both the N-Field and the real world.
Later in the manga, Kirakishou has tricked the Jun in another world into helping her materialize herself by sending him parts of Souseiseki's body. And, using Jun's power, she shields herself from Shinku and Suigintou's attacks to allow herself time to make Souseiseki's body fully hers. She has made it clear that she is jealous of the other sisters enjoying material bodies while she herself is no more than a fleeting thought. She wishes to have Shinku's nobility, Hinaichigo's innocence, Kanaria's charm, Suiseiseki's passion, and Souseiseki's earnestness. Before sending out another set of rose vines, she uttered the words, "Hold me more."
In the latest chapter, when Jun is forced to choose the doll whom he'll form a contract, Kirakishou restrained him from choosing Shinku. She also promised him the power to change the past should he form a contract with her instead. However, as Jun has kissed Souseiseki's ring, it may seem that Kirakishou is once again losing her material body.
- Medium: Odille Fosset (manga)
- Artificial Spirit: Unknown. Kirakishou's artificial spirit has never been named or shown in any medium.
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