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ローゼンメイデン 
December 27, 2004 | 
6 Comments
After previous episode's creepy tone, this one seems kind of tame in comparison. True enough, the series can't always maintain the tension episode after episode. Having said that, the two stories presented in this episode are a bit predictable and to make things worse, they don't tell anything new. I basically am keen to find out why Johan passed out when he read the storybook but this episode never deals with the question at hand. In general, however, I'm really happy with how the series progresses and hope that this question will be addressed eventually. BTW, I just found out that the DVD are on sale in Japan now. Damn, the box looks really beautiful. It's unfortunate that the price tag is a killer and even if I buy it now, I've missed out on the first press offer. My only hope now is that Pioneer will license this and includes a rather similar box.
The episode begins with Lotte finding out that Johan is not hospitalised despite the fact that he was last seen falling unconscious inside a library. As she left the hospital, however, Lotte meets the female librarian who was present when Johan fell unconscious. Thanks to her, Lotte finds out that Johan passed out after reading a picture book from the library. Speaking of the devil, Johan has received a letter telling him to meet 'Red Hindenbergh', who turns out to be the woman who's been masquerading as Margot Langer. Once the two met, the woman informs Johan that she knows Johan's secrets as well as the murders he's committed. However, she warns Johan to not do anything funny because her lover is hiding behind a door in case something goes wrong. Unfortunately for her, her 'lover' turns out to be Roberto who proceeds to kill her after she clearly tries to blackmail Johan.
The second half of the episode shows Tenma visiting a local clinic which is run by a hardworking 17 year-old female doctor. The doctor has no formal training apart from what her father had thought her before he was killed by a Nazi symphatiser. The doctor informs Tenma that she opens her practice so she can help people who can't get proper medical treatment due to one circumstance or another. The doctor's confidence in her ability, however, was tested when a prostitute who has been shot by her pimp comes asking for her help. Tenma, however, convinces her that she can perform the operation to save the woman and eventually the two manage to do so. Later on, Tenma reveals that he simply wants to get an information from the doctor about 'Red Heidenberg' who was found dead a couple of nights ago. After receiving the information, Tenma realises that this murder is the work of Johan.
Impression:
Hmm, I'm not too impressed with this one mostly because it doesn't seem to go anywhere. At the end of the day, the first half of the episode simply gives confirmation that Roberto does work for Johan. Having said that, I am a bit confused here because Roberto tried to kill Nina back in Nice. I always get the impression that Johan doesn't want to put his sister in life in danger so I don't understand why Roberto tried to kill Nina back then if he really does work for Johan. The second half of the episode is even less impressive. I think by now most viewers are aware how Tenma affects the life of those who comes into contact with him. I feel that this part tries to hard to show that and as a result ends up looking a bit cheesy. Thankfully, it is mostly counteract by that last haunting shot of Tenma drifting towards the darkness as he proceeds to continue what he's set out to do.
Please note.
My comment is based on the manga.
I assumed that both anime and manga are of the same.
*spoiler starts*
There are at least 2 possible answer to how Johan group work.
1) They work by policy. Plans and objective were given right at the very beginning by Johan before they spread out.
What the group need to do is to finish the job in the best possible way. Aka, working by policy. The most effective method.
2) Same as above. But with monthly or weekly contact with Johan to report the ongoing event. But the action of roberto made me doubt this second answer.
IF the manga and the anime is the same,
Johan while talking to the fat lady mentioned something about not interested in that langer anymore.
What made him said these is based on the storybook that he read.
Beside, Johan was aready shut off when that fat lady speaks. He is thinking on the storybook at that moment. Which is why his replies are different from what the fat lady expect.
His original objective has now totally changed.
He is now planning and moving on to something else.
And it has something to do with the storybook that he read.
*spoiler ends*
gah~~~! please don't post manga spoilers here ne... i think Garten hasn't read the manga yet as well...
anyway... the prostitute who was shot... isn't her the friend of Ayse (The Baby arc), and the boy, if he is Ayse's son... so many years have passed..... hmm, but then again, I don't think he is... cause Dieter would've grown too if it is...
I haven't read the manga but I don't mind if people post some spoilers if it means it'll encourage discussions. But for the sake of those who don't want to read it, may I ask those who post spoiler to mark it accordingly next time? Something like *spoiler starts* and *spoiler ends* in bold (like the example I put on Gprei post above) or something like that? :)
I hope that's a good compromise for everyone. I also promise to add spoiler tag for those who post spoiler but forgot to warn people about it . I'm also in the middle of developing a spoiler css style-sheet. So everytime someone put the right html tag, the style change the text color into the same color as the background. That way the spoilers are only available if someone swipes the text with their mouse.
Wristbandman, I don't think that prostitute is Ayse because she's already dead in that mansion. I think the one that appeared in the clinic is just a random prostitute for the episode. BTW, I didn't know you watch this series as well. For some reason, I always get the impression that not many people are interested in this series.
It is not spoiler.
Even if you would to continue to watch the anime, you will not find anything of what I have written.
My comment on the last post is all based on this anime eps 33.
Everything is based on what I think of Johan and his gang. Neither is there any that are truly spoiler.
I am following the manga just as Garten is following the anime.
Therefore, it is all my thinking or opinion if you prefer.
this is a great series. at first I was not sure about it but now I am hooked. the fact that its not even halfway done is amazing...I like how they allow for stories to fully develop in these kinds of series.
It's also interesting to watch a Japanese series thats not set in Japan...definitely unique.
Beats the hell ouf of CSI and the X files, anyway.
oh, i wasn't saying she was Ayse, I was saying she looks like Ayse's friend (the one who asked Tenma to rescue Ayse).
Anyway, of course I watch this series. Not my first time leaving a comment eh? Anyway, great blog, keep up the good work -- HAPPY 2005~~
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