Rozen Maiden ep.6

December 16, 2004 | 2 Comments

Another great character development for both Shinku and Jun here. Despite being an ass at the beginning of the series, Jun has certainly improved himself over the past couple of episodes. Barring any weird stuff happening in the series, such as...oh say, the end of the world or killing his own sister, I think he'll end up being a rather pleasant boy who is finally able to care for others. Similarly, the series finally gives a bit more info on Shinku and her reason to participate in 'Alice game'. Anyway, these two 'arcs' along with the occassional comedy have sustained the series quite well thus far so I hope they'll keep it up right to the end.

The episode itself begins in comedic manner as usual, with Shinku and Suiseiseki becoming afraid after watching Kun-Kun horror special. As a result, they end up following Jun and Hinaichigo, respectively. Shinku ends up following Jun back to the room and the two have a little argument when Jun tries to say something but doesn't have the courage to do so. Their argument, however, is cut short when they hear a scream from Suiseiseki. The two end up finding Suiseiseki unconscious in front of the room with the big mirror while inside the room, Suigintou is seen holding Hinaichigo hostage. Suigintou then returns to the mirror after telling Shinku to come after her if she wants to save Hinaichigo.

Because of this, Shinku has no choice but to take Jun as well as a couple of dolls from the room to battle Suigintou. Even the clown doll that Shinku defeated in episode one insists on coming to help her. Eventually the group ends up inside a dark, underground world belonging to Suigintou. When they encountered a broken and abandoned doll, Shinku comments that they may end up like that doll if they lose in Alice game. This prompts Jun to ask Shinku about the purpose of the game. Suigintou then suddenly appears and tells him that the game's purpose is to see 'father'. Upon saying this, Suigintou orders other discarded dolls to rise up and fight Shinku and others.

Slowly, Shinku and the others are overwhelmed by Suigintou's attack. To make things worse, Suigintou manages to destroy the clown doll and captures Shinku. However, when she's about to strike Shinku with her sword, Jun runs towards them, trying to reach Shinku while remembering the time he's spent with the doll. Somehow this activates the ring on his hand and creates a barrier that protects Shinku. Suigintou is shocked upon this unexpected development and wonders how such a medium can channel that kind of strength. Before Suigintou can figure things out, however, the table is then turned on her although she manages to escape as usual. So the group decides to return to the real world bringing with them the now destroyed clown doll.

Shinku then mourns the loss of the clown doll and explains that the soul of a doll exists because of the connection that it has with its owner, if a doll does not feel that they belong in a place then they feel as if they don't exist. Upon hearing this, Jun decides to put the body parts of the doll together by using his l33t sewing skill. Upon completion, suddenly the doll starts to move again, surprising everyone. Shinku tells Jun that the soul of the doll has return to its body because of Jun's work. Everyone then compliments Jun on his unexpected ability. However, when they're about to go out of the room to have something to eat with Nori, Shinku suddenly becomes stationary and then falls over to the ground as if she has no life in her.

Impression:

This episode reminds me a lot of Toy Story 2. The plight of dolls who feel abandoned by their owner is a rather sad but unfortunately, inevitable in some ways. As kids grow up, their attachment to dolls and toys become more and more weaker. In some ways, it means that there is no more 'life' in those dolls and toys because there is no need for them any longer. At the moment, however, I'm more keen to find out why Shinku wants to see 'father'. What can she possibly achieve by meeting this character. Also, how does Rozen Maiden came to exist to begin with? For what purpose? Unfortunately, since the manga is still running inside BIRZ magazine, I doubt that the anime will ever answer all of these questions. Unless Peach Pit intends to finish the manga soon, it's obvious that the anime will have to create an alternate ending.

© memento 2003