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ファイト／ステイナイト 
February 5, 2006 | 
37 Comments
This is such a weird ending. It's like halfway through animating the series, the writers/animators suddenly get the news that there will be a third season and they suddenly scramble to change whatever ending they originally had in mind. I mean, I don't really mind the ending but it doesn't feel as satisfying as the first season's ending. Probably because that one has a finality note in it while this one feels dangling and incomplete. I also think that some of the characters do not act rationally in the episode. Animation-wise, the episode features some interesting fight which is definitely better than the episode that preceeds it. I also don't mind the rather sombre music that accompanies said fight scene because the mood was meant to be sad and depressing at that point in the story. Overall, I've enjoyed this season as a whole but unfortunately the ending was a bit disappointing.
The episode begins with Suigintou telling Shinku that she has no desire to become Alice nor the intention to fight so she orders Shinku to go away. Shinku, in her anger, manages to penetrate Suigintou's feathers attack and grab the doll by the neck before sending her hurtling down to the ground. Shinku then proceeds to strangle Suigintou by the neck and orders her and Barasuishou to look at Canaria's and Suiseiseki's lifeless body. She tells the two that neither Canaria nor Suiseiseki wished to fight. As sisters and dolls the two didn't want to hate or hurt each other so Shinku wants to know why Suigintou and Barasuishou hurt them. Suigintou answers with a rather lame and generic reply that because they are Rozen Maidens. Bara tries to attack Shinku with her crystals but Shinku manages to take herself and Suigintou away from the attack. Jun, who's been witnessing the entire event unfolds decides to go after Shinku.
After Jun left, Laplace makes a comment that medium only exists to provide energy for the dolls. Enju, however, is too fixated on Shinku to notice Laplace's comment. At the same time, Suigintou still continues to face Shinku's wrath and tries to expland her energy when she realises that she may have drained Megu's power all of these times. Because of this, the next time Shinku attacks, she has no choice but to go defensive and is constantly defeated by Holie before receiving a hard slap from Shinku. Meanwhile Jun is on her way to find Shinku when he encounters a psychotic Barasuishou who also wants to know about Shinku's whereabouts. Before Jun can answers, however, Bara already sends multitude of crystals to attack Jun. Back to Shinku, she is in the middle of questioning Suigintou as to why she took Souseiseki's Rosa Mystica and conspire with Barasuishou. Suigintou again answers because they are Rozen Maiden.
Suigintou also adds that it's well known that when they fight, the loser will become a junk. Shinku asks Suigintou why she did it then knowing the pain of being hurt and the sorrow of fighting. In return, Suigintou tells Shinku that she knows how painful it was because Shinku was the one who hurt her. Suigintou then adds that Shinku can't possibly expect her to be Shinku's friend and play with her own dull medium. Even to this day, she still hates Shinku. Unfortunately for Suigintou, Barasuishou has no patience for any argument and decides to eliminate Suigintou once and for all so she can face Shinku. In her last breath, Suigintou tells Shinku that 'Father' once told her that she too can become Alice even with her imperfect body. She then lost her life after apologising to Megu. At the same time, Jun tries to set himself free from Bara's crystal. The effort seems to be in vain until all of a sudden his Ring starts to glow red.
Meanwhile, Suigintou's body starts to glow and two Rosa Mysticas start to come out of it. The one that belongs to Souseiseki runs towards Barasuishou's direction, because Suiseiseki's Rosa Mystica is possessed by Bara. However, for unknown reason, Suigintou's Rosa Mystica drifts towards Shinku. After receiving Suigintou's Rosa Mystica, however, Shinku gets flashbacks of Suigintou's memory with Megu and finds out how Bara manipulated Suigintou to participate in the game. Shinku becomes angry upon seeing this and wages and all out war with Barasuishou. The two start using the power of other dolls' Rosa Mystica but despite the amount of powers Bara has at her disposal, she's eventually defeated by Shinku's own petal attacks. Shinku then moves in to strangle Barasuishou while Enju is seen entering the room. Shinku starts blaming Bara for everything that has happened but Bara decides to do nothing but echo Shinku's own words.
Shinku is finally at her wits end and decides to terminate Bara once and for all. Jun, however, appears and asks her to stop fighting because by doing so, she'll become just like Bara. Shinku eventually agrees to do so but she doesn't realise that Bara has grabbed her head accessory and use it as a weapon to stab Shinku. Shinku immediately falls over and her Rosa Mystica, along with Suigintou's and HinaIchigo's drift toward Bara. After possessing all 3 Rosa Mystica, Bara asks Enju if she's now more powerful than Rozen Maiden's dolls. Enju confirms her that she is indeed powerful and that she has created a doll that is even more powerful than Rozen's. Jun is shocked to hear this and eventually finds out that Enju is just Rozen's apprentice. Jun becomes angry to know this and orders Enju to return the Rosa Mystica. Enju, however, slaps Jun away and tells the boy that he's nothing but a child who became Shinku's medium by accident.
Enju thinks that Jun has no right to complain and orders him to shut up and watch as the greatest doll of all is born. However, much to his shock, Barasuishou suddenly starts to complain that her chest feels hot. Before they know it, Bara's face starts to crack and her body starts to crumble. Enju realises that Bara's body can't contain the Rosa Mystica and orders her to release it before she is destroyed. But Bara refuses and eventually becomes a junk and she and Enju disappear in bright light. As all 6 Rosa Mystica float into the air, Laplace appears and explains that it seems that the light of truth was too bright for the impostors. Laplace then disappears after warning Jun to return to his reality before this place collapse. Frustrated at the entire thing, Jun calls upon Rozen to fix everything and all of a sudden a footstep can be heard from outside the door. A figure who looks like 'Father' has now appeared with six Rosa Mystica.
The room suddenly becomes bright and when Shinku opens her eyes, she sees 'Father' fixing Suigintou's dress while smiling fondly. 'Father' then approaches Shinku and whispers something before his shape turns into Jun. Upon seeing Jun, Shinku tells her medium that she met 'Father' and that he told her to dream of becoming Alice once more. However, he also told her that 'Alice Game' is not the only way of becoming one. Jun completes her sentence and tells her that there are other ways. Shinku tells Jun that everyone who was defeated by Barasuishou will return to normal. However, Souseiseki and HinaIchigo won't be able to at the moment. It seems 'Father' has entrusted her to take care of this little problem. After the incident, Enju doll's shop is closed and all of the dolls return to their mediums. Meanwhile, in the N-field, Laplace is seen playing with Souseiseki and HinaIchigo's Rosa Mystica, while the real 7th doll, Kirakishou smiles.
Impression:
I have some problems with this ending. To begin with, if the requirement to be Alice is that the doll has to have every doll's Rosa Mystica, then doesn't that mean Enju and Barasuishou also need Kirakishou's Rosa Mystica? Why do they assume that Barasuishou will suddenly become Alice after only obtaining 6 Rosa Mysticas? Were they not aware of the existence of Kirakishou? I find this is strange because Barasuishou's design is too similar to that of Kirakishou so Enju, being the imitator that he was, must have copied Kirakishou's design somehow. But if that's the case, then he should have known about the existence of Kirakishou. I also think that Enju's behaviour back in episode 11 was a bit strange. He seemed to be obsessed with Shinku. But this changed all of a sudden halfway through episode 12 when he congratulates Bara. I get the impression that the story originally meant him to be the real 'Father' but they changed it halfway through episode 12.
Character-wise, this episode pretty much confirms that Suigintou still harbours hatred towards Shinku although that hatred may have lessened somewhat. Shinku proved herself as the strongest doll and is apparently Rozen's favourite as well judging how she is seated differently from other dolls. I do wonder if the dolls' Rosa Mystica wouldn't be able to return to their owners had Shinku actually killed Barasuishou and claimed all of the Rosa Mysticas. At any rate, the ending practically screams for a third season. Some people claim that the ending pretty much resolves some of the difference between the manga and the anime. But they really are not. In the manga, Souseiseki's Rosa Mystica is still with Suigintou and not Laplace. Kirakishou doesn't seem to be working with Laplace either. The manga also features some characters such as Odille and Corrine, which I don't think will ever make it to the anime now that HinaIchigo is a goner.
最終回、良かったですね。水銀燈の死に方にはがっかりしましたけれど。
後半の薔薇水晶と真紅の戦いは他のドールの能力をふんだんに使っていてかなり激しく、尚かつアニメとしても素晴らしいできだと思います。
第３期に繋がるような終わり方だったのが非常に気になります。是非とも製作してほしいところです。
Sweet justice indeed. For killing Canaria, I was more than happy to see Barasuishou crumbling.
Im all and all for a third season, because after this ep. you just know there's going to be another one. Well as long as Suigintou is in it then Horray! Hopefully though if there is the/a third season it will finish up this great series with a bang. ^^
Oh and there's just one thing I wantes to point out, I think you meant Suigintou here rather than Suiseiseki:
"Suiseiseki again answers because they are Rozen Maiden." Sorry don't wanna seem rude or anything, just thought I'd ask.
By the way, love the new look of the site! Not to mention your screen cap comments. ^_^
( I really do enjoy reading them)
Can't wait for your MO 17 review! (it was a dozey)
Thanks for the correction Soukyuu. It's been fixed now. As for MH17, unless Mentar can't do it, I won't do it since I already have a lot on my plate at the moment.
There were definitely a few problems with this last season. In episode 11. Enju did seem extremely obsessed with Shinku, to the point that it seems clear that he had Bara manipulate all the dolls into the game solely for the purpose of having Shinku become Alice, so jumping from his attitude in episode 11,to his " Yaaaayyy my doll won! " in episode 12 was somewhat confusing. it does seem like a last minute change to the story line in order to leave it open for another season.
One other thing that didnt make much sense, was the loss of Hina ichigos' mystica. the reason given was that her mystica was forfeit since she lost the battle with Shinku in the first season, and even though Shinku decided not to take it, the fact that she lost the match was enough to remove her and her mystica from the game. now, having said that, wouldnt that same rule have to be applied to Suigintou as well? you have to consider that she wanted to and did start the game in the first season, and ended up losing the match. Shinku again declined in taking another mystica, yet Suigintou was still allowed to participate.
The ending for me at least, was not as satisfying as the first season, with changes and forced elements added at the end, it leaves me hoping that if there is another season, they focus more on a consistent storyline.
I don't really see the problem with Enju's focus on Shinku in episode 11. It just seemed to be a continuation of the whole "Everyone fears Shinku will kick their butts" mentality that has been shown through both seasons. And considering how she handled the battles when she became serious, there seems to be pretty good reason.
As far as Suigintou not losing her Rozen Mystica, didn't she burn herself up at the end of the last season? I'm pretty sure Shinku didn't get a chance to finish her off.
Really, the ending was rather.. abrupt, as you've noted, and probably was set up so they COULD get out a 3rd season of Rozen Maiden... which meant it was a rather unsatisfying ending, and seemed almost schizophrenic as it seemed they were following one ending, and then jumped tracks as it were.
I mean, look at the way things went - first they went comedic through most of the first half of the series, and then in the last 4 episodes everyone dies, with a double-kill in Ep 11. Also, it got very melodramatic, to the point where I did imagine I was watching a rejected SEED Destiny script, especially as most of the characters either started crying or dying (or both) in quick succession. The Rozen Ex Machina at the end felt rather cheap, since it was effectively a 'reset' button for the series, and as a result it meant that nothing really changed, except for Suisuiseki and Hina Ichigo being out of commission because Father said so.
Plus, I was hoping to find out more about what Alice WOULD be, and got cheated out of that with the way things ended. Nothing was explained, and the way Kirakishou and the Laplace Demon danced about with the two missing Rosa Mysticas left me scratching my head as to whether they were allies, enemies, or just playing with the missing Mysticas. That, and the fact the story got REALLY compressed over the last four episodes left me feeling a little less than enthused about the whole story.
水銀党...さん、同意見です。結局真紅を庇うような死に方でしたね、「真紅を倒すのはこの私」って感じ。
@Garten: I don't think Enju/Barasuishou's objective was to become Alice at all; when Bara defeated Shinku, they didn't gloat about becoming Alice, but becoming the "greatest dollmaker/doll of all". Also, none of the Rozen dolls have ever met the 7th Rozen Maiden (re: ep. 2), so Shinku had only assumed that Barasuishou was the 7th Doll; ergo, Enju knew about Kirakishou, and used her design as a blueprint for the impostor, Barasuishou (apparently their behavior and basic appearance have some similarities).
I think the rushed feel of this particular season stems from the fact that the manga is still in progress. I'm sure that Peach-Pit and the rest of the staff did what they could to make season 2 as coherent as possible, but they were in fact doing something similar to The Two Towers film, except that the original manga still wasn't complete yet, nor were they dealing with anything nearly as detailed or complex. Maybe they weren't certain a season 3 was possible towards the beginning, as that would be a factor in the planning of the season's story. But they did know that the anime would be significantly different from the manga plot-wise, because of which Dolls were still 'alive'; the wisest choice might have been to simply present another story altogether, or wait another year.
Still, having read volume 5, I was thrilled to see some of the funniest moments transferred over to the colored screen. Rozen Maiden has always been a comedy in addition to its darker sides, after all.
It gives more chances to have a 3rd season after reading tanaka rie's (suigintou's voice actor) website...eventhough it's in japanese, i manage to translate it...
rie.bird.to
go read and see what's your opinion
I think the ending is not bad as you think. Barasuishou just wanted to claim that she was better doll than Rozen Maiden and proved that Enju was a better maker.
But I admit that Enju's attitude is strange...
Hinaichigo's Rosa Mystica is not with Kirakishou...it was sent to Shinku and Kanaria is battling with Shinku...
hmmm rozen maiden should be Seven Dolls isn't it?
but Bs is not a Rozen Maiden ... so ... new serie incoming? i hope so
suisei seki and Suigin Tou re back ... soo good ^__^
the few seconds of battle Shinku vs Bs re wonderfull.
great ending, but i though jun cry when shinku's ring disappear ... ( sorry for my BAAAAD english -.- )
sousei seki and hina ichigo will return ... im suuuuure
Rozen Maiden Rule !!!!
N3v3rM0r3
Ah so there is going to be a 3rd season, good. I thought it was weird that the Alice game was over even though the real 7th doll was never introduced. And Enju's whole fixation on Shinku... What is that about?
@suigin_rocks, Starsheen
I just read Tanaka-san's 'blog', and no, she's hoping for a 3rd season (and so am I... there's still the same loose ends from season 1 that need to be addressed).
@Flareon
Actually, Laplace's demon has Souseiseki and Hina-Ichigo's Rosa Mystica (or Kirakishou does; I'm not sure what exactly happened in that short sequence). Shinku mentioned that although the Rosa Mystica of the Dolls defeated by Barasuishou would be restored, those who were taken by other Rozen Maiden (Souseiseki) or given up (Hina) would not. It's a little confusing how Hina's Rosa Mystica was given up, but I think that even though Shinku didn't immediately take it, it couldn't remain with Hina forever, as she had forfeited the duel.
I agree. This ending, quite honestly, was shit. They could have done better. @__@
I haven't seen this ending but i'm happy because there will be a third season ^^
How do you know there's will be a 3rd season then?
I'm very happy that there's going to be a 3rd season, can't wait :)
Btw, when will it be aired (3rd season)?
Ps: I Want Hina Ichigo!!! I Love her ALOOOTTT :)
I know why Enju wa so fixed on Shinku.
Shinku was "Father's" finest creation. His most favorite doll. Shinku even quotes this.
Enju envied her strength and beauty, and he hoped Bara would surpass her.
When Bara won, she did surpass Shinku.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.... nooo!!!! i want hina ichigo back!!!! i literally cried when i saw her die... noooo!!! how can i eat my strawberries now that every time i see one i remember how hina ichigo dies!!!!
Damn you!! I want a third season and want her back!!
Bara isnt stronger... she did a cheap shot at Shinku since she's distracted by Jun at that time.
The last battle between Shinku and Bara was amazing!! I'm I the only one here that doesn't hate Bara? I personally thought that Bara was just like a colder Suigintou. But then, I am the only one here who doesn't think that Souseiseki was "suicidal". Or that Suigintou was the coolest doll. I do think that she's the prettiest, though. Yes, I am obsessed with all the dolls, just like Mit-chan. But really, in a way Bara was just like Suigintou. She absolutely adored her "Father" and she was willing to do anything to please him. I felt really sorry for her at the end, when she started to fall apart. She was crazy, but so was Suigintou. But no one seemed to notice it with Suigintou.
What do you mean "Enju's attitude was strange"? Enju's ALWAYS been strange. But it was nice to see that he really did love Bara. Wow. I love every single character that appears in Rozen Maiden traumend. Well, everyone besides Megu. I don't think Megu deserves to be Suigintou's Medium.
Anyway... I don't know if anyone noticed this, but I think "Father" fixed Suigintou. It showed him squeeze her waist.
I agree that Bara isn't that strong; each time she defeated another doll, it was through cunning and taking advantage of the situation. Compared to Suigintou in season one, I thought she was a pretty dull and unimpressive villain. Shinku seems to be the most powerful doll by quite some degree, but only when is is truly wiling to fight.
I think Suigintou's exit in season one was also due to herself; her own flames consumed her rather than Shinku's.
With Barasuisho's exit, I assumed Enju thought he had created the right substitute inside her for a Roza Mystica, and so once the six were gathered, the fake soul inside Bara would act as the seventh. Perhaps Enju had seen designs for Kiraki but assumed she was never completed.
I'm really looking forward to any third season, and I'm sure the series needs it. I really, really hope Ichigo is brought back, too.
Sorry if this has already been asked, but does Barasuisho appear in the manga?
According to Wikipedia Japan (and thus, the manga, given how they try not to have rumors in the character section), Kirakishou has no physical form, and can't exist outside an n-field. She is the Doll of Rozen's dreams, apparently. I'm guessing Rozen talked about her extensively with his apprentice Enju, and that's why Kirakishou and Barasuishou are so similar in appearance and behavior. As it turns out, Barasuishou is only an "artist's rendition" of a Rozen Maiden.
Well, honestly I can't see any problem in the last episode. If you think carefully, the doll maker (that pretend to be "father") in episode 11 (or what ever) said that Shinku was beatiful (or whatever he said, angry inside, beatiful....) he didn't said that he want Shinku to win right? (if wrong dont mind me) So its seem that he was thinking that if Bara beat Shinku up (which she did, cheaply -_-) Bara will be more beatiful and stronger than Shinku. And finally his creation will surpass "father" creation. If think it was great! And I'm looking forward to 3rd episode (but anyway I'm still confused about the 1st season ending that... er... Jun (is it right?) can fix shinku's arm. What the hell actually is he?)
it was a very interesting anime overall. The flow of the series was awkward but the ending got better. I'm sure the first half of the series was passive to build the situation and have it climax near the end of the series.
Why was Barasuishou included in the anime instead of Kirakishou in the first place?
Kaitou: According to the American Wiki, Bara is actually an anime only character.
Birdy: They explained that other then Father, the Maestro can fix Rozen Maidens as well, and it possibly may be Jun, the show never confirmed it. Bara did mention that only Father can fix Rozen Maidens but she may have not known of the possibility of another human being able to fix them.
As for the 3rd season, I didn't get to read Rei Tanaka's post, but why would they just throw Kirakishou in there without explaining her? And the deal with Laplace having 2 Roza Mysticas? Assuming they are Hina's and Souseiseki's didn't Shinku say that she was holding them? More then likely they're considering a 3rd season but are waiting on something before they can begin production... But then again they cut off InuYasha and Fruits Basket so you never know!
hmm 3rd season... or any OAV ...?
hope 3rd season :D
N3v3rM0r3
I know this is late but to answer your last question Bara. Since Bara was not the real Rozen Maiden, she did not have a Roza Mystica. The one you see is probably from Kirakishou who was probably defeated by Bara earlier.
For me, the ending was Totally amazing, coz i was waiting , kinda sad, for the ending, although i knew that there was going to b a 3rd season, but the ending was so much nothing i would expect it to be, i was waiting for all to come to and end, and the new season would be basically about completely new dolls which i think its not a bad idea for upcoming seasons...but the point is that, the story stills goes on, and for me its seems that this is like a completely new beginnig, for me at least ther r 2 more seasons, and the story is getting more interesting and mature. It all started kinda funny and easy plot, but now it has envolve into this mysterious thing, and stop being a simple anime story. im really but really happy with this, the ending leads you to continue this great series, i donno why u complain about the ending, in any case i would recomend you all, to look at the last episode very carefully. In the case of Bara becoming Alice, well i never ever heard of her mouth, the words" i wanna fight to be Alice", she instead, convinced all the dolls to fight, either to see the father, become alice, or save Megu....she only wanted to fight, and in the last episode, we can see why....she just wanted to prove to HER father that she is better than Rozen's dolls and make her father happy.....about the Rosas Mysticas, well thats somehow hard to understand, but i guess thats the impressions they wanted us to have, so u can have an amount of posibbilities in ur mind hehe, i guess thats something really good, for me there are a lot of things to be told, and stories and so. So we all have to wait for way Better seasons to come, im also impacient to hear the new SONGS!!!! coz if Rozen Maiden has something to b proud of , its the music its so BRillant!!!!!!
Oy-ya, this was a rushed ending. Some of the characters did seem a little weird and out-of-character, or rather they had the strangest mood swings... Why does this feel like I've seen it somewhere before...?
Oh yeah. Evangelion.
I enjoyed this show very much, and the ED theme is simply incredible.
The final episode does leave it open for a 3rd season, and as who "Father" is, I have a thought:
Jun is the reincarnation of Rozen.
Yah I totally agree with you. Great anime in general but the way it ended was pretty wrong. I mean I was getting all teary when the dolls were all dying and then suddenly they all are okay? So my tears were all wasted? haha but still my heart wants a 3rd season either way but my gut tells me it just won't have the same impact as it had since the 1st season.
I love the first season but the second really didn't really make a large impact to me as the first....I agree also that Jun is the Reincarnation of Rozen...What I don't understand is what kind of person is Rozen to create 7 beautiful dolls that have to destroy each other for PERFECTION!!! Dolls have feelings too.
GG no RE!~ crap ending first season better
I loved the first series. And at the end am I the only one that thinks that Shinku love Jun? Ithink she said it in that house. But they never went further with it.
Which..bothers me. haha
But for this season also it was cute. I love Kana. She's adorable along with Hana Ichigo. Who SHinku better find a way to get her back. Which I think lies in Jun. I think he has potential ...in what ever. =D
But also the thing that REALLY PISSES me off is that there was NO mention at all of the real 7th doll. So anyone just watchin and not reading the manga wouldnt understand anything until later on when they randomly think uh..wait whos the real 7th. ANd if they didnt see the ending of the episode. LIke the last 15 seconds? :sigh: any who. I still like it. ANd Ihope the next season comes soon.
If it does.
=D
Boy, am I late posting a comment! Anyways, I really enjoyed this series. It was alot of fun to watch. The ending was great too, except for how they left a lot out. Also I didn't like how they left Kirakishou out (besides the few seconds she appears at the end) Other than that, it was really great. I hope I can read the manga soon.
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