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Rozen Maiden

Rozen Maiden

Written by Ross Locksley on 22 Mar 2007


Distributor Tokyopop • Author/Artist Peach-Pit • Price £6.99


I was thrown this volume because no one else wanted it, and usually there's a reason for that. Strangely, I can't figure out what it is, because I quite enjoyed this.

The story revolves around Jun Sakurada, a reclusive high school student who's dropped out of school and shut himself away in his room, passing the time by ordering items online and returning them before the grace period ends.

Now it's true that our "hero" is an obnoxious, unlikable pain in the ass who needs a good, hard kick in the nuts, but that's precisely why the arrival of a snobbish, short tempered living doll is such a delight. Ordered by mistake, Shinku takes none of his crap and sets about straightening out this lowly piece of human garbage (who is nothing short of abusive towards his dim but loving elder sister) in a violent but deserved series of lessons, whilst she fights off deranged soft toys and other special dolls who are looking to steal her Rosa Mystica.

The artwork is attractive but very minimal in places, but it all flows well and the panelling is clear and concise. There are some nicely toned splash pages here and there, but it won't set the world on fire.

Personally I liked the humour. Jun shows some signs of redemption (he can sew toys and isn't entirely useless) but all eyes are on the sassy Shinku, without whom this would be a very dull book indeed.

If you hate whiney anime characters, this book is for you!

8
A fair start to a series, with an interesting premise.

Ross Locksley
About Ross Locksley

Ross founded the UK Anime Network waaay back in 1995 and works in and around the anime world in his spare time.


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