Well… I finally got my hands on the first volume of Rozen Maiden. Just want to let you know if you are going through the archives, that my reviews will be a little bit out of order depending on when I can get my hands on the volumes, as I think I have mentioned manga isn’t as well sold around Australia as I would like….
Artwork: In comparison to future volumes, the artwork is just a little bit disappointing, althrough it is reassuring to know that the artwork does improve. The drawings were too simple too often, however there are a few scenes where it did manage to keep my interest, especially Suigintou’s designs which I found really good. Also, they did the stuffed animal fight quite well, and managed to keep the mood as good as it did in the anime when I first watched it. Nothing else I can say here.
Characters: For the first volume, it only features four characters, Jun, Nori, Shinku and Suigintou comes in around half way. While it is lacking in characters compared to other volumes, it does allow a good amount of character development surrounding Shinku and Jun which would not have been possible, or if it was, not allowed other characters to get as much background if there were more characters. While you can see that they loathe each other to begin with, it shows how Jun forms a close bond with Shinku, much earlier on than the anime.
Storyline: Here is the real winner for this volume. It managed to remind me what made me interested in Rozen Maiden in the first place. I did like how it had a very interesting storyline that added character development for each character, as well as humour such as the Jum shoes. It is similar to several of the anime episodes which got them over and done with, and then added an interesting new feature of Jun and Shinku travelling through the mirror into the unknown, which resulted them meeting the Laplace demon and visiting Jun’s schooldays before becoming a Hikkomori.
Extras:
- Advertisments
- Next Volume blurb
Nothing really special, but doesn’t matter at this time.
Quality of the Manga:
“Same comments as Volume 3″
The manga was in the normal packaging for a manga. With the laminated texture of it (I can’t remember what it is called). There were no printing errors on the pages at all and it overall was printed on very good quality paper. There was no text overlap to the middle or ends of the pages so it was all clear to read.
Overall Score:
Artwork: 3.5 (B)
Characters: 5 (A)
Storyline: 5 (A)
Extras: 3 (C)
Quality: 4 (B)
Overall: 4.1 (A)
Final Impression: If you want an excellent manga read and you don’t want to wait for the next volume, then pick up Rozen Maiden as it will really get you immersed in the storyline.
Description: Jun Sakurada has withdrawn from the outside world–friends, school, even his little sister, who loves him dearly and cares for him in their parents’ absence. To cope with the severity of his personal exile, Jun has taken to ordering products online and then returning them just before the grace period ends. But when a website instructs him to place an order for a beautifully rendered doll in his desk drawer, what arrives in the morning can’t be returned…
Manga Information:
Price I bought it for: $AU14.95
Total # of Chapters: 6, not including extras
Total # of pages: 192
English Publisher: Tokyopop
Publisher Website: http://www.tokyopop.com
Producer: Peach-pit
Rating: Teen – 13+
