Rozen Maiden: Ouvertüre
Synopsis
As Jun Sakurada fights and lives alongside the Rozen Maidens, special lifelike dolls made to battle each other, he enjoys a rare break in which he is told a story during the events of Rozen Maiden: Träumend. When Jun buys a brooch as a present for Shinku, the fifth doll, she refuses to accept it at any cost. Souseiseki, the fourth doll, then recounts the story of how Shinku and the first doll, Suigintou, first met. This tale tells of the cruel and heartbreaking circumstances surrounding Suigintou's birth, and how the many misunderstandings between her and Shinku shaped their longstanding rivalry fueled by Suigintou's unfettered hate towards Shinku. The stage is set in Rozen Maiden: Ouvertüre in 19th century London as the story delves into the past of these one-time friends and the secrets that they hold. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Rozen Maiden: Ouvertüre is highly praised for its exploration of Suigintou's past and the origins of her rivalry with Shinku, significantly enhancing the viewer's understanding of both characters. The animation and voice acting are also highlighted as strengths. However, its short length leaves some viewers wanting more depth and development, though most agree it's a must-watch for fans of the series.
Strengths
- Excellent character development of Suigintou, providing depth and understanding to her motivations.
- High-quality art and animation, considered the pinnacle of the series.
- Strong voice acting performances, particularly by Tanaka Rie (Suigintou) and Sawashiro Miyuki (Shinku).
- The story effectively explores the origins of the conflict between Shinku and Suigintou.
Weaknesses
- The short length of the OVA (only two episodes) leaves viewers wanting more and feeling that the plot could have been more developed.
- Some found the art style not as good as the first series.
- A few felt the ending of the second episode didn't fully showcase the conflict.