Part I – Ewigkeit (Eternity)

Opening Sequence:

“Baragoku Otome” by ALI PROJECT

Closing Sequence:

“Utsusemi no Kage” by Kukui


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Random Clip:


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First Impressions:

The Ouverture special starts off with an eerie introduction where the viewer witnesses a neglected Suigintou trying desperately to gain the attention of Rozen. Suigintou, who is the first doll but was left incomplete, had to bear the sight of seeing her other sisters complete and being prepared to meet with their mediums. She also had to see Shinku being graciously carried away by Rozen personally. The intro also shows Suigintou having to escape on her own by dragging herself across the floor towards her clothing without the aid of anyone in the room. I’m assuming she had the mystical power of levitation to complete the rest of her body, minus the torso. But is this not enough reason to explain Suigintou’s hatred for the fifth doll? I believe so.

We then flash forward to the present, or in this case, a little after Season 1. It’s here where the viewer can reunite and enjoy their favorite Rozen doll on screen. Anyway later, Jun and Tomoe are seen together at Enju’s shop to purchase some thread because Shinku had requested to have her rose resewn onto the knot of the bow on her neck. While there Jun spots a beautiful brooch that Enju has made, which he later purchases for Shinku as well. When he gets home he presents the brooch, still in a bag, and Shinku is instantly reminded of the brooch she once owned that displayed the image of Rozen and leaves the room. Jun sews the brooch onto her bow in place of the rose anyway. When Shinku was given her bow back she became so angry that she demanded the brooch be taken off right away. But with all that frustration built up from earlier, she simply just tears it off herself. Jun storms out of his room and into the hallway where he meets up with Souseiseki. It was there where Souseiseki begins to explain why Shinku was so upset. Commence flashback sequence…

Now begins the main story of Ouverture, where supposedly a lot of burning questions will be answered. Right away we see Shinku and Souseiseki in the middle of their Alice Game battle in London We also see both dolls display their artificial spirits — Shinku’s Holi and Souseiseki’s Lempicka. The battle was interrupted by Suiseiseki.

Daylight arrives and we’re introduced to a new character by the name of Sarah who’s riding along with her parents. By the way, according to this source, the voice actress who played Sarah was Sanada Asami — Jun’s seiyuu. Anyway this spoiled little girl happens to be Shinku’s old medium. As she runs upstairs into her room, she finds Shinku in a closet and asks if she’s been fighting with anyone — she knows when Shinku is using her powers because the ring on her finger begins to heat up when doing so. Sarah just so admires Shinku’s ability and superior skills that she’s been blessed with. Shinku on the other hand finds it “unladylike” and a bother. When asked about the other dolls, Shinku tries really hard to remember Kanaria’s name but just couldn’t. She also believes that she’s the oldest.

Later that night we see Sarah in bed fast asleep. But from a mirror right across the room, Suigintou makes her appearance. This is the moment where I just start to tear up inside. All this time I’ve been familiar with a callous, self-absorbed Suigintou, who clearly has a hatred for roses, or flowers in general — we even see her crush one from Megu earlier; let’s not also forget the OP visuals. But here in the flashbacks, I’m seeing my favorite doll completely lost, afraid, and in a desperate search for Father. This had to be one of the most emotionals scenes yet in the series. Anyway, as the tearful Suigintou is slowly picking herself up from the floor, she extends her arm and reaches for help from Shinku, asking where Father is. Might also note that the bgm seriously intensified this dramatic scene. As she begs with every once of strength she has left, Shinku shoves her aside not knowing who she is exactly. Shinku then asks for her name. She replys by saying she’s, “Suigintou the first Rozen Maiden.” The scene ends with Shinku left speechless over finding out the true identity of the 1st RM.

Overall an excellent episode. Favorites scenes, aside from the one’s I’ve previously mentioned, were the fight with Souseiseki and Shinku — Shinku telling Souseiseki that a lady shouldn’t refer to herself as “boku” was amusing. The scene with Enju and Barasuishou was rather disturbing actually. Loved seeing Kanaria again. Souseiseki was always in her “must become Alice” routine, interesting. Anyway Part II begins tomorrow night. Watch out for it.

*Note: The wide-screen release of the special airs January 11th on BS-i.

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