Rozen Maiden: Träumend

The first season of Rozen Maiden concerned the rehabilitation of a boy named Jun, a young hikikomori (shut-in) who gained confidence after becoming the “medium” for Shinku, one of a small number of living dolls. In Träumend, the second season, attention shifts away from Jun to focus more on the lives of the dolls, who will fight and try to take each other's souls in order to attain the perfection envisioned by their creator Rozen. But some of the dolls aspire to finding love and companionship, and no longer want to engage in combat. Although darker overall, season two retains the series' lovely and sharp animation, as well as the gothic Lolita styling of the dolls, who are given more time to develop their personalities in this leisurely-paced anime. First-time viewers shouldn't have much trouble catching up, while fans will enjoy the new direction. Collecting all 12 episodes from the 2005-06 season on a dual-language three-disc boxed set, suitable for 13-up, this is recommended. Aud: P. (L. Martincik)