I finished Rozen Maiden: Traumend and Ouverture these past few days. Phenomenologically epic series, my new number one. If I was a lady I would have already changed my character to Shinku. I hate to sound like one of those creepy guys who buy plushies of female characters and sleep with them[NO! Not like that, but like a kid and his teddy bear]... yeah. <_<;
All of it is really sad how it unfolds towards the end of Traumend and what father asks of the seven dolls he created. He becomes a character that you at first question his judgment and being. You ponder if what he asks is right and you come to think and believe that no, it's not right, not right at all. You begin to hate him for what he asks but.... Well you just have to watch the series. Ouverture was epic even though it was only two episodes but tells of why Suigintou despises Shinku so much and how they met. Why it was believed Suigintou was not a true Rozen Maiden and all that ensues after and during is really heart breaking.
The art is amazing, the OST is tear jerking, the story is epic. I might add that the OP and END tracks are beyond word description, ESPECIALLY the ending song for Traumend. I've been listening to this song non stop when I can. I've estimated around 40 hours of solid listening so far. Amazing series! I can't wait to pick up the manga from Tokoypop who have to date produced three out of seven so far, fourth due in April of this year. Shame it takes four months for a release of the newest one state side. I might have to go about other means to read them.
On another note:
Shinku > All