Jun Sakurada

*This article is about the character from Peach-Pit's manga continuity. For other uses, see Jun Sakurada (disambiguation).*
**Jun Sakurada** (桜田 ジュン *Sakurada Jun*) is the master of the sixth Rozen Maiden, Hinaichigo. He is identified as a hikikomori/NEET (not in education, employment, or training), fearing to return to school, and isolates himself from society. He is the main human protagonist of Rozen Maiden.

## Appearance

Jun has messy black hair and dark brown eyes. He is often seen wearing different sweaters and pants. He also wears a pair of glasses.

## Personality

Jun is a boy who is an shut in that he has not been to school since he was being laughed at and called a pervert by everyone in his school, after he accidentally won a school contest for designing a dress for a 'princess'. He suffers from what is known as tōkō kyohi, or a refusal to go to school, as well as hikikomori, the phenomenon of isolating oneself from society. He spends a lot of time in front of his computer, and has a hobby of ordering things from the internet - mostly fake magical or occult implements - and then returning them before he has to pay, for the thrill of receiving something ridiculously stupid. When he comes into possession of Hinaichigo and curiously winds her up, he is unwittingly and unwillingly caught in the crossfire of the Alice Game - Hinaichigo declares him to be her "servant" and demands that he obeys to her at all times.

Jun is extremely skilled at crafts and at sewing, able to actually repair Shinku through some magic bond when Suigintou tears off her arm. Although he is arrogant, and occasionally cold and rude, he cares for others, but typically refuses to let his feelings show. He is especially friendly with Hinaichigo, and at times, blushes around her, which portrays that he cares for her deeply. He is always trying to protect her and make her feel happy.

Hinaichigo states that when Jun sews, it is like watching magic, or that he is playing a beautiful melody on an instrument. Jun is the only or one of the few people in the world who can bring a doll's 'soul' back, doing so in the first volume with an old doll torn apart by Suigintou. It is implied that Jun is extremely similar to Rozen in his abilities, possibly able to become the next Rozen. Jun is able to be the master of three dolls at once and have them take his energy in battle with little problem. This is unusual because most people have a hard time with just one doll taking their energy. The reason why he is able to do this is unknown and might have something to do with the fact he is similar to Rozen.

## History

Jun's family consists of him, his father and mother, and his sister, Nori. His parents are antique dealers and are well-known within that business. However, due to their work, they are often overseas, leaving the house to their two children. Jun resents his parents for not being around.

Jun grew up with an interest in designing and sewing clothes. This was an interest he shared with Nori and no one else. One day, word got out that Jun liked sewing and his male classmates made fun of him for it. This interest resurfaced when his class hosted a design contest for a dress their class representative, Yuna Kuwata, would wear. Jun sketched a design on his homework but forgot to erase it before turning it in. His teacher, Mr. Umeoka, noticed this and entered his design. Jun later found out about this when it was posted in his school, the other students remarking negative opinions on the designer likely being a guy thinking impure thoughts about the class representative. Regardless, the design was picked and in a school assembly Jun was announced as the designer. Jun became ill, and as his classmates accused him of being perverted, he threw up. Jun did not return to school.

## Relationships

### Hinaichigo

As the very first doll that Jun meets, he is often seen as a slave rather than a master to Hinaichigo. He is forced to fetch her strawberries and often abused, most commonly, hit on the foot or in the face with either her cane or hair. Despite this, they are very close, and Jun is shown to have feelings for Hinaichigo. He loves her very much and tries his best to save her and keep her happy. She is usually the first doll he thinks about. At the end of Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen, he confesses his feelings for her and they develop into a beautiful relationship, much to Suiseiseki and Tomoe’s dismay.

### Nori Sakurada

Nori is the older sister of Jun. Because their parents work overseas, she has given up most of her extracurriculars to take care of Jun, and later on, the dolls as well. At the beginning of the series, Jun is highly unappreciative of Nori, and does not talk to her. After meeting Jun meets Shinku, he becomes more friendly and appreciative of Nori.

### Shinku

At first, both Jun and Shinku did not like each other. He was irritated that there was another doll to have around, and she thought he was stupid. Later on in the series, he and Shinku “join forces” and they become friends. Shinku always sticks up for Jun and he sticks up for her, though Shinku does slap him when he messes up with Hinaichigo, their relationship resembles brother and younger sister.

## Etymology

* Jun's surname **Sakurada** means "cherry blossom" (櫻) (**sakura**) and "field, rice paddy" (田) (**da**).
	+ Part of the name **Sakura** can also mean "blossom" (咲) (**saku**) and "good, virtuous, respectable" (良) (**ra**).

## References and Citations

1. Tale 2
2. According to Studio DEEN's model sheets
3. Prologue Part B
4. Final Tale
5. Rozen Maiden Träumend - Episode 04
6. Tale 16
7. "Rozen Maiden Träumend staff" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System. Retrieved October 19, 2013
8. Tale 31