Princess Tutu
Alternate Titles: None
Original Japanese Release Date: 2002
Episode Length/Run-time: 38
Summary:
Long ago, a man named Drosselmayer began a storybook tale of a master Raven and a prince. The Prince and Raven became locked in an endless battle as Drosselmayer died before the story reached completion. Be it spirit or phantom Drosselmayer returns from the grave to turn a young duck into a girl studying at a ballet school with the power to transform into the Princess Tutu. But will this be enough to progress the story to a resolution? Or will the struggle go on forever?
Review:
Princess Tutu is a fantastic series, I think for all genders so long as the person has an open mind to the magical girl and ballet aspects.
One of the first immediate drawbacks is Ahiru’s voice. It is astoundingly annoying, squeaky, and high-pitched in both Japanese and English and I know more than one person it’s turned off. But that aside the world is painted in an enchanting matter which is both fitting of the story-book theme and engaging. Drosselmayer, the name should be familiar to any ballet enthusiasts as it is the name of the wizard in the nutcracker, remains a present and at times menacing force throughout the series.
The first 12 episodes are an inclusive arc, which could almost be viewed as a stand-alone. While all questions are not answered (because the series does continue) it would be a great way to see if you’re interested in continuing on. However after these first 12 episodes the series takes a darker turn and the relationships between the characters begins to run deeper and the menacing web which is being spun around them constricts down tighter.
Likely one of the best parts of this series is the ending. It is simply fantastic. Which is so hard to find these days. Not only does it answer all the questions without using cheap cop-outs and brings all the series together. But, it also does it in a way which I at least did not see coming.
The biggest drawback to this series is it does get formulaic for a bit as Ahiru is gathering the parts of the prince’s heart. But it still remains interesting and engaging, despite that.
[starrater]