"Ribbon no Kishi" review: What is the appeal of good old shojo manga?

Princess Knight - Its reputation as a pioneer of girls' anime and its appeal

■Overview of the work

"Ribbon no Kishi" is a TV anime series that aired from November 4, 1966 to April 7, 1968, and was based on the original manga of the same name by Osamu Tezuka. It has 52 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and depicts the adventures and growth of Prince Sapphire of Silverland. Directed by Kanji Akahori and Chikao Katsui, it is also known as the first TV anime adapted from a shojo manga.

■ Story

Sapphire, the prince of Silverland, is actually a girl. Due to the country's law that only men can inherit the throne, the king raises Sapphire as a prince. Then, before her appears Cinque, a mischievous angel from heaven. Cinque was sent down to earth as punishment for making a baby drink both a girl's heart and a boy's heart, and has been searching for 12 years to retrieve the boy's heart. Sapphire decides to face off against Grand Duke Duralumin and Lord Nylon, who are aiming for the throne of the country, and fight as a master swordsman, "Ribbon Knight". What will be Sapphire's fate as she survives the war-torn era of the Demon King Mephisto's plot and the X-Alliance's invasion of Silverland with Cinque fighting alongside her to save her?

■Explanation

"Princess Knight" is a TV anime series based on the original work by Osamu Tezuka. Set in a fantasy world that incorporates plenty of elements from classic fairy tales and folklore, the beautiful and dignified exploits of the main character Sapphire are depicted with a Takarazuka Revue-like flavor. This work is positioned as the first TV anime to be adapted from a girls' manga, along with "Sally the Witch" that Toei Animation (now Toei Animation) released the previous year. It was also groundbreaking in that it was the first to be made specifically for "girls." At the time, TV anime was recognized as targeting children from infants to the lower grades of elementary school, and there were no examples of works being planned with only girls in mind, as it was judged that the gender of children in this target age group was undifferentiated. "Princess Knight" was an ambitious work that pioneered and established the genre itself, as the starting point of the "girls' anime" that has become commonplace today.

■ Main staff

・Original story: Osamu Tezuka ・Director: Kanji Akahori, Chikao Katsui

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Princess Knight" has many attractions as a pioneer of girls' anime. First of all, the character setting of the main character, Sapphire, is extremely unique. Despite being a girl, she was raised as a prince, and her fighting style as a master swordsman gave viewers at the time a fresh surprise. Another big attraction is the visual aspect, which incorporates Takarazuka Revue-style direction. The gorgeous costumes and dance scenes pursue visual beauty and drew viewers in.

The story also depicts complex developments, such as the succession issue of Silverland, the conspiracy of Demon King Mephisto, and the invasion of the X-Alliance. These elements provided viewers with deep emotion and excitement. In addition, the presence of a mischievous angel named Cinque also plays an important role in livening up the story, which is a mix of humor and emotion.

Furthermore, as a pioneer of anime for girls, this work had a major impact on the anime industry. Since "Ribbon no Kishi," the number of anime for girls has increased and a variety of genres have been born. This was possible because this work captured the hearts of girls and depicted their dreams and hopes.

■ Recommendation points

Here are some reasons why we recommend "Ribbon no Kishi":

• Unique character setting : Sapphire is a girl who is raised as a prince, which gives viewers a fresh surprise. Also, Cinque's character as a mischievous angel is charming.
• Visual beauty : The show's gorgeous costumes and dance scenes, which incorporate Takarazuka Revue-style productions, are visually stunning. This is a major factor in attracting viewers.
• Deep storyline : The story depicts complex developments, including the succession issue of Silverland's throne, the plot of Demon King Mephisto, and the invasion of the X-Alliance. These elements provide viewers with deep emotion and excitement.
• A pioneer of girls' anime : This work was a pioneer of anime for girls and had a huge impact on the anime industry. It was loved by many viewers as a work that depicted the dreams and hopes of girls.

■Comparison with related works

"Princess Knight" is compared to many other works as a pioneer of girls' anime. In particular, it is often compared to "Sally the Witch," also created by Tezuka Osamu. "Sally the Witch" is known as the first TV anime adapted from a girls' manga, but "Princess Knight" is a later work that is different in that it aimed more specifically at "girls." The story and character settings are also different, with "Princess Knight" emphasizing fantasy elements.

It is also compared to other anime aimed at young girls, such as "Candy Candy" and "The Rose of Versailles." These works have in common the way they depict the growth and romance of young girls, but "Ribbon no Kishi" has its own unique appeal in that it incorporates fantasy elements and Takarazuka Revue-style direction.

■ Viewer reactions

"Ribbon no Kishi" was loved by many viewers when it was first broadcast. In particular, many young girls were moved by the heroine Sapphire's bravery and beautiful looks. Many viewers also empathized with and were moved by the development of the story and the growth of the characters. Even after the broadcast ended, it continues to be loved by many viewers through reruns and DVD releases.

■ Summary

"Ribbon no Kishi" is a work with many charms as a pioneer of girls' anime. Many elements have attracted viewers, such as the unique character settings, beautiful visuals, deep story, and significance as a pioneer of girls' anime. This work continues to be loved by many viewers as a work that depicts the dreams and hopes of young girls. Please watch it at least once and experience its charm.