The appeal and evaluation of "UFO Princess Valkyrie": A must-read review for anime fans

The appeal and evaluation of "UFO Princess Valkyrie": A must-read review for anime fans

UFO Princess Walküre - UFO Princess Walküre -

■ Public Media
TV anime series
■ Original Media
comics
■ Broadcast period
July 4, 2002 - September 19, 2002
■Broadcasting station
・Broadcast/Kids Station
■Frequencies
half an hour
■ Number of Episodes
Episode 12
■Original Story
・Original work: Kaishaku
■ Director
・Director: Shigeru Ueda
■ Production
Produced by TNK Production by Tokinoyu
■Works
©2002 Kaishaku/Toki no Yu
■ Story

In the future, Earth has become a place where aliens and spaceships are commonplace. Kazuto Tokino, who runs the public bathhouse "Toki no Yu," is kind to everyone and has a pure personality. However, this is his downfall, as he is constantly at the mercy of a trouble-making alien girl named Valkyrie who is staying with him.

■Explanation

A slapstick comedy anime based on the work of the popular manga artist Kaisaku. The anime has an original storyline that differs from the original. "UFO Princess Valkyrie" is an anime that aired in 2002, and while it is a spinoff of the original manga, it has an appealing original storyline and character settings. It has been widely accepted by not only fans of the original but also by new audiences. It has been particularly praised for the troubles that the main character, Tokino Kazuto, gets caught up in, and for the depiction of the dual nature of Walküre and Valkyrie. It also depicts the fun of intercultural exchange by being set in a traditional Japanese place, a public bath.

■Cast

・Valkyrie/Ogata Megumi・Valkyrie/Mochizuki Hisayo・Tokino Kazuto/Suzumura Kenichi・Tokino Rika/Minami Omi・Hydra/Nishimura Chinami・Nanamura Akina/Chiba Saeko・Sanada-san/Tanaka Rie・Shiro/Nishimae Tadahisa・Maru/Momoi Haruko・Raine/Iizuka Mayumi

■ Main staff

・Original story/Kaishaku・Director/Ueda Shigeru・Series composition, script/Tsukimura Reo・Script/Enokido Youji・Character design/Fujii Maki・Animation director/Yanagisawa Tetsuya・Mechanic design/Morio Murata・Art director/Suzuki Emi・Color design/Kobayashi Miyoko・Director of photography/Kubo Hiroshi・Editor/Otake Yayoi・Sound director/Kameyama Toshiki・Sound production/Omnibus Promotion・Music/Kawai Kenji・Animation production/TNK

■ Main Characters

One of the eight great princesses of the planet Valhalla. She fled her homeland to Earth because she didn't want to marry someone of convenience. Due to some troubles she had during this time, she gave half of her soul to Kazuto. She powered down into the form of a child and became a "Valkyrie."
・Valkyrie A powered-down form of Walküre. Unlike Walküre's original gentle and kind personality, she has become a selfish troublemaker. She can temporarily return to her original form by kissing Kazuto.
A young man who manages the public bathhouse "Toki no Yu". He finds happiness in knowing that people find the bathhouse a place of relaxation, but he doesn't like working as a attendant. While he is bossed around by the child Valkyries, he is interested in the adult Valkyries...

■Subtitle

Episode 1: A bathhouse with a heavenly maiden Episode 2: Transforming Princess Valkyrie Episode 3: Cat-eared maid Sanada-san Episode 4: What your wings aim for Episode 5: Licca-chan's seasonal calendar Episode 6: Princess Memorial Episode 7: Derailed Princess Raine Episode 8: Cat-eared recreational trip Episode 9: Akina's little transformation Episode 10: The story of buying an asteroid online Episode 11: Tokinoyu Space Annex Episode 12: Valkyrie's dream ride

■ Related works

・UFO Princess Valkyrie SPECIAL
・Princess Valkyrie: December Nocturne ・Princess Valkyrie: Bride of the Star Spirit Festival ・Princess Valkyrie: Banquet of Time, Dreams and the Galaxy

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"UFO Princess Valkyrie" is an anime that was broadcast in 2002. Although it is a spin-off from the original manga, it has an appealing original story and character settings. It has been widely accepted not only by fans of the original but also by new audiences. It has been particularly praised for the troubles that the main character, Tokino Kazuto, gets caught up in, and for the depiction of the dual nature of Walküre and Valkyrie. It also depicts the fascinating exchange of cultures by setting the story in a traditional Japanese place, a public bath.

The biggest attraction of this anime is the character settings of Walküre and Valkyrie. Walküre is the princess of the planet Valhalla, who flees to Earth to escape a political marriage. However, in the process, she gives half of her soul to Tokino Kazuto, and transforms into a child, Valkyrie. Walküre has a kind and gentle personality, while Valkyrie is selfish and a troublemaker, with contrasting personalities. This duality adds depth to the story and draws in the viewer.

The character of Tokino Kazuto is also important. He is a pure and kind young man who runs the public bathhouse "Toki no Yu", but he spends his days being manipulated by the Valkyries. However, his kindness and purity are at the heart of the story and resonate with viewers. The process in which Kazuto becomes attracted to the Valkyries is also a point that captures the hearts of viewers.

The bathhouse "Toki no Yu," where the anime is set, is also an appealing element. Bathhouses are traditional Japanese places, and the fact that aliens and characters from other worlds gather there portrays the fun of intercultural exchange. In particular, scenes in which characters such as Sanada-san, the cat-eared head maid, Hydra, and Akina Nanamura visit the bathhouse provide laughs for viewers. The warmth and healing that bathhouses provide is also felt throughout the story.

The story of the anime has many original developments that differ from the original work. In particular, the episodes depicting the relationship between Walküre and Valkyrie and the growth of Tokino Kazuto are deeply moving to the viewers. Each episode has a different subtitle, and while each episode has its own independent story, the story unfolds as a whole in a consistent manner.

The cast also adds to the charm of this anime. The performances of the voice actors, including Ogata Megumi as Walküre, Mochizuki Hisayo as Valkyrie, and Suzumura Kenichi as Tokino Kazuto, bring out the best in their characters. In particular, the contrast between Ogata Megumi's gentle voice and Mochizuki Hisayo's lively voice expresses the dual nature of Walküre and Valkyrie. Additionally, Suzumura Kenichi's pure and gentle voice portrays Tokino Kazuto's character more realistically.

The main staff also contributed greatly to the success of this anime. The skills and talents of each staff member, such as director Ueda Shigeru, series composition and scriptwriter Tsukimura Ryoei, and character designer Fujii Maki, came together to complete this anime. In particular, character designer Fujii Maki's designs visually express the dual nature of Walküre and Valkyrie. Additionally, the background music by Kawai Kenji is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

Related works include "UFO Princess Valkyrie SPECIAL", "UFO Princess Valkyrie: Nocturne in December", "UFO Princess Valkyrie: Bride of the Celestial Spirit Festival", and "UFO Princess Valkyrie: Banquet of Time, Dreams, and the Galaxy". These works were produced as sequels or spin-offs of the original series, and depict even deeper stories and character growth. In particular, "UFO Princess Valkyrie SPECIAL" is a compilation of the original series, but also includes new episodes, making it a must-see for fans.

The first reason to recommend this series is that it depicts the dual nature of Walküre and their relationship. This duality adds depth to the story and is an element that draws the viewer in. Additionally, Tokino Kazuto's purity and kindness are at the heart of the story, evoking sympathy from the viewer. Furthermore, by setting the story in a traditional Japanese place, a public bath, it portrays the fun of intercultural exchange. The combination of these elements makes "UFO Princess Valkyrie" a work that provides viewers with laughter and emotion.

Another appeal of this anime is that it has an original storyline that differs from the original. In particular, the episodes that depict the relationship between Walküre and Valkyrie and the growth of Tokino Kazuto are deeply moving to viewers. Each episode has a different subtitle, and while each episode has its own independent storyline, the story as a whole is consistent. This allows viewers to follow the overall storyline while enjoying each episode individually.

The skills and talents of the cast and staff also contributed greatly to the success of this anime. The voice actors' performances brought out the best in the characters, and the skills and talents of the main staff came together to complete this anime. In particular, the character designs by Maki Fujii visually express the dual nature of Walküre and Valkyrie. Additionally, the background music by Kenji Kawai is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

Related works also add to the appeal of this anime. "Princess Valkyrie UFO SPECIAL", "Princess Valkyrie UFO: Nocturne in December", "Princess Valkyrie UFO: Bride of the Celestial Spirit Festival", "Princess Valkyrie UFO: Banquet of Time, Dreams and the Galaxy", and other works were produced as sequels or spin-offs of the original series, and depict even deeper stories and character growth. In particular, "Princess Valkyrie UFO SPECIAL" is a compilation of the original series, but also includes new episodes, making it a must-see for fans.

As mentioned above, "UFO Princess Valkyrie" combines many elements to provide viewers with laughter and emotion, including the dual nature and relationship between Walküre and Valkyrie, Kazuto Tokino's purity and kindness, the fascinating intercultural exchange set in a traditional Japanese place like a public bath, the original story development, the skills and talents of the cast and staff, and the appeal of related works. Please watch this anime and experience its charm for yourself.

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