The appeal and reputation of Princess Tutu: A fusion of ballet and storytelling

Princess Tutu - A Story of Dreams and Ballet

"Princess Tutu" is an original TV anime series by Ito Ikuko that aired from 2002 to 2003. The story unfolds in the unique world of Kinkancho, and is a moving work that depicts ballet, magic, and the brilliance of youth. In this article, we will explain the appeal of "Princess Tutu" from various angles, and introduce in detail the background, characters, and music of the work, as well as recommended points for viewers.

Overview

"Princess Tutu" is a 26-episode series that aired on Kids Station, with each episode being a 30-minute segment. The story is divided into two parts, "The Egg Chapter" (episodes 1-13) and "The Hina Chapter" (episodes 14-26), with "The Hina Chapter" being broadcast in two parts except for the final episode. Animation is handled by Hal Film Maker, with Junichi Sato as general director and Shogo Kawamoto as director.

story

Kinkancho is a round town surrounded by castle walls, with a large church towering in the center. The people who live here are calm and kind, but it is a mysterious town where animals such as cats and crocodiles can speak. Ahiru, a girl studying ballet at Kinkan Gakuen, an arts school, admires a senior named Myuto. Myuto is a quiet boy who is good at dancing, and he has captured Ahiru's heart. However, there is always loneliness in his eyes. Ahiru is working hard at her ballet lessons, wanting to see Myuto smile, but will her dream come true?

The story follows Ahiru as she transforms into Princess Tutu using the pendant she received from Drosselmeyer and struggles to save Myuto. Her adventure delves deeply into themes of friendship, love and self-sacrifice, leaving viewers in awe.

character

Each character in "Princess Tutu" has their own unique personality, and enriches the story. The main characters are introduced below.

• Ahiru : A cheerful and bright girl, but also clumsy and reckless. Her dream is to dance with Myuto, and she transforms into Princess Tutu to help him.
• Myuto : A quiet and mysterious boy with sad eyes. He is good at ballet and is always dancing or reading a book. Everyone admires him, but no one knows much about him except Facia.
• Facia : A boy who is usually calm, but when he gets angry he shows intense emotions. He is good at ballet, but he is blunt and hard to approach. He is always with Myuto and tries to keep him away from everyone.
• Ruu : Miu's girlfriend. She is the best dancer in the special class. She has a mature personality and manner, which makes her the object of admiration for other girls, but she is also proud and selfish. Princess Claire is her transformed form.
• Pike : Ahiru's best friend. He falls in love easily and is easily moved to tears. He is annoyed by Ahiru's clumsy and reckless behavior every day.
• Ririe : Ahiru's best friend. She has a sharp tongue. She loves the clumsy and reckless Ahiru every day.
• Cat Sensei : A strict and cool gentleman. He seems to want to get married. Because of this, he often tells girls, "If you can't do XX, I'll make you marry me as punishment."
• Drosselmeyer : A mysterious gentleman. He is always smiling somewhere in the city. He gives the duck a pendant that has mysterious powers, but its purpose and true identity are unknown. He tells the duck, "Tell me a story."
• Edel : A mysterious woman who appears while playing a hand organ. She knows a lot of things and gives advice to the duck, but it's hard to understand what she's saying. She doesn't seem like an ordinary person...
• Quail : A doll that Charon made from the remains of Edel. It is curious about everything. Its appearance as it walks while beating the drum reminds me a little of Edel playing the organ. It is very good friends with Ahiru.
• Aotoa : One of the few people who know the secret of Kinkancho. A slightly nervous boy who shouts at the noisy ducks in the library. He continues to research Drosselmeyer's powers in an attempt to make them his own, but...

Production Staff

Many talented staff members are involved in the production of "Princess Tutu." Below are the main staff members:

• Original story, character design : Ito Ikuko
• Planning : Ganges
• Series Composition : Michiko Yokote
• Director : Shogo Kawamoto
• Art director : Kenichi Tajiri
• Director of photography : Takeo Ogiwara
• Music : Kaoru Wada
• Music Production : Starchild Records
• Sound Director : Satoshi Motoyama
• Sound Production : Omnibus Promotion
• Animation Production : Hal Film Maker
• Produced by : TUTU
• General Director : Junichi Sato

music

The music for "Princess Tutu" is written by Kaoru Wada and produced by Starchild Records. Particularly impressive are the opening theme "Morning Grace" and the ending theme "My Love is Small, But...", written and composed by Ritsuko Okazaki. These songs play a role in further deepening the emotional impact of the story.

subtitle

Each episode of "Princess Tutu" is titled after a masterpiece of classical ballet or music. The subtitles are as follows:

Eggs

• 1.AKT/"The Duck and the Prince" ~Der Nußknacker: Blumenwalzer~
• 2.AKT/"Pieces of the Heart" ~Schwanensee: Scene finale~
• 3.AKT/"Princess's Vow" ~Dornröschen: Panorama~
• 4. AKT/"Giselle"
• 5.AKT/"On the Night of the Fire Festival" ~Bilder einer Ausstellung: Die Katakomben~
• 6.AKT/"Dreaming Aurora" ~Dornröschen: Prolog~
• 7.AKT/“Crow Princess” ~An der schönen blauen Donau~
• 8.AKT/"Spring of the Warrior" ~Fantasie-Ouverture zu "Romeo und Julia"~
• 9.AKT/“Black Shoes” ~Bilder einer Ausstellung: Alten Schloß~
• 10.AKT/"Cinderella" ~Aschenbrodel: Walzer-Coda~
• 11. AKT/"La Sylphide"
• 12.AKT/"Feast of Darkness" ~Scheherazade~
• 13.AKT/"Swan Lake"

Hina Chapter

• 14.AKT/“Raven” ~Blumenwalzer~
• 15.AKT/"Coppelia"
• 16.AKT/"Maiden's Prayer" ~Gebet einer Jungfrau~
• 17.AKT/"Crime and Punishment" ~Carmen: Aragonaise~
• 18.AKT/"Wandering Knight" ~Egmont Ouvertüre~
• 19.AKT/"A Midsummer Night's Dream" ~Ein Sommernachtstraum~
• 20.AKT/"The Forgotten Story" ~Die verkaufte Braut~
• 21. AKT / "The Spinners" ~Lieder ohne Worte~
• 22.AKT/"The Crown of Stone" ~The Große Tor von Kiew~
• 23.AKT/"Marionette" ~Ruslan und Ludmilla~
• 24.AKT/"The Prince and the Crow" ~Danse Macabre~
• 25.AKT/"Dying Swan" ~Romeo und Julia~
• 26. AKT / "Finale" ~Der Nußknacker~

Appeal and recommendation points of the work

"Princess Tutu" is a work that is attractive for its unique worldview and deep themes. Below we will explain its appeal and recommended points in detail.

1. A unique worldview

The story is set in a mysterious town called Kinkancho, where animals can speak. This setting helps to take the viewer away from reality and immerse them in the story. The beautiful background art, including the large church and art school in the center of the town, also add to the appeal of the work.

2. Fusion of ballet and music

"Princess Tutu" is a ballet-themed work, and classic ballet masterpieces and musical pieces are incorporated into the titles of each episode. This allows viewers to experience the beauty of ballet and the emotion of music at the same time. In particular, Kaoru Wada's music and Ritsuko Okazaki's theme song play a role in further deepening the emotion of the story.

3. Deep themes

The story depicts Ahiru's growth, self-sacrifice, friendship and love. Her transformation into Princess Tutu and her struggle to save Myuto move viewers. The story also delves deeply into the inner lives of each character, such as Myuto's sadness and Fakia's conflict, and is full of themes to make viewers think.

4. The charm of the characters

Each character in "Princess Tutu" is unique and enriches the story. The charms of each character, such as Ahiru's energy and recklessness, Myuto's mysterious aura, Fakia's calmness and intensity, and Ruu's pride and selfishness, draw viewers in. In addition, supporting characters such as Pike, Rie, Neko Sensei, Drosselmeyer, Edel, Uzura, and Aotoa also add depth to the story.

5. A moving story

The story of "Princess Tutu" is full of touching episodes. In particular, the scene where Ahiru transforms into Princess Tutu and struggles to save Myuto, the scene where her past with Myuto is revealed, and the touching finale of the last episode leave a strong impression on viewers.

Recommendation to viewers

"Princess Tutu" is recommended for those who like ballet and music, those who want a moving story, and those who like works that depict character growth, friendship, and love. It is also a perfect work for those who want to enjoy a unique world view and deep themes. Please give it a watch.

summary

"Princess Tutu" is a moving story about ballet, magic, and the brilliance of youth, set in the mysterious town of Kinkancho. The unique world view, deep themes, unique characters, moving story, and beautiful music will draw viewers in. This is a work recommended for those who love ballet and music, those who are looking for a moving story, and those who like works that depict character growth, friendship, and love. Please give it a watch.