Nobody really talks about Scrapped Princess. Adapted by Studio BONES from a series of light novels, it's never been as popular as Fullmetal Alchemist or as critically acclaimed as Rahxephon. In it's own, quiet way, though, it's a worthwhile fantasy series that turns out to be something slightly more complicated as it goes along.
Many fantasy series aim to capture the epic sweep of classics such as The Lord of the Rings. Scrapped Princess operates on a much smaller scale; it begins with a close-knit group of three people traveling the land by caravan, and while more and more characters are introduced at time goes on, and the scale of events becomes significantly larger, it always remains very personal. Even when magic is flying around and soldiers are charging into battle, conflicts are generally small and self-contained. It never reaches the emotional heights of Bones's masterpieces—Renton and Eureka embracing in episode 26 of Eureka Seven, the death scene in episode 19 of Rahxephon, Shou Tucker or any of the amazing fight scenes from either Fullmetal Alchemist adaption—but it's admirably low-key in execution, and charming in its depiction of bonding between friends and nights on the road. It also deserves props for its development of the main character, who is initially irritating but who becomes legitimately admirable as the story continues.
That's not saying that Scrapped Princess is the fantasy equivalent of Aria, though. Terrible things happen, people die horribly, kingdoms are thrown into peril and the main character is put through the wringer. It's just a lot more upbeat than something like Fullmetal Alchemist or the Twelve Kingdoms. Scrapped Princess has its share of flaws, as well—characters occasionally act stupidly, the pacing can be a little wonky and the plot isn't quite as smart as it appears at first glance. The series also shares the common Bones flaw of having a lackluster ending, which, while it has excellent buildup, ultimately fizzles.
Scrapped Princess is hardly revolutionary. But it is charming, which in today's world of terrible visual novel adaptions, toy cash-ins and hug-pillow factories, is something that is dearly missed. It isn't essential viewing, but I can't see anyone regretting giving it a shot.
apocalypse princess: a review of scrapped princess
Nobody really talks about Scrapped Princess. Adapted by Studio BONES from a series of light novels, it's never been as popular as Fullmetal Alchemist or as critically acclaimed as Rahxephon. In it's own, quiet way, though, it's a worthwhile fantasy series that turns out to be something slightly more complicated as it goes along.
Many fantasy series aim to capture the epic sweep of classics such as The Lord of the Rings. Scrapped Princess operates on a much smaller scale; it begins with a close-knit group of three people traveling the land by caravan, and while more and more characters are introduced at time goes on, and the scale of events becomes significantly larger, it always remains very personal. Even when magic is flying around and soldiers are charging into battle, conflicts are generally small and self-contained. It never reaches the emotional heights of Bones's masterpieces—Renton and Eureka embracing in episode 26 of Eureka Seven, the death scene in episode 19 of Rahxephon, Shou Tucker or any of the amazing fight scenes from either Fullmetal Alchemist adaption—but it's admirably low-key in execution, and charming in its depiction of bonding between friends and nights on the road. It also deserves props for its development of the main character, who is initially irritating but who becomes legitimately admirable as the story continues.
That's not saying that Scrapped Princess is the fantasy equivalent of Aria, though. Terrible things happen, people die horribly, kingdoms are thrown into peril and the main character is put through the wringer. It's just a lot more upbeat than something like Fullmetal Alchemist or the Twelve Kingdoms. Scrapped Princess has its share of flaws, as well—characters occasionally act stupidly, the pacing can be a little wonky and the plot isn't quite as smart as it appears at first glance. The series also shares the common Bones flaw of having a lackluster ending, which, while it has excellent buildup, ultimately fizzles.
Scrapped Princess is hardly revolutionary. But it is charming, which in today's world of terrible visual novel adaptions, toy cash-ins and hug-pillow factories, is something that is dearly missed. It isn't essential viewing, but I can't see anyone regretting giving it a shot.