Princess Principal
Five schoolgirl spies in a divided alternate London.
Princess Principal is a Japanese anime television series produced by Studio 3Hz and Actas, directed by Masaki Tachibana and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, with music by Yuki Kajiura. Set in a 20th-century alternate reality of England, the series follows five young girls enrolled at Queen Mayfair's school who serve as undercover spies for the Commonwealth to overthrow the Kingdom, which has divided London into two. The series aired from July to September 2017 and was partly inspired by the American novel The Prince and the Pauper.
- field
- Anime television series
- produced_by
- Studio 3Hz and Actas
- directed_by
- Masaki Tachibana
- written_by
- Ichirō Ōkouchi
- music_by
- Yuki Kajiura
- original_run
- July 9 to September 24, 2017
- episodes
- 12 (aired in anachronical order)
Lore & Background
The series is set in a fictional analogue of Britain called Albion, where a mysterious substance called Cavorite allowed the Kingdom to build a fleet of armed airships. A revolution split London with a great wall, creating the Commonwealth and the Kingdom. The Commonwealth launches Operation Changeling to replace Princess Charlotte with a lookalike named Ange, but the Princess instead offers to work with the spies to become Queen. The five main characters—Ange, Princess Charlotte, Dorothy, Beatrice, and Chise Tōdō—each have distinct skills and backgrounds, such as Ange's ability to become intangible using stolen Cavorite technology and Beatrice's voice mimicry via an implanted device.
Reader's Guide
Princess Principal is notable for its anachronical episode order, with each episode labeled by a case number rather than chronological sequence. The series spawned a six-part sequel film series, Princess Principal: Crown Handler, of which three installments have been released as of April 2023. A mobile puzzle game, Princess Principal: Game of Mission, operated from August 2017 to December 28, 2018. The series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks for North America, UK, and Australia, and received an English dub in 2018. Its blend of steampunk espionage and character-driven drama has made it a distinctive entry in the anime genre.
Did You Know?
- The series was partly inspired by the American novel The Prince and the Pauper.
- The opening theme song is 'The Other Side of the Wall' performed by Void_Chords featuring MARU.
- The first film of the sequel series was postponed from April 10, 2020 to February 11, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The mobile game Princess Principal: Game of Mission was available from August 2017 to December 28, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Princess Principal?
Princess Principal is a 12-episode Japanese anime that aired in summer 2017, following five schoolgirls who secretly operate as spies for the Commonwealth in a divided, steampunk-style London. The show blends episodic heist-style missions with a larger political plot to topple the Kingdom's rule over the city.
Who are the main characters in Princess Principal?
The core team consists of five girls from Queen Mayfair's Academy—Ange, Beatrice, Charlotte, Dorothy, and Frieren—each filling a distinct role in their covert operations. Beatrice, who poses as a princess, leads the group and fronts their most ambitious schemes.
What is the setting of Princess Principal?
The story takes place in an alternate 20th-century England where London has been split into two warring territories: the Commonwealth and the Kingdom. The world is saturated with steampunk technology, including mechanical automatons and airships, giving the city a distinctly Victorian-futuristic atmosphere.
Who created Princess Principal?
The series was directed by Masaki Tachibana, written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, and produced by Studio 3Hz in partnership with Actas. Composer Yuki Kajiura crafted the score, giving the show its signature orchestral and choral sound.
What inspired Princess Principal?
The series draws thematic inspiration from Mark Twain's novel The Prince and the Pauper, particularly the conceit of a commoner assuming a royal identity to infiltrate an enemy court. Its episodic spy-mission structure also echoes classic heist and caper narratives.
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