Princess Principal: Season 1/ Episode 1 “Wired Liar (Case 13)” [Series Premiere] – Summary/ Review (with Spoilers)

Princess Principal I started more excited than when I finished. However, nostalgia over Gunslinger Girl season 1 maybe the main thing which will keep me going.

The Introduction

In 20^th century London, the creation of Cavorite, this magical energy, has created a rift. One which splits the Kingdom of Albion and the Commonwealth of Albion. Thus resulting in a sort of Berlin Wall situation. But that is just the background of Princess Principal.

The main focus here is a group of young female spies known as the Principal. They, alongside what is known as the Wall Team gather information and help defectors. In the premiere episode, we meet only but a few. All of which who, thanks to their penchant for lying, you can’t necessarily say we get to know. For while Ange makes it seem her parents died in the revolution when she was 7, that could have been a cover. So while we may learn the names of Ange, Dorothy, and Chise, they remain utter mysteries.

Ones which all we can really confirm is each of them are potentially deadly. That and they masquerade as school girls who interact with children of the royal family during the day. Everything else is only the truth as long as it fits the situation.

Highlights

The Steampunk Theme

I’m honestly quite surprised more anime don’t delve into a steampunk theme. Granted, rich sci-fi worlds featuring robots, holograms and all that are quite cool, but also seem overdone. So for us to get a Victorian/Edwardian era steampunk show was quite interesting.

For even though none of the girls have revealed themselves to be a scientist who tinker with the then technology, just seeing these machines work had me giddy.

Badass Little Girls

From Leon: The Professional to Kick Ass, alongside the aforementioned Gunslinger Girl, there is something about Hitman-esque youngsters. To see this innocence become tainted with blood and acts which seem uncharacteristic. It boggles the mind and throws you off. Thus really forcing you to question where the story could go? Does the production team have the guts to show grown men (usually more than women) hurt these girls? Much less, maybe even show them die?

We don’t live in an era anymore where heroes don’t die, no matter their age. So despite the training these girls surely have, it will be interesting to see what happens when it fails them. Never mind when, or perhaps if, they put themselves before country.

On The Fence

The Mystery/Spy Element

In the premiere, we are introduced to Eric. He is a guy defecting and his main handler is Ange. Now, the thing Princess Principal does which a lot of spy shows don’t do is kind of keep us out of the know. For with Eric, Ange talks about how her parents died and a few other things. All of which could have been lies.

Now, as a viewer, this is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it tickles you how she plays other people. Yet, at the same time, you have to wonder if you, yourself, are also being played. Which causes a small problem for there is a desire to truly know these girls. To say that you are one of them and not as clueless as the people they temporarily interact with. If not the people they go to school with.

So while not a problem, I can’t say when the high of watching these girls take down grown men wears off, we may have a solid foundation to keep us engaged.

Overall: Mixed (Stick Around)

I’m definitely going to follow this story till the end, but I have adjusted my expectations. Mostly because I feel we have barely scraped the surface but am not sure we are going to get in too deep with this show. Similar to Death Parade, I feel like we may end up getting to see the world quite a bit but the characters will remain mostly a mystery to us. If only because the focus will be on those like Eric or Minister Kimble. Pretty much anyone but the spies.

For, in the long run, it seems the goal is to make them as much a mystery to us as they are to those they are working with. Hell, even to each other. Which is why I’m labeling this as mixed. I think this show is definitely likable, but it isn’t going to be that one you’ll feel like arguing over its greatness.