MAK2Hybrid

I think I have been too harsh whenever I said that I’m not interested in any form of media that is close to an RPG or has Middle Earth elements but that statement still stand by me because there’s nothing remotely interesting about that genre, aside from most Final Fantasy games (I’m not sure about the other media with the Final Fantasy name) but I’m mostly willing to give one of them a shot especially with this particular title, which has recommended (sort of) from a fellow reviewer I know.

Pacifica Casull is the most feared and hated person by the followers of the God Mauser. Known as the Scrapped Princess, she is the poison that will destroy the world. To avoid being killed by the zealots of Mauser, Pacifica and her adoptive brother and sister leave the village of Manhurin. Her brother, Shannon, is an expert with the sword while Racquel is proficient with magic. At every step of the way, however, someone is constantly trying to kill Pacifica, hoping to somehow avert the catastrophe that is supposed to befall the world on her 16th birthday.

I will admit that I like the plotline for this title as it deals with a burden of being born with a curse and that you have to live with that of people constantly hating you for what you are because of your title yet once you know them, they are not that bad of a person that they make you out to be. Plus, the show is run of a quick and constant pace as it doesn’t feel too long whenever you watch it, as in watching the first 6 episodes is 2 hours long but you don’t think that it’s dragging or wasting your time.

I got to say for the characters, there is one flaw within the characters of the show: NONE OF THEM ARE UNLIKABLE! As in, I find every character of the show to be enjoyable to watch once you get to know them in the story. In the beginning, the main character Pacifica Cassul may act like a brat in some of the episodes but you don’t really hate her since it wasn’t that obnoxious or overbearing. You really feel for the character that’s going through his status as the Scrapped Princess, being forsaken to that, and it helps that she can be a sweet person on the inside. Shannon Cassul is the straightforward older brother, meaning he doesn’t have time to fool around when it comes to protecting his sister and is a great swordfighter.  Raquel is the oldest of the siblings and she is very calm and motherly figure of the show, which is what I liked about her as in groups, people do need that type of person who assures themselves that things can work out. Other characters include Leo, the noble yet naïve knight who vows to protect Pacifica, and also has a crush on her, too, and Winia, the introverted and lonesome maid who later joined the Cassul siblings into their adventure.

The animation from Studio BONES is very 2000s vintage considering as of now, it’s been almost 10 years since its creation in 2003 and it doesn’t look aged at all but the artwork, character designs and backgrounds are very fluid and strikingly impressive by today’s standards or even the standards of 6 years ago.

Musically, I can say for the opening theme, it seems like a bit of Scottish and/or medieval charm was heavily influenced by that, as well as the background music. The ending music, I didn’t feel much of that influence on there but it is serviceable for the ending theme.

Lastly, I got to say on the Bandai/Bang Zoom dub is that this is one of the most well-done dubs I have ever watched. It also helps that Crispin Freeman, not only voices Shannon, but he is also the ADR director and writer of the show and it shows that Freeman can be awesome behind the screen as well as being the voice. Kari Wahlgren as Pacifica is one of her better roles of likable characters, right next to Haruko from FLCL and Saya from Blood+ and Bridget Hoffman does a great and nuanced job as always playing the cool and calm role of Raquel and even supporting roles filled by Michelle Ruff, Yuri Lowenthal, and Kirk Thornton among others are decent in their roles.

FINAL VERDICT: I can easily say that Scrapped Princess is one of those shows that you should definitely check out (if you can, since you-know-who has folded). It has a great amount of pacing, enjoyable characters with great development and something that can combine things you don’t even like in anime into saying you love.