Why You Should Watch ‘Murder Princess’
by Tito W. James
With so many new anime shows being released every year, it’s easy to miss out on some hidden gems. I recently returned to Murder Princess, an old favorite, after picking up the DVD from Anime Boston.
Murder Princess is an action fantasy series with some Scifi elements, a head-banging soundtrack, and some killer heroines. The series follows a bounty hunter who swaps souls with Princess Alita before, reluctantly defending the realm from supernatural threats. The entire appeal of the series is summed up in the anime’s opening theme– If you dig the video you’ll vibe with the series.
The six-part OVA series may not be as polished as an epic fantasy series like Fate/Zero, however, Murder Princess could be the anime I’ve rewatched the most. The animation might be limited but the directors know how to space out their highly rendered moments for the highest emotional impact.
This is one of the few series where I’d actively recommend watching the dubbed version. Colleen Clinkenbeard is effortlessly badass as the Murder Princess and her smack-talk always cracks me up. Another favorite is Carrie Savage‘s performance as two Gothic Lolita androids. Any time these characters fight, the scenes have the charm of a Saturday morning cartoon but with a bit more blood.
As the series progresses, the show justifies the anachronistic fashion and weaponry used by some of the characters. I’ve seen enough anime that I don’t blink twice at a purple ogre wearing headphones and a studded leather jacket. But Murder Princess uses a unique twist on the fantasy genre to explore why Scifi and fantasy elements can co-exist. There’s a richness to the lore and depth of characters that only becomes fully apparent at the end.
Murder Princess is a series that manages to punch above its own weight and I always enjoy revisiting it. I’d say that 80% of the show’s appeal comes from its Heavy Metal soundtrack. It’s a show that’s infectiously fun. You can hear from the voice actors’ commentary on the final episode that they had a blast working on the series and would love to do more. If Murder Princess gains popularity with a new cult-following, I’d love to see a reboot or spiritual successor.
Murder Princess is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
