Customer Reviews
Can't recommend it enough, even though the box art is blasphemous... 
2008-08-24
I have to disagree with the Amazon.com reviewer, Charles Solomon, that adolescent girls are the only audience for this show.
I research my anime carefully before watching, and the endlessly positive reviews by adults on this and other sites convinced me that this was worth a try. I'm so glad I did. It's rare to come across a piece of artwork that so elegantly combines classical music, dance and literature with modern art and entertainment styles. Princess Tutu does this without "dumbing down" the classical elements for our modern, uncultured generation. In fact, it's the integrity and fullness of the classical works used in this show that make Princess Tutu so moving. As I watched, I found myself not only engrossed in the well-developed story and characters, but being washed away by the resonant, beautiful music and graceful choreography. The romantic-era music used in this show is highly emotive already, and the creators build on that to add a depth of emotion that couldn't have been achieved otherwise. I'll never be able to listen Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" without thinking of Princess Tutu.
There are definitely some aspects of Tutu that fall into anime stereotypes. A lot of people call this a majou shoujo (magical girl) show. I'm not big into the magical girl thing, and while the whole idea of duck transforming into Princess Tutu fits into that general mold, it didn't really feel like a magical girl anime to me. It felt more like a germanic fairy tale infused with the beauty of ballet and the storytelling inventiveness and artistic styling of anime. Any "weirdness" of the show makes sense when viewed in context of either ballet or the nature of the true plot that is driving this story...
Don't be deceived into thinking you'll be watching a show about a ballerina collecting pieces of heart. That's only one aspect of this multi-faceted tale. And the ending, while so bittersweet it makes you want to hit your head on a brick wall, makes complete sense to me. It couldn't have been any other way.
I've seen a lot of praise for the English dub. It's not bad, but several of the characters are so well voiced in Japanese that watching it in English just made it seem cheesy. My advice is that you watch this one subbed.
On an ending note...
I'm not sure who the graphic artist was for this box set, but numbskulls behind this design should be given 50 lashes and then dipped in boiling Tabasco sauce. And then fired. Forever. The first thing my wife said when we saw the cover was, "It looks like a hooker in a cage." It about ruined it for us. Besides just being plain ugly, it's poorly composed. This box set deserved a lot more. The excellent menus and special features almost make up for it, but not quite. I'm in the process of designing a different cover for my copy. Yes, it bothers me that much.
Glad I got that off my chest.
Not your typical Magical Girl anime! 2008-08-23
I watched this after seeing a few clips that seemed interesting, and although I'm not a fan of "Magical Girl" shows, this is incredible. It has an excellent score (featuring Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Wagner, Beethoven, Dvorak, Saint-Seans, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin...), twines together lots of old fairy tales and legends, and the art (especially the ballet animation) is wonderful. Alternatively off the wall and very serious (none of the 2-cent lessons that you get in other magical girl anime), with dynamic characters who evolve with the story... it's just a shame so many will overlook this because of its genre and title!
Some of the usual magical trappings are there -- a transformation sequence for example, which usually comes towards the end of an episode -- but it's not 24 versions of the same episode plus a conclusion. Sometimes three episodes might share the same formula, but never more than that, and even then the story moves in each episode. How many anime can you say that for, in any genre?
If you love fairy tales, or classical music, or ballet, you owe it to yourself to watch this.
Princess Tutu Rocks 2008-07-21
Absolutely awesome. It's ballet on drugs. Cute and hilarious with the melodramatic air of ballet and the twisted plot of an anime show.
Don't let the name deceive you! 2008-07-01
This is one of the few animes that I've seen that I have really loved, although I remember my skepticism when I first heard of it. What's with the dancing? And the lame name? And the weird costumes? And to be honest, I thought the first few episodes were exceedingly corny and not all that different from every other "magical girl" anime ever created.
But, the strange thing is, as I kept watching it, I found that it is very different. For starters, most animes fall into a pattern of bad thing happens, heroine pops up to solve bad thing, yay happy ending until the next episode. Princess Tutu starts this way--but then it breaks the pattern, and the audience begins to realize, just as the heroine does, that perhaps not all is as it seems.
Here's the basic story: a man named Drosselmeyer began writing a story about a Prince and a Raven, but before he could finish the story, he died--but the characters in the story became sick of not having an ending, so they leapt out of the story and into the town of Goldcrown. When this happens, Drosselmeyer's spirit awakes, and he realizes that, through the people of this town, he can continue his story. There is only one problem: he needs someone to play the role of Princess Tutu, the heroine who saves the Prince. He finds a duck, and he gives her a necklace to turn her into a girl and into Princess Tutu, the ballerina whose destiny it is to love the Prince but never confess that love, lest she turn into a speck of light and disappear.
It may sound strange, but it is a wonderful, deep story, going beyond just the surface of sadness, but into the darker realms of tragedy and despair--and then, in the end, emerging from both. It is a story of fairy tales, of loneliness and tragedy, of destiny and free will, of misconceptions, of doing what you believe is right, of learning you may be wrong, and above all, it is a story of hope.
Oh, if only the ending . . . 
2008-05-28
Hadn't ripped my guts apart. Without major spoilers, I can only try to warn you - it's a sad ending.
The anime as a whole is fantastic, which is why I give it 4 stars. It would have been 5 except for the ending. It's certainly worth owning, but you should be warned that the ending might leave you feeling ripped off.
Imagine if Cruella Deville had gotten her coat of 101 Dalmatians after all . . . or if Darth Vader had come back as a robot and killed Leia and gone on to be buddies with Luke.
Insane right?
After all the build up and hints of great things in store for 'Duck' she gets a rotten outcome. I honestly don't know if I can watch the story again, it certainly won't be for the kinky Drosselmeier character.
You may see that I have reviewed this series elsewhere. For the money, it's a great deal, but don't be blindsided like I was. You will care at the end what happens to the main characters, and what happens at the end just seems purposely cruel. Be warned.
Very Cute - Great for those who are into music or ballet 2008-05-27
A klutzy teen is transformed into a magical ballerina princess, but don't let that fool you! Dark and sophisticated, this modern fairy tale is more Brothers Grimm than Disney!
Princess Tutu 2008-03-31
Princess Tutu is packaged as a kid-friendly anime, but the series contains an emotional under-tow that anyone will be able to appreciate.
In the world of Gold Krowne- Fragmented fairy-tales, ballets, operas, and plays have come to life after the Prince's heart has been shattered. Now, it is up to clumsy Ahiru through the power of the elegant Princess Tutu to give these stories a happy ending. Each episode showcases a specific story and is highlighted by a classical piece of music.
This series has a depth that very few series can compete with. This is accomplished through the "tragic hero" and the correct exercise of classical pieces which add so much tension and drama to the setting. I would highly recommend this series to anyone and it has become one of my top favorites.
Audio: Japanese and English
Subtitles: English
Extra Features: English Dubbing Reel and Bloopers, The Making of..., Soundtrack Information and much more.
A Touching, Peaceful, amazing story 2008-03-20
Princess Tutu lives up to the hype! I kept hearing about how good this show or I should say Story is. It is one of the sweetest, heart pounding, touching but in a way simple Animes ever made!
It's so pretty and it's hard to found words for it, Clean could be a good word?
Each esp is like a breath of fresh air away from the troubles of everyday life.
Princess Tutu's story and music and animation is relaxing, and IMO for 30 mins you're in Princess Tutu's world and most times I didn't want to leave.
I'm a BIG dub watcher and my goodness this Dub is wonderful! =) I've seen Princess Tutu's english VA in many shows and once again she proves that she is an amazing, sweet actress who seems to really love her charcthers.
Princess Tutu thank you for letting me enter your world! ^_^
Princess Tutu 
2008-03-11
This is a good series but a little weird so it wasn't anything super amazing.
A musician's perspective on the BEST shoujo anime out there 2008-02-13
Classical music, ballet, swords, knights, puppets, ducks, and an insane narrator that takes pleasure in destroying precious storyline. What ISN'T there to like about this anime?
....Aside from its title.
Do NOT get turned off by the title!
Princess Tutu follows the story of FOUR characters: Rue, Mytho, Fakir, and Ahiru (called "Duck" in the anime, the translators didn't bother beating around the bush with translating her name).
The dark tones and bittersweet victories make this anime about 400 times better than anything Disney has ever come up with. The chemistry between characters is almost palatable, and by the end of the series, you will be rejoicing at its ending... yet in your heart desiring more. (For those who know the jargon, its like ending a musical piece on a IV chord. It leaves you craving a total resolution, yet satiates you with its hints of a tonic note.)
And the MUSIC! I truly loved the selection of authentic classical music that served as the backdrop to this anime. For those with a finer ear, you will notice times that the creators purpousfully cut a melody at the V chord, and let it hover in the air, as the scene transforms to a darker tone. It is masterfully done, especially since these songs are often recognizable by both the professional and amateur musician. For those that have no experience in music at all- you will STILL recognize much of the music, and the stuff you don't- get your hands on a copy of it.
If you are okay witih a storyline that reveals its truths/history as it progresses, substantial characters, and a soundtrack compiled by the musical geniuses of the past era (and spliced together by musical geniuses of this century,)
then get the anime, and be captivated by its spell.
