[Black Hole]

Princess Principal

Despite a pretty effeminate name, Princess Principal is anything but. The story takes place after a world changing war in 19th Century London, now a city within the super powerful Albion Kingdom. London has split into two sides with a large wall separating the east and west sides of the city. While the war is over, a cold war rages within the distressed populace. Spies, espionage, and deceit are the main weapons used between the two sides and in this story we follow a team of talented, dangerous and very cute spies. Meet Black Lizard Planet:

This all female team is headed by the Princess of London and orchestrated by a team of high ranking government officials who conduct a spy circuit in an attempt to win the cold war within the kingdom. Each team member is an efficient killer, a ruthless intellectual and a master of their craft. Watch as these seemingly cute and harmless girls unleash their specialties in a dark underworld of clandestine affairs in this chillingly smart and clever anime.

My 3 episode opinion:

DISCLAIMER: I HAVE WATCHED ONLY TWO EPISODES AND I AM ALREADY WRITING THIS. The reason?: It's fucking good. So fucking good. So good I'm risking my credibility as a reviewer by jumping the gun and giving a rating right now. I wouldn't say I was hooked at the opening theme, while very nice, visually appealing and very ambiguous (as OPs should be), it wasn't anything SUPER special. No, what got me was how quickly the show jumped into the meat and potatoes of why this show is going to be great. The action and intricacies of every "case", as the anime labels each episode. Within the first two episodes, there were already more lies, deceit and plots twists than I think were in the entire second season of Code Geass. The characters, both the main ones and the antagonists, are all so two-faced and engulfed in secrecy and the art of espionage you have no idea who is who and what is what until the show, at the last few moments of breathtaking suspense, tells you how stupid you've been to not have seen it from the beginning. Now "it" being the resolution of the "case" always comes at the end of a very witty, super clever and evilly underhanded hand plot put together by the Black Lizard Planet team.

So aside from the super twisty case resolutions and super human predictive capabilities of our main team, they art is also very inviting. They've somehow managed to make the characters cute and attractive, all of them, while also being able to include cold-blooded killing, blood, and action without making it feel gimmicky. The character design is original and even the personalities are fresh and intriguing. Ange, for example, the pseudo-star of the show, is a monotone character whom rarely shows emotion. Generally, these characters aren't very personable, hence being monotone. Somehow, Ange manages to have one of the BIGGEST personalities and is an expert of deception with a lot of depth to a character who doesn't show emotion during normal conversation. She can switch on the fly and become a blubbering school girl or even mimic the exact idiosyncrasies of the princess herself. Very interesting character to watch along with pretty much every single other spy in this series.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

The Good

• Very interesting, intricate and original plot.
  
• Intriguing and fresh character design
  
• Beautiful and sharp art style with great action and flow
  
• Super cute killer spy lolis.
  

The Bad

• Seemingly unrealistic predictive ability of the main character.
  

The Ugly

• Nothing
  

My Conclusion and Recommendation

STREAM IT AS IT AIRS

Quite possibly a contender for best anime of the season up there with Made in Abyss and Fate/Apocrphya. With a grand, brain racking plot and case story mixed with great animation and intriguing characters this show is making a case for itself and I highly recommend you pick it up right now, I guarantee you'll enjoy it. Use this thread to discuss further episodes, MAKE SURE TO USE SPOILIER TAGS!

Arcata of GlassReflections First Impressions:

-Prereview and recommendation brought you by Ohtalku Media Group (all written content is original).

[tweety]

I'll be watching it once it finishes airing cos I'm a hoe like that eheh.

[Chubaca]

I have not been matching currently airing anime in a while, but after this recommendation, I'm extremely excited to start watching it as it airs. Hope it does not disappoint.

[Black Hole]

I have not been matching currently airing anime in a while, but after this recommendation, I'm extremely excited to start watching it as it airs. Hope it does not disappoint.

Chewwyyyyyy, what's up man! Been a while!

[DerMensch24]

Hm, I'll think about it considering you're putting your 533 credit on the line as a reviewer ;)

[Black Hole]

Hm, I'll think about it considering you're putting your 533 credit on the line as a reviewer ;)

I think you'll like it. I'm not someone who rewatches stuff but I am highly considering going home after work and re-watching both episodes just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

[Chubaca]

Chewwyyyyyy, what's up man! Been a while!

Heeeey Black Hole, It truly has been a while.

Just watched both episodes. At first, I felt like it was just another damn moe anime trying to be something that it's not. But after watching the first two episodes it has changed my perspective completely. The plot is much bigger than Dorothy's boobs. It is something that truly makes you question what is the truth and what is a lie.

I can now vouch for how good the first two episodes are and I hope that quality stays consistent.

P.S. The opening song is just great 🤗

Spoiler (Click to View)

[Happeh]

Shit sounds amazing. Convinced me hard.

[Angеl]

I do quite enjoy this show, one of the better of the season.

[Crya]

Usually I'm not one to watch airing anime since I go on binges, but I might give this a go. Thanks for this review.

[Zexo]

Cute lolis I'm down any time.

[Mafty Navue Erin]

I was expecting something gay and princessy but this actually sounds interesting.

[rodme]

ooooo I havent watched an anime in a while... let me see how this one is!

[Mafty Navue Erin]

Well that first episode was pretty cool. I love the animation style. I can see this being dubbed in English soon as well.

[Black Hole]

Very glad you guys are looking into it. Post your honest opinions here because I want to make sure I'm not crazy in thinking this anime is as great as it is.