You Need to Watch Princess Tutu (Seriously, Yes, I know the name is Stupid)

[@DuchessLizi]

Any given sitcom: she can't tell him she loves him because it would be AWKWARD Princess Tutu: she can't tell him she loves him because God would be so mad that He would remove her from having ever existed.

[@pebblescarpetcat]

Ok now this kinda makes me wanna watch it X'D Just the way you put it

[@familytree81]

wow... I want to watch the anime all over again because of the way you put it

[@niji_banana]

Jokes aside, it's VERY accurate

[@lightdreamer_]

Same stuff in Mermaid Melody. Can't tell the human you love him and you're a mermaid, not because he wouldn't belive you, no, because you will TURN INTO BUBBLES AND FLOAT AWAY

[@cakertaker_1013]

reminds me of a certain Chinese Danmei web novel...

[@xlife.lightx]

A thing I particularly loved about Tutu is how terrible reforming Mythos heart goes in the beginning. Like Tutu is taking back what is considered 'small' emotions (doubt, impatience, etc) but then during The Sleeping Beauty episode, she gets the emotion of fear and this emotion takes over Mythos, who's now terrified of Tutu. I have NEVER seen another Magical Girl where another protagonist is scared of the heroine.

[@faustalexander2585]

That's where I knew this was going to be something else and the story was deeper than it looked. I really loved the themes and I'm glad I managed to watch it to the end.

[@teapartypenguin1353]

I just realized that while Duck is...well... a duck, Rue's story is a lot closer to the tale of the Ugly Duckling. Rue was raised as the Raven King's daughter, and was told growing up that she was an ugly, featherless raven undeserving of love. And so she tried to play her role as the villainous Kraehe to the best of her ability. Yet she's unable to fully commit because of her love for Mytho. But we find out in the end that she's not the Raven King's daughter, she was always a human, but was kidnapped by the ravens as a baby. Rue was never a raven, villain, or Kraehe, she was a human girl named Rue who deserved love the entire time, and she finally gets that in the end. Another interpretation of The Ugly Duckling is that it's about "Finding your people" rather than trying to fit in a box that you never belonged in to begin with (the "duckling" would've been treated right from the beginning if its egg hadn't lost its way). And I think that fits Rue's arc perfectly.

[@mistushipper]

TRUUTH!!! U CAN SAY THAT AGAIN

[@insanefucker]

I love you

[@oximoron613]

One part that isn't exactly mentioned that I love is how in season one Duck goes from loving the prince who is dating Rue to beating Rue in a contest for his love, but then in season two have both girls realize what they really want, having Rue finally earn Mythos love properly and Duck ending up together with Fakir. Its really rare to see a character who has a clear love interest and even beats the villain for his heart, only to realize he isn't the one she wants to be with. And yet, Duck still loves and fights for Mytho the entire time, even when she no longer has romantic feelings for him anymore.

[@uraraka3726]

Yes you have put what I feel into words

[@orangeslash1667]

@@uraraka3726 Get this, I just met Mythos's Voice actor in a convention!!!!!!!!!

[@uraraka3726]

@@orangeslash1667 thats awesome!!!!

[@orangeslash1667]

@@uraraka3726 I was only able to ask him one Question. Which is, what is the safest age recommendation for Princess Tutu and he said 7!!! The charm of Princess Tutu is that it's darker than most kid shows, but at the same time it's not as nightmare inducing as Digimon Tamers😨😨😨.

[@uraraka3726]

@@orangeslash1667 that is so cool that you got to talk to him I'm jelly! Also I think 7 is a pretty good age its not to complicated of a show for children to understand what's going on but is still so deep that when we go back to watch the show we are hit with to complexity of the show.

[@LeeraChan]

I just finished Princess Tutu and I cried. A lot. But I love the ending. And I actually think that out of everything, the relationship between Fakir and Ahiru is what will stay with me the most. How they right from the beginning were on the same side but still stood at opposite end of the room. How he multiple times tries to make clear that he doesn't want to work with her but does it anyway. And how in the end he is the only one who remembers her. I swear to god, the way Romeo and Juliet is implemented in this story too. You might think, yes of course, if Tutu tells the Prince that she loves him she will die and with her gone the Prince won't be able to defeat the Raven, being fated to either shatter his heart again or die himself. But who ends up dancing to Romeo and Juliet?? Ahiru and Fakir. After growing closer with every episode and him finally understanding Ahiru after she tells him how she feels about Mytho he realizes that he does not only care about him, but also about her. And they dance, accepting their fate in this moment. Accepting that the felings that could blossom between them will never be. Because this is not their story. They have to play their parts. Ahiru is just a duck and that is ok. And still, in this moment, he promises her that he will stay at her side forever. I could write even more because man, the true tragedy here is about these two. But in the end they still got a happy end, just not the one we might wish for. They are both still alive, even tho the story fated them to die. Please help me I am very deep into this

[@eowynsisterdaughter]

I really liked the ending, because it was clear from how they framed everything that it isn't over for the characters themselves, their personal story continues, and Fakia is at Ahiru's side writing, meaning there is still more for both of them. With all the emphasis on happy endings, it's very easy for me to see Ahiru being written into a girl again, but I actually like that it's all implied that it's something in hands of the characters themselves now rather than the 'author' Drosselmeyer.

[@tedra3493]

The comment about it not being their story really hit hard for me, when I first watched the anime I was really small, so the whole Duck and Mytho narrative really appealed to me because it was the simplest relationship to follow, but when I watched it again I really saw and understood the parallels between Duck and Fakir. Their automatic need to protect Mytho and allow him to be happy, as well as their fated deaths, put them together in a sort of uncanny sense, and despite the fact that they were at odds and ends for most of the show the ending, thought completely bittersweet left their lives open for them to write together. That part really had me smiling and crying at the end.

[@themoonlight977]

this comment almost made me cry

[@TrickTails]

I thought I was the only one who saw this and loved their relationship with each other despite the bitter ending. Left me crying inside that they couldn't be with each other.

[@renata.a.a.a5290]

do you know where to watch them?

[@elenalopez2906]

From a ballet dancers point of view I just want to say how good the ballet looks for animation even today. A lot of ballet animation is inaccurate or done badly and tutu is so good

[@olivianicholson7957]

I actually felt really at peace with Tutu's ending when I finished it. Drosselmeyer had taken to saying she was "just a duck" whenever she tried to mess with the story to put her down, and the fact that she embraced that form in her final dance and ended the show in it felt like her accepting herself and denying that her being a duck was ever an insult and instead was an affirmation. She is a duck and she still made a difference in a story that had all but condemned her. She doesn't get everything she wanted, but somehow it wasn't so sad.

[@darkkonrad8]

Paused at 25:06 because I got hooked on the story... now i gotta see it

[@Quetzalcoatl-Dragon_97]

It actually made me cry, because I wanted her to end up with the prince.

[@AsrielofRose]

You should read the Manga, it's ending is different than the anime

[@puremltrash2]

@@AsrielofRose nah bro the manga kinda sucks 😭😭

[@vai5831]

As someone who has only watched 30 seconds of the vid, i am...quite confused...but good for her

[@leshyaedawnfire]

I actually found Duck's end to be rather satisfying. No matter how much she went through while a human, at the end of the day she was still just a duck. To be more specific she was a duckling, as those yellow feathers are juvenile plumage. Just because her body was transformed and her thoughts became more complex didn't mean that her "self" actually changed. She was still a duck. She was highly empathetic and incapable of malice in part because her heart was that of a particularly intelligent and empathetic duck. Notice in the opening scene on the lake, she was completely alone. There were no signs of other ducks anywhere in the scene, potentially indicating that Duck was lost or had gotten separated from her mother and siblings. Her simple desire for the Prince to smile may have stemmed from her own loneliness. Then she magically becomes human and is inserted into this world with a new "flock", her friends and classmates. Then she becomes Princess Tutu and is suddenly the heroine of a fairytale. It's an amazing journey, and she's not alone during it. But then she has to give back the heart shard allowing her to be human. It's possible her subconscious reluctance was because not only would she return to being a normal duck, she's potentially also return to being completely alone. And what finally gave her the courage she needed was Fakir's promise to stay by her side and look after her. And at the end, she goes back to being a normal, highly empathetic and intelligent duck, but she's not alone. Fakir keeps his promise, and stays by her side to care for her. I honestly found that really powerful and heartwarming.

[@Thedrunkandhighanimeguy]

All I know is I've been doing the anime thing my whole life and this is a f****** masterpiece I mean from story character design character development I mean every single aspect of this f****** show is just f****** great I mean you're on the edge of your seat the whole f****** time the story keeps you enthralled I mean this is just gold and I honestly would love to a revamp

[@misopheri]

My headcannon was always that Duck, as a duck, was taken in by Fakir and they lived on a farm somewhere until the end of their days. Something short and sweet.

[@SleepingCryptic]

gOD YES

[@BelladonnaJojo]

I always figured that after awhile he figured out how to harness his powers and turn her into a human with no caveats

[@melz4766]

@@BelladonnaJojo yes and then they eventually become very close and live happily ever after and are able to finally read the prince and the raven ending knowing mytho and rue are happy and safe :')

[@WobblesandBean]

I prefer to think that the story he's writing in the final shot is one where she can turn back into a human.

[@mintyfresh2357]

I HCd that since Fakir became a ✨fancy magic author boy✨ he could make her human. If not all the time then some of the time. (I came up with this headcannon when I was pretty little, please ignore the nonsense of it)

[@Tesseract.]

I love how Ouran and Tutu were both made in the early 2000s, and were easily seen as “oh it’s just a romantic comedy and a ballet magical girl”, YET they’re both so much more with amazing characters, stories, and bittersweetness

[@tatltails3923]

oh my god this one comment might be what gets me to rewatch Ouran *again*

[@Tesseract.]

@@tatltails3923 I’ve rewatched that anime more times than I can count lol

[@andreaelizeth]

I love Ouran with all my heart😭💗

[@iPitafish]

Calling Fakir and Rue the divorced couple sharing custody of Muto got me so good XD

[@Hey-Its-Dingo]

Tiny fun fact: His name is spelled Mytho, from the word mythos. As the word mythos was supposed to be pronounced "myutos" not "mithos"

[@mintyfresh2357]

@@Hey-Its-Dingo oh! I knew that was the correct spelling but I did not know that other stuff. Neat

[@orangeslash1667]

@@mintyfresh2357 Get this, I just met Mythos's Voice actor in a convention!!!!!!!!!

[@candicefrost4561]

I felt like Fakir as a character was my first exposure to deconstructing toxic masculinity in the interests of men who, under its one-dimensional expectations, are continuously frustrated, insecure, and desperate for self-expression. Fakir discovering he was meant to be a writer and indulging his more patient, nurturing instincts as he grew instead of acting as an aggressive (if protective) trope was so refreshing. His friendship (quasi-romance?) with Duck felt a lot like how I try to interact with my male friends so they feel they can open up and express the full spectrum of who they are. I could relate to him, and was impressed by his growth, even if I initially disliked his aggressive, brooding/machismo behavior. The notion of challenging roles was well-executed and super relevant, even if I didn’t fully realize this at the time.

[@kateorgera5907]

I've watched the Fakir/Duck Pas De Deux so many times, but I never caught that Fakir was basically pulling a Tutu on Duck by getting her to let go of her heart shard! Gah, the feeeeeels.

[@mlgproplayer2915]

Your comment made me realize that and I'm in the verge of crying right now. How I never noticed that?!

[@una_panthera9820]

I think another fairy tale it draws inspiration from is the little mermaid, also by hans christian andersen. In the original, the mermaid has to either cut out the prince’s heart or turn into seafoam - and due to her love for him, she sacrifices herself and becomes seafoam.

[@Speedyolrac]

And because it is Tutu I cried. Seeing Fakir and Duck at the end always gets me.

[@niyah0806]

RIGHT!? No matter how much i watch it u always end up a sobbing mess looking for fix-it fanfics

[@spoopybat7880]

Every time I see them dancing it's instant waterworks 😭

[@kris_creations1338]

@@niyah0806 best “fix it fic” I’ve read is “This Pendent Heart” as it feels like a realistic “post canon” fic and I head canon it as the true ending!

[@nurafifaharief9992]

@@kris_creations1338 may i know where you read it?

[@thewitchprince8887]

@@nurafifaharief9992 you can just search "This Pendent Heart Princess Tutu" go to the wiki page and click to one of the links~ :)

[@ScyllaLady]

Having grown up with the story of the ugly duckling, I always thought of it more like; the duckling was mistreated not because he was ugly but because he was surrounded by the wrong crowd? and thus the ducks made fun of him for not adhering to their standard (of beauty). But once the duckling grows into himself, he finds the right crowd- the swans- and thus he is beautiful-- and like, I feel as though duck fits into that idea because at the end of the day she was literally just a duck, so she was a clumsy dancer and an awkward human and ridiculed/ put down for that. And then once she finally overcomes the desire to be something she isn't, and allows herself to go back to being a duck, she can finally be in the state that she can flourish in. But maybe that's just how i interpreted everything with the way my dad told the fairytale idk

[@Cloverfr]

I don't understand that interpretation, I mean, people that bully you for X or Y reason can't exactly be called a good crowd of people, they were bad and that's why they feel comfortable bullying the ducking for being ugly to them.

[@nikkialkema1032]

I also read it like that.

[@Carewolf]

That is my reading as well. The most accepted reading by academics is that it is an allegory for H.C.Anderson's own life, where he never fit in anywhere, coming from a poor background, but spending most of his life with nobility telling fairy tales to their children, but never being respected due to his poor birth, and of course his problems with his sexuality, which was probably either gay or asexual. The ending is his wish to find where he belong and is accepted, which he never found in real life.

[@daisybrain9423]

Wait a minute. Is this... is this technically a reverse Isekai?

[@Noralities]

......this comment hit me like a ton of bricks

[@Gleamiarts]

@Box Comet it's a bot, pay it no heed

[@Achiru]

OMG!!! That’s an amazing thought

[@karentorresalfaro3371]

Please explain

[@daisybrain9423]

​@@karentorresalfaro3371 Characters and things from Drosselmeyer's fantastical story came from the storybook world into ours.

[@MVPerry]

Super nostalgic series for me

[@magicalgirlanime_and_bfdi4ever]

You know it too?! Nice!

[@genesischaparro8954]

Everyone is gay for Mytho Everyone is lesbian for Rue Obviously they're meant for each other

[@whythont9395]

I m not mytho is bland a f

[@mthgutz9823]

I don't care about Mytho, but I'm a big simp for Rue-

[@kk-bn7sg]

Ok but like, Fakir

[@liseegeskov8769]

Mytho is boring though

[@mudbucket1354]

i shipped rue and ahiru

[@ageridthesilverdragon4440]

Fakir and Duck was always my ship when i saw it the first time

[@Schwa_]

Yessss same 🙌😻

[@lauramcastro4897]

"You aren't HELPING, Fakir" = the Fakir fan S1 experience in a nutshell

[@kris_creations1338]

I had heard about people loving Fakir before watching the show, so I was super confused as to why in the first 10-ish episodes 😅

[@marcus_priavinga1251]

@@kris_creations1338 me too i was hella confused

[@kinocrone7275]

@@kris_creations1338 I gotta admit that Fakir was the reason I ended up watching the show. I'd heard good things but the art and the character design wasn't appealing to me at the time. But there was something about Fakir. Thank god for that because Princess Tutu is easily in my top ten. And yes, he made me angry most of the time at first, but he just interested me a lot.

[@missbeans]

I hated him and then I loved him by the series end 😂

[@shireenrazak7160]

@@missbeans HAH SAME

[@ladyaya99]

I honestly adored Princess Tutu. It was absolutely one of my favourite animes. To me the end is bittersweet, but also hopeful because of the fact that Fakir is also a Drosselmeyer descendant so he has the ability to be a storyteller and rewrite her into a human again. I would love to hear your full thoughts on Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch and Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure.

[@orangeslash1667]

I'm interested!!!!!!!

[@youranamvs8351]

Yeah I hope he can too

[@orangeslash1667]

@@youranamvs8351 Who's he????

[@msfthe1st117]

Princess Tutu, also known as the show about a crew of raging bisexual ballet dancers.

[@gota7738]

That's the most on point description I've seen of this show.

[@okamy7641]

Me: :OOOO Also me: So that's why so bi now I watched princess tutu when i was little and these recent years I've become more open to who i am and my sexuality, so knowing that the anime i adored watching when i danced ballet myself made me the person i am today makes me happier and prouder.💗💜💙

[@manonscialfa3888]

@@okamy7641 brooo same im so bi now

[@marsh2920]

@@okamy7641 EXACTLY SAME HERE my sister has been rlly into anime and wanted to get me into anime when i was little, so she saw princess tutu somewhere and was like "oh my little sister's into a ballet she'll love this" little did she know im now a raging bisexual transmasc and i blame this anime for all of it lolol it just makes me smile to think abt

[@SprinkleMyDoughnuts]

Honestly I shipped Ahiru and Rue so hard as a child 😭

[@MaidaRec]

of course this anime hit different because i watched it as a little girl hyperfixated on the ballet. however, it hits even more after having background knowledge of each ballet it references, and how it plays into individual episode themes. there's so much to think about in princess tutu, and I would do anything to watch it for the first time again.

[@Kafoo_X]

I would like to say that Princess Tutu isn't just amazing for its characters and plot, but also for good ballet representation. The animation of how the characters move their bodies is mostly accurate to real ballet dancers, and the show accurately portrays how physically and mentally hard ballet is. Rue isn't the best because she's the teacher's pet, but because she actually works really hard, and when pushed to her limit, Rue falls down. Duck/Ahiru is always threatened with probationary class because she's always thinking about other stuff (that is plot related, but does not help her dancing), and not focusing on her technique. As for Fakir and Mytho, they really show how to be "masculine" while still being a ballet dancer. I've been doing ballet for most of my life, and the ballet aspect is what I fell in love with first when I watched Princess Tutu. Since Princess Tutu introduced lots of people to ballet and classical music, I would highly suggest supporting local ballet companies and schools if you are now interested in ballet.

[@mistushipper]

i definitely am!! i’m hoping to watch a ballet performance once in my lifetime bc it’s interesting to say the least :33

[@abee948]

yes!!!! one thing i really loved is showing th girls struggle at their first time going on pointe. It makes sense for Tutu to not feel any pain, and Rue and the older girls to be used to it, but it's a detail I really liked. And I really loved that you could tell they put so much research into ballet mime and culture!!

[@ariyuril]

Man, I've already seen the series and cried when I watched it happen, but the section with Ahiru struggling to accept that she needs to give up her humanity and Fakir helping her STILL made me cry again. Also I totally missed how Fakir was helping her like Tutu would, so thanks for giving me that perspective!

[@ButterflyDivide]

Holy shit! Someone else actually knows about Princess TuTu?! This anime got so complex despite it being rather childish. It tackled dark themes that my little eight year old self couldn’t understand, but I took a strong interest in it regardless! This was my childhood and holy hell did watching this video bring back memories! This was actually my first ever serious anime I ever watched, and boy do I NOT regret a thing.

[@awesomepig8221]

It might be my favorite anime!

[@i_respectfully_donut_care3877]

Same Princess tutu was the first anime I have ever watched and not many people know about it.

[@TeacupTempest]

I absolutely love this anime! It was amongst the first I watched in it's entirely and every so often, I have to come back to it. If you're into that sort of thing a youtuber named Teeaboo did a reaction/analysis of it not too long ago. It was nice to see someone else's perspective.

[@nadiaarsenijevic8594]

I'm so shocked other people know it!! Like it was my first encounter with anime ever and it always kinda felt like a completely unknown thing!

[@stereogrl]

same! i completely adore this anime, and it’s such a complex, beautiful story and concept yet so underrated??? it was one of my childhood animes and will always hold a special place in my heart

[@xoxo2715]

I remember watching Princess Tutu!! My favorite character was Miss Edel. I legit cried so much when she died. But the anime was a masterpiece, and I hope more people watch it, it's my all time favorite anime!!

[@helenadeerest2000]

[cups my hands to be a megaphone] POLY OR DEATH

[@Quetzalcoatl-Dragon_97]

Mood.

[@Cilibi]

Finally SOMEONE understands

[@anshiel]

YES

[@knightelm]

WE STAN HEALTHY POLYAMORY

[@baronvonkrogglesteiniii5310]

The depth of this story never ceases to amaze me. Every one of these poor kids has so much going on, but it all comes from somewhere. Even Mytho rings true in his hollowness at the beginning. You broke your heart into tiny pieces and threw them away one by one until you were finally able to cope with the feeling that you have no control over your life? That sounds pretty familiar to the depression community. I viscerally feel his regrowth arc every time, because the worst part about going numb is coming out of it.

[@courtneycalvert185]

Princess Tutu is honestly one of the most complex and gorgeous magical girl anime ever. It’s my favorite anime of all time, it deserves so much more recognition

[@Tioko]

38:00 Wait, what? I always interpreted the moral of “The Ugly Duckling” differently. It’s not that the duckling had to change in order to be accepted. It’s that society isn’t always right, and you shouldn’t base your self-worth on what people around you say. The farm birds he grew up with were ignorant and toxic. They measured him by duck standards, and by duck standards, he was ugly. But he’s never been a duck, he was always a swan. He was never ugly to begin with. And the duckling didn’t change, he just grew up. He didn’t go through character development. Just the realization that “Wait, I’m not a duck, I’m a swan! Everything makes sense now!” And the other swans accept him not because he’s “beautiful”, but because he is one of them. Like... finding like-minded individuals for the first time in your life. The farm birds, however, are just as ignorant as ever: they see surface-level beauty of a swan and admire it, not even realizing that it’s the same ugly duckling they’ve been abusing his whole life. But this perception of “swan = beauty” is not a prerequisite of acceptance. It’s just an added bonus. If anything, The Ugly Duckling describes Rue and her perception of “being an ugly crow”.

[@sabrinaking1873]

From what I gather in the prologue segments in the beginning of each episode, the story of the Prince and the Raven goes as follows: There once was a prince who loved everyone and was loved by everyone, and his subjects became jealous, wanting the prince to love and acknowledge only them, to make them feel special and be the one to hold a place in his heart. Then an evil raven who draws power and nourishment from hearts appeared and took advantage of the jealous subjects, feeding off their bitterness as he pecked at their hearts. The prince tried to save his people, but could not, as his actions fueled the people's feelings and gave the raven more power. The raven decides he wants to devour the prince's heart next, believing it'll be the most delicious of all. The night tries to defend the prince and fails. Maybe Tutu shows up to provide hope and encouragement to the prince in an otherwise hopeless situation, her confession of love giving him the strength to carry on. Ultimately this leads to the duel between the Prince and the raven that never ended.

[@brittney4o85]

“Two bros living in the same dorm In a state of undress Tucking him into bed Gently caressing his face” ... a missed opportunity to put in head there. :,3

[@HotNerdGlasses]

I'm going to rewatch Princess Tutu now, there's so much complexity I missed watching it as a kid- especially now that my entire degree is focused on literary analysis and storytelling. I love stories about stories, that layering is just... chef's kiss! 0 v0

[@Jikkuryuu]

You've probably at least heard of it, but the original novel form of the Neverending Story surprised me with this. It's a story about a boy and a magical book, sure. It's also a story about the creative process itself: finding inspiration, taking the first step and actually creating something, the way creativity is fueled by our experiences, "do the research", and even a kind of tongue-in-cheek lesson on the importance of editing (or at least you can read it that way). And not a word of it is literal. Just a boy, a magical book, a Childlike Empress, and a hero.

[@hellsunderpaidjanitor8270]

Fakir: I love Mytho like a brother Kraehe: if my brother looked at me like that I would call the cops

[@zainmudassir2964]

Unless in Alabama. The cops would be at the wedding

[@angelan5962]

If princess tutu gets a reboot I will die a happy person.

[@petraleong]

I want a reboot to get new eyes on this beautiful series. But then again I feel like Princess Tutu is perfect the way it is. For me, the animation, the style, fits the story it is telling. As much as I love more Princess Tutu content, I'm more afraid they will spoil it with a reboot.

[@othersideofthescreen6245]

@@petraleong Yeah, I'd love to see this series be brought back but the nostalgic feel that older anime have fits the fairy tale aesthetic of Princess Tutu perfectly so I'm ok either way.

[@simmi6348]

I agree about getting more eyes on the anime but this is prob the only anime i wouldn't want to get reboot bc the art style and just everything about it fits just too perfectly and want ppl to watch that instead

[@angelan5962]

@@simmi6348 I just wish more people knew about this hidden gem

[@midamasceno7610]

I mean, if it's done correctly, who *won't* die happily???

[@SEELE-ONE]

38:06 in fact, that is probably the *real* message Andersen wanted to convey. When you read his biography and the context in which every one of his stories is written, you notice that most deal with a character that is not happy with who they are but that is accepted after changing. He probably resented that from society and as you put it, accepting someone for who they are is quintessential for healthy human interaction

[@acatthatmakeseclairs]

even after this video, that selfish part of me still wants Ahiru to become a human again.

[@cometmcfurry7299]

I mean, I can’t blame you, I felt very sad for the ending.

[@midamasceno7610]

I don't blame you, part of me also wants haha

[@Someguyhere111]

I just like to imagine Fakir wrote one final story, where he uses a piece of his heart to make a new pendant that lets her become a girl again

[@WobblesandBean]

I refuse to believe anything other than Fakir is writing a proper ending in the final scene, one where Duck is able to become human again.

[@AmyoftheFlowerField]

@@Someguyhere111 I'm just imagining a whole season where Fakir does this, but the part of his heart he gave up contained his memories and affection for Duck. So the entire season/movie or whatever is spent with them re-falling in love.

[@starcookiechu1918]

As a bisexual, I have never seen Fakir as bi. Personally it was very affectionate and brotherly that wasn't afraid of physical affection, which makes me feel valid of how I show my affection. Also its funny how you didn't mention Fakiru which is like mainly accepted by the entire fandom lol

[@jellojayfire7]

I love Fakiru! I would have liked to see her talk about them.

[@username4735]

I'm bi too. Always saw him as gay/bi. Never could see him and duck as a couple tbh

[@jillforbesforbes2873]

I never really saw fakir as gay and I also am a really big fan of fakir and duck getting together

[@Cilibi]

I mean that’s the bi part in this interpretation - that Fakir’s tragically in love with Mytho the same way as Duck is, the bond over their mutual experiences and get closer, and through that they fall for each other. Not saying you’re wrong, just pointing out the thought process

[@gummibears27]

I love Fakir and Ahiru’s relationship. I think he may have had some feelings for Mytho, but he was very much in love with Ahiru by the end of the series. Then when she became a duck again, her and Fakir had an unconditional love relationship.

[@natal_bb3700]

OH MY GOSH SOMETHING RECENT ABOUT PRINCESS TUTU?!! I LOVED THAT ANIME SO MUCH KJDKFJDKF

[@kris_creations1338]

For those who may be dissatisfied with the ending, I recommend the fanfic “This Pendent Heart”. It’s a pretty believable “Post-Canon” fic and tugs at my heart so much but I love it and head canon it as the true ending!!!

[@aquaclouds8282]

Commenting so I can be reminded to read it later after I finish the second half of Princess tutu

[@courtneycalvert185]

My favorite thing about the ending was that the writers intentionally left it a bit ambiguous. Drosselmeyer says that the story is far from over and that, paired with the fact that Fakir stated that he would be writing the story instead, it left us wondering what was to come and we know that our characters would go on to create their own stories. At least that’s how I saw it.. I like to think that Fakir goes on an epic quest to bring Duck back, maybe gets in a conflict with those creepy Bookmen that tried to chop his hands off! The thing that stings the most was that I wished Duck and Fakir got to be together canonically. But because of the ambiguous ending, they are canon in my heart and that’s enough for me 🥲💕

[@saraluciaforerogarcia]

Yes!!, I always tought it implied that Fakir would turn Duck into a human again

[@mellodees3663]

I loved how all the character's actions were actually the kind of motions used in real ballet to communicate actions.

[@handel2502]

I like to think of Rue and Fakir as more siblings fighting over a favorite toy but that's because I rather like the theory of those two being siblings. Mostly because...yeah Drosseylmyer would write out another person who could potentally control the story as "raven."

[@PerfectPride]

I love that theory too. Not sure how well it works(age-wise, unless they were twins?????), but Rue was stolen away from her family so it's not totally IMpossible.

[@strwbrrydevi]

So you may know this but in the manga version which I think came after the anime, They do a switch and Rue ends up with Fakir and Duck with Mytho… i wasn’t a fan of that

[@lizabethh4070]

I like how you said you bc they really did treat mytho like one especially rue even till the very end she was like “you can only love me” I also love rues character btw

[@thefungiwhisperer2313]

Noralities: You can't just watch it in a day or two Me, who literally just watched the entirety of it in two days so that I could watch this video: **Intense sweating**

[@mistushipper]

NO CAUSE AS SOON AS I FINISHED THIS VIDEO THATS EXACTLY WHAT I DID

[@Himewna]

I haven't finished watching yet I just want you to know I yelled when I saw the title of this video and got BIG HAPPY FLAPPY HANDS. Princess Tutu was my hyperfixation anime I recommended to everyone prior to loving Utena. It holds SUCH a special place in my heart and it makes me SO happy to see it getting attention. Also the title of the show is perfect and that's a hill I'll die on. Edited Post Watch: I love Tutu so Much 😭😭😭 for real after this I busted out the DVD’s and spent the rest of the day rewatching my favorite episodes. This show is so special. Thank you for taking the time to talk about it.

[@doeblackerby5203]

!!!! Tutu is absolutely the BEST hyperfixation I have/have had. It's so beautiful and kind and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@annawaite5527]

I definitely think there's a line crossed with the season 1 finale with Duck taking power for herself rather than playing the part given to her that would explain not having to be prompted to transform anymore. And I love the ending. Fakir's line about how it's okay to be themselves is probably my favorite moment in the whole show. You get so few shows that say that (at least, that say it and mean it). You escape the fairy tale trap by loving the real world, even when it's not as cool or flashy or tragic or whatever.

[@maxfight5744]

I literally watched this after you talking about Dr.Stone and ascendance of a bookworm. I freaking love princess tutu

[@mbncd]

As a writer who always felt like I was recording what the characters wanted to do instead of telling them what to do, I absolutely ADORED the whole concept of fighting the writer in this show. I ranted and raved about Princess Tutu to anyone who would listen but no one cared. The kindest responses were "that's a show for 5yr olds" while the most cynical said "that's not even a real anime! It's just Japan's propaganda to get kids into ballet so the country can have something more Western to boast about internationally." No one seemed to care about the stories or characters and it made me really sad... I've shared this video so maybe someone who didn't see how great this show was from my talking about it or from the first episode or two will see how great it really was. Thank you for making this video ^_^ By the way, what are your pronouns? I always just say "they"/"them" until I know for sure.

[@Hakaru]

This is probably the most in-depth Tutu video I've seen so far, especially the part about character relationships. You really did a good job conveying the bonds and dynamics of the main cast. I recently made a video all about the meta-literary aspects of Princess Tutu so I'm glad that you also mentioned the meta angle as it's my favorite part of the show and something that people don't talk about enough. Anyway, good job.

[@eiwhaz-tina6528]

People think that the true romance was the love triangle. But to me the true romance happened between Fakir x Ahiru. God I love them so much...

[@SecretIdentityStudio]

This is probably the best Princess Tutu video I've ever seen. I love how you get into the context around it as well as deep into all the layers of the story itself.

[@Woooooooohooo]

I watched this anime at 13 and it absolutely wrecked me. I'm 26 now and I STILL am not over how it ended. I was upset for a full week after I finished it.

[@nalanishintani2540]

Ikuko Itoh did, at least, at some point, express interest in writing a third season, so it says that if nothing else, she actively thinks of these characters from time to time. Recently Princess tutu got a re-release with new artwork by Itoh, as well. I think Princess Tutu ended perfectly. Even if some part of me will always wish Duck could have remained a girl, I also know that the ending it received was the most profound. But I can't help but wonder anyway about what Itoh thinks would be a hypothetical continuation. tbh one thing I keep thinking is that I almost, ALMOST want an actual ballet made of princess tutu, even though i recognize an adaptation like that would be extremely difficult to pull off well. Rather, it fascinates me how Princess Tutu draws from real ballet and even is structured like an actual ballet (Act 1, Act 2, the presence of background dancers). I always wonder what literature professors or ballet teachers would think of this story, and I think that goes to show how brilliantly written it was. Princess Tutu was more than an anime, it is a work of art that transcends genre and medium. I always love meta essays and discussion on princess tutu, so thanks for putting this video together. I always want more people to get a chance to experience this story.

[@tatltails3923]

Duuuuude a Princess Tutu ballet would be so cool!! Yes hard to pull off with the special effects but SO COOL if they could!

[@Erikari]

I always thought of that, we have the chapter of the egg, and the chapter of the chick, if does feel like there should be something after it. It still is fine as it is. (also what new re-release?? where?? omg)

[@rowtree]

Former ballet teacher here, and I love it. I started watching it because it is so hard to find anatomically accurate art of ballet dancers. One thing that I don't know if many viewers realize is how much of Princess Tutu is also based on The Nutcracker. Drosselmeyer is straight out of that, plus the german feeling of the town, and more, depending on which interpretation of the Nutcracker you are familiar with.

[@crocodileman94]

@@rowtree Not to mention the soundtrack.

[@nalanishintani2540]

@@rowtree I knew Drosselymeyer was based on a nutcracker character! There are so many classic ballet references in this show and I love it so much. I love how a lot of the story is informed by other ballets and fairytales (chiefly Swan Lake, of course) and actually incorporates music and routines from those shows. It really is a collage/love letter to Ballet as an art form. Obviously there would probably be licensing issues for an adaptation to be made but I'm serious when I say I hope to see a real ballet made out of this story one day, even if its just for a single show run or something.

[@rainphee]

princess tutu is my favorite anime of all time- i could wax poetic about it for hours. it’s genuinely an incredible piece of art that is a masterful lampooning of fairy tale tropes while making a deep, original story. i would really recommend it to anyone, it’s incredibly powerful and moving and it’s resonated with me since the moment i saw it.

[@juv7751]

ngl, still headcanoning Fakir writing a new story for Duck.

[@mkg2124]

I think most people have that headcanon including me

[@WobblesandBean]

Saaaaaaame

[@theyakkoman]

Just rewatched this show. Freaking love it. Second only to Cowboy Bebop in my opinion. I grew up on a steady diet of both Disney movies and other retellings of classic fairy tales, and I became a mythology buff early. So this meta, almost Neil Gaiman-esque decon- AND reconstruction of classic fairy tale tropes and stories in general is right up my alley. And this time rewatching it I was reminded of a lot of other interesting and complex characters that I adore and admire that I could see in Ahiru (Duck). First, we got super-heroes. This is, from what I understand, a staple in Magical Girl anime but the secret identity thing is very Superhero for me. Ahiru reminded me a lot of Peter Parker/Spider-Man with her strong sense of doing what's right, even though it messes up her private life (and sends her back to probation class). There was also a lot of Clark Kent/Superman, in that one side is this clumsy human but the other is an ideal and graceful hero. Also a bit of Iron Man and Thor (when he had the Donald Blake alter-ego) in that "Who am I without the powers"? She also reminded me a bit of Cyrano de Bergerac, in how she pushed for Rues and Mythos relationship because she just wanted them to feel happy. And, of course, we got the Duck connection. Ahiru is a Duck who has all the bad luck, yet she doesn't give up. Which to me gives her a direct relationship to another famous unlucky aquatic bird who once said that "These Ducks don't back down." Both Donald Duck (especially in DuckTales 2017 (my favourite western animated tv-show)) and Ahirus greatest strength, aside from whising to protect their loved ones, is that they don't give up. Ahiru keeps dancing, and in doing so gives the Prince more hope giving him the inner strength to save the princess and defeat the Raven. "Fortuna Favet Fortibus" is often translated as Fortune Favors the Brave, but that's not an entirely correct translation. Fortibus is closer to Fortitude (having the same root in "fortis"), a type of enduring courage that allows a person to persevere. I.e. not giving up. And that is a virtue that both Ahiru and Donald (and the rest of the Duck family) share. And I love them for it.

[@tedra3493]

This anime goes SO hard and no one in my life will watch it because of the name.

[@DeadMech1]

Yeah you hear the title and think it's going to be a show for literal babies. I don't think I would have ever have heard of it if not for stumbling across a random AMV for it. I don't watch allot of magical girl anime, haven't even seen Utena. But I always throw this on lists when people ask for recommendations.

[@keona5560]

@@DeadMech1 it was the hall om mig amv wasn't it. It came up for me after first watch and I still listen to the song

[@DeadMech1]

@@keona5560 It was, yes.

[@brittanyg7700]

I remember watching Princess Tutu as a teenager, but I definitely don't remember it having this much of an impact. Thanks for the nostalgia!

[@whiskeyii]

Not to rain on your parade about being accepted for what you are, but in 2006, I attended Ushicon where Itoh was a guest, and through a translator she mentioned offhand how she likes to think that Fakir is working on becoming a good enough storyteller to make Duck a girl again, though to be fair, I think she viewed it more in an Earn Your Happy Ending kind of thing rather than a "congrats, you've leveled up enough to qualify as a Human!"

[@tkarina829]

Most anime who change my life & still adore to this day, the character of Ahiru really open up my perspective abt being selfless & never let your weakness make you helpless..I really watch Princess Tutu over & over again without being tired of it, even till this day I hope there's a reboot of this lovely anime

[@dcdrafts]

your crops may be dry, but you have watered the crops of every other tutu fan on this earth with this video. thank you for spreading the good word. also the entire "two bros" bit DESTROYED me. i forgot how gay the show is in reality, but it was nice to have a reminder of the fact that there really is a solid basis for me shipping these kids in a big ol love quadrangle haha. very validating. honestly i just wish tutu had even half the success of utena just so there could be more solid content like this. what i wouldn't give for a Tutu equivalent of the Empty Movement site so I could read about & understand all of the ballet/classical music/fairy tale/etc references that flew over my head...!!!! honestly outside of a couple ancient livejournal entries & some excited rambling with an old tumblr friend i never ever see anyone analyzing the show at all, so i'm especially glad to have this now :^) thanks for the delicious food. also, glad i just happened to stop by to rewatch the "therefore you and me" video yet again tonight so i could get in on this video nice and early!! (ps: if anyone knows of a good tutu discord server PLEASE TELL ME, i want to find other people to cry about ducks with)

[@ranoko4106]

Kinkan Town should be publicly visible I think? It's the server I'm part of.

[@dcdrafts]

@@ranoko4106 Hmm... It might be private, I can't seem to find it through discord or disboard

[@pewpewpew1834]

This is my comfort anime. I don’t usually rewatch anime, but boyyyyy I rewatched this one so much

[@isabelab.s.p.1727]

I love tutu so much. I’ve rewatched it recently and I just. I love it. The meta narrative!! The idea of people defying the roles that have been set out to them! The idea of characters rebelling against the writer because they don’t want to play out a tragedy! They want to live and be happy and save the people they love! And there is also the fact that I’ve danced ballet for four years in my childhood and it holds a dear place in my heart and I love to see how princess tutu takes elements of many classic ballets and waves it into the story. Also I can’t believe you skipped duck’s and fakir’s relationship in the character relationships segment >< (this is not a serious criticism don’t worry, I loved everything you said there). I love those two together so much and the way they develop feels so genuine and I never realized that the scene of them dancing in the lake of despair was fakir doing to duck what she always does as princess tutu until you pointed that out and then I almost cried. I haven’t been so invest in a heterosexual ship in a long while, maybe because it’s not really a het ship, since they are BOTH bisexual disasters (the way she is with rue? The episode with Freya?!?! Duck is so bi) Anyway, amazing video thank you for more princess tutu content in my life ^^

[@akhazel9537]

Oh yes I remember watching it a few years ago and to this day it's at the top of my list (one of the best that I've ever watched). I'm glad it's getting more recognition!

[@Blairwolfvt]

Princess Tutu was a huge influence on me back in the day. It definitely gave me a taste for theatric tragedy.

[@Everythingwillsurelybealright]

I had to stop watching because you sold me on this series SO HARD that I need to just go watch it. Thank you so much for the incredible recommendation. I can’t wait to come back and finish this video once I’m done!

[@linnlevenstam5490]

Bittersweet endings. In my mind the story was always clearly a tradgedy, it is stated as sutch by Drosselmier multiple times, and the tension came from the characters trying to defy that fate and ultimately taking back their agency and forging their own fate. The ending is still tragic but it is tradgic because the characters choises and not because Drosselmier wrote it so.

[@CacaoColao]

I have watched Princess Tutu so many times and I will probably watch it again because of this video not gonna lie, but 16:20 killed me BECAUSE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MERMAID MELODY DOES AND I AM SOBBING LMAO

[@QueenoftheHorizon]

So happy to see a Princess Tutu analysis! I've always loved this anime and my appreciation for it has only grown as I have. I believe the creator has stated they don't want a reboot, as they're quite proud of and protective of Princess Tutu as it is. They still have these small showings of it in Japan with very limited exclusive merch as I understand it. Still, I'd love something to get it back in the public consciousness! A HD anniversary release... a new manga adaption... something to get people talking!

[@missbeans]

Yes!! I don't want a reboot because it's already perfect as-is! But I'd love a re-release, bonus content, merch, etc.

[@BuzzleBee]

Hi! Thank you for making this video. I found this show with I was about 13 as I was scrolling early Netflix and FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. And while we may not get a reboot, movie or what have you, there is a fan made series called Princess Tutu Zwei. And it genuinely warms my heart that there are still people finding this show, falling in love with it, and making things for it. (And not to toot my own horn, but I was also lucky enough to get cast in Princess Tutu Zwei after I binged all the episodes lol)

[@I_Am_Spacebacon]

See in my opinion it could be fakir being queer as bisexual saying that but also as someone who's studied alot about knights in my opinion I think he acts as more of a servant and loyal follower and friend

[@Animezingly]

I always thought the point of the ugly duckling was that the swan growing up was a metaphor for inner beauty. That to a swan, he would have always been beautiful (You find your own children beautiful) but the ducks who were cruel couldn't see that because he was different from them. So when he grew up he in a sense gained a voice, and could show that inner beauty to everyone, and then they realized how shallow they were. Something like that.

[@Joniness]

Oh no this made me cry. I just love Duck so much!!! She's honestly my inspiration to be a better person. Thank you for making this video it's what this show deserves.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"Let's start at the very beginning." Yes, it's a very good place to start.

[@stringcheese796]

Ah fuck. Now I've been dragged back into this and I'm gonna cry again. I haven't watched this I was 11 but apparently these feelings never went away.

[@Deadcat323]

Same, idk what it is about this show in particular that makes me so emotional??

[@IvyDarkRose]

I remember seeing the name and some of the art for tutu and being like UGH this is defiantly for little kids/ a comedy. It was an AMV years later that made think "you know, i'll just watch it I need something to cheer me up." Those knowing the story... it is not any kind of comedy. Boy was that a twist for younger me. On another note, it reeeeaallly made me want to do Ballet.

[@therotryzit]

I think the ending threw people off because it goes against the western desire for freedom and choice versus japanese's value in conformity and "knowing your place in the world". So Duck is very much that, in the end she stayed true to who she is rather than playing a role she had to play because someone else wanted her to.

[@SalamanderTeeths]

As a writer, this was my absolute favorite manga/anime. It spoke to my souuullll.

[@animal2808]

what the hell. i literally just finished watching this the other day, and was struggling to find videos about it. your timing is immaculate.

[@lkriticos7619]

13:05 Oh lol, don't you love how the romanticisation of violence in media has gotten to a point where 'throwing hands if they need to' is so easily equated to 'violence is always wrong and can never be condoned ever'? I love Avatar and I love that they found an end that wasn't murder. I love that Aang doesn't kill people. But none of the characters in that show are pacifists or consistently non-violent.

[@seqka711]

I definitely think they portrayed Fakir that way on purpose. Like Rue and Ahiru, he too was obsessed with Mytho. I hear you about guys being afraid of being mistaken for gay if they're too close, but in my opinion, people will think that about any "platonic" relationship that appears too close. Heaven forbid a guy and a girl have any kind of platonic relationship. Friends and family WILL accuse them of sleeping together. Same with two girls, if they're close enough. My family has definitely pulled me aside and given the whole "if you're dating them, you can tell us, you know we don't judge" spiel with me and my bff. To me, it's a double standard. Either we stop shipping any pairing that's not explicitly confirmed, or we ship pairings regardless of gender. If Fakir was a girl, there'd be "no doubt" that he was into Mytho. So considering whether or not he's into Mytho isn't problematic IMO.

[@carlosd3884]

I just started the video, but I just wanted to say that I started watching the anime (Princes Tutu) because of your recomendaiton on the Nanami video and OMG, I really loved the anime!! Thank you so much!

[@ame7919]

i'm so happy that people are talking about princess tutu in 2021. it's such a good anime!!

[@mwah.0]

i just finished watching princess tutu for the first time in my life (ik am rllyyy late but anyways) the end made me so sad for days it wasnt even comprehensible honestly idk if i will ever come to terms with it but as u said it was the one we needed and the way u explained it was lit the best way to describe it

[@misopheri]

Even as a child I thought that they were all equally perfect for each other, no matter the match. I think the anime has major undertones, maybe overtones. But they're always easily written off as another type of love. I mean come on, at first, you kind of expect everyone to be in love with Muto, even Fakir.

[@lapislazuli3738]

thank you so much for this!! i never thought anyone would talk about princess tutu. i really loved this anime. it was really poetic and beautiful.

[@a_bun7981]

The ending of the video about the lack of Tutu content is such a mood T^T Princess Tutu is my #1 favorite anime, so thank you for providing this for our extremely small fandom

[@camilaGMW]

I found a very cute video os the behind the scenes recording for the princess tutu finale, and the voice actor for Duck was SOBBING

[@natalieb.9319]

Finally someone talks about Princess Tutu! Thank you!

[@Kinoakim]

So happy to see someone talking about Tutu in 2021. I’ve loved it since I first saw it in 2007 and it has only grown in my affection over the years. I even made the Tutu pilgrimage to Nordlingen finally in the fall of 2019 (thankfully before COVID Hit) I love Tutu so much that just you talking about the ending got me teary eyed as I listened at work. I really wish it was more well known today too.

[@desuMaKun]

Once upon a time there was a man who died~ damn I need to rewatch this anime!^^ Haven't even seen more then maybe one episode in Japanese of it. I still have it as one of my favourites

[@CloudyChaoDubs]

Hopefully Princess Tutu Zwei will fulfill the need for more content! It is gorgeous

[@thatpersonmariah3997]

Princess Tutu in a nutshell: Come dance with me and tell you how your feeling, also here is some sadness and depression for a week.

[@tiffanyfarfan394]

Princess Tutu is one of my favorites hands down. I fell in love with classical music as a result and I love the openings. They were chilling with that woman's voice. I also grew up with it and it was the anime that really got me into anime. The dancing was beautiful and I was surprised how perfectly it all ended and tackled dark themes while being so innocent and beautiful.

[@saccharinesilk]

"Why did you do this to me Shaft?" I guess one could say, that you got... shafted

[@chyandinii]

it's been 10 frickin years...... they confirmed that they are making a blu-ray collection of the three movies together later this april, but come on, no SEQUEL TO REBELLION?????

[@Tioko]

@@chyandinii IKR? If they hadn’t made Rebellion, the story would’ve been complete... but now it NEEDS a sequel! Which we’ll never gonna get =\

[@dreamscapeanimations3238]

@@Tioko they’ve been working on a sequel. And the story was never complete before rebellion. Homura never went through the SAME arch as ALL THE OTHER GIRLS DID in the show. In rebellion she does go through that arch.

[@iamliterallyderanged5461]

Princess Tutu was my first ever anime, and had a HUGE hand in making me who I am today. In fact, I'd credit it with having one of the biggest effects on me out of like, all media ever. I did ballet for about a decade and very nearly had a real career in it before deciding to switch paths. Princess Tutu got me into anime, and got me into magical girl anime in particular. Most of the other media I credit with making me who I am today is also anime, and I never would have seen any of them if Princess Tutu didn't get me started. I met my wife through an anime discussion board which I was even on initially to discuss Madoka Magica, which is an interest that was also very obviously sparked by my love of Princess Tutu. Just calling it one of my favourite shows of all time feels like a gross understatement at this point. Princess Tutu is part of me, a very near and dear part of my heart

[@katherinegallagher1745]

Princess Tutu is my favorite anime at the time of this comment, tied of course with Kase San and the Morning Glories. The latter is all about gay girls in a relationship and the former has Duck and Rue's 'ballet look.' There was no heterosexual explanation for that ballet dance.

[@daniqalove8632]

You convinced me to buy Princess Tutu to watch it. I love it so much. Thank you