Princess Tutu

I'm so lucky to do what I do, which is work with kids and teens at the library. 

A lot of media falls into my hands. 

Currently, I'm into Princess Tutu. 

Having been steeped in the world of ballet since I was little, I have learned that part of you will never quite be fully in the real world. There is always a part of your mind that is playing the music to Swan Lake, or Giselle, or the Nutcracker. 

There is always a part of you that really just wants to throw off your shoes and do a spontaneous performance. Or, at the very least, one hundred releve/ plies. 

But back to Princess Tutu. She's endearing on so many levels. In the Real World, she is Ahiru, struggling student of classical ballet. She's kind of a mess, and she can go through thirty emotions in a minute. 

But there's a prince to save, a prince whose heart has been shattered and scattered. She finds that when he needs her the most, she can transform into Princess Tutu. Through her dance, she is able to recover the lost pieces of his heart, and give them back to him. 

But there is a Raven in the story, who is determined that the prince will not recover his heart. 

The music in this anime film is done with great excellence. It is the first thing I noticed about the series- like they took stuffy old classics off the shelf and gave them a good polish. It is bright, whimsical, and totally at home with the animation. 

Some of the characters can get dark, so offer this to an audience over 12. However, Princess Tutu powerfully demonstrates the beauty of resolving conflict through art. She is able to break through some really tough cases. All in all, I highly recommend this anime production. 

'May those who accept their fate be granted happiness; may those who defy it be granted glory'

~Princess Tutu