Murder Princess

Murder Princess is a six-episode OVA series based on a manga by Sekihiko Inui. The anime was produced by Marvelous Entertainment and Bee Train. It was directed by Tomoyuki Kurokawa, Shinya Kawatsura, and Tomoaki Ohta. The OVA was released between March 28 and August 29, 2007. ADV Films originally held the licensing rights to Murder Princess in the United States, but FUNimation Entertainment now holds those rights.

The series starts with a coup in the Forland Kingdom, which is being led by Dr. Akamashi, a scientist who was formerly employed by the government. The mortally wounded king sends his daughter, Alita, away from the castle. Her mission is to find her brother, Prince Kaito, who is leading a diplomatic mission, and its military escort.

Dr. Akamashi barges into the throne room with his two robotic bodyguards, Ana and Yuna. They are both built in the shape of little girls with technology that originates in “the Old World.” While Ana is extremely aggressive and enjoys taunting her opponents, Yuna is timid and shy. However, Yuna is capable of going berserk if Dr. Akamashi is in grave danger.

Alita flees from the castle, and makes it to a forest on Forland’s border. She falls off a cliff and runs into a female bounty hunter named Falis. As they fall and have a near-death experience, their souls are switched. After Falis (in Alita’s body) defeats the forest’s guardian beast, Alita pleads with Falis to protect the Forland kingdom. Alita offers her body and soul as collateral, and Falis agrees to help.

Alita and Falis are joined by Falis’ two henchmen, Dominikov and Pete Armstrong. In the anime version, they are both cyborgs. Dominikov uses a large scythe as his weapon of choice. Pete is big, ferocious, and overpowering in hand to hand combat; however, he also has a gentle soul.

Once Falis and the others remove Dr. Akamashi from the throne, Falis is taught how to be a princess by Jodu Entolasia, the butler for the royal family. Jodu has a very serious and strict personality. Meanwhile, Alita assumes the identity of her former maid Milano (who died while Alita made her escape) so she can help Falis run the kingdom.

Murder Princess does have some blood and violence, so it’s really not an anime I would advise letting younger children watch. Personally, I would recommend this series to anime viewers who are fifteen or sixteen years of age and older.