Princession Orchestra [Season 1 Episode 1]

Princession Orchestra Episode 1: A Promising Yet Polarizing Start

The highly anticipated Princession Orchestra finally made its debut on April 6, 2025, and the anime community has been buzzing with mixed reactions. Produced by King Records, Aria Entertainment, and Takara Tomy, and animated by Silver Link, this original series introduces us to the whimsical land of Alicepia—a place where peace is shattered by the sudden appearance of the monstrous Jamaock. Directed by Shin Oonuma (Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina) and written by Akifumi Kaneko, the show blends magical girl tropes with musical elements, drawing inevitable comparisons to Symphogear and Pretty Cure.

First Impressions: A Symphogear Clone or Something Fresh?

The premiere episode, titled What a Wonderful World, follows Minamo Sorano and her best friend Natsu Hinomoto as they attend a live event in Alicepia, only to witness an attack by the mysterious monster. The episode wastes no time throwing viewers into the action, complete with a musical battle sequence that has already divided fans.

Some viewers, like Serafos on MyAnimeList, described it as “a combination of Pretty Cure and Symphogear,” while others, like AizenGintoki, were reminded of Symphogear’s iconic fight scenes. However, not everyone was impressed. One user bluntly stated, “Bro, this is literally just Symphogear but worse,” criticizing the lack of originality in the premise.

The transformation sequence, a staple in magical girl anime, also sparked debate. While some fans praised the character designs—especially Zeal’s eyewear—others found the sequence underwhelming. QueenNothing lamented, “That was one of the most underwhelming magical girl transformations I’ve seen,” pointing out its brevity and lack of flair.

The Music: A Saving Grace?

One aspect that received near-universal praise was the soundtrack, composed by Noriyasu Agematsu of Elements Garden. The opening theme, Zettai Utahime Sengen, was hailed as “one of the best openings of all time” by one enthusiastic fan. The villain’s guitar-summoned foot soldiers also added a unique twist to the action, blending music and combat in a way that felt fresh despite the show’s familiar tropes.

However, the reliance on music as a narrative device raised questions about the show’s longevity. With Princession Orchestra reportedly planned as a four-cour series (48 episodes), some fans, like Senki Zesshou, wondered, “How are they gonna make 48 episodes of plot?” The slow pacing of the first episode didn’t help ease these concerns, with FFandMMfan noting, “The pacing was rather slow, especially considering that it stopped at the best part.”

Fan Reactions: From Hype to Disappointment

The episode’s release was marred by the absence of official English subtitles, leading to a scramble among fans to create their own. AizenGintoki shared a self-made subbed version, which was met with gratitude from viewers struggling to understand the raw Japanese dialogue. Meanwhile, others, like CrossAnge, dismissed the fansubs as “unwatchable trash,” highlighting the challenges of early access for international fans.

Despite the mixed reception, some viewers remained optimistic. Michiru Matsushima (likely a reference to Grisaia’s tragic heroine) defended the show, calling it “fantastic” and praising its world-building. Others, like Senki Zesshou, were willing to give it time, stating, “I’ll give it half a cour to a full cour before deciding whether or not to drop it.”

Final Thoughts: A Show with Potential

Princession Orchestra’s first episode is a mixed bag—flawed yet promising. While it borrows heavily from its predecessors, the musical elements and vibrant setting of Alicepia offer enough novelty to keep viewers intrigued. Whether it can carve out its own identity in a crowded genre remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a decent start with room to grow.

As one fan aptly put it: “It’s basically Symphogear for kids, which is fine by me.” And for those craving a lighter, music-infused magical girl adventure, Princession Orchestra might just hit the right note.

Rating: 7/10 (for now—let’s see where it goes!)

(Word count: 850)