Rate me! Rate me! I'm guessing only 3 people will rate this review, the series was too short to get attention and there are no English R1 dubs.
This review is based on the aarinfantasy-KissSub fansubs. Reviewers enjoy hearing from readers their reaction to their work, and I often make modifications based on the reactions.
Beauty, no beasts. Princess Princess is about guys cross-dressing, but it's really about the relationships between four guys at an all-boy's school. When beautifully-handsome Tooru transfers to this all-boys school, he is nominated for the academy's "Princess System." The lovely campus "Princesses" must dress as girls (in frilly girly costumes) at school events in order to lighten the stolid masculine atmosphere. Tooru balks at first, but soon comes to realize the financial and power advantages of being a "Princess,"and later to appreciate the tradition for the result it brings to the school. I'd rate this as age-appropriate for 16+ based on the cross-dressing and male-love themes of the series, but what's on-screen isn't really risque.If you are offended by gender bending, this is not the series for you.The concept is a mix between cute and sweet, mostly because the yaoi elements are kept to a minimum. But if you are amused by movies like Tootsie, Priscilla ofthe Desert or La Cage aux Faulles, this mightwork for you.It's a short series (12 episodes)and at the end, I actually wanted 12 more, but mostly because of the characters (which grow on you).
Animation: Animation by Studio DEEN and directed by Keitaro Motonaga (School Days, Getbackers), it's a curious mix of 2D animation, wtih mostly static backgrounds, pans over static cels, and occasional interesting closeups (with flowing, wavy hair, etc.). It's played in classic soap-opera medium and closeup shots, with no real attempt at cinematics (flare, focus, or perspective) and thus is on the lower end of animation by Studio DEEN. However, I did enjoy the facial animations (which uses super deformation at times) enough to give the animation a rating of 7.
Sound: Music is Jpop all the way; OP is "Kimi to Deatte Kara (キミと出逢ってから; Because I Met You)" by Atsushi Miyazawa and ED is "Hohoemi wo Agetai (微笑みをあげたい; I Want to Give You a Smile)" by team-F; the former is slightly better than the latter, but it's a you-pick-em for how well they fit with the theme.
Soundstage in my fansubs was not directional and was fairly narrow. Foley work was adequate. I did not noticeany unusual sound effects.I liked the seiyuu (even though some of the main male characters were voiced by women) and they did a good job selling the characters. Curiously, it's dubbed into French and Dutch, but not English, making me think they didn't go for the USA market the same way. A reader reacted to this and said that's the studio's marketing strategy, so there you go. Sound gets a 7.
Story: The story is in three arcs: 1) Introducing the Princesses as a dramatic device (Called Boys Will Be Girls), the plot development around the revealing of their cross dressing in 2) Chorus Of Cuties, and the resolution of family concerns in 3) Family Secrets. I won't give any spoilers, but it's a cute premise and handled tastefully (for the most part). I was interested how they would handle the family dynamics, which didn't quite ring true in two instances. It's a bit of fantasy (writers can make their characters do anything, and that power is corrupting), but still, enjoyable. It has a beginning, middle and mostly satisfying end, but there are plot holes. Still, story gets a 6+.
Character: This is the reason to watch. The characters are voiced and drawn beautifully, and they do retain masculine features (even when made up!). I liked the two main characters Tooru Kouno and Yuujirou Shihoudani, but found the third character a bit irritating because of the whining. Anyway, the art department spent a good amount of time giving them good costumes. Story gives them all some character development, hard to do adequately in 13 eps. I guess I got sucked in by the seiyuu, who really sold the characters. There is solid character development, though of an uneven nature for one. Character gets an 8. missing top marks because of the 2-character focus of the series, yet having more than that in the mix.
Value: I wonder if they didn't go for the American market for a reason. It's not something you're going to absolutely LOVE, but it's clever and interesting and I suspect you'll enjoy it. I think the value is moderate as an OWN and above average as a WATCH. That gets a 7.
Enjoyment: Don't hurt me... I liked it! I liked the characters, the comedy, and the clever writing. And it's short enough to endure the cringe-inducing moments, because they woosh right by. I would say it's worth watching once, maybe twice if you like beautiful boys. Gets a 7.
Conclusion: If you like gender bending, I think you may like it. It's a Mariasama ga Mitteru for guys... only short, silly, and cute. No robots. Nobody dies. Just a cute short series mostly for the gals. You'll like it if you like cross-dressing cute character series. If that's not your cup of tea, pass on it.
