Petite Princess Yucie

In 1980, a group of college students living in the dorms in Osaka got together to make a short animated video for an upcoming anime convention. 15 years later, now known as Gainax, they introduced Neon Genesis Evangelion, the most popular, controversial and influential anime series ever released. The non-linear ending of Eva created quite a bit of consternation among fans then, and still does to this day. The thoroughly disappointing endings to Mahoromatic and His and Her Circumstances only served to reinforced the mistaken perception that Gainax couldn't write a good ending even if you put a gun to their heads. The wonderful fantasy series Petite Princess Yucie, a loose adapation of their Princess Maker game, is proof that Gainax can end a series not just well, but spectacularly well.

Yucie, the genius of foreheads, too

Petite Princess Yucie is a fantasy, set in a vaguely medieval European setting. Yucie (pronounce it "Yushi") is a bright, cheerful girl living under a curse. Although she has the body of a ten-year-old, she's actually 17. For unknown reasons, her body has stopped aging. She lives with her adoptive father Gunbard, a former knight and hero, and Cube, a young demon who works as a steward to both Yucie and Gunbard. Gunbard has retired and now lives in the country where he enjoys a quiet life as a doting father to Yucie. Unexpectely, Queen Ercell makes Yucie a candidate to become the Platinum Princess. There is only one every thousand years, and she can have any wish granted, but only one.

Glenda, as wicked awesome as she thinks she is

Now attending the Princess Academy, Yucie discovers she is not the only candidate. Glenda, Princess of the Demon World with elegant beauty and fantastic magical powers (which she is always more than happy to point out) is Yucie's biggest rival. She also has the same curse as Yucie, being a seventeen-year-old girl trapped in a body that stopped aging at ten. She's loud, brassy, and excessively confident, but warm-hearted when she lets her guard down. Her father, the King of the Demon World, is much like Gunbard, a doting father who showers his daughter with an excess of love. Glenda doesn't exactly get along well with her father. His attempts at softening the image of the Demon World to make it a more appealing tourist destination don't sit well with her. She admires and takes after her unseen but clearly impressive mother. Glenda is a fantastic character, someone whose fiery personality makes the show fun every time she's on screen. Her steward is Gaga, a tall, thousand-year-old demon who is very devoted to Glenda. He's fussy, worried about his reputation as a steward, and perpetually outraged at what he perceives as the slovenly behavior of the other stewards. He always manages to find the right thing to do at the right time to help Glenda, even if she doesn't want the help.

Cocoloo. Not seen: Cocoloo

Cocoloo is a quiet, unassuming girl who constantly worries that she has no presence. She's very kind and immediately befriends Yucie, a friendship Yucie enthusiastically returns. Cocoloo attends the Princess Academy, but is reluctant to let anyone know she is a Princess candidate. She is actually the princess of the Spirit World, which accounts for her whispery personality. Like all the other candidates, she suffers the same curse as Yucie, Glenda, Elmina and Beth, living in a body that won't age past ten-years-old. Besides her friendship with Yucie, she also befriends Beth, something Beth has a hard time with. But Cocoloo knows a good person when she sees one, and she is so honest and genuine with her feelings, Beth can't help but respond to her kindness. Cocoloo's steward is Chawoo, a ghost that speaks with a Kansai accent and is far more outgoing than his charge. Chawoo is the perfect embodiment of the Kansai spirit, always ready with a scheme to help Cocoloo.

Elmina, cool as the setting sun

Elmina is the regal princess of Heaven. Her father is a stern, unforgiving man which gives Elmina a complex about disappointing him. Of all the five princess candidates, Elmina's relationship with her father is the most complex and fascinating. She's always calm and collected, a sea of tranquility around the constant storm of Glenda. Naturally, those two have a furious rivalry based on their mutual dislike and respect of each other. When they start bickering, the sparks really fly. Elmina's steward is Balazan, a large, round, gold robot who likes to carry her around on his shoulder, even though she has wings and can fly. Despite the fact that he's merely a robot, his obvious affection and concern for Elmina's well-being makes him a substitute father-figure, giving her the love her father seems incapable of.

Beth and Belbel, yes, yes

Beth is the last of the princesses to be introduced. Princess of the Fairy World and wielding incredible magical skills, she's devious and underhanded in getting what she wants. She will stop at nothing to become the Platinum Princess because she wants, no, needs that wish to be granted. Her father is dying, the result of a centuries long battle of wills to hold off a creature that will destroy the world if it gets loose. She has more than a few issues with trusting others. Despite that, she finds herself opening up to Cocoloo's genuine wish to be friends with her, despite her mistrust of others. Her steward is Belbel, a tiny fairy, who, like all the other stewards, always has her charge's best interests first in her heart. Belbel, in her own innocent way, gives voice to the conscience Beth forsakes to save her father.