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{{Short description|Japanese anime television series}}
{{Bots|deny=Citation bot}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image = Princess Tutu.png
| caption = Key visual for the series
| ja_kanji = プリンセスチュチュ
| ja_romaji = Purinsesu Chuchu
| genre = [[Magical girl]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title=Princess Tutu Celebrates 15 Years of Musical Magic|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-02-16/princess-tutu-celebrates-15-years-of-musical-magic/.127894|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=December 14, 2018|date=February 16, 2018|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214170119/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2018-02-16/princess-tutu-celebrates-15-years-of-musical-magic/.127894|url-status=live}}</ref>
| creator = [[Ikuko Itoh]]
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| director = {{ubl|[[Junichi Sato]] (chief)|Shogo Koumoto}}
| producer = {{ubl|Atsushi Moriyama|Tomoko Kawasaki|Masafumi Fukui|Taiji Suinou|Yoshiaki Matsumoto|Shironori Kawasaki}}
| writer = [[Michiko Yokote]]
| music = [[Kaoru Wada]]
| studio = [[Hal Film Maker]]
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|AUS=[[Madman Entertainment]] (expired)|NA={{ubl|[[ADV Films]] (former)|AEsir Holdings (former)|[[Sentai Filmworks]] (current)}}}}
| network = [[NHK]], [[Kids Station]]
| network_en = {{English anime network
| NA = [[Anime Network]]
| SEA = [[Animax Asia]]
}}
| first = August 16, 2002
| last = May 23, 2003
| episodes = 26
| episode_list = List of Princess Tutu episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type         = manga
| author       = Ikuko Itoh
| illustrator  = [[Mizuo Shinonome]]
| publisher    = [[Akita Shoten]]
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[ADV Manga]]}}
| magazine     = [[Champion Red]]
| first        = August 19, 2002
| last         = May 19, 2003
| volumes      = 2
| volume_list  = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Princess Tutu'''''|プリンセスチュチュ|Purinsesu Chuchu|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[anime]] television series created by [[Ikuko Itoh]] and directed by [[Junichi Sato]] and Shogo Koumoto. Inspired by [[ballet]] and [[fairy tales]], particularly ''[[The Ugly Duckling]]'' and ''[[Swan Lake]]'', its story follows a duck who is transformed into the mythical ballerina Princess Tutu in order to save the shattered heart of a storybook prince come to life.

The series aired from August 2002 to May 2003, with 26 episodes across two seasons, and was also adapted into a two-volume [[manga]] series. Both the manga and anime series were licensed for distribution in North America by [[ADV Films]] in 2004, then by [[Section23 Films#AEsir Holdings|AEsir Holdings]]; [[Sentai Filmworks]] distributed the [[Blu-ray]] release of the anime series, as the latter two are parts of [[Section23 Films]].

==Plot==
{{further|List of Princess Tutu characters{{!}}List of ''Princess Tutu'' characters}}
There was once a writer named Drosselmeyer, who had the power to make his stories come to life. However, he died before he could finish his final tale, ''The Prince and the Raven'', leaving its titular characters locked in an eternal battle. After many years, the Raven managed to escape into the real world, and the Prince, Siegfried, pursued him. To seal away the Raven's evil, he shattered his heart with his sword, causing him to lose his memories and emotions.

Drosselmeyer, having used his power to write himself as part of the tale to preserve his consciousness, laments that the story has come to a standstill and wants it to become a never-ending tragedy. He finds a way to restart the flow of the story in the form of a duck who has fallen in love with Mytho, the empty remainder of Siegfried. He gives her a magical pendant that can transform her, first into a human girl, then into the ballerina Princess Tutu, another character in the story. As Tutu, Duck is tasked with finding the scattered shards of Mytho's heart and returning them to him.

However, not everyone wants Mytho to get his heart back. Rue, the Raven's daughter reborn as a human, has also fallen in love with him, and fears that he may not return her feelings if he has a heart. Her desire to prevent him from regaining his emotions awakens her ability to transform into Princess Kraehe, Tutu's evil counterpart. Fakir, a boy who found and cared for Mytho after he escaped the story, also tries to stop Tutu, fearing that the story progressing means the Raven will return and Mytho will have to risk his life fighting it again.

As well, Duck learns that part of Princess Tutu's story is that she can never confess her love to Mytho, or else she will turn into a speck of light and vanish. However, after it becomes clear that Mytho wants his heart to be restored, she persists despite Fakir and Kraehe's interference.

Eventually, Fakir accepts Mytho's choice and decides to help Tutu, even discovering her true identity as a duck and befriending her. As he learns he is a descendant of Drosselmeyer and inherited his power to make what he writes a reality, Rue learns she is not the Raven's daughter, but a human child he kidnapped to serve him.

After most of Mytho's heart is returned to him, the seal imprisoning the Raven begins to break. Finally able to feel love again, Mytho realizes he loves Rue as the Raven kidnaps her. Duck discovers that her pendant is the final shard, meaning she must give up her ability to become human to return it. She eventually finds the courage to do so, and becomes a duck again.

Mytho and the Raven battle once more, but Mytho is outmatched and considers shattering his heart to seal it away again. Duck begins dancing to show him he must not give up. As she does, Fakir writes a story about how she never stops, no matter how many times the Raven's minions attack her. Together, they create hope, which gives Mytho the strength he needs to rescue Rue and defeat the Raven. Mytho asks Rue to be his princess and they return to his kingdom inside the story. Duck and Fakir remain together, although the narrator implies that Fakir is writing a new story. With nothing left to do, Drosselmeyer departs in search of another story.

==Media==
===Anime===
{{See also|List of Princess Tutu episodes{{!}}List of ''Princess Tutu'' episodes}}
''Princess Tutu'' was conceptualized by [[Ikuko Itoh]], who also designed the characters, and directed by [[Junichi Sato]] and Shogo Koumoto, with [[Michiko Yokote]] handling series composition and [[Kaoru Wada]] composing the music. It was produced by [[Hal Film Maker]] and TUTU, a production committee consisting of [[King Records (Japan)|King Records]], IMAGICA Imageworks, [[Dentsu]], [[Marvelous (company)|Marvelous Entertainment]] and Memory-Tech. The series originally aired in two seasons, from August 16, 2002 to May 23, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hal-film.co.jp/syoukai/06.htm|script-title=ja:プリンセスチュチュ|work=Hal-Film.co.jp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330232801/http://www.hal-film.co.jp/syoukai/06.htm|archive-date=March 30, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first season, "''Kapitel des Eies''" ("Chapter of the Egg"), consisted of 13 half-hour episodes. The second season, "''Kapitel des Junges''" ("Chapter of the Fledgling") in R2 [[DVD]]s, and "''Kapitel des Kükens''" ("Chapter of the Chick") in R1 DVDs, was aired as 24 quarter-hour episodes and one half-hour episode; to conform to the format of the time slot, <!--this can be cited from DVD liner notes; will dig up the ref--> each episode was halved. These were brought back together in the DVD release as 13 complete episodes.

====North American release====
In 2004, [[ADV Films]] announced that they had licensed the anime series for distribution in North America.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Macdonald|first=Christopher|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-04-10/anime-boston-saturday-licensing|title=Anime Boston Saturday Licensing|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 4, 2004|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=December 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217073144/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-04-10/anime-boston-saturday-licensing|url-status=live}}</ref> ADV Films produced English adaptations for all episodes and, beginning in 2005, the series was periodically released as single DVD "volumes" that each contained several episodes. In 2007, the series was released as a complete DVD collection of all 26 episodes. In 2011, [[Section23 Films#AEsir Holdings|AEsir Holdings]] announced the licensing of the series and the release of a complete DVD collection of all 26 episodes distributed by [[Section23 Films]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-20/section23-films-announces-october-slate-glass-maiden-complete-collection-available-on-october-4th|title=Section23 Films Announces October Slate|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=August 4, 2011|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107162718/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2011-07-20/section23-films-announces-october-slate-glass-maiden-complete-collection-available-on-october-4th|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, as AEsir Holdings and [[Sentai Filmworks]] are parts of [[Section23 Films]], the latter released a complete Blu-ray collection of all 26 episodes on December 11, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Official December 2018 Slate|url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/news/sentai-filmworks-official-december-2018-slate|publisher=[[Sentai Filmworks]]|access-date=December 21, 2022|date=August 28, 2018}}</ref> Steelbook release was made on December 21, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Sentai December 2021 Slate|url=http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/news/official-sentai-december-2021-slate|publisher=[[Sentai Filmworks]]|access-date=December 21, 2022|date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> [[Anime Network]] formerly offered all 26 episodes of the series, English dubbed only, from their [[internet]] [[Streaming media|streaming]] site for North America.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theanimenetwork.com/Anime/Princess-Tutu/Watch|title=Watch Princess Tutu|work=[[Anime Network]]|access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219000230/http://www.theanimenetwork.com/Anime/Princess-Tutu/Watch|url-status=live}}</ref> After the service was shut down, the series was moved to Hidive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hidive.com/tv/princess-tutu|title=Binge Princess Tutu|website=Hidive|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804110059/https://www.hidive.com/tv/princess-tutu|url-status=live}}</ref> Hulu and Amazon Prime Instant Video both have the English dub available for streaming.<ref>{{cite web|title=Princess Tutu on Hulu|url=https://www.hulu.com/series/princess-tutu-1d2a29cc-091d-4e7a-89d9-b9c27e4b354f|website=Hulu|access-date=1 October 2018|archive-date=October 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002020116/https://www.hulu.com/series/princess-tutu-1d2a29cc-091d-4e7a-89d9-b9c27e4b354f|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00C1376K6/ref=atv_dp_b07_det_c_UTPsmN_1_2|website=www.amazon.com|access-date=2020-01-11|title=Watch Princess Tutu - Season 01 &#124; Prime Video|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515042050/https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B00C1376K6/ref=atv_dp_b07_det_c_UTPsmN_1_2|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Manga===
A [[manga]] adaptation of the anime series was published in Japan by [[Akita Shoten]] in the manga magazine ''[[Champion Red]]'' from August 19, 2002, to May 19, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:チャンピオンRED 2002年10月号|url=https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/red/2002/10|publisher=[[Akita Shoten]]|access-date=June 9, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250608124055/https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/red/2002/10|archive-date=June 8, 2025|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:チャンピオンRED 2003年7月号|url=https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/red/2003/7|publisher=[[Akita Shoten]]|access-date=June 9, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250608124118/https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/red/2003/7|archive-date=June 8, 2025|language=ja|url-status=live}}</ref> The manga was written by [[Mizuo Shinonome]] and series creator [[Ikuko Itoh]] and illustrated by Shinonome. Two {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volumes of the manga were published in 2003. It was translated to English and published in North America by [[ADV Manga]] in 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Liann|last=Cooper|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2004-11-20|title=RIGHT TURN ONLY!! - Sugar Rush|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 20, 2004|access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=May 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512050341/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2004-11-20|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Volumes====
{{Graphic novel list/header
| Language = Japanese
| SecondLanguage = English
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 1
| OriginalRelDate = March 13, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/503001175001|script-title=ja:プリンセスチュチュ(1) / 東雲水生|website=Suruga-ya.jp|access-date=February 24, 2017|language=ja|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225153248/http://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/503001175001|url-status=live}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN    = 978-4-2532-3040-7
| LicensedRelDate = November 30, 2004
| LicensedISBN    = 978-1-4139-0193-1
| ChapterList     = 
| Summary = When a spellbound pendant transforms Ahiru into Princess Tutu, she thinks she can finally dance her way into her beloved Mytho's heart, but there's one problem. Mytho doesn't have his heart! Princess Tutu will have to twirl her way through a dark and lonely world as she searches for the missing pieces of her true love's broken heart and wounded spirit.
}}
{{Graphic novel list
| VolumeNumber = 2
| OriginalRelDate = July 17, 2003<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/503001176001|script-title=ja:プリンセスチュチュ(完)(2) / 東雲水生|website=Suruga-ya.jp|access-date=February 24, 2017|language=ja|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225164819/http://www.suruga-ya.jp/product/detail/503001176001|url-status=live}}</ref>
| OriginalISBN    =  978-4-2532-3041-4
| LicensedRelDate = January 25, 2005
| LicensedISBN    = 978-1-4139-0235-8
| ChapterList     = 
| Summary = Ahiru is now the beautiful and graceful Princess Tutu, but a happy ending for this fairy tale is still out of reach! She may have returned the pieces of Mytho's broken heart, but the jealous Princess Kraehe is determined to thwart her. Yet an even more intimidating enemy awaits Princess Tutu, and nothing but fate will decide who wins the prince's heart...
}}
{{Graphic novel list/footer}}
The English version of the manga uses the untranslated Japanese name "Ahiru" rather than the translated "Duck" used in the English version of the anime.

==Reception==
English-language reviews of ''Princess Tutu'', both before the official localization and after, have generally been very positive. Reviewers have stated that although ''Princess Tutu'' is a magical girl series, it is more of a "fairy tale set to ballet with a few magical girl elements mixed in," and its use of dance to solve conflicts, in lieu of violence, carries "surprisingly effective emotional appeal."<ref>{{Cite news|first=Maral|last=Agnerian|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu|title=Princess Tutu|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 3, 2003|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=November 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111045002/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Jeremy A.|last=Beard|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=803|title=Princess Tutu|work=[[THEM Anime Reviews]]|access-date=December 18, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219032834/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=803|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The first [[DVD]] volume included episodes 1 through 5. Theron Martin reviewed this volume for ''[[Anime News Network]]'' and awarded grades from "C+" (art) to "A" (music).<ref name="TM_Review_PTDVD1">{{Cite news|first=Theron|last=Martin|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-1|title=Princess Tutu DVD 1: Marchen|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 17, 2005|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=December 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217112840/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-1|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The second DVD volume included episodes 6 through 9. Zac Bertschy reviewed this volume for ''Anime News Network'' and awarded grades from "B+" (story) to "A" (most everything else).<ref>{{Cite news|first=Zac|last=Bertschy|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-2|title=Princess Tutu DVD 2: Traum|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=October 26, 2005|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=December 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222113401/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-2|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The fourth DVD volume included episodes 14 through 18. Theron Martin reviewed this volume and awarded grades from "B" (animation) to "A+" (music).<ref>{{Cite news|first=Theron|last=Martin|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-4|title=Princess Tutu DVD 4: Prinz und Rabe|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=November 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128175207/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-4|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The sixth DVD volume included episodes 23 through 26. Theron Martin reviewed this volume and awarded grades from "B+" (animation & art) to "A+" (music).<ref>{{Cite news|first=Theron|last=Martin|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-6|title=Princess Tutu DVD 6: Abschied|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=August 8, 2006|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=December 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222103145/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/princess-tutu/dvd-6|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The 2011 Complete Collection (DVD) release was reviewed by Chris Beveridge and given an overall grade of A−.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|title=Princess Tutu Complete Series Anime DVD Review|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2011/10/07/princess-tutu-complete-series-anime-dvd-review/|work=The Fandom Post|date=October 11, 2011|access-date=December 17, 2013|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924010358/http://www.fandompost.com/2011/10/07/princess-tutu-complete-series-anime-dvd-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://king-cr.jp/special/tutu/|King Record (King Amusement Creative) site}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080923061323/http://www.kids-station.com/minisite/tokushu/princess/|Kids Station site}}
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20060720095154/http://www.imagica.com/shop/tutu/|Imagica Entertainment site}}
* {{Webarchive|url1=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720001154/http://www25.advfilms.com/titles/tutu/|title=ADV Films site}}
* {{Official website|http://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/catalog/princess-tutu|Sentai Filmworks site}}
* {{Anime News Network|anime|1267}}

{{Hal Film Maker}}
{{Champion Red}}

[[Category:Princess Tutu| ]]
[[Category:2002 manga]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:ADV Manga]]
[[Category:Akita Shoten manga]]
[[Category:Animated television series about princesses]]
[[Category:Anime and manga about ballet]]
[[Category:Anime and manga based on fairy tales]]
[[Category:Anime with original screenplays]]
[[Category:Fictional ballet dancers|Tutu]]
[[Category:Fictional princesses|Tutu]]
[[Category:Hal Film Maker]]
[[Category:Madman Entertainment anime]]
[[Category:Magical girl anime and manga]]
[[Category:Marvelous (company) franchises]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[Category:Music in anime and manga]]
[[Category:NHK original programming]]
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]]
[[Category:Shōnen manga]]
[[Category:Swan Lake]]
[[Category:Television series about ballet]]
[[Category:Television shows based on works by Hans Christian Andersen]]
[[Category:Works based on The Ugly Duckling]]