Princess Tutu

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Alternative Titles

Japanese: プリンセスチュチュ
English: Princess Tutu
French: Princesse Tutu
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Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 38
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Aug 16, 2002 to May 23, 2003
Premiered: Summer 2002
Broadcast: Fridays at 20:30 (JST)
Studios: HAL Film Maker
Source: Original
Genres: DramaDrama, MysteryMystery, RomanceRomance
Themes: AnthropomorphicAnthropomorphic, Love PolygonLove Polygon, Mahou ShoujoMahou Shoujo, Performing ArtsPerforming Arts
Duration: 16 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.131 (scored by 6772267,722 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #4772
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #1418
Members: 174,408
Favorites: 5,137

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Recommendations

Both are surprisingly dark and mature magical girl series, in which a lot of thought has been given to the story. Madoka seems to be even darker, but Tutu is definitely worth watching as well. Both have very good soundtracks, too. 
report Recommended by lumi--
It's no surprise that Princess Tutu has been called Utena-lite. Both series look like they're made for young girls and have, to some degree, fairly typical shoujo plots in the beginning. Soon, though, they become much more complex, twisting the definitions of friend and foe; of what it means to be yourself or to grow up. In addition, they're both heavily influenced by traditional fairy tales yet eventually change the norms of those tales to be something completely different. 
report Recommended by Anomalous
Both of these are magical girl animes which follow the lives of lovable girls who transform into magical girls to save the day. They also feature male characters with some special abilities. 
report Recommended by mysngoeshere56
these series have a girl who changes magically for the sake of the boy she is in love with. but in contrast to other similar anime revolving around this theme Tutu & Fullmoon have really wonderful stories & unforgetable characters. at the beginning there is comedy and romance, later drama. plus the music is a focus point (Fullmoon=singing; Tutu=dancing to classic). in short: watch 'em both. 
report Recommended by DarkLaila
In many ways, Pretear is like Junichi Sato's prototype of Princess Tutu. It's easy to draw parallels between the character dynamics and story elements of each series. They are both inspired by fairy tales in a different way, and although they start out as comedies, you'll be left crying by the end. 
report Recommended by Neko-Hoshishima
Both series focus heavily on story telling with the characters trying to go against their fate 
report Recommended by paratroid
both have that classical music or whatever going. (kaleido star has a part that has the swan theme going.) 
report Recommended by midori-
I am now on episode 5, not far, but this series has a girl searching part of a boys heart. It reminds me a lot of Tsubasa Chronicles. I thought it was going to be a dull series but I sat and watch all 5 episodes without stopping.. I think it's funny, a little corny, but has its merits. 
report Recommended by animenewbie
Nadja and Ahiru have similar personalities, they have a very kind heart and are very energetic, and also, the two are ballet dancers. In both animes there´s a love triangle: In Princess Tutu is between a prince and a knight, in Ashita no nadja is a nobleman and a thief. There´s also special objects to the girls:Nadja has a ring and Ahiru has a necklace.  
report Recommended by Orulyon
I'm actually quite surprised that Sailor Moon isn't already on Princess Tutu's recommendation list (and vice versa). Ahiru and Usagi are very similar to each other. Both of these girls are pretty clumsy and make some rather strange mistakes, and both find themselves falling for a boy. Both must work to get their love's memories back, and they transform into magical girls to fight and save the day while somehow balancing schoolwork and social lives on top of that. 
report Recommended by mysngoeshere56
Magical girls, two guys, two girls. Both very emotional. Both deal with the theme of "Fate"  
report Recommended by torchika
Although Air is deeper in emotions and Tutu is on the lighter side, I feel both heroines encounters difficult hardship at times. Both animes really touches my heart. 
report Recommended by drastikhate
it has the same sort of opening song and its about romance triangle 
report Recommended by dumblondedanie
Both Princess Tutu and Petite Princess Yucie are magical girl shows, that will appeal to many people, even those who dislike said genre. They have great emotional stories, interesting characters, and wonderful production values. These are the "best of the best" in regards to magical girl shows. They are similar in tone, atmposhere, and style. And although the plots are vastly different, I think fans of one series would like the other as well.  
report Recommended by Prede
1: They both have the tranforming girl(s) 2: There is romance 3: In Mermaid Melody, If a mermaide tells a human that they are a mermaid, they turn into bubbles. In Princess Tutu, If Ahiru tells Mytho that she likes him, she will turn into light. 4: The art was similar 
report Recommended by kikima34
Both shows start off as typical and superficially juvenile Mahou Shoujo shows, but from the beginning there is an element of mystery and menace that lurks in the background. Both are a bit older, but still look good despite slightly dated art styles. Both have strongly realized characters that have clear strengths and weaknesses. Both series are manipulated behind the scenes by a seemingly ambivalent force that eventually proves to be more malevolent that initial impressions suggest.  
report Recommended by jRad522
Both shows explore the human nature, have a philosophical tone and give you an eerie feeling. The artwork is somewhat similar, both being simplistic with pastel colours. Princess Tutu has some comedy and more action, though. 
report Recommended by zBliss
Both are magical girl series involving transformations. Both Sailor Moon and Princess Tutu use love and justice to conquer their enemies, although instead of using violence Princess Tutu battles through dance. Both shows contain strong themes of friendship, and the main characters in both have a love interest. Both are suitable for younger audiences but still can be enjoyed by older anime fans.  
report Recommended by rococorose
princess tutu and Sugar sugar rune are both fun magical girl animes, in each anime the heroine must be courageous to help the person they love, the two main love interests are both boys who are very popular, a little cold, and the heroine helps get stuff in order to turn the love interest back to normal.  
report Recommended by Bunnybunbun17
Both about losing something important which in princess tutu its memories and emotions in The Big O its just memories. Princess Tutu dancing and some fighting The Big O robots combat ! 
report Recommended by bunnij
Both are inspired in the old classic story of Swan Lake.  
report Recommended by Orulyon
Mysterious entities grant our cast of nonhuman main characters the ability to transform into humans so long that certain conditions are met. These seemingly lighthearted anime take place in a an environment full of mystery and fantasy. The stories revolve around factitious fairy tales which are referenced throughout the anime and are chock-full of symbolism.  
report Recommended by Megumin
Both make large use of fairy tale motifs, quests and people playing their roles. Princess Tutu also features a fairly mundane school, the difference is though that princess Tutu doesn't merely make the characters analogues from other stories, but actually brings those stories to life within the show. For instance while Ookami-san features who act like their fairytale counterparts, in Princess Tutu they're far more likely to actually be the character from the story. Or an anthropomorphic animal.  
report Recommended by Subjective
If you want more of the classical music that Shigatsu wa kimi no Uso had to offer you, Princess Tutu might be a good watch. The show isn't necessarily about the music, but all the music used in the background are all stellar classical pieces. As far as a magical girl anime goes, princess tutu isn't that concerned with being too cute, it is more about the cliche's you would find in fairy tales and ballets. 
report Recommended by okamikotori
Both of the main characters are trying to help others within the story. Both are not what they appear. The feel is very whimsical and dreamy. Characters strive for a difficult goals, and also have similar personality. 
report Recommended by yaleluna4
While Kiniro no Corda expresses a music theme with some magic, Princess Tutu expresses a dancing theme with more magic. Even though the stories are completely different Princess Tutu has classical music even though it's more fantasy genre. 
report Recommended by Azixe
1. Both of these animes have magical girls in them, and can be quite dark at times. Strike that, Tutu gets very dark. Do not let the awesome ballet fool you. 2. Both have rather quick transformation scenes. Tutu is really the only one who transforms, but Chara has more and does a pretty good job of condensing. 3. Bishies. 
report Recommended by QueenyLeAcH
Chibi-ursa and Princess Tutu have a way of sparkling on screen which can be quite enduring, though for some viewers this may also come across as not so enduring if this isn't a character type they enjoy. Both are magical girls with a definite mission in mind that directs the story as it unfolds. 
report Recommended by Yemi_Hikari
Ojamajo Doremi has witches while Princess Tutu has ballet. Both shows deal somehow with music, the art is similar and even Ahiru reminds me of Doremi. 
report Recommended by Kiiroi
Both are dual identity magical stories with lots of action as well as romance and cute art in it.  
report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost
Both of these shows explore the nature of storytelling and the relationship between the creator and the created, with self-aware writing and meta use of character tropes. 
report Recommended by Neko-Hoshishima
Both are fairy tale themed inspired stories that focus on romance and a share a cheerful optmisitic lead and a very heartwarming and wholesome storytone in its atmosphere as well too. 
report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost
The art director of magical users club is the same as the original creator of Prince Tutu! The scenarios the characters get into and the main character's personality are very similar to that of Duck in princess tutu. I thoroughly enjoyed this as much as I do princess tutu, but it has a little more broad appeal that tutu did. So even if tutu wasn't exactly your thing, you may like this more.  
report Recommended by Mikkue
Both focus on dual lives as well as also magical objects and also rivarly between players in respective professions as well too. 
report Recommended by Disapeared_Ghost
The story in both series revolves around princesses trying to achieve their own goals. Ultra Maniac and Princess Tutu are also similar in that Ahiru is clumsy and so is Nina. 
report Recommended by Jellyfish01
Both are shows about dancing and ballet. The main character is a girl who is not really good at dancing but wants to get better. Both starts like a fairy tale, but Princess Tutu gets more serious later. Both have simmilar OST. If you liked one, try the other one. 
report Recommended by abystoma2
Both of them are about ballet and inspired by the Swan Lake love story. Therefore, both of them have moments of a fairy tale in which there is a love story between a prince and princess and a curse by the evil sorceress. They both include a wide variety of classical music too and of course ballet dance steps. Dance Dance Danseur is a more realistic anime, whereas Princess Turu belongs more to the fantasy genre.  
report Recommended by nekokiss
"After death, comes life", is the same message and is executed in a proper way, so I recommend it 
report Recommended by JiegerBlack34
They're both magical girls from the early 2000 inspired by western fairy tales. Prétear is a retelling of Snow White, Princess Tutu is inspired mainly by The Ugly Duckling and Swan Lake, but also by ballet, opera and literature overall. They both deal with emotions like grief, loneliness and sadness in a very delicate way. The main characters are girls with pink hair that are kind of goofy, but also very gentle and sad. Her nemesis is another girl with similar powers but a darker color palette. The love interests in both are a boy with white hair that is kind and softspoken, and a dark haired boy  read more 
report Recommended by SleepingAsteria
- Both are deconstructions of their respective genres (Tutu looking more and Fairytales and Mahou Shoujo, while Oshi no Ko deals with idols and the entertainment industry). - Both start off seeming wholesome, before delving into some much darker themes (Oshi no Ko more so than Tutu). - Both are centred around music and dancing (Tutu focuses on classical music with ballet, while Oshi no Ko uses J-Pop with equally modern moves). - Both have elements of supernatural occurrences. - Both protagonists are forced to hide their secret lives from the public. 
report Recommended by Atsunome
Brigadoon and Princess Tutu is extremely similar. When I first watched Brigadoon I thought I was watching a clone of Princess Tutu only to find out that it was released the year before. They have both an overly genki young female protagonist, a wildy eccentric story, unclear target audience, they mix humor and serious topics and exposing the protagonist for situations one really can't handle at such young age. The art and animation is so similar that I was sure it was the same studio and same people involved, but it's actually not at all.  
report Recommended by txrxgxu
While one of these is a movie and the other a TV show, A Whisker Away and Princess Tutu share some noticeable similarities. Both are directed by Junichi Sato and are about a quirky girl who has a magical item that can change her into a form that can get her closer to her crush. Despite this, the girl still finds difficulty in sharing her feelings, and is constantly pursued by the being who gave her the magical item. The story also takes the time to develop several other characters, showing the audience a world that isn't just about the main character. 
report Recommended by Fario-P
Two rival girls searching for jewels/fragments, one of which is being manipulated and will use them for evil. Both can get way darker than they initially were, with more psychological aspects than most mahou shoujo shows. MCs have a very similar hairstyle. 
report Recommended by Kww_121
Both are epic tales, wonderfully written with deep character development and a huge amount of clever plot twists during the magnificent story. also, both of them treats intense and sometimes dark themed discussions related to human feelings, although still having a happy atmosphere with lighthearted comedy 
report Recommended by Deckhar
although different plots, directing style in both feels like you're watching a theatrical play. both contain characters struggling to accept their new identities, and plenty of drama. 
report Recommended by sillyfang
You wouldn't guess it, would you? It's just the German culture we're speaking of. The two settings included. "Princess Tutu" offers us a big reference to Gellert, Brothers Grimm and, perhaps, Gerhart Hauptmann... and to many more. "Monster" feels like a very good european thriller movie. Apart from German inspiration, both shows certainly don't feel like typical anime. 
report Recommended by EdgyEcchiSenpai
At first glance, these anime couldn't be more different from each other! Tutu is a special kind of mahou shoujo with emphasis on plot twists and a certain villain making the cast's lives difficult, whereas YOI is a sports that also features elements of LGBT, without crossing into yaoi territory. What unites both is dance and music; battles in Tutu are ones of drama and ballet, whereas Yuri on Ice features figure skating combinations. Both examples are essentially dance battles with conflicts of emotion on stake. 
report Recommended by Krankastel
Stage, performance, music, beauty, elegance... both anime emphasis and captivate the meaning of these words with their abstract sense and abnormal approach to storytelling. The story of Gankutsuou revolves around its protagonist captivation of the Count, as we becomes bewildered by his beauty, intellect, elegance, mystery and unusual thought process. While the story of Princess Tutu takes an abnormal approach to the storytelling of fairy tales, with its use of metaphors and symbols, and its elegance and captivation of its ballet. If your a fan of dark anime, with a lot of symbolisation and representation through its use of character performance, that captivates the very  read more 
report Recommended by Akoram
Saint tail helps other peoples too, solves problems. but there's more romantic in it! though i have to say that Princess tutu is more artful to enjoy story. i love those both stories! its recommended by me! have fun watching :D 
report Recommended by deaf-otaku
Both shows have magical girls, both girls need to collect something in order to protect/restore something or someone. Both shows have great art and are amazing to watch.  
report Recommended by aliquae
Both animes envolve collecting memories/feelings and both mix comedy with drama verry good . 
report Recommended by Kodomo_R
Both have a strong focus on classical music, combined with a fairytale setting. In Hameln, the music interacts directly with the setting, while in Tutu the dance is the 'magic power'. 
report Recommended by Kiraly
The art director of magical users club is the same as the original creator of Prince Tutu! The scenarios the characters get into and the main character's personality are very similar to that of Duck in princess tutu. I thoroughly enjoyed this as much as I do princess tutu, but it has a little more broad appeal that tutu did. So even if tutu wasn't exactly your thing, you may like this more. 
report Recommended by Mikkue
Ahiru reminds me of Katy in the Fantastic Adventures of Unico. Both characters are animals turned into girls (Katy was a cat) and they both have a tendancy to be clumsy and show their animal tendancies-- especially when they are nervous in front of the Baron and the Prince.  
report Recommended by FireLight
both focuses on romance, with some sad elements. however, both brilliant anime full of action and magic. both totally worth watching! has a certain fairytale atmosphere to both anime, beautiful classical music and wonderful animation quality. 
report Recommended by sugarplumfairy
While on the surface they couldn't seem more different, Deca-Dence and Princess Tutu are both fundamentally about fighting against one's designated role in the system. At the core of each series is a girl who, against all circumstances, is determined to rewrite her destiny, and ultimately the world's as she inspires others to do the same. 
report Recommended by Neko-Hoshishima
If you like stories with a headstrong guy and tsundere girl who have to team up to fight for a cause then you will definitely like Princess Tutu! Don't let the theme about ballet confuse you! It gets really serious as you get deeper into the story! Both are really similar: **Romance, Comedy, Drama, Supernatural/Magical setting, unexpected love 
report Recommended by kitkat23316
Similar plot, both have stories inside the stories. 
report Recommended by edwarx
Both are heavily rooted in fairy tales. Akazukin has more action, but Tutu is more artful. 
report Recommended by Splitter
At first glance, this recommendation may seem a tad off but Princess Tutu and Comedy are some of the few titles that incorporate classical music with the animation proper in a way that is both relevant and artistically done. In both there is a great importance given to story telling and to narration techniques. While Princess Tutu is not as forlorn as the very dark Comedy both have an aura of dreamy surrealism that is highly captivating.  
report Recommended by Nocturnal
The main characters are what call out to me. Ahiru and Akira are one of a kind. They are both looking for their past in a setting where most anything can happen and they want to protect whole heartedly the things they love. Both of them are in schools to become talented performers. Both the school's objectives are to make the students strong and beautiful -- of course in a ballet school like princess tutu the purpose is to be a great dancer and in mai otome it is to become a warrior. Also they have magic necklaces that help them transform into superheros to  read more 
report Recommended by pyromania1279
Love fairy tales? Princess Tutu and Snow Queen both have a classic good vs. evil plot, a collection of short stories, orchestra music, and a main female lead who desires to save a boy from the clutches of evil. They also share the same magical elements, such as talking animals, fantastical creatures, and magical powers. Snow Queen is very adventurous, while Princess Tutu is more of a ballet school/romance setting, but they have a similar atmosphere. Definitely check one out if you enjoyed the other~ 
report Recommended by Mimi_Taylor
They both have dreamy storytelling phase in each episode. 
report Recommended by sakeduck
If you liked the aesthetics in either show than check the other one out. While true Princess Tutu is a lot more colorful and whimsicle than Wolf's Rain melancholic and gray world, both have very beautiful soundtracks that coregraph with the animation. In this way Wolf's Rain is a visual and musical experience in the same way that Princess Tutu is. And of course if you like the story in Wolf's Rain for it's symbolism and subtext, Princess Tutu has that too....too. Only it's more references to fairy tales and stage plays and is not on a large of scale as Wolf's Rain is. 
report Recommended by SuperYoshiFan
Fractured fairy tales starring cursed princesses who fight against fate (and evil wizards). Both tell stories about stories and the power they hold, and both critique romantic concepts of princesses and knights. Both feature talking animal people. Tutu has more comedy and intense emotional highs and lows; Arete is more laid-back, contemplative, and at times lethargic. But if you love one of these princesses, odds are you'll like the other, too. 
report Recommended by q_3
They both deal with classical tales and have a majestic feel to them. The music is wonderful, the setting is poetic, and the endings are dramatic. To top it off, they both have great character development. 
report Recommended by ForeverInspired
They both have characters that want to keep the person that is for them and only them and characters that try hard for the person that they love. Also, they both have a surrealistic aura to them. 
report Recommended by AliceMercy
Characters in both fight against their fate and dare to make their lives their own even when struck with unimaginably sad truths. ...The obvious difference, of course, is that Higurashi has its basis in horror while Tutu steps into fairytale. While that may seem like complete opposite sides of a spectrum, the substance beneath is an intelligent design that becomes more twisted and beautiful as the story progresses. A glaring hope defines both these titles. 
report Recommended by CMYK
Still haven't gotten enough shoujo in your diet? Then you should try this titles as well! Both series are anime based on a theme for the art of performance and theater, and should not be missed! 
report Recommended by Retro8bit
Both Tokyo Mew Mew and Princess Tutu are very similar in the way that they both have magical girls that have unknown identities. Ichigo is like Ahiru because they both are clumsy and get very nervous around the person they like, and both try to protect that person, and also try to keep their true identities hidden. 
report Recommended by TsuruyaSonozaki
While not similar in story or genre, both shows make extensive use of classical music during the show with obvious care taken to choose the perfect pieces for any given situation to heighten the mood. On occasion, both shows might even use the exact same piece differently and both very well. If classical music is your thing, check them both out. 
report Recommended by zawa113
Both are series that deliver unorthodox treatment of a classical genre (Mahou-shoujo/Mecha). Both starts while looking like a common representative of these genres, but few plot twists later, you´ll find yourself enjoying the show even if you dislike mahou-shoujo or mecha genre. Both have amazingly well made conclusion. Both have old style of animation.  
report Recommended by abystoma2