Given how neat and tidy most of Princess Tutu's first season was, I was left wondering how they would expand the story for Season 2. It took me some time to adjust, but at its best, this season was darker, crazier, and even more satisfying than the first.
Right from the get-go, Princess Tutu's second season is way darker than the first. The happy ending of Season 1 is overridden almost immediately when Mytho is infected with raven blood, Kraehe starts hunting for sacrifices in the name of her father, and Drosselmeyer begins planning for a more tragic ending. I'll be honest, I didn't love the first few episodes of the season. The episodic structure felt far more repetitive this time around, all ending with the same climax of Mytho or Kraehe almost taking a sacrifice before Tutu stops them at the last second. It was impactful the first time, but by Episode 6, it just got repetitive. I also don't love the new character Uzura, she's far too annoying and appears way too often. I didn't hate this first half, however. Fakir's character development is excellent along with his budding dynamic with Ahiru, the show's side characters like Femio and Hermia are memorable and likable, and I loved the darker tone that the season was going for.
While the first half was a bit shaky, it was around the episode The Spinners where the season took a turn to absolutely amazing with the big reveal that Fakir is Drosselmeyer's descendent. It's the point at which all of the little seeds that the past twenty episodes laid out all start to get paid off, resulting in a phenomenal second half with tons of amazing and intense sequences. Ahiru's self-esteem issues are fully explored as she finally overcomes her perception of how much she can help, Fakir finds a new role as a writer, and best of all, Rue goes through an excellent redemption arc where she learns her true origins and finally expresses her love for Mytho. Even Uzura gets better once she meets the ghost of Edel. This is also where Princess Tutu becomes incredibly meta as Drosselmeyer interferes a lot more often. This final half is packed with shocking twists, great character arcs, and a fitting resolution to the themes of agency and free will. As a whole, Season 2's first half was probably the show's weakest stretch of episodes, while its second half was easily its best.
Princess Tutu's second season has some really great episodes, especially near the end:
Crime And Punishment: In a fairly uneven first half, Crime And Punishment is a comedic breath of fresh air. Femio is such a memorable and enjoyable side character in just how flamboyant and dramatic he is. I love that he saves himself from Kraehe so that Tutu doesn't even need to do anything, it's such a hilarious storyline.
The Spinners: This episode was the turning point for Season 2, easily one of the show's best and the start of the season's amazing final half. Obviously this episode packs the massive and excellent twist of Fakir being Drosselmeyer's descendant, but I also really like how it focuses on Ahiru's self-esteem issues and how she feels like she doesn't do anything to help out.
Marionette: This was easily the show's best episode and it's not even close. The way Marionette explores all of the characters and their agency is just excellent. I loved Ahiru's creepy time in Drosselmeyer's dimension and her badass escape, boasting some of the most unique animation in the series. The twist that Rue isn't the Raven's daughter at all is heartbreaking and sets up an excellent redemption arc from her. Even Uzura, who I don't even like all that much, was great here as she rewinds time and learns that, unlike Edel, she has a heart.
The Dying Swan: The penultimate episode of the series is easily the darkest of the bunch as Drosselmeyer's desire for tragedy is at its most apparent. The first half of this episode is intense, particularly the scene where Fakir is forced to write Ahiru into drowning herself. And as much as it pains me to see Ahiru forced to give the pendant, it's an emotional end of the episode with the Ahiru/Fakir dance we've wanted to see for so long.
Finale: While I probably preferred Season 1's more personal Swan Lake, this was an immensely satisfying and excellently suspenseful ending to the series. Ahiru dancing as a duck is a perfect ending to her character arc that proves she can still help whatever her form, and almost everyone seems to get a fairly happy and hopeful resolution.
Overall, Princess Tutu's second season got to a bit of a shaky start, but its second half was climactic, twisty, dark, satisfying, and it brought the show's themes of fate and free will to a head.
4/5 Stars
Favorite Episode: Marionette
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