Princess Connect! Re Dive (2020)

How awesome would it be to get Isekai’d into a Fantasy world full of fun and adventure? Many Anime fans have thought so at some point, and none of these ideas are unfounded. The real world can be challenging at times, and we all seek to escape into a brighter reality one way or another, at least for a limited time. Anime helps us do just that, but so do Games! Getting Isekai’d is no new trope in either medium, and the thought of having magic at your fingertips is ever so alluring. The sense of release and freedom! What else?

Priconne | Princess Connect! Re:Dive | Pinnedupink.com

“Princess Connect! Re:Dive”, also known as “Priconne,” is a 13-episode TV anime series that aired from the 7th of April until the 30th of June in Spring 2020. It was produced by WOWOW, Nippon Columbia, Tokyo MX, BS11, and Cygames and brought to life by Studio CygamesPictures. The primary staff behind its creation includes Kanasaki Takaomi as Director and on Series Composition, Ishikawa Shunsuke as Episode Director, Itou Miku on Theme Song Performance, and Iwamoto Yasuo also as Episode Director. It featured the genres of Action, Adventure, Comedy, and Fantasy and received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older.

Priconne is mainly based on the source RPG game of the same title, following along with the main story of Cygames. In addition, it was adapted from the “Princess Connect! Re:Dive” Manga, which spanned two volumes from the 18th of February until the 23rd of December, 2018. Serialized in Cycomics, it was the work of Cygames’s authors and Artist Weshica/Shougo. A small series of Animated PVs for the mobile RPG Princess Connect!

Franchise was also released as a 3-episode ONA series from March 2015 until July 2017. A sequel titled “Princess Connect! Re:Dive Season 2” also aired from the 11th of January until the 29th of March, in Winter 2022. This series ran for 12 episodes and was released on Blu-ray in three volumes from March tiLl May 2022.

The story is set within the fictional continent of Astraea, where a certain man suddenly falls from the sky. This man, named Yuuki, has lost all memories other than his name. But fate is kinder to him because an elf named Kokkoro happens upon him and introduces herself as his very own guide within this magical world just waiting to be traversed. Under Kokkoro's guidance, Yuuki soon learns the workings of this world, be it battling monsters to handling its currency. Since money is an absolute necessity for their upcoming journey, Yuuki and Kokkoro decide to head to the nearest Guild Association to take on a simple quest.

While on their eventful expedition, the duo cross paths with Pecorine, a somewhat gluttonous but charming girl who is exceptionally skilled in battle. The next day, they also meet Karyl, a peculiar cat girl who specializes in magic. As time passes, a strong bond of friendship and camaraderie begins to form within the group; as such, the four friends decide to create a Guild of their own. While they continue on their eventful adventures, explore the vast world, and meet exciting new people, they grow closer to uncovering the mysteries behind Yuuki's lost memories.

Protagonist Yuuki cannot remember anything, but this doesn't stop him from being a nice guy. While he is not very clever and sometimes does certain socially unacceptable things, he and Kokkoro still lead a relatively everyday life. Together with Pecorine and Karyl, they initiate the "Gourmet Edifice" guild, where the main activities involve discovering new gourmet food and protecting the people in the city. This is not to say their journey is retarded, because they encounter more than a fair share of adventures that threaten their survival as well. Luckily for them, their creative culinary masterpieces stay intact even after the toughest of battles.

The synopsis sounds very cliche, and this is indeed the case with the Story department. This is not a bad thing because the main focus is comedy. The Anime effectively uses this generic plot to comically convey the tale of why Yuuki’s lost memories are essential. Overall, it is pretty balanced, downright hilarious, enjoyable, and has a decent story to tell.

The Characters of Priconne are the absolute best aspect of the series. While Yuuki is the protagonist, there isn’t anything exciting or remarkable about him. He is primarily silent, doesn’t know anything about the world, and comes off as some NPC bot. Kokkoro is highly devoted to her “master” Yuuki while firmly believing in her God and the tasks entrusted to her as God’s servant.

The beauty of the duo lies in how both of them are almost equally inexperienced, in a very comedic way. Pecorine, on the other hand, is the bubbliest character in the entire show. At her fingertips lie the strength of the Gods and the hilarious appetite of a glutton, making for a bucketload of entertainment. Karyl is a tsundere armed with her plan to keep an eye on the guild. Her development involves how she goes from this to someone who trusts her friends. The best chemistry exists between these three girls, and viewers can quickly catch onto it. So yes, viewers are almost guaranteed to love them!

Priconne has fantastic visuals. The Animation of the Action is incredible enough for viewers to forget that they are watching a comedy. While there are only a few characters, all of their designs are eye-candy. The scenery is beautiful, and the Animation is fluid. This Anime is a festival of vivid colors that leave an effect.

The Opening theme is "Lost Princess" by M・A・O, Miku Itou, and Rika Tachibana, which gives the vibe of an upcoming adventure and sets the stage for it. The Ending themes are "Sore demo Tomo ni Aruiteiku” and "Connecting Happy!!" by M・A・O, Miku Itou, and Rika Tachibana, perfect for relaxing after a long day. The OSTs are so pleasant that one wouldn't want them to end. They allow viewers to appreciate the series more and help them dive into the world of Priconne. Voice Acting? Superb, no complaints at all!

Overall, Princess Connect! Re:Dive is a comedy, so do not expect a serious and complex Isekai series. In a pure comedic sense, it is a true gift to the realm of Anime. It is just so fun to watch, and the incredible audio and visuals make it all the more enjoyable. This is a highly recommended series with some absolutely random comedy. The story ain't that bad either, so there’s really nothing much to risk watching this. This is precisely how an Anime advertising a Game should be because it really tempts you to give the game a shot!