Princess Rouge

Original Title: プリンセス ルージュ - Legend of the Last Labyrinth
Romanized: Princess Rouge: Legend of the Last Labyrinth
Literal:

Plot Synopsis

Our story starts with an average, everyday high school student running a little late as he rides to school along a mountain path. You get two guesses what happens to him. No, he's not abducted by aliens, so, of course, a beautiful woman falls out of the sky and hits him. Literally. As with most anime guys, he's kind and ends up with her back at his place. The girl, Rouge, doesn't have much in the way of memories, but she's got a whole bunch of people interested in her whereabouts, and (surprise, surprise) she's got sisters...

Quick Review

Rating: 1.5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2006-06-19

Princess Rouge is exactly what it looks like: Yet another sweet, generic love comedy. It goes easy on the comedy and focuses on the sweet end, plus tries to add a little seasoning to the bland recipe by tossing in some action, mystery, and a dash of attitude. It isn't badly done--the visuals are passable, the acting is pretty good in both Japanese and English, and it the story looks like it might amount to something. But in the end, it has no particular good points either, and the story is left unfinished after two episodes.

As is, Princess Rouge is incomplete and unoriginal--if you really enjoy this sort of thing, it might make for an amusing diversion, but it's not worth the time otherwise.

US DVD Review

The DVD, one of AnimeWorks' earliest, is a basic production. The video transfer is passable, and oddly doesn't make use of soft subtitles--instead, there are two different "angle" video tracks, one of which has the subtitles hard-coded. This is the only time I've seen that done, but it does work (and means that the credits match the appropriate language without hassle). Both audio tracks are nicely separated stereo. By way of special features, the disc includes still images and a lame-sounding but rather amusing extra: Several scenes from the show, but with the dub actors "taking creative license," shall we say. Those are the funniest thing on the disc, and worth a look.

Oh, and one more thing. For some reason, the DVD uses only the series' subtitle "Legend of the Last Labyrinth", rather confusing since the actual series (and the VHS version) is called "Princess Rouge." Don't ask me.

Content Guide

A few awkward moments, some underwear, and moderate violence add up to a 13-up, perhaps less if you're lenient.

Violence: 2 - Not gory, but it is straight and a couple of people die.

Nudity: 1 - Underwear (male and female).

Sex/Mature Themes: 1 - Nothing at all explicit.

Language: 1 - Not much in the sub at least.

Notes and Trivia

This OAV series isn't based on anything else, but in addition to the Japanese LD and VHS videos, there were also two radio drama CDs released, as well as a soundtrack CD and a CD single of the end theme.

All of the Japanese videos and CDs, interestingly, have the title written in English exactly as it appears on the US VHS release: "Princess Rouge" (with a heart for the o) and the full English subtitle "Legend of the Last Labyrinth." There's sometimes a little caption showing how to pronounce "Princess Rouge", but that's it as far as Japanese text.

Availability

Available in the US from AnimeWorks on hybrid DVD. Was originally available on a subtitled or dubbed VHS tape, both out of print.

RightStuf carries the DVD as of this writing.

Looking to buy? Try these stores: RightStuf (search) | AnimeNation | Akemi's a(nime)Store