Tearmoon Teikoku Monogatari: Dantoudai Kara Hajimaru Hime No Tensei Gyakuten Story

Oh no desu wa! OH NO DESU WA!!! Not again! Not another of that doomed villainess flag anime!!! You better believe it is but wait. Something slightly different about Tearmoon Teikoku Monogatari: Dantoudai Kara Hajimaru Hime No Tensei Gyakuten Story. At least this is not a video game and that some hapless person working in a black company dies and gets reincarnated into it as the villainess. Phew. But still, it is that villainess theme whereby the princess of a fantasy world who has been executed for her crimes for being indifferent and apathetic over her citizens. She happily indulged in luxury while they were wallowing in misery. However right at the moment of her death, she gets a second chance and goes back in time. So in order to avoid all that pain of guillotine decapitation, she is more than prepared to work hard and her ass off just to avoid that doom ending. You bet the pain of death sucks more than the pain of hardworking (of sore muscles and headaches). This must be one of those rare instances where we learn from the past and improve ourselves or do better, right? Uhm, rather learn from the future? Better get your ass off and start working if you know what’s good for you, desu wa!

Episode 1
A kingdom in rebellion. Princess Mia Luna Tearmoon has been thrown into prison. For 3 years she endured such misery and her last day in her cell means she will now be facing the chopping block. Yes, it’s off with her head with this guillotine. And it comes down hard. Next thing she knows, she is in bed but reverted to her 12 year old self. She thought it was all a dream but realizes the bloodied diary she has been keeping during her imprisoned days is still here. It’s real! As she goes to eat, her servants are afraid of her. However she finds the food served to be delicious even if it is the vegetables she hated and ate during her imprisonment. It tastes so good! Mia is mindful as she remembers she fired this chef many years later for serving her foods she didn’t like. The servants find it strange she didn’t get mad. Then a she is about to have her cake, clumsy maid Anne Littstein drops it. She tries to control her anger but blows her top when that’s the last cake for today. Back to her usual self, the servants are relieved?! But Mia soon realizes who Anne is. During her imprisonment, she was the only one who never failed to visit her and comb her hand. Mia then felt ashamed she couldn’t repay her kindness and could only say thank you. Before her execution, they hugged as Anne prayed for heaven to protect her. Now Mia designates Anne to be her personal handmaid and won’t have it any other way. Mia goes through her diary as she recalls the events that led to that fateful day. In a few years, Tearmoon Empire’s finances will deteriorate, the people will go into famine while Mia couldn’t care less about the outside world and enjoyed her sheltered princess life inside the palace. Mia needs to avoid that revolt but she has no clue on how to deal with politics and economics. Oh well, better try harder now that she has been given a second chance. She soon remembers a loyal retainer other than Anne. However she never addressed his real name in the diary save for the nickname she gave him: 4 eyed dour nerd who was sent off to the provinces. He is a civil servant who tried hard to balance Tearmoon’s finances.

Episode 2
Mia remembers her beef with Ludwig Hewitt. He tried to warn her that her hefty food expenses was what drained Tearmoon’s finances. Of course then, she wasn’t too happy about it. So she confronts him about this and stuns him about the current finance problems the empire is facing. Though, mostly are borrowed words from her future self. He is taken in by her consideration for the finances and pledges to his loyalty to help her in any way regarding financial matters. Mia soon notices the change in history, some entries in her diary have also changed. But still the guillotine ending! Try harder. Knowing an epidemic will soon spread, she takes her loyal retainers to visit a poverty stricken area of the empire. While the dilapidated conditions and stink may put anyone off, Mia is used to worst conditions during her imprisonment. With many people here malnourished and starving to death, the only way for Mia is to sell this very expensive hairpin ornament of hers. Such generosity! She’ll put it to good use. After all, it’ll get stolen in the future anyway. With the funds, Mia is able to order the construct of a new hospital that starts treating the people. One of them is Eris who is Anne younger sister born with a frail body. The girls visit her and soon Mia learns that she is an author. But does this story sound familiar? Anne often read this story in her cell. Although Mia was captivated and looking forward to the next chapter, the story was unfinished as Eris died. Now Mia wants to hire Eris as her author. However Eris refuses, thinking she is doing so out of favouritism. She wants to do it on her own merit. Mia shows she is passionate about Eris’ story by narrating it. Well, perhaps too much spoilers because how does she know the parts Eris hasn’t written yet! Oh dear! Luckily Eris accepts Anne’s thinking that Mia could see where the story is going. With that, Eris accepts the job and Mia hopes to see the conclusion of her story.

Episode 3
Mia attends a school for royals and nobles: Saint Noel Academy. She remembers there are 2 individuals whom she must stay away at any cost: Sion Sol Sunkland, the first prince of Sunkland Kingdom and Tiona Rudolvon, the daughter of a lower noble family. You see, previously Mia had a crush on Sion but he had eyes on Tiona instead. This made Tiona the object of bullying for years. So when Tearmoon was under revolt, Tiona led the rebels along with Sion to dethrone the empire. Then she sees a few nobles trying to bully Tiona protecting her maid, Liora. Mia didn’t want to get involved but with Anne believing she will step in, Mia is forced to as she tells off those b*tches and sends them scooting off. Tiona is impressed although Mia quickly takes her leave. Sion has also been watching this and is very much impressed. At school, Mia stumbles into Rafina Orca Belluga, the eldest daughter of a duke who serves the holy ruler of Belluga in which where Saint Noel is located. Previously Mia tried to get close to her but was often shrugged off. Mia may have her reservations but it seems Rafina is being friendly with her now. And then talking about the ball, Mia realizes she forgot that humiliating incident. A ball was held to welcome new students. She was waiting Sion to choose her as her partner but dang, he chose Tiona! Imagine having to attend the ball all by herself without a partner. Humiliating indeed! Now Mia assigns Anne to help think of romantic strategies. She targets Abel Remno, the second prince of Remno Kingdom and her classmate. She thinks it would benefit her since Remno is situated across Sunkland and can be Tearmoon’s shield. She drops her handkerchief for him to pick up. He didn’t. He goes flirt with another girl! Worse, Sion picks it up! Mia hides but Tiona can tell it is Mia’s handkerchief. Sion wants Mia to be his partner for the ball. She doesn’t want to offend him and reject him but manages to find an excuse to get away. That is, she goes to see Abel being taken away by his brother, Gain who slaps him for being pathetic. He tells Abel to train himself in swordsmanship if he wants to pick up chicks. That is when Mia butts in and claims Abel was asking her to be his partner at the ball. Got a problem with that?

Episode 4
Mia also uses this chance to reject Sion since she already has a partner. She relishes in this rejection. While Abel is grateful for this, he feels he can’t live up to her expectations. In that case, train hard to achieve it. Since she believes he can surpass Sion and Gain, Abel now has more confidence. During the ball, Mia stuns everyone with her minimal dressing. Her original dress was sneezed upon by a horse so they’ll have to make do. You boys jealous? As she dances with Abel, many girls think she isn’t a good dancer. On the contrary, she is dancing in a way to match Abel’s level. But after that, Abel lets Sion dance with Mia. Both are so good that they enthral the crowd. Those who continue to disbelief are being told off by Rafina how such captivating dance is only possible when both partners are skilled. Meanwhile Anne is out shopping when Liora seeks her help. Tiona is kidnapped in that tower. Luckily Keithwood (Sion’s bodyguard) heard it all and offers to help. After taking down the guards, they find Tiona safe. Apparently she got a letter stating her dress has been stolen and must come here if she wants it back. Of course when she arrived, it is all messed up and she got locked up as a measure to prevent her from attending the ball. Keithwood thinks Mia is behind this since her family crest is found. Of course the girls brush it off that Mia would do such a thing. Anne gives her money to get Tiona a new dress. She makes it in time to the ball and hands a letter from Keithwood explaining everything. He too doesn’t believe Mia is behind this. As Abel is still low on self-confidence, Mia offers to teach him dancing so he can be of Sion’s level. Later Mia is shocked to learn what happened from Anne. If she doesn’t take action, she’ll earn Rafina’s ire. Hence she summons some of her attendants who were behind this. Instead of using her own values to judge them, she will have them blame on Rafina instead. She reasons they are not in their kingdom so they can’t do as they please. This matter will have them expelled but Mia will go talk to Rafina. Now she’s scared sh*t on what Rafina would do. However Rafina reasons Mia’s actions to let the offenders reflect and learn as suitable and is quite impressed. Mia doesn’t understand what’s going on but she’s on board with it. Even better because Rafina now wants to be friends with her!

Episode 5
Chloe Forkroad is a daughter of a trader and is very shy. Basically she has trouble making friends. Until Mia wants to be friends with her as she claims she is also a book reading enthusiast like her. Mia then goes to see Lin Malong of the equestrian club. Yeah, she thinks of getting better in her horse riding skills to run away faster from the rebels! Can a horse outrun a guillotine? You bet. Since Abel is also here to learn horse riding, Malong has him teach Mia. And so they ride together, Mia being a little scared upon realizing the horse a little higher than expected but gets used to it. But she fools around and causes her to fall. Luckily she falls on Abel and with this close proximity, both start to feel that strange prickly thing in their heart. My, bashful aren’t we? Mia thought with these events, it would change history. Nope. Guillotine ending still. With the sword tournament coming up, Mia once cooked a lot for Sion but was turned out. She ended up eating them all herself and alone. Such sad memories. Now she goes to ‘secure’ Abel as her lunch partner. But she hits a dead end when all the places are fully booked because of the tournament. Will she end up eating alone again? Anne suggests they can cook themselves. Well, both can’t. What about Chloe? She only read it from books. But it’s good enough. Anne then finds one who can really cook: Tiona. Oh dear. She sounds like she cuts vegetables like a guillotine! But Mia hatches a silly plan to poison the food and take both princes down? Keithwood hears Sion wanting someone to make lunch for him for the tournament. Then he finds out from Tiona about the group lunch and since she is willing to make some for Sion, Keithwood will inform him. Then as Mia and Abel hang out, he laments it’s a shame he can’t be the only one who east Mia’s lunch. Because that would probably give him the strength he needs to beat Sion. Mia realizes too late the high expectations surrounding her lunch…

Episode 6
Keithwood has a bad feeling so he goes check on the girls cooking. What’s this? Mia created a huge horse shaped bread?! Tiona cut loads of vegetables? Liora had an open campfire cooking meat? Chloe going to follow the recipe book to a T despite wrong?! Yeah, better put your foot down and take charge! No buts! With his guidance, lunches are saved. During the festival, Mia accidentally eats something spicy. Luckily Abel is nearby to give her some water. Gain then interrupts them as he mocks Mia’s wasted lunch. This is because Gain will be Abel’s first round opponent and he expects his little brother to lose. Instead of antagonizing Gain, Mia continues to cheer for Abel. The first round matches begin. The brothers face off. Gain continues to mock him but when he goes too far mocking Mia, Abel will not allow that to slide. He powers up and unleashes a move that scares the daylights out of him? Anyway he won. During lunch, Mia is impressed with Abel and rewards him with this horse shaped sandwich. But Mia isn’t impress when Sion’s side comes to join them. The guys renew their rivalry while Mia’s attempts to get praised for her sandwich is ignored. Soon it is Abel vs Sion. Both sides analyse each other’s attacks and try to get the advantage. In the end when both go in for the decisive blow, the referee stops the match because IT IS RAINING???!!! WTF?! Are kids not waterproof?! Sion and Abel promise to have their rematch another day. Wait. This isn’t continuing?! What kind of tournament is this?! Later Mia goes to praise Abel and how close he was to beating Sion. You can tell she is frustrated and blames the rain. Well, it could be her own doing because in her previous life after Sion rejected her lunch and being all alone for the tournament, she started cursing the weather and hoped it rained to deny Sion his victory. Yeah, she got her wish a lifetime late.

Episode 7
With the break, Mia returns to her kingdom. Noticing that food shortage is still a problem, she decides to make some friends to import wheat from overseas. She summons Chloe’s father, Marco to make a deal with him to import wheat at fixed prices. At first Marco is reserved seeing there is no benefit for him and this could be a test from the princess. But with Ludwig ironing out the details, Marco realizes he can profit high from this. Don’t really understand but everyone misunderstands Mia’s intention and hence everything wraps up nicely. Mia visits the slums and sees it is doing fine. The boy she saved gives her a unicorn hairpin in return. She realizes too late he is from the Lulu tribe. That is one of the tribes that came into conflict with the empire that led to her beheading. Since Mia cannot have nothing to do with it, the only way is to befriend them. Meanwhile because of the ambiguous borders, Viscount Berman tried to develop the swath of forest where the Lulu tribe lives to expand his land. Of course they resisted so he bribed the military to invade. Luckily the commander, Dion Alaia refrained from such foolish act and had his men stationed there ever since. Because of that, Berman goes to see Mia about this and wants permission to develop the forest and immediately she wants to visit it now. Mia knows the true dangers from her past life. When she forcefully developed the forest, its area is next to Tiona’s land and that’s partly the reason their relationship soured. When she sees Dion, immediately she faints from shock! Well, he was the one who decapitated her!!! After she regains her composure, it seems Ludwig has this idea of having Mia walk through the forest to see what is going on herself. But she trips on the roots and in her anger, kicks the stupid tree. Oh well, that is desecration for the Lulu tribe as they shoot their arrows! Mia orders the full evacuation of the army to guide her back safely to her palace. Berman is not pleased the development is called off as Mia will speak to her father further about the land. Later it seems Dion knows Mia being disrespectful was all an act. By doing so, it gives the guards stationed there an excuse to withdraw. Mia realizes she dropped her hairpin in the forest. Oh dear. Fearing the guillotine revolution, she must get it back at all cost!

Episode 8
Dion is willing to escort Mia to the forest to retrieve her hairpin. Wow. Alone with the guy who executed her. Must be fun, huh? As they head to the area where she dropped it, Dion then calls out the Lulu tribe who has been watching them. The chief wants to know where she got this hairpin since it is a present she gave to his wife who then gave it to her daughter. Mia explains how she got it and apologizes that his daughter has died. While the tribe calls it all lies, Liora tries to vouch for Mia as a person who wouldn’t do so. Mia then suggests the boy who gave her the hairpin to return here seeing remaining in the slums will do him no good. The chief takes it as she doesn’t want him to do the same mistakes away (his stubbornness was what caused his daughter to ran away and marry a man outside the tribe) and accepts her wisdom. Yeah, Mia had no plan all along except to avoid that guillotine future! Mia returns and has an audience with her father. Make that a very doting father. She requests the forest to be placed under her jurisdiction and so father orders Berman to construct a town and castle next to it. Ludwig wonders if this was the right move seeing Berman will hate Mia even more as he has to build it all out of his own pocket. Surprisingly Berman happily accepts. Ludwig realizes nobles value honour above everything else and is ashamed to have doubted Mia. Would he like to know?

Mia soon receives word about Tiona’s little brother, Cyril. In the past, Cyril’s genius developed some cold resistant wheat in Rafina’s research lab. You bet Mia was frustrated about it. Knowing Tiona’s family has not much money to send him to school and thus wanted her to mediate with Rafina, this time Mia has a plan. She visits the family and makes a good impression before Cyril. Talking to their father, Mia wants Cyril to become the first student in her school that she is building at the forest. This would save them money and distance. In return, Mia wants them to store wheat and distribute them to the people. They can use her name too. This brings much relief to them because the last time they did it, the nobles accused them of treason. So by using her name, it is as though he is under her orders. He is grateful for her compassion and wisdom! Obviously Mia doesn’t understand what’s going on and was only thinking of dumping all the work on them and getting all the credit! As Mia returns home, she is about to check her diary when it disappears! Oh no! How will she know about the guillotine?! Then she realizes, no diary means no guillotine! Yahoo! She’s free from the curse! Time to celebrate! Little does she know, a group of shady men aren’t happy with the progress of Mia and Tearmoon. Whatever plan to have Tearmoon experience famine or breakup Mia with Abel has failed. They decide to change their target.

Episode 9
Mia feels good to be back at Saint Noel. Rafina invites her for tea and she heard about Mia building a school for commoners. At first Mia thought Rafina is displeased but surprise! Rafina is impressed and takes a further liking for Mia. Suddenly Anne barges in with bad news of revolt. Mia’s heart stopped for a while there. Well, the ‘good news’ is that it is not Tearmoon that is revolting but Remno. Gee, that’s Abel’s kingdom, right? As the rest further discuss this, it seems the revolt hasn’t started yet. Because the king wants to raise taxes to maintain his strong army, obviously the people are against it and are hence planning to revolt. Although the Prime Minister Dasayev Donovan is working hard to mediate between the king and people, there is no telling what will happen since the whole kingdom is under great tension. Since Mia is worried about Abel and wants to go there, Chloe can arrange for a merchant caravan there. Sion, Keithwood and Tiona will also come along to keep her company. Anne wants to go too but Mia tells her to stay here and promises to come back. Along the way, bandits attack the caravan. As everyone tries to protect Mia, she falls off. Sion jumps off to save her. Gee, why the rest didn’t jump off too? Sion also saves Mia from drowning. Oh my, CPR time? Well, at least Mia’s first kiss is saved because Sion’s CPR is turning her head sideways and putting his fingers in her mouth to clear up the inside! WTF?! As they camp out, Mia talks to Sion about the possibility of killing Abel depending on the situation. Obviously this is about avoiding her guillotine future but Sion overthinks and believes Mia is trying to say if he has to right to condemn Abel seeing all he knows about Remno’s situation is through the intelligence he obtained and yet he didn’t think about doing anything about it. Could it be that Mia is trying to stop the revolt before Abel does something bad? Just your imagination… Next day, as they continue their journey, Sion notes those bandits aren’t ordinary ones. They are well trained assassins. Gee, if they were after Sion or Mia, why didn’t they jump off then to attack them? Heck, where are they now? They are soon picked up by a hunter named Muzik. Under the pretence that they are lost merchant children, Muzik brings them back to his village for some food. Despite knowing the revolt in the kingdom, those in the outskirts are too busy with their jobs to think about it. Mia finds it odd that although a famine will hit in a few years, a revolt is still happening. Uhm, I thought this was a tax issue?

Episode 10
As Sion and Mia are being guided to the capital, they are being further told about the elite group of knights that serve directly under Remno’s king, Adamant Infantry. If they are used to quell the rebels, there will be a huge massacre. So far word is that they are just on standby. Meanwhile Graham who belongs to Sunkland’s intelligence agency, Wind Crows, is operating under the guise of Remno’s civil servant and trying to decipher this love letter from Mia to Abel. Is this a secret code?! Obviously overthinking… He discusses with his assistant about their failure to bring ruin to Tearmoon and thus they have to accelerate their plans. This includes spreading the word that Donovan has been imprisoned by the king so as to get the people mad and start a rebellion. The king will then deploy Adamant Infantry to massacre them. However there is no movement from that elite group. It seems their commander, Goliar is reluctant to move because he has been given instruction by the king not to lose a single soldier! You know the reputation if a single one dies, right? So yeah, he’s staying put. Further revelation shows that Graham belongs to another group within Wind Crows called Albus and their mission takes priority as he tasks his assistant to spread more fake info. Obviously she is not proud to do that. But after she bumps into Abel and he notes how much Mia has changed him, she too tries to change and writes the truth in her info. As Sion and Mia try to find a transport, Mia is kidnapped by kids! She awakens in their base but their big sister, Lynsha scolds them for trying to extort money from her rather than bringing her to Jem as instructed since Mia is believed to be a threat to their cause. Lynsha introduces herself and it seems she is part of the rebellion that her brother, Lambert who is the leader is taking part of. She wants Mia’s help to stop this rebellion madness and believes Jem is manipulating everyone. Meeting up with Sion (who thinks Mia’s brilliance has the rebel now aligned with her), Lynsha reveals the people’s revolt is not for the taxes to be reduced but the release of Donovan since he has greatly helped the people. Suddenly everyone heads to the mayor’s manor. This is 2 days earlier than planned. Lambert ordered this to rev up everyone to fight against the oppressors. They see Lambert giving a fine speech. Lynsha then draws her brother’s attention and hoping he would hear out Mia.

Episode 11
Lambert actually knows Sion and Mia’s identity. He wants Sion’s support in this rebellion. Sion cautions if his kingdom supports him, there is no way the rebels can hold out since here to the capital is quite far. However Lambert’s plan is to hit their supply lines and divide Adamant Infantry from the capital. Sion then realizes the whole thing is create diversion and confusion. As Remno has the best highways and access compared to other nations, this means their army is better mobilized and that is what the taxes are levied for. While Lambert would trust Sion as his ally, he is unsure of Mia and needs to keep her mouth shut by letting her stay here. But soon word comes in that the military has been deployed to a fortress on one of the highways and the one leading them is Abel. Sion fears Abel has taken this path and wants to go see him to settle the score. He doesn’t want Mia to come along since it is not best for her to witness what comes next. Not wanting to see both sides kill each other, Mia stays firm in coming. Soon both of them have an audience with Abel, much to his surprise. Abel is in a dilemma wondering if Mia came to see him and in worst case, she won’t take his side. Sion suggests continuing their duel. Abel’s right hand man, Bernard advises him not to but Abel decides to accept it to prove his own justice.

So both guys start clashing their swords and Mia becoming their witness. During the duel, Sion asks Abel’s moral compass about sacrificing himself for the rotten royalty. Abel believes order is needed and if it is corrupt, he is to correct it. Of course Sion will not stand for it if that means oppressing his people. Mia tries to get them to stop fighting but they keep on striking at each other. She is sad that just like in her last life, nobody listens to her words. Thankfully it is Dion who comes in between to stop this. Bernard tries to fight Dion for this insolence but Dion’s sword slices off his iron axe! HOW?! With Ludwig and Anne surprisingly here, this brings Mia much relief. But wait. Now she has to address the army? Obviously she is lost for words as she has no plan to even stop all this. She tells the army to turn back. Bernard scoffs at her to let the rebels be. As Mia further analyses the situation that doesn’t add up, she finds it hard to articulate this whole thing is probably set up by someone. Fortunately for her, Bernard thinks from the words she say, someone behind the shadows is trying to divide the nation. Well yeah, you took the words right from her mouth. Even if that is true, they still have to deal with the rebels. And the reduction of taxes will not be entertained. This is when Mia reveals the goal of the rebellion is for the release of Donovan. This shocks many as this is the first time they know about this. But what are the chances he is dead? Well, it’s about time Keithwood and Tiona show up because they relay the good news that he is still alive. Though, technically it is bad news for them.

Episode 12
Sion apologizes to Mia because word is that this insurrection was started by a rogue unit of Wind Crows. This has Mia realize that all this was to make Sunkland look good and she will still have to face the guillotine. All the events that led to Mia being put to the guillotine were actually brought about by those who condemned her. While Abel does not blame Sion and forgives him, Mia still wants to get back at Sion. How? Uhm, she kicks his behind?! For Sion, it didn’t hurt. But he starts thinking this punishment is to make him think and repent his actions. Thus he thanks Mia for opening his eyes. WTF Mia so confused but whatever. As they have found where Donovan is being held, they have Lynsha guide them there. This is where the mastermind behind it all is. And it is no doubt Jem and he is condemning Mia for ruining his plans of starting a chain reaction of collapsing of other nations after Tearmoon. Imagine kids beating grownup bandits as they storm the place. Mia’s clumsiness has her tumble right at Jem’s foot. He takes her hostage despite the rest tells him to give up and Donovan has been rescued. Jem is bitter with his ruined plans so he is itching to decapitate her! Taboo word! Just when everyone thought Mia wet her pants, it is actually the slippery shampoo Anne passed to her earlier. Anne tells Mia to run. She does so but slips. Jem tries to slice her head off but he also slips. In this unbelievable moment, Mia’s tripping has her feet kick his crotch! OMFG! OUCH! And just like that the mastermind is defeated. As all are tied outside, Mia wants their life spared. Jem mocks them for being softies and aren’t afraid of being tortured. Sion and Abel think deeply about Mia’s wish and its implications of letting them live. Of course Mia is doing this to avoid that guillotine ending and the possible conditions that will trigger that. But she is more concerned if these conspirators get the guillotine treatment, what if they get a second chance like her to redo thinks and undo all her efforts! Oh my! Into parallel timelines now, aren’t we?! However Mia thinks hard. She is unlike before. She now has friends. Roll call for our characters. Hence her punishment is suggesting leaving them under Rafina’s care where they’ll get lectured every day for 3 years! A fate worse than death and torture! Jem looking pretty scared now! With the rebellion over, Tiona and Ludwig plead to the king to give clemency to Lambert, Lynsha and other rebels. Back at the academy, Mia has a wonderful picnic with her friends. While her future remains uncertain, she still wants to experience more happiness and for that she will let nothing compromise that or the happiness of her beloved ones.

Be-heading Towards A New Future!
I’m sure as long as Mia doesn’t get the guillotine future, she’ll be more than happy to be, uhm, happy. So don’t need to rush because that future is still a long way off. Take your time and accumulate all the happiness. Even if the guillotine future is inevitable, she can look back and relish that she has given her best. She can die with a smile. NOT! Anything but the chopping board! One beheaded, twice scared! Heh. Sorry, bad pun. But you get the picture. Desu wa.

The story overall seems pretty okay. Basically it is still a villainess themed anime and the bad princess has been given a chance to undo the wrongs of her ways. Yeah, I am starting to feel that this theme is going to be a dirty word, close to being with the dreaded isekai theme up there. And yet I still keep watching them. Anyway, while the plot may sound generic and in a way amusing in its own right, basically the ‘charm’ of this series is seeing Mia fumble and stumble her way through as she desperately tries to avoid her guillotine future. In other words, she only thinks of herself just to avoid that public execution but at the same time she needs to be mindful of her actions so as not to lead back to that doom route. Desu wa.

This is why her actions and thinking may sound like she is being noble. We viewers would of course have seen right through her but as for the rest of the characters who interacted with her, they would start believing her magnanimous words and noble actions. Both sides are not on the same page and the irony that despite their different thinking, they surprisingly arrive at the same conclusion. That’s right. Everyone tends to overthink and on a positive note but I guess that is natural because only a baddie would have sceptical thoughts, right? Mia is after all a princess so it is natural to assume that she would do things for the benefit of her nation. How convenient for such to play out every time. Such a great win-win situation. And Mia doesn’t actually have to do anything about it and it all works out pretty fine in the end. Even more so, earning the nickname the Wisdom of Tearmoon. Yeah, everybody so smart on her behalf, if you know what I mean. Desu wa.

Mia isn’t exactly a princess who has totally turned over a new leaf. Yes, she has changed but not entirely a saint. After her harrowing death experience, any sensible person would definitely be spooked and want to change their ways. So it is good that the guillotine was a wakeup call for Mia to change. However that is only so much about it. Mia changes only because she wishes to avoid that painful experience and nothing else. It’s not like she really cares about everything else, right? Of course she has to at least in this context to avoid that doom. Therefore in this sense that is why I said Mia hasn’t exactly changed into a 100% good person. She is still selfish in wanting to avoid that fate. If not, get back at last life’s humiliation. Desu wa.

But of course and obviously in her bid to do that, she has to bring about some changes and do good. That in a way has benefited many and surprising even some. In short, in her bid to stay alive, she has done tons of work that would put many in such positions to shame! So yeah, there is good and bad about it. But now that her diary has disappeared and nothing else to keep track of her doom flag, I am guessing this would mean Mia will have to work as hard as she us until the day she breathes her last breath! Not a bad thing, though. At least with no ‘guide’ she won’t rest on her laurels and return to square one. So keep working hard. As long as the running joke of her phobia for the guillotine remains high (yeah the guillotine in her mind is some sentient being out to get her!), she’ll be on her toes. Desu wa.

Although the original previous was painted to be someone who doesn’t cares, she isn’t entirely a bad person. She was just selfish in the sense that she doesn’t care about her citizens and only her own wellbeing. Sure, this is also bad only because as a princess, she has her duties and responsibilities. What I’m trying to say is that in some villainess themed animes, the villainess was indeed even crueller than her. If you have seen the one in Lastame, you know what I mean. Mia here doesn’t crave for absolute power nor does she want to manipulate others. She is just simply like a spoilt brat and a very sheltered princess. Sometimes seeing her fate in the future where she languishes in prison and her sluggish outlook that screams void of any life, her face filled with regrets and grief. It is a pity to see her in that state. But have to remind myself that no love lost. She got what she deserved. No wonder the Mia now is so filled with emotions and all. Don’t let the guillotine get ‘ya! Uh huh. Somehow guillotines in her mind can run and chase after her! Yikes! Run like hell!

The one thing that bugged me during this season about Mia is that after being given a second chance, it seemed that a lot of decisions were made by her. So what am I getting at? Uhm, why is she making such important decisions because doesn’t her parents, the king and queen are still alive and supposed to be making the important decisions?! Especially that involves international connections?! Why is a mere young princess calling the shots?! Even more so, helping to quell a rebellion at Remno?! Kids solving Remno’s civil war?! It just doesn’t make sense and at first it seemed like Mia was the only royalty in this second life. Of course subsequently we see her dad the king but the way I see it, he is more like a joker (f*cking hell, I think he almost looks like the Burger King’s mascot!). Sure, he may have been pulling strings in the background and making decisions away from our eyes. I mean, this series is about Mia, right? Why bore us with unrelated stuffs like the life of the king. So yeah, this seems pretty understandable. That is why when Mia ordered the rebuilding of the slums and all, it looked like she was calling the shots. But behind our backs and not seen on screen, she must have confided with her father to take action and do the necessary. Yeah, I think this is more logical. Desu wa.

The other characters are rather okay. As pointed out, because of their overthinking of Mia’s words and actions, they simply elevated Mia’s status into some brilliant and caring princess. At least in this timeline, Mia has made a lot, if not all of these characters as her friends. Whereas originally many of them like Sion and Tiona were her sworn enemies. Better to have them as allies than foes, right? Of course Mia is still haunted by her previous life’s trauma and humiliation from some of them and in a way still keeps her distance and to a certain degree stays wary. Like Rafina who once snubbed her despite Mia’s attempts to befriend her. But now Rafina is like as though her lifelong best friend. Oh my, look at how things have changed.

From another perspective, can I say that this new and current timeline, it is all about Mia amassing allies and friends? Because when you think about it, there are many characters that seemed a bit out of place. Shown for a while and then go into obscurity. Like Elise. You do remember Anne’s sister, right? And Chloe? Felt like her character was just a stepping stone so Mia could forge some alliance with her merchant dad. Remember Cyril? So what about Tiona’s brother becoming Mia’s first student in her school? Oh right. Investing in the future. Even Anne and Ludwig also feel less significant when the season draws to a close. It makes them feel redundant at least for now. By the way if you’re interested, there’s a whole list of allies Mia made in her current timeline if you know where to look for over the internet. Yeah, I’m spoilt already… This includes a whole bunch of nobles named (insert colour here)~moon. Oh my… Don’t see any Goldmoon or Blackmoon character… Desu wa…

There is now even a possibility of a love triangle happening for Mia. Sion and Abel look like potentials to be her partner. At least that is how I viewed it seeing what is a princess’ life without having such royal romance, right? Okay, maybe I am just getting ahead of myself. With Mia being altruistic (although she is actually being selfish), this makes the guys think very highly of her and doing things on her behalf. Like in the final arc for this season in quelling the uprising in Remno, do you not think Sion is tagging along isn’t it for Mia’s sakes? Whatever issue that concerns his kingdom felt like a cover up. He just wants to prove his worth to Mia, right? That is why he is going so far as to challenge Abel and giving excuse that if he has turned bad, he won’t hesitate to cut him down. Isn’t all that for Mia? Or have I been influenced by the overthinking bug???!!! But this version of Mia has definitely changed them. Sion now her close ally and Abel who was once a playboy having multiple partners is now solely focused on and devoted to Mia. Though, he still has a bit of inferiority complex and thinks Sion is better than him in many ways. Well, only way is to improve yourself and be better than Sion. Are you going to let that Sunkland prince take Mia away right from your clutches? Desu wa!

Art and animation are standard. The visuals are mostly bright and livid except of course slum-like areas where it is dark and dirty but otherwise mostly clean and clear visuals. The character designs lean more towards the cute side so the series may give off the impression that it is a show for younger audiences. I mean, just look how cute Mia is, right? Yeah, could be Disney princess material. Not! Oh well, revel in various Mia’s facial expressions like her smug look to her flabbergasted reactions. Desu wa. I also need to mention about the CGI. In short, still bad. I don’t know why but do animators have something against horses? In a few animes that I have seen for the past seasons, it seems the horses have now been given the bad CGI treatment. They look so unreal. Like, WHY?! Do you not like horses?! Even so, why the crappy CGI quality?! Please, no more sh*tty CGI especially for horses! This series is done by veteran Silver Link who did Masamune-kun No Revenge, Strike The Blood, Kokoro Connect, Hamefura, Non Non Biyori, Jahy-sama Wa Kujikenai and Isekai Shokudou.

For the voice acting, I only recognized Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Abel and Yuuichirou Umehara as Ludwig. Yeah, these guys sound the same as always. Because I barely could for Nao Touyama as Rafina and Rie Takahashi as Chloe. The rest of the other casts are Sumire Uesaka as Mia (Sanae in Chuunibyou Demo Koi Ga Shitai), Shun Horie as Sion (Kazuya in Kanojo Okarishimasu), Kanon Takao as Tiona (Hermit in Edens Zero), Toshiki Masuda as Keithwood (Kirishima in Boku No Hero Academia), Tomori Kusunoki as Anne (Makima in Chainsaw Man), Fuko Saito as Liora (Shiina in Angel Beats), Makoto Furukawa as Dion (Shirogane in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Haruka Shiraishi as Lynsha (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy), Wataru Katou as Lambert (Touka in Yuusha Ga Shinda), Toshinari Fukamachi as Gain (Hajime in Arifureta) and Yuuki Tamai as Donovan. The opening theme is sung by Mia herself, Happy End Princess (you mean it’s not Desu Wa?!). A lively denpa song that reflects all the bubbliness and spunky that our princess has to offer. Amusing to see the myriad of her funny faces in the animation. Desu wa. As for the ending theme, Queen Of The Night by KanoeRana starts off slowly like a song for a tropical beach before turning into a dramatic piece.

Overall, despite the usual villainess trope, this series is also mainly about politics. Thankfully they are not very heavy that will give casual viewers any major headaches. Still, fun and enjoyable watch only because of the different intentions of the characters that miraculously works out fine in the end. All the time. Not even God can perform such consistent and consecutive miracles. Heh. Yeah, can’t hate a cute princess with such smug looks too, right? Desu wa. So keep working hard for everybody and yourself to avoid that decapitating future. Yes, working hard for the sake of the people and dying on the job AKA work till you die still beats dying in a revolution. Like how most of us are in today’s reality… :’(. So uhm, Tearmoon… Tears for Fears (concept of expression that tears are a healthy way to help release fears)? Better than turning into Tears of a Kingdom! Desu wa!