I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons

Worst Anime of Winter 2025!

Really wanted to give this a try as the main character is quite cute and there is always a little bit of a shortage of new shoujo anime out there imho! But the rest of the characters, as well as the story, could be straight out of a kidnapping horror. If you enjoy it for the dysfunctional behavior of the male lead, I guess that's okay. Can't call this romance though, it's promoting really scummy behavior such as sexual harassment, kidnapping, gaslighting as normal (and maybe it was until the beginning of the 20th century for many women - but we should be glad it's not anymore).

Yes, let's talk about sunk-cost theory. You put in the time and effort which drives the force to finish or complete said task; that's exactly what happened here. The animation felt like it belonged to the early 2000s. As someone who enjoys anime from the '90s, it didn't bother me too much, but I was shocked that this was a recent release. The graphics were subpar, which is surprising for contemporary anime. Moreover, the plot was completely lacking. I struggled to grasp the premise: a guy breaks up with his fiancée, and she escapes to the countryside to fish, only for him to return and claim he didn't actually break up with her. His "date" even urged her to come back, as she wanted to avoid taking lessons too. What? I pushed through several episodes, but it felt like a train wreck. The animation was poor, the storyline was weak, and overall, it just didn't live up to expectations (which I didn't have any).

Why was this show made this way? The vibe it gives off feels reminiscent of brain-dead cartoon shows aimed at children aged 2-3. While the concept it explores is undeniably intriguing, the logic behind most actions is utterly nonsensical! The conflict, which could have been portrayed with clever nuance, ends up feeling pointless and devoid of meaning.

The romantic subplot, while present, takes a backseat, as the plot largely focuses on side characters and random, mundane side quests that are downright boring to watch. Binge-watching this show was impossible for me-it's just too cringeworthy and absurd to handle in one go. The only reason I managed to finish it (albeit at a painstakingly slow pace) was because I wanted some sense of closure and satisfaction, as I genuinely loved the manga it's based on. Sadly, even the ending turned out to be a letdown! After dragging its feet for so long, the show rushed through its conclusion, leaving it feeling disjointed and unsatisfying.

The screenplay, direction, and animation are all, at best, barely average. However, I'll give it credit for one thing-it's lighthearted and not dark or depressing, so it could serve as simple background noise for those looking for something easygoing. And while the ending was far from satisfying, at least it was happy, so there's that small positive.

After watching up to episode 3, I find it hard to imagine this anime improving. It's easily one of the worst offerings of the season, plagued by poor animation, incoherent storytelling, and deeply problematic themes.

The animation is noticeably cheap, with inconsistent quality that detracts from the viewing experience. The storytelling doesn't fare any better-moments where the protagonist breaks the fourth wall feel completely random and out of place, failing to add any charm or depth to the narrative.

The plot itself is problematic on multiple levels. The story revolves around an aristocratic girl forced to marry a prince and endure grueling lessons since childhood. Her dream, however, is to live a simple, carefree life in the countryside. When she finally breaks her engagement and escapes, the prince stalks her, drags her back against her will, and everyone around her seems unbothered by this.

This premise could have been the foundation for a compelling story about feminism, self-determination, and independence. Unfortunately, the anime seems determined to pivot towards a clichéd love story, making this direction particularly egregious. The prince blatantly disregards the protagonist's autonomy, and the show appears to frame this as romantic rather than problematic.

Adding to the disappointment, both main characters are woefully underdeveloped. By episode 3, there's little insight into their backstories, motivations, or personalities. It's hard to root for characters who feel like blank slates, making the already flawed plot even more unbearable.

In short, I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons is a frustrating watch with little to offer. Unless it takes a drastic turn, it's hard to recommend this anime to anyone.