Princess Jellyfish

Princess Jellyfish is a quirky slice-of-life anime series created by FUNimation in 2010. As one of the stand-out presentations of that year, the series has captured audiences' hearts with its unique premise and eccentric, yet lovable characters. At the helm is an excellent cast, including Kana Hanazawa, Sumire Morohoshi, Mitsuki Saiga, Kimiko Saitō, Akemi Okamura, Motoko Kumai, Mamiko Noto, and Junichi Suwabe, each lending their talents to bring to life the diverse and vibrant personalities of the show.

Princess Jellyfish follows the story of Tsukimi Kurashita, a 20-year-old woman who has a deep fascination for jellyfish, a fascination that stems from a promise she made to her late mother to cherish these marine creatures. Tsukimi is not your typical lead character. She is a self-proclaimed otaku, an obsessive enthusiast, and has severe social anxieties that hinder her from fulfilling a normal lifestyle.

Tsukimi lives in Amamizukan, an apartment complex in Tokyo, that shelters a very peculiar group of women, all sharing a common thread - being otakus and having anxieties toward the fashionable and trendy society. Together, they form the 'Amars,' each with their own eccentric hobbies, from trains to traditional dolls, from history to the Three Kingdoms, thus living a life confined within their shared passions and supportive camaraderie.

Life takes an unexpected turn for Tsukimi when she encounters a beautiful and stylish stranger, who helps her out in a pet store. To Tsukimi's shock, she later finds out that this stranger is actually a cross-dressing man named Kuranosuke Koibuchi, the son of a politically influential family. This encounter opens an uncharted world for Tsukimi and her otaku comrades as their tightly-knit, socially isolated world begins to unravel.

Kuranosuke, performed beautifully by Junichi Suwabe, embodies the opposite of what the ‘Amars' stand for, a thriving figure in the world of fashion and glam—a societal aspect the ‘Amars’ loathes and fears. His insertion into Tsukimi's world marks the beginning of an endearing journey, commerce and romance, confrontation and acceptance, self-discovery, and the breaking of the walls that kept them enclosed for so long.

The series distinguishes itself with its exploration of personal growth, with each character having their unique story unraveled, and their strengths and insecurities exposed. Princess Jellyfish presents a refreshing take on character development, straying away from guaranteed transformations, instead favoring a more realistic and painstaking, yet rewarding step-by-step process.

Underneath the quirky setup lies a charming narrative that explores themes like identity, self-worth, friendship, and love. As much as it deals with societal issues, such as body shaming, it creates an avenue for addressing dilemmas common to an everyday person's life—acceptance, insecurities, falling in love, and coming into terms with oneself.

Despite being set in a simple and tranquil environment, the show boasts a flurry of expressive animation, colorful artistry, and elaborate character design that spice up its visual appeal. The series' humor is both subtle and outright, catering to a wide variety of entertainment aesthetics. The show is also supported with compelling performances by its star-studded cast, led by the renowned Kana Hanazawa, who provides an interesting blend of innocence and fortitude to Tsukimi's character.

Princess Jellyfish is a heartwarming series that weaves a compelling narrative with adorable characters within a uniquely defining setting. It is a mesmerizing and nostalgic trip into the world of otakus, a beloved tribute to those oddballs and loners finding their place in society. The creation of FUNimation has managed to touch viewers' hearts with its vivid portrayal of unconventional beauty, self-belief, and the joy of stepping outside one's comfort zone. It's a beautiful reminder that we may be odd, eccentric, and have different interests, but we’re all important and have a place in the world. Everyone's a princess in some way – even jellyfish-loving otakus like Tsukimi.