This is a review of a graphic novel I read ten years ago, and have only now decided to repurchase and reread.
I don't know what I wasn't impressed by before, for me to give it a low rating, because 'The Courageous Princess' is one of the most original, creative, refreshing, charming and exciting Western female-led comics I have ever come across. It is certainly one of the better manga-influenced comics from the 2000s era out there (an "Amerimanga", which sounds... stupid, embarrassing, and dated).Rod Espinosa certainly took inspiration from classic 90s anime and manga, as well as fairy tales - the influences and allusions are there, but are cleverly placed and not distracting. The art - like a manga in colour - is absolutely wonderful, fresh, well detailed, and childlike in the best meaning of the term.
I will be continuing this epic fantasy adventure series, starring a strong female lead, with the two subsequent volumes that are now available to buy (maybe the reason why I didn't think much of 'The Courageous Princess' all those years ago is because I thought the series didn't have an ending, as I'd preferred).
'The Courageous Princess' is indeed about a courageous princess - the young, adorable, sweet teenage Mabelrose. She is an unlikely and unconventional princess, in that she is not conventionally beautiful, and is humble, quite homely, and active and loves playing, including with other children, no matter their status. And she will visit anyone of any status. Her penchant for nature and playing outside will prove useful to her on her adventures. She loves her people and she shows it daily. She wants to help them, and she will share whatever she can with them, even if it is just her time. Her beloved parents have taught her well about giving back to the people, respecting others, and being kind.
I'm relieved that Mabelrose is not a typical action heroine and warrior princess. She is not a tiny bit like what you'd expect from the 90s and 2000s idea of a "strong female character" i.e., a scantily-clad, violent, cold, grumpy and angry bore with a tragic past and baggage, and who is "independent" yet still in need of men to calm her down and fulfil her life. Good goddess no. Mabelrose is just a person with brains, heart, perseverance, and the determination and hope to find her way home to her loving parents after being kidnapped by a terrifying, greedy dragon. She is uncorrupted, unjaded and uncynical. Even though it is made clear that she is also religious and prays for help, she develops into a self-reliant, proactive, independent (genuinely so, with a talking porcupine as her new best friend and constant companion) and confident girl on her perilous journey back to her own kingdom. She is practical from the start, anyhow.
Mabelrose's courage, bravery, friendliness, helpfulness, selflessness, generosity, and kindness to everyone she meets are what matter the most about her. Greed and power for the sake of it are the overall antagonists of this graphic novel. She is a princess in the truest sense of the word.
It took me ages to figure out what anime character she reminds me of, and now I know that she looks and acts like Belldandy from 'Oh My Goddess!'. And maybe Milly Thompson from 'Trigun'. Wow it's been such a long time since I saw those classic anime. The unique fable comic has made me nostalgic.
And like the anime shows of old, 'The Courageous Princess' - a travelling adventure fairy tale homage series - isn't solely about the protagonist, Mabelrose. Other characters are memorable and receive their chance to shine and have an arc and be believable people, too. Including the talking animals. In a comic full of "proper royal etiquette" (conventions, such as wanting to be beautiful and rich, and waiting for a prince to come rescue the damsel-led princess, are deconstructed, and while at first Mabelrose doesn't mind being conservative, she remains a kid who plays and is not afraid to get dirty), magical items, and the aforementioned talking animals, it is very much a humanising fairy tale, and it is all the more fun and endearing for it.
What a wonderful, charming, totally and unfairly underrated "princess adventurer" comic. I'll be reviewing the sequel volumes once I get them. I can't wait to see how the dear, darling, brave and thoughtful Mabelrose's quest for home ends! No romance for this princess!
If you like a similar comic, 'Rapunzel's Revenge', and Disney movies such as 'Tangled' and 'Moana', and heck, if you love the classic children's epic fantasy adventure stories, such as 'The Last Unicorn' (link to my review of the novel is here, and my review of the graphic novel adaptation is here) and 'The Neverending Story', then you're sure-fire to enjoy and love 'The Courageous Princess'. I'm surprised it hasn't been adapted into anything. A real shame and disgrace.
So much heart and passion was put into this. It deserves more recognition, definitely. A resurgence. A second chance.
A chance to shine, brighten, enlighten, and charm once again, at the right time for it.
Final Score: 4/5
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