Review of Fena: Pirate Princess
SOME of what you have already heard about "Fena: Pirate Princess" is true. It's a fun show with great visuals, music and historic references but the unconventional ending tends to put off some viewers looking for a pure action-oriented finale. I almost didn't watch the show after reading the reviews claiming the ending was "pointless" and I'm glad I ignored them. The opening episode is a blast and is a wonderful way to introduce our heroine at the start of her journey. Throughout the series, Fena shows a strong (and realistic) transformation as a character. She starts off meek and timid butends up having the fate of the entire world placed on her shoulder. She makes an incredibly difficult decision, all while maintaining her grace and vulnerability.
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Some refer to Fena as a damsel in distress who can't take care of herself. But this is utter nonsense. What 18-year-old girl could fend off armed British soldiers, Ninjas and cutthroat pirates with no martial training whatsoever? Nowadays if a female character - after her perfunctory 30-second training montage - doesn't instantly display the same strength, skill, aggression and bravado of her male counterparts, she isn't considered a true hero.
If you actually think about it, the "modern woman" as portrayed in film, TV and anime is nothing but a traditional male hero in disguise. That leads some to believe that the less a female character resembles a male character, the less of a true "modern woman" she is. Talk about ass backwards. Men and women are not interchangeable and respond differently to things. Fena maintains her kindness, purity and innocence - unable to commit a violent act against another person - which is vital to the conclusion of the story.
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The treasure hunt is captivating with an excellent use of world mythology, combining both Eastern & Western legends. The ultimate reveal of the vast treasure cave is great - and is a wonderful test for those blinded by gold - for the real treasure lies further within.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.
Read on if you would like an explanation of the whole Joan of Arc/Eden/Pucelle thing.
The overall legend behind the story is a bit convoluted and the Joan of Arc storyline appears to have been misinterpreted by the Japanese writers. (It would be as if an American author tried to tell the Musashi legend without truly understanding Japanese history). In the anime, we learn that all female descendants of Joan of Arc, for some reason, are required to give birth to the Pucelle (Maiden) upon whose should rests the fate of all mankind. That requires a royal bloodline. So Fena's mother, Helen, has to seduce the King of England in order to conceive her. As a result Helen can never be with the boy who truly loves her - Abel Bluefeld - the antagonist of the story. After giving birth to Fena, Helen is burned at the stake but her soul mystically travels to a place called "Eden," where only the chosen can go. Abel vows to find Helen and reuinte with her no matter what. This puts Abel on a lifelong quest to find Fena so that she can guide him back to Eden.
Young Fena ends up being raised by pirates and her adoptive father, Franz (who guided Helen to complete her duty as Pucelle). Fena is taught the secrets of Eden in song, dance and stories. The story begins with this pirate ship being attacked by an adult Abel, desperately searching for Fena. Almost everyone is killed in the fight but Fena is set adrift by the boy who will be her love interest throughout the story - young Yukimaru.
So just as Abel and Helen were separated as children, so to are Yukimaru and Fena. Fena washes ashore on the island of Shangri-La where ten years later she will be rescued before being auctioned off to the highest bidder. This sets her on a collission course with her fate - running into Yukimaru, with Abel Bluefled hot on her tail. It is this parallel that drives the story and gives true depth to the characters. I have to admit that the ultimate decision that Fena has to make is rather confusiing. There is no explanation given why the fate of humanity rests on her shoulders and why the Pucelle has that kind of power in the first place.
Episode 9 is absolutely wonderful. It shows the tragic childhood of young Helen and Abel. It recasts the villain in a completely different light. He seeks not wealth or riches, but the one true love he lost so long ago.
If you go into the series expecting a certain outcome, you might be disappointed. But like any true adventure, you must go where the wind takes you. With a free spirit and open mind I truly believe you will enjoy "Fena: Pirate Princess" and come away with more than you expected.