Shamanic Princess

Debut: 1996
6 Episode OVA

Tiara is a young magic user in training who is sent by the Elders to reclaim the stolen Throne of Yord (a living painting that houses the natural force that supports the magical world/Guardian World). Her lover Kagetsu stole it and escaped to the human world in hopes of saving his sister, Sarah, whose destiny it was to be made to become one with the Throne of Yord, forfeiting her life to it in a way. Tiara's rival, Lena, is also given the assignment by the Elders to hunt down Kagetsu and the stolen Throne, but like Tiara finds herself personally involved. Sarah tries to guide Tiara through her dreams to understand (it is her fate and not one she is frightened of anymore, her brother doesn't yet understand the necessity), and meanwhile the Throne of Yord itself is testing and combatting Tiara.

That is the first four episodes, the last two comprise a prequel to the story. They introduce Tiara as a child, initiated into her powers and performing her first summoning. Also, delves into her friendship with Sarah and her budding love for the older Kagetsu. Lena's rivalry is hinted at a bit, but still see the complexity of the relationship between the two young women. There is a mutual respect, shared friendship to Sarah, and a liking of the other on one level though too there are factors that keep the two distant and at odds with the other.

Classified as closer to bishoujo than shoujo, Shamanic Princess still stands as a good example of the underlying themes of the genre. Everything is touched on, rite of passage, inherent magic and the two-sided nature of that magic, etc. I find the OVA a beautiful telling of a woman coming of age, and one of my favorite works in the genre.

Notes for Shamanic Princess can be found here.

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