Line #11 Manga/MurderPrincess


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12	Hard times are upon the Kingdom of Forland: the heir apparent Kaito has gone missing and the righteous king was slain by the EvilChancellor, [[BigBad Dr Akamashi]], and his RobotGirl assassins. The only remaining royal family member, princess Alita, flees the castle in the last moment, chased by the Chancellor's FacelessGoons. Yet luck suddenly turns in her favor when she literally [[CrashIntoHello falls into the embrace]] of the most badass ActionGirl in recorded history: bounty hunter Falis. After an accidental near-death experience, the two [[FreakyFridayFlip switch bodies]] and Falis agrees to assume Alita's persona, take Forland back from the usurper, and protect it until prince Kaito's return. Rounding up her henchmen, she proceeds to the castle to kick ass and earn the title of the most brutal princess in history...
13
14	''Murder Princess'' is a 2005 {{manga}} by Sekihiko Inui and a six-episode [[{{anime}} OVA]] adaptation produced by Creator/BeeTrain. Although initially believed to be a RedHerring to draw attention from Bee Train's real Next Big Thing for 2007, ''Anime/ElCazadorDeLaBruja'', the OVA proved itself as a very solid piece of work and contained just the right amount of [[RuleOfCool cool action]], PseudoRomanticFriendship, and fitting (and slightly [[HeavyMetal metallic]]) musical score to appease long-standing Bee Train fans with its character designs and straightforward story.
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16	Since the anime and manga have their share of differences, there is a separate list of tropes for each version.
17	----
18	!!The show provides examples of:
19
20	* AchillesHeel: For [[LadyOfBlackMagic Cecilia]], it's [[spoiler:the glowing gem on her chest that provides her powers]].
21	* ActionDressRip: Falis/Alita [[RuleOfCool somehow]] cuts the hem off her dress and cuts a slit in it with two movements of her sword.
22	* AdorableEvilMinions: Ana and Yuna tiny and cute female dolls with spunky and shy, respectively, personalities. They are also Dr. Akamashi's primary weapons in his coup.
23	* AfterTheEnd: Throughout the story, it is stated that the world is still recovering from a global war that destroyed most of the old civilization, and that civilization was recovering from an apocalypse before ''that''.
24	* BaitAndSwitchBoss: In episode 4, [[spoiler:it seems like Falis and company will finally have their showdown with Dr. Akamashi... until the Black Knight kills him and forces Falis to fight him instead]].
25	* BathtubScene: Falis gets gets several, the first one complete with the obligatory LegFocus and CensorSuds.
26	* BewareTheQuietOnes: During most fights, Yuna tends to fade into the background and leaves most of the asskicking to Ana. However, when push comes to shove, she's more than able to force Falis to go on the defensive.
27	* {{BFS}}: The BigBad Dr Akamashi's sword is almost as big as he is.
28	* BigDamnHeroes: Kaito's reappearance is him appearing as if from nowhere to save Alita from a giant monter.
29	%%* BigThinShortTrio: Pete, Falis/Alita and Dominikov.
30	* BlackKnight: The [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Dark Knight]], A.K.A [[spoiler:Kaito]] wears menacing black armor, so the viewer knows immediately that he is bad news.
31	* BladeBelowTheShoulder: Ana has one which she uses to duel Falis. It is one of her functions as a combat droid.
32	* BloodKnight: Falis quite enjoys fighting.
33	* BodyDouble: The original Milano takes the Princess' place before the invasion in episode one, and dies in the subsequent battle. This causes the body-swapped Princess to take on her name and role in her honor.
34	* BrainwashedAndCrazy: One possible explanation for [[spoiler: Kaito's FaceHeelTurn]], either that or it's MoreThanMindControl. His initial hesitation in attacking Alita/Falis seems to indicate his actions are being caused by brainwashing. Unusually, if that is the case, he doesn't automatically turn good once Cecilia is [[spoiler: killed]].
35	* ButForMeItWasTuesday:
36	-->'''Alita/Falis''': You attacked my village and killed the villagers... and my family. Why?
37	-->'''Cecilia''': I have no reason why. It was simply because they happened to be there.
38	* ButNowIMustGo: [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Surprisingly enough]], ''not'' Falis. The only opportunity to reverse the FreakyFridayFlip is used up saving the world, so she decides to stay on, at least until another solution is found.]]
39	* ClarkesThirdLaw: It is eventually revealed that [[spoiler: all the "magical" elements of the series, save for the soul transfer, are actually sufficiently advanced technology from the distant past]].
40	* CrashIntoHello: How Alita and Falis meet. Well, it's more like a "falling off a cliff, hugging each other hello", but it is still a dramatic meeting.
41	* CuteBruiser: Ana is a cute doll ''and'' a combat robot.
42	%%* {{Determinator}}: Falis.
43	%%* DiagonalCut
44	* DisappearsIntoLight: All of the lost technology in the final episode disappears in the final episode through flashes of light, which sadly includes [[spoiler:Dominikov, Pete, Ana, and Yuna]].
45	* DiscOneFinalBoss:[[spoiler: Dr. Akamashi is only the BigBad before the introduction of the Black Knight and Cecilia]].
46	* DoomedHometown: Through flashback, we see that [[spoiler: Falis got her sword and became a bounty hunter because Cecilia burned her hometown to the ground and killed her father. Her sword was his sword.]]
47	%%%%%% How does this context fit the trope? Having it just happen is People Sit On Chairs.
48	%%%%* DressHitsFloor: After Alita decides to take on the identity of Milano, her faithful servant.
49	* DualWielding: Falis/Alita pulls off some of the most beautifully animated katana+wakizashi action sequences in recent years.
50	%%%%* ElegantGothicLolita: Ana and Yuna's outfits
51	* TheEvilPrince [[spoiler:: Kaito is of the opinion that all the world, including his own kingdom, should be burned to ashes as a MercyKill.]]
52	%%%* FacelessGoons
53	%%%* {{Fantasy}}
54	* ForTheEvulz: Cecilia's stated reason for [[spoiler: killing Falis's whole village]] is because it was there, and she needed a target for her magic.
55	* FreakyFridayFlip: One happens between Alita and Falis in the premise. Their souls switch bodies during a near death experience which leads to Falis taking the throne in Alita's place and becoming the titular 'Murder Princess'.
56	* GentleGiant: Pete Armstrong -- Maybe "gentle" isn't the word, 'cause he never hesitates to crush a few skulls, but he's got plenty of compassion for his friends.
57	* GratuitousEnglish: "Murder Princess" sounds a bit strange, though something like "Killer Princess" would've been rather cliché. The theme song is quite good, with the English lyrics making about as much sense as the Japanese.
58	* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Alita plays this completely straight when she's in her original body because of her great kindness and compassion. This initially seems to be subverted when Falis gets switched into said body, until she reveals the JerkWithAHeartOfGold side of her personality.
59	* HalfTheManHeUsedToBe: The guards who are attacked by the forest guardian in episode one are cut vertically, much to Alita's horror.
60	* HeroicSacrifice: The original [[spoiler: Milano]], Alita's handmaiden and decoy double, is killed to cover Alita's escape.
61	** And in the GrandFinale, [[spoiler: Dominikov, Pete, Ana, and Yuna all sacrifice themselves to save the world. The only way to activate the method that will stop the EvilPlan involves removing all lost technology from the world, including them.]]
62	%%%%%
63	%%%%% "More so in the manga than the anime." is not proper context
64	%%%%* HumansAreBastards:
65	* InTheBack: The Black Knight kills [[spoiler:Dr. Akamashi]] from behind. It is as surprising to viewer as to his victim.
66	* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler:Ana is initially presented as an AxCrazy psycho who delights in slaughtering anyone and everyone, from soldiers to defenseless staff. After her creator is killed, she explains that this was the result of her programming and joins the good guys, and eventually dies along with the other LostTechnology when the MacGuffin is destroyed, making this a subversion.]]
67	* KickingAssInAllHerFinery: Whenever Falis/Alita battles while wearing one of Alita's [[SimpleYetOpulent gowns]] this is in effect because they never slow her down or get in the way.
68	* KilledMidSentence: Poor [[spoiler:Dr. Akamashi]] is stabbed in the back during a verbal confrontation.
69	%%%%% "And yes, she's also the obligatory villainous MsFanservice." side a side note. It is not context.
70	%%%%* LadyOfBlackMagic: Cecilia is the only one here who qualifies as a mage and her magic is certainly destructive.
71	* LostTechnology: Ana and Yuna, among others, are products of a previous civilization's technology. Only a handful of people understand how it works.
72	* LowerClassLout: Falis has no idea of the proper airs and graces that come with being a noble, so she comes across as this when she gets stuck in Alita's body.
73	* MacrossMissileMassacre: Yuna's talent lies in long range missle attacks.
74	* MadScientist: Doctor Akamashi was in charge of a division of Farland's research. He created Yuna and Ana as well as monsters. Then he used them for a coup.
75	* {{Meido}}: Milano is Alita's handmaiden and performed domestic tasks for her. Alita becomes one too after adopting her identity. It falls to her to keep the princess' room looking clean and the princess herself presentable.
76	* MissingMom: Both Alita and Falis only have fathers with no mention of their mothers, [[spoiler: and both their fathers are eventually killed]].
77	* ModestyBedsheet: Falis sleeps in the nude during her first night in the palace, so this trope is in effect [[NakedPeopleAreFunny until it accidentally falls off]].
78	* MrExposition: Dominikov, who is the one that manages to explain how the FreakyFridayFlip happened, among other things.
79	* NamedWeapons: Falis' sword is called the Princess of Cranes. It is also an AncestralWeapon since her father used it.
80	* NonIndicativeFirstEpisode: The first episode of the OVA is noticeably darker than the rest of the series, with a few genuinely disturbing moments. For a second, one might wonder if putting Falis on the throne is actually ''worse'' than letting the usurpers have it. By the second episode, her character is affirmed to be unambiguously good, and the general tone of the show lightens up to resemble most fantasy anime.
81	* NoOntologicalInertia: [[spoiler: Shutting down Teoria causes all lost technology (including Pete, Dominikov and the androids) to vanish.]]
82	* OfCorsetHurts: Falis/Alita is not happy about having to wear a corset.
83	* ParentalSubstitute: Jodou is the grandfather of the original Milano, and, given the early deaths of her parents, he is a parental figure for the replacement Milano as well.
84	* PimpedOutCape: Falis/Alita's [[PrettyInMink fur trimmed]] coronation cape.
85	%%* PimpedOutDress:
86	* PolarOppositeTwins: Ana and Yuna, with one being a HotBlooded BrattyHalfPint and the other being a borderline ShrinkingViolet.
87	* PrincessProtagonist: The real princess of the kingdom of Forland is a gentle {{Ojou}} but soon [[FreakyFridayFlip switches bodies]] with the most badass ActionGirl in history, who proceeds to kick much ass and become the titular character and protagonist.
88	* PrincessesRule: Falis/Alita is dubbed the "Murder Princess" immediately following her coronation to become queen. While she is called "queen", sometimes she is also called "princess". It's justified due to the fact that the populace sees her as a placeholder ruler until Kaito comes back. [[spoiler: Indeed, Kaito's coronation occurs when he returns. Then he is revealed to be evil, and Falis/Alita is back in charge]].
89	* ProperTightsWithASkirt: Part of Alita's {{meido}} outfit includes tights with her skirt to fit with her sense of modesty and propriety.
90	* PseudoRomanticFriendship: Alita and Falis quickly become close friends with a healthy amount of LesYay to boot. It is worth mentioning that neither has an official love interest throughout the series (except maybe each other).
91	* TheQuietOne: Doctor Akamashi. He speaks precisely two lines aloud [[spoiler:and doesn't get to finish the second one]].
92	* RagsToRoyalty: Happens to Falis, who goes from bounty hunter to princess of the kingdom in the span of a day.
93	* RedBaron: Falis-Alita's titular 'Murder Princess' title, which is given to her by her subjects due to their admiration and later by her enemies due to both fear and respect of her combat skills. It also doubles as NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast, ''especially'' if you're facing her during battle.
94	* RedEyesTakeWarning:
95	** Alita, though it's her actual physical ''body'' that has them, and they only really fit this trope after the FreakyFridayFlip incident swaps her with Falis.
96	** It is played dead straight with the Black Knight, although he only has one glowing red eye. The other is invisible under his helmet.
97	* ReverseGrip: Alita/Falis does this with the dagger in her off-hand. Her sword is not this trope.
98	* RightfulKingReturns: Falis-Alita performs one of the shortest in anime history, coming back to claim 'her' throne mere hours after she was usurped.
99	* RobotGirl: Ana and Yuna are robots designed to look and act like little girls (apart from the killing).
100	* RocketPunch: Ana kills most of the Royal Guards when she storms the castle by firing off her fists. It goes through their armor.
101	* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Although Falis isn't technically royal, no one knows that. What they do know is that she is [[BloodKnight incredibly willing]] to personally defend the country against enemies, which gains her a lot of approval among the populace.
102	%%%* SchizoTech: Teoria.
103	* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Just compare [[LadyOfBlackMagic Cecilia's]] extremely skimpy outfit to the full-length gowns Falis-Alita wears during the series. Granted, Falis does tend to [[ActionDressRip split her dresses almost up to the crotch]], but they still cover more skin.
104	* {{Shinigami}}: Dominikov looks like a demon, and he carries he a scythe [[DownplayedTrope but he is not actually a supernatural death creature]] (at least in the anime).
105	* SinisterScythe: Dominikov wields one and it makes him look like a {{Shinigami}} (he is one in the manga).
106	%%* SnakePeople: The giant forest guardian, Jitterbug.
107	* SparedByTheAdaptation: [[spoiler:Kaito is not killed in the anime adaptation because this version's Alita pleads on his behalf]].
108	* SpellMyNameWithAnS:
109	** At least one source spelled Alita's name "Akita" until this was corrected
110	** Similarly Milano has been romanized as Mirano, though this can be excused by Japanese not having much differentiation between the "EL" and "R" sounds.
111	* SquishyWizard: While [[LadyOfBlackMagic Cecilia]] can pack a punch, one solid hit sends her down for the count.
112	* SuperWindowJump: Falis/Alita and company storm the palace through a window. No guards, get it?
113	%%%%%%% "In the later episodes." is not proper context.
114	%%%* TechnoBabble:
115	* TenderTears: Alita breaks down crying after discovering the body of Milano, her best friend.
116	* TheGogglesDoNothing: Dominkov has goggles but he's a Skeleton guy. How does that work?
117	* TitleDrop: [[{{Bookends}} Twice]]. The last sentence of the first episode and the last sentence of the last episode reference Falis' title, which is also the title of the series.
118	* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Falis (crud mannered bounty hunter) and Alita (ProperLady princess). When the former moves into the latter's body, she makes a couple wardrobe changes, and vice versa.
119	* TookALevelInBadass: Well, ''we'' know better, but this is what it looks like to Alita's subjects when she is suddenly a magnificent fighter.
120	* UnflinchingWalk: Kaito finishes off his BigDamnHeroes moment in episode 3 by calmly walking away from his fallen enemies.
121	* UnstoppableRage: When things get ''really'' bad, Falis sometimes falls into a berserker-like state, and only Alita can stop her. However, this is actually insinuated to be an artifact of ''[[BewareTheNiceOnes Alita's body]]'', since it never happened to Falis before the switch.
122	* VillainWithGoodPublicity: [[spoiler:Prince Kaito]] is a villain to the point of OmnicidalManiac but the general public thinks nothing but well of him.
123	* WeakButSkilled: Falis' badassitude rests in her skills alone as she is able to unveil her full combat potential shortly after switching bodies with untrained (and likely unexercised) Alita.
124	%%%* WhamEpisode: Episode 4.
125	* WhatMeasureIsAMook: Averted once [[spoiler:Kaito]] turns the Forland army against Falis and Alita. The heroes realize that the guards are only serving their country, and go out of their way not to kill them.
126	* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: The restraint shown to human mooks does not apply to Doctor Akamashi's monsters. Possibly justified, in that they appear to be MechaMooks. Although being robots doesn't stop Ana and Yuni from [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute being treated as human beings]]...
127	* WhiteHairBlackHeart: [[spoiler:Cecilia is the only one here with white hair and she is the BigBad behind the other two villains.]]
128	* WouldntHurtAChild: Dominikov says that Falis has never hurt a child in all the years he's know her, which leads him to speculate that something external triggered her berserker state in episode 2 and almost led to a child's death.
129	* AWizardDidIt: How exactly the soul transfer happened is basically {{Handwave}}d away. Dominikov gives a brief explanation that doesn't really explain anything, followed by Falis pointing out that his explanation can't necessarily be trusted anyway.
130	* YouKilledMyFather: Falis is driven to kill [[spoiler:Cecilia]] in retribution for the death of her father and the destruction of her hometown.
131	----
132	!!The manga provides examples of:
133	* BigCreepyCrawlies: Dr. Akamashi and his gang attack the coronation parade with mutated giant bees.
134	* BlatantLies: To buy time until the princess escapes, Jodo tells [[RobotGirl Ana and Yuna]] that she was taken to the moon. Ana doesn't buy it, but Yuna totally felt for it.
135	* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: Princess Alita falls off from a cliff, but she lands on Falis' head, which triggers their body swap.
136	* FortuneTeller: The kingdom has a fortune teller named [[{{Website/Google}} Google]].

Context Manga / MurderPrincess