‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess: Episode 2

I’m playing catch-up here since I started the season a little late, that’s why you’re getting two ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princessposts in one week. I’ll settle on just one starting next week although there also a chance I’ll deluge you with some Delicious in Dungeon reviews.

I’m starting to realize that this is going to be a fairly difficult show to review. ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess is charming and not devoid of but it is in many ways a one-trick pony. The princess is tortured in a seemingly very pleasant way, she gives up the information because she’s not used to comfort and kindness and the demon king finds a reason to dismiss said information, so the entire thing has to be done all over again.

Although the details of each torture are different, and really that’s where the fun is, it’s still at its core a very repetitive show. Short of just describing each torture, I haven’t quite figured out how to review this show. Or at least how to add anything of interest.

I have a half-formed idea in my head about the tropes that this show plays with. Cute girls being ravenous ever hungry bottomless pits is portrayed in the first episode. We also saw the friendship is magic trope. And the simplicity of it was great. Just a bunch of girls playing games and not getting moody at losing. I mean even those who get moody at losing are fun to play with if they don’t go too far. It’s contagious when someone takes the game seriously and it adds a drop of passion to the mix. I’m totally not saying that because I sulk when I lose. I mean…I don’t. I’m an adult…that would be silly.

The trope idea seems dangerous, let’s go another way. Did anyone else find the Beastmaster’s tan lines distracting? Wow, did I just out myself as a huge perv? This show is going to wreak havoc on my reputation.

Ok, take three. Excalibur blushing is the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time. I generally remember the vignette in the manga but I did not remember that detail at all. To be fair, the effect is much punchier in colour.

The entire show really gets a lot out of being in full colour actually. It’s subtle but it adds to the atmosphere and makes scenes just stand out in a way that works for this type of silly, carefree entertainment. I didn’t mention it but in episode 1 I noticed that the stone walls of the dungeon hallways were splashed with subtle colours. Iridescent greens, reds and blues just blossoming all over the bricks for no particular reason. It was a very pretty effect and immediately let the audience know that this dungeon isn’t as ominous and scary as all that. Even if you don’t actively notice it.

That’s great colour design. This type of attention to detail usually is a great sign for things to come!

Previous Episodes

• ‘Tis Time for “Torture,” Princess: Episode 1