If you got the opportunity to correct the errors of a world with a second chance, would you do your best to see it changed? This is the premise of the anime, “The Do-over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor” As it follows the main character, Jill Carver, finding that she has a second shot at life after befalling an ill-fate at the hands of her former fiancé, Gerard. And so with this second chance, Jill chooses the strive to reach out to the one person on whose fate in her old life took a turn for the worst; The Dragon Emperor, Hadis Teos Rave.

And with a second life, I choose you!

With this second chance, Jill strides forth in a bold new direction in this life. That is to say she isn’t entirely without complication in this second go at life. In this 12 episode cur we find that not all is as it seems within this new life that Jill has come to find herself in. While this show follows serious undertones of one’s birth and how fate is in instant swing, the show also enjoys a breath of bittersweet moments and downright comical relief when it is greatly needed. Production studio, J.C. Staff is in perfect form here, delivering a stupendously animated show that feels perfectly suited for their expertise.

While the medieval setting mirrors politics of countries from our own past, the story also deals with topics that we very much struggle with day to day. From finding acceptance from those around us to embracing what we see as family by the definitions we chose to make. The Do-over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor exemplifies what it means to show a person who is misunderstood, compassion and love. Ideals that we hold in such high regard in our very own society, yet struggle with accepting, are so easily tackled within this anime. Jill’s unflinching support for choosing to see the good in a supposedly, “cursed” emperor, is a major aspect of the shows plot progression.

The fact that she’s willing to see past this curse and love him for who he is and not what the public perceives him to be, is honestly humbling. The nature of his curse happens to be of one that was a result of a centuries long obsession the Goddess of Kratos has towards the Dragon Emperor incarnate, which causes those around him to die. As a result it helped ascend him to the throne and thus giving him a poor public face, something he ultimately had not control over. It’s Jill’s ability to see past the public perception and into what really is, that makes her ability to be empathetic entirely humbling. Yet it’s this very topic of accepting someone, even with perceived faults, that I find so refreshing. Seeing and knowing you are loved and cared about can change someone’s life for the better and this is so perfectly portrayed within the show itself.

While her restart in life forced her to seek a different path, over simply falling in love with someone so complex naturally might seem forced. Her mission and goal ultimately start to change and mature the longer she spends time with Hadis. Maybe this show is truly capable of showing us what compassion towards others, regardless of individual indifference, could be like?

Fighting back against destiny

A focal point of the series is that of Jill’s plight against both her prior fate at the hands of Gerard and that of the yandere goddess, Kratos. A being who was destined to marry the Dragon Emperor but due to circumstances a terrible war had swept the land and has cursed the line of Rave ever since. A line whose supposed fate is to be wed to the only woman who could ever love them. Yet this Goddess is nothing short of passively crazy when it comes to any other woman finding a fancy towards the reigning Dragon Emperor. So it is with this revelation in show that Jill takes responsibility for the new mess she’s found herself in by devoting herself towards her new fiancé for better or worse. Even when Hadis rejects this notion, Jill stands strong in face of the animosity and challenges.

To dare to even face the power of divines, is nothing short of awe inspiring. It’s her steadfast support of her fiancé that I feel such a draw towards. Being someone who is steadfast in their engagement, I cannot but help feel pride in knowing I can stand by my Fiancee and support her no matter what odds are levied against us. This realization of Hadis never having to fight his battles alone nor fear that the goddess will ever have her way with him, finally sets him free from a path of mutually assured destruction that had originally plagued Jill’s original timeline. Instead, he has allies and love all around him now, thanks in no small part to his betrothed.

An Opening and Animation to Get you Moving!

Being a fan of music always informs my tastes of what I can expect out of a show. Be it the intense orchestral pieces of Attack on Titan or the upbeat but inspiring arrangements from My Hero Academia. Music has a way of informing you as to the qualities of the show you are about to watch. Sometimes they can be quite good and other times… well let’s just say we wouldn’t be talking about bruno then, would we? Thankfully, The Do-over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor is not one that suffers from this level of malaise. The opening, “Awaku Kasuka” by sajou no hana, is an expert song choice that is befitting of this very show!

The way the melody plays with the serious, yet comical nature of the show helps to inform the viewer as to what they are getting into. Frankly speaking, I can watch this opening and still get excited for each episode that arrives! Sadly, it being only 12 episodes long means we only have a small portion of time in-which to enjoy it!

That being said, not only is the music top notch but the animation is unlike anything I’ve seen in a long while. As I have mentioned prior in our quick review of Yakuza Fiancé, sometimes an animation studio has to deal with the issues around budgetary constraints. Thankfully, the staff at J.C. Staff did not have any ounce of concern here with budget. Some of the best character animation, action sequences and dynamic renditions in anime that I have been able to see. I mean, just take a look at the opening above. It’s a perfect reflection of the shows ability to share in many facets of animation. It’s a joy on the eyes and that is not a bad thing at all.

The characters themselves feel grounded in their designs and they have a gravity about them that transcends the screen. For the 12 episodes that have aired, not a single one felt as if it had dropped in perceived quality. Each one pulled on the strengths of the last and introduced elements of excellence, be it in the character designs or even the set pieces in which the show found itself in each episode. Then again with the storied library of work that J.C. Staff has in it’s portfolio, one shouldn’t bee to shocked by the sheer quality of their work.

An Anime For The Masses or For a Few?

Frankly speaking, the show itself has an appeal that I believe fans of thrilling action anime would enjoy, as much as the ones who enjoy a little bit of rom-com in their lives. If you like shows that play like an isekai, but lack the typical tropes of the isekai genre, then I believe you will love this one! It definitely made my day each time that we got to enjoy an episode of, The Do-over Damsel Conquers The Dragon Emperor. If you are inclined to watch the shows 12 episode run, you can do so from the North American Crunchyroll website.

Just don’t expect it to rival your multi-season Shonen or your favorite pirate crew. The show itself is just its own special mix of various genre’s and a dash of its own charm. It might also just make you look at your own situation in life a little bit differently as you ask yourself, “If a sister loving man stabbed me with a spear and I got a second chance at life, what would I do differently?”

Have you seen this quaint and fun show? Feel free to let us know in the comments below and as always, if you have a recommendation feel free to let us know via the comments or contact us page!