The highly anticipated fourth installment of the “Princess Principal: Crown Handler” film series has officially set its premiere date. Anime enthusiasts can mark their calendars for May 23, 2025, when the film will hit theaters in Japan. This announcement comes alongside the release of a thrilling new trailer and key visual, offering a glimpse into the escalating intrigue and espionage that await Team White Pigeon.
A Kingdom on Edge: The Story So Far
“Princess Principal: Crown Handler” is a six-part sequel to the popular “Princess Principal” anime series, which captivated audiences with its blend of steampunk aesthetics and thrilling spy action. The story unfolds in an alternate 19th-century London, a city divided by a massive wall separating the Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Within this fractured metropolis, a group of skilled young women operates as spies, navigating a treacherous landscape of political maneuvering and covert operations.
The film series follows Ange, Princess Charlotte, Dorothy, Beatrice, and Chise, members of Team White Pigeon, as they undertake dangerous missions for the Commonwealth. The previous films have seen them grapple with assassination attempts, stolen Cavorite bombs, and the ever-present threat of double agents.
Chapter 4: A Team Divided
Chapter 4 of “Crown Handler” promises to plunge Team White Pigeon into even deeper turmoil. Caught between the Kingdom and the Republic, the team finds itself increasingly cornered. After a failed attempt to grant asylum to Princess Mary, the Duke of Normandy captures them. Suspecting them of being spies for the Republic, he orders them to become double agents, serving both sides.
The Princess ends up under the Duke of Normandy’s control, while the other four are released, but under constant surveillance. Meanwhile, Control in the Republic grows suspicious of Team White Pigeon, suspecting them of being double agents.
A New Mission: Verifying Loyalties
To ascertain the truth, Control assigns Team White Pigeon a new mission: to contact an important person who could shake up the Republic’s economy. Ange, Dorothy, Beatrice, and Chise begin infiltrating a factory as part of this mission. This sets the stage for a complex web of deceit, where trust is a luxury and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Production Details
Masaki Tachibana, who directed the original television series, returns to helm the “Crown Handler” films at Actas. The series composition and script are handled by Noboru Kimura, while Kouhaku Kuroboshi is credited with the character concepts. Yukie Akiya and Kimihaku Nishio are in charge of character design, with Nishio also serving as the chief animation director.
A Recap of Previous Chapters
To fully appreciate the stakes in Chapter 4, it’s helpful to revisit the events of the previous films:
- Chapter 1: The Empire increases counter-spy actions after an attempted assassination of the Imperial princess. Control, the Commonwealth group in charge of covert operations against the Empire, suspects a double agent within the royal family. Team White Pigeon is assigned to extract a secondhand bookstore owner and deliver him to Commonwealth hands. They successfully spring the bookstore owner from an Imperial prison. Control also assigns Dove to make contact with Bishop, their spy within the royal family, to ascertain their loyalties.
- Chapter 2: (Information about the plot of Chapter 2 was not found in the search results).
- Chapter 3: (Information about the plot of Chapter 3 was not found in the search results).
Where to Watch
Sentai Filmworks has licensed the entire six-part film series. In the US, the series is available to stream on HIDIVE.
The Legacy of “Princess Principal”
“Princess Principal” first premiered as a 12-episode anime series in 2017, quickly gaining a dedicated following for its unique blend of genres and compelling characters. The “Crown Handler” film series serves as a direct sequel, continuing the story and delving deeper into the intricate world of espionage.
The series is set in London at the end of the 19th century, where a group of girls engage in espionage activities while hiding as high school students. The TV anime aired from July to September 2017. “Crown Handler” is a completely new sequel to the TV anime, and a total of six chapters will be released in theaters. Chapter 1 was released on February 11, 2021, Chapter 2 on September 23, 2021, and Chapter 3 on April 7, 2023.
Anticipation Builds
As the premiere date for “Princess Principal: Crown Handler” Chapter 4 approaches, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this thrilling saga. The trailer and key visual have only heightened the anticipation, promising a film filled with suspense, action, and the complex relationships that define Team White Pigeon. With the team caught between warring factions and their loyalties questioned, the stakes have never been higher.
