Bandai Namco Filmworks has streamed the first seven minutes of Princess Principal: Crown Handler film 4, which opened in Japan on May 23, 2025. This is the fourth film in the six-part Princess Principal: Crown Handler anime film series.
What is Princess Principal: Crown Handler?
Princess Principal: Crown Handler is a Japanese animated spy action film series, serving as a sequel to the 2017 anime television series Princess Principal. The film series is produced by Actas and distributed by Showgate. Masaki Tachibana directs the films, with Noboru Kimura writing the scripts.
The series features a talented voice cast including:
- Aoi Koga as Ange
- Akira Sekine as Princess
- Yō Taichi as Dorothy
- Akari Kageyama as Beatrice
- Nozomi Furuki as Chise
Plot Overview
The Crown Handler film series continues the story of Ange, Princess, Dorothy, Beatrice, and Chise, who are members of Team White Pigeon. They operate as spies in an alternate late 19th-century London, caught in a cold war between the Kingdom of Albion and the Commonwealth.
In the first film, the team is assigned to investigate Bishop, a Commonwealth spy within the Kingdom’s royal family, suspecting him of being a double agent. Following Bishop’s death and an assassination attempt on Prince Richard, the team is tasked with finding Cavorite bombs stolen from the Commonwealth. Prince Richard, who is revealed to be behind the assassination of Prince Edward and the theft of the bombs, invites Princess to join his plan to reform the Kingdom.
As the series progresses, tensions escalate, and the team faces increasingly complex missions and threats, including a crackdown on suspected Commonwealth spies, the emergence of a third power, and political intrigue within the royal family.
Film Release Details
The Princess Principal: Crown Handler film series has been released in Japan according to the following timeline:
- Chapter 1: February 11, 2021
- Chapter 2: September 23, 2021
- Chapter 3: April 7, 2023
- Chapter 4: May 23, 2025
Production
The anime series is produced by Actas, with Masaki Tachibana as the director and Noboru Kimura handling the scripts, taking over from Ichiro Okouchi, who worked on the original series. The character designs are adapted by Yukie Akiya from Kohaku Kuroboshi’s originals.
Reception
Princess Principal: Crown Handler has been generally well-received, particularly for its continuation of the steampunk aesthetic and spy action. Critics have noted the intricate plot, character development, and the introduction of new elements that raise the stakes.
Where to Watch
While specific streaming platforms for the fourth film are still unfolding, previous installments of Princess Principal: Crown Handler have been available on platforms like Crunchyroll. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding streaming options for the latest film.
