Fans of “The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” have been on an emotional rollercoaster as the Japanese version of the Chinese donghua adaptation recently concluded its season, leaving viewers with a blend of resolution and poignant cliffhangers. The highly anticipated Season Finale, specifically Episode 16, plunged into the deepest recesses of memory and magic, forcing Princess Athanasia to confront not only her father’s fading consciousness but also the very fabric of her existence.
A Desperate Dive into Claude’s Mind
The climax of the season centered around Athanasia’s perilous journey into Emperor Claude de Alger Obelia’s subconscious. With Claude in a critical coma and his life hanging by a thread, Athanasia made the terrifying decision to use her burgeoning magical abilities to enter his fractured mind. Guided by the enigmatic wizard Lucas, she navigated a labyrinth of Claude’s memories, illusions, and emotional scars, recognizing the immense risk involved – a one-way trip if she faltered.
The Revelation of Diana and Rewound Time
Within this mental realm, Athanasia had a pivotal encounter with the soul of her mother, Diana. This reunion was a tender yet painful moment, offering profound truths that reshaped Athanasia’s understanding of her entire life. Diana revealed that Athanasia’s recurring “dreams” of her tragic execution at Claude’s hands were not mere nightmares, but actual memories from a previous timeline where she had lived and died.
In a desperate act of love and lingering magic, Diana rewound time, granting the infant Athanasia her adult memories as a second chance at life. Diana had also been the one to seal Athanasia’s magic until she could properly wield it, and in this crucial moment, she broke the seal, empowering her daughter. This revelation transformed Athanasia’s past from a curse into a powerful warning and a mother’s gift of destiny rewritten.
Athanasia’s Magical Awakening and Claude’s Rescue
Strengthened by her mother’s words and a newfound acceptance of her own worth, Athanasia’s sealed magic erupted. She pushed through the darkness engulfing Claude’s mind, shattering the illusions and defiance that threatened to claim him. Against all odds, she successfully pulled him back from the brink, saving his life.
The Heartbreaking Cost: Claude’s Amnesia
Despite Athanasia’s heroic efforts, victory came with a devastating cost. Claude awakened from his coma, but he had lost all memories of Athanasia. The man who had slowly begun to show warmth and affection towards his daughter now looked at her with cold, lethal eyes, mirroring the very fate she had fought so desperately to escape. Confined to the Emerald Palace, Athanasia was left heartbroken, effectively back at square one in her relationship with her father, albeit with the full knowledge of their shared past.
Lucas’s Departure and Lingering Questions
Adding another layer of uncertainty to the finale, Lucas quietly disappeared. His departure was not an abandonment but a promise, a vow to seek greater power—perhaps to restore Claude’s memories and protect Athanasia from a cyclical, tragic fate.
The season finale, Episode 16, titled “Love Beyond Time” (「時を超えた愛」) in its Japanese broadcast, aired on December 28, 2025, with terrestrial broadcasts on December 29, 2025. It served as an emotional conclusion to this chapter of Athanasia’s story, tying up some long-standing questions while leaving several crucial plot threads open for potential future developments.
The Broader “Who Made Me a Princess” Universe
“The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” is an adaptation of a highly popular South Korean fantasy web novel written by Plutus, which also inspired a beloved webtoon illustrated by Spoon.
The Webtoon Adaptation
The webtoon, which boasts stunning artwork, was first serialized on Ridi in December 2017 and concluded its main story with 125 episodes by April 2022. It was published in three seasons, with the first season ending in February 2019, the second in August 2020, and the third in April 2022. The English language version of the webtoon is available on platforms like Tappytoon and Tapas, with collected volumes published by Seven Seas Entertainment.
The Web Novel Source
The original web novel by Plutus concluded with a satisfying ending that tied up loose ends and allowed the protagonist to achieve her goals and find happiness. The ending is noted for its unexpected twists and fulfilling conclusions for both the lead and supporting characters. The web novel is also available in English on platforms such as Tapas and Webnovel.
While the donghua’s first season finale offers a bittersweet and open-ended conclusion, the broader narrative of “Who Made Me a Princess” through its web novel and webtoon adaptations has explored Athanasia’s journey to a more complete resolution. The animated series leaves viewers eagerly anticipating if and how Athanasia will overcome this new challenge and ultimately achieve the happy ending she so desperately seeks.
