Everything about ‘Tis Time For “Torture,” Princess is ridiculous. This bizarre manga, available on the MANGA Plus app, is about an accomplished warrior princess who is taken prisoner by demons, the sworn enemy of her kingdom. Every day, the princess (her name is never given) sits in a dungeon with her sentient, talking sword whose name is Ex.
Yet, the princess’ restraints are lax…and not only does she have a smart phone, she has an incredibly powerful sword (Ex) that also isn’t restrained heavily. She could easily use Ex to overpower her captors and make an escape.
But she doesn’t. Instead, she just sits there and gets “tortured” by the demons who are trying to get information out of her.
That’s just the kind of silly, ridiculous manga that Torture Princess is. But its absurdity is what makes it so funny. Let me explain further.
As I mentioned, the princess is being held hostage and is regularly submitted to “torture.” Yes, there’s a reason for the quotes in both the manga’s title and in this review. The “torture” isn’t anything painful or gruesome. Instead, the demons force the princess to watch them eat delicious food, seduce her with video games or cute animals, and perform other “torturous” acts that most people could resist with only an ounce of willpower.
In each chapter, the demons try a new form of “torture,” each one completely ludicrous. And the princess succumbs to all of them. I admit this pattern does get repetitive after a while. However, the forms of “torment” do change over time, and some are pretty creative. We also learn about the princess’ past and personality as she goes through these “trials.” For example, she gives into eating takoyaki because they’re considered a “commoner food,” and, as a princess, she was never allowed to try them.
Part of the hilarity is the princess’ reaction to everything. When she’s tempted, she gets a really derpy look on her face, which is funny since she’s apparently stone cold in battle. I should point out that her reactions to food are like something out of Food Wars – though nowhere near as bad. That being said, some moments can get a little fan service-y but nothing too risqué.
Anyway, it’s not just the princess who is laughable. Pretty much everyone in this manga is an idiot, including the “bad guys.” The Hellhorde demons don’t really seem all that evil, more like bumbling dummies that don’t know what they are doing. But it’s fun to see everyone continuously do things that really make no sense. Nothing and no one is taken seriously, further adding to the manga’s comedy.
Besides the chuckles, what else does this manga have to offer? Not much to be honest. I personally like the art style, and I have an affinity for supernatural creatures like the demons. But as I mentioned, the “torture” jokes do get repetitive. I enjoyed the first twenty chapters, and I’m still interested in in reading more. I’m just not sure how long they can keep using the same pattern before things fizzle out.
If you’re looking for something deep or intellectual, this is not the manga to read. However, if you want something light and silly to pass the time or to make you giggle, this manga is worth checking out. The chapters are all very short – only about ten pages long – so it’s the perfect thing to binge read when you need a laugh. Or, you know, when you want to enjoy talking swords, cute demons, and toast parties.