REVIEW: ‘Fena: Pirate Princess,’ Episode 12 – “The Chosen Maiden”

Fena: The Pirate Princess is a joint Crunchyroll-Adult Swim exclusive adventure anime from Production I.G. It has all led to this. Having ascended the stairs to Eden, Fena must now face her final task. But to complete her journey will require a sacrifice. What is Fena willing to pay to fulfill her quest in Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12?

Over the previous 11 episodes, we have traveled the world and faced vicious adversaries with Fena and her crew, all while watching them unravel an ancient mystery that got grander in scope with each successive revelation. With so much build-up leading to this finale, I wondered whether or not Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12 could deliver a satisfying end to Fena’s tale. I’m happy to say that this finale delivers, almost, everything I wanted it to.

The full explanation of the purpose of Fena coming to Eden needed to succeed in two ways. The first is that it needed to be grand enough in scope to feel worth all the drama that the journey has cultivated to this point. A grand conspiracy involving Saints, martyrs, and fate itself has all become intertwined with Fena’s quest. In this way, Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12 succeeds. The final challenge that is laid before Fena is equal to the grandeur of the adventure and setup used to hype this final moment. The second way, however,  fairs less well.

The second way Fena’s final task needed to succeed was by creating a sense of uncertainty. With the final challenge laid out before our hero, there needs to be a feeling of doubt. We should be asking “What will Fena do?” and “How will she get through this?” Unfortunately, due to the nature of the final task this episode presents for Fena, there is never a moment where the how and why of what she will do is ever in doubt. This robs the moment of any real tension or gravitas.

The weakness that the finale bears is a true shame, as the rest of the episode’s story delivers on more of the series’ trademark strengths. Fena and Yukimaru solidify themselves as one of my favorite fictional couples of all time and the rest of the crew continue to shine in their supporting roles.

Production I.G. pulls out all the stops in its visual presentation throughout Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12. While the foregone conclusion of Fena’s task robs the moment of its tension, the visuals make sure the moment is as breathtaking as anyone could ask for. The emotions of the episode are powerfully delivered through the gorgeous visuals. Fena and Yukimaru’s final scenes together bring smiles and tears largely due to the animation’s superlative delivery of the couple.

So, while Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12 didn’t go out on the perfect note I had hoped for, it nevertheless brings its narrative to a close in a way that delivers on the strengths of the series as a whole, despite fumbling some of what a great ending for the season needed to be.

Fena: Pirate Princess Episode 12 is streaming on Crunchyroll and Adult Swim.