Himesama "Goumon" no Jikan desu

Tis Time for Torture Princess is an unexpectedly delightful anime that turns the traditional concept of torture on its head. The Princess, Commander of the Imperial Third Legion, finds herself subjected to the most unconventional forms of torture by the demon lord's army. From gourmet meals to spa days and the company of adorable animals, each episode is an inventive and humorous take on what constitutes true suffering. The princess is then coerced into divulging the kingdom's most trivial secrets.

The anime shines with a diverse cast of characters, each bringing their unique form of torture to the table, enriching the story with their backgrounds and ... quirky personalities. The demon lord is depicted with an innocent charm that belies his fearsome title, portraying him in a light-hearted, almost endearing manner. The princess’s sword, Excalibur, is fully loaded with witty commentary and humorous observations that provide a constant stream of laughter, making it hard to catch your breath between his clever quips and sarcastic remarks.

The voice acting and soundtrack brilliantly complement the show's comedic tone, with Excalibur's witty banter being a highlight.

Its animation is crafted with attention to detail and a clear affection for the genre, making use of exaggerated expressions and visual gags to amplify the humor.

What sets this anime apart is its heartwarming core; despite the premise, it's a story about finding joy and adventure in unexpected places. The princess, with the ability to escape yet choosing to stay, and the demon lord's unnecessary quest for a secret, both reflect a deeper commentary on freedom and strength. Overall, it is a breath of fresh air, perfect for viewers looking for a lighthearted, comedic anime that doesn't take itself too seriously but is crafted with a lot of care and love.

The greatest merit of this anime was its ability to depict ordinary scenes from life in great detail. Ep.1 managed to describe ordinary food in such a delicious and imaginative way; something as simple as toast could evoke golden wheat fields - the creator must be very good at enjoying small things in life. Watching late at night, it made my mouth watering - so looks like the audience are being interrogated as well!

The story (if we consider it as a story) was very simple: the captured Princess was repeatedly tempted by demon for until confession. In the first two episodes, I was concerned on ... it getting repetitive and boring. Fortunately, the anime explored enough characters, expanding the stage from the small prison cell to the demon's society (which is somewhat similar to Japan). Almost all characters had some contrasting traits (especially the Demon King), and this contrast (or "gap moe") became the basis of most jokes. All characters have their own adorable aspects; in the latter half of the anime, there was less "interrogation", but more slice-of-life depictions. Unconciously, viewers were given stories with broader perspective.

Undoubtly, the drawbacks of this anime were also obvious: there was not enough substance. It gave up logic for sake of humor, therefore it would become less interesting if the comedic style was repeating itself. Overall, the anime was light-hearted but somewhat bland, so it might not appeal to all viewers. I find it more inviting by simply treating it as a guide on "how to enjoy the little happiness in life."

So... this was boring.

The idea itself has merit. A princess is captured and being "tortured" by demons in a (kill them with kindness) sorta way until they get the info they need out of her.

The trouble is how empty and flat the show is. Here's the format :-

Princess is in an ugly CGI prison cell, demon walks in with something nice, princess folds like a cheap suit & they're all best buds now. Repeat three time per episode.

There is no variety, the characters flat, the humor dies after the first episode because of the endless repetition.

It doesn't help that the demons don't ... act like demons and the princess is completely passive with zero sense of urgency. She doesn't even act or behave like a princess so it's not really funny when she "breaks".

At first I was going to give this a 5 and place it as mixed feelings but after a few episodes it started to feel like a punishment. Is the viewer the one meant to be tortured? Because if sure felt like it by the end.