Title: Peach Boy Riverside
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Where: Crunchyroll
Synopsis: Saltorine Aldike, or Sari, is a bright, cheerful princess who wants to go on an adventure because she is bored of her tiny little castle in the countryside. One day, a hoard of vicious demons known as “Oni” come knocking on her doorstep, threatening the lives of everyone in the Kingdom. Thankfully, they are saved by a lone traveler named Kibitsu Mikoto who slays these monsters with a mysterious “Peach Eye.” Shocked by the dangers of the outside world, Sari decides to set off on a journey of her own. Little did she know that she would set in motion a chain of events that will come to determine the fate of this magical world. (Credit: https://myanimelist.net/anime/42627/Peach_Boy_Riverside)
**POTENTIAL SPOILERS. PROCEED WITH CAUTION**
This anime definitely had a strong opening. We are introduced to Sally, who, we learn, is a former princess. She seems to have left her kingdom in search of someone. We don’t know who or why. Immediately in the opening scene, Sally encounters a rabbit-like demihuman laying face down in the dirt. Turning her back because it is best to leave things you don’t understand, she doesn’t make it far before turning around from guilt and giving the rabbit a carrot. The rabbit quickly comes to life and begins to eat the carrot. The humanoid rabbit introduces herself as Frau, a harefolk.
Frau then follows Sally due to the “carrot debt”. She vows to protect Sally. Sally, a bit annoyed, tells Frau she can follow her to the town, but only to the town, and her debt will be repaid. However, when they get to the town, the townsfolk are not welcoming despite Frau defeating the orge that was about to attack their village. They tell Sally that harefolk are the mortal enemies of humans. Sally not seeing how or why they townsfolk feel this way decides to side with Frau and leave the town.
Frau and Sally managed to get arrested on their way out of town. After a few hours in jail, they’re suddenly released by their jailor by stating that Frau was chivalrous and therefore not a threat. As if the town was a beacon, they are attacked again by a duo of ogres. This time, Frau’s power isn’t enough. The ogre tries to offer freedom to Frau, but she is bound to protect Sally.
And, that’s when we learn that there is something different about Sally. The narration begins the opening to the tale of Momotaro, the peach boy. For those of you who have not previously seen any anime that references Momotaro, the tale is about an old man and old lady. While the old lady was washing clothes, a huge peach came down the river. When they tried to open the peach and eat it, they found a child. This child became an oni (ogre/demon) hunter. We are then greeted with a force taking over Sally and as the ogre tried to punch her, she obliterates his arm with a swap of her hand. The narrator asks us, “What if he wasn’t the only one?”
I am VERY intrigued. I’m looking forward to more episodes.
Filthy Casual for Life 