Fantasy romance The World is Still Beautiful is now streaming on Crunchyroll, complete with English dub and subtitle options. The 12-episode series from 2014 adapts the early arcs of Dai Shiina's manga, following Nike, a princess with the power to summon rain, who is married off to the young king of a sun-scorched kingdom.
Produced by Studio Pierrot, the anime presents a world where rain-summoning is a royal lineage, and Princess Nike of the Rain Dukedom is sent to marry King Livius of the Sun Kingdom. Livius, despite his youth, has conquered half the world and is known for his immense power and short temper. The series explores their developing relationship amidst political intrigue and cultural differences.
While the anime adds an exclusive beginning and ending, it covers the first 19 chapters of the manga, providing a self-contained narrative. The show delves into themes of arranged marriage, age gaps, and the clash between different royal courts, all wrapped in a fantasy adventure shell. It holds a respectable 7.57 on MyAnimeList from over 150,000 voters.
For viewers seeking a completed shoujo series with a blend of adventure and romance, The World is Still Beautiful offers a compelling, bingeable experience. Its focus on the evolving dynamic between the pragmatic, rain-wielding princess and the powerful, young king provides a unique romantic core.
