Princess Jellyfish

Amamizukan is a boarding house where men are officially unwelcome, home to a group of women each fixated on a particular hobby. Tsukimi Kurashita is a shy young woman obsessed with jellyfish who lives quietly with her friends, reading manga and hiding from social expectations. Their comfortable routine shifts when a striking, fashion-forward stranger steps in to help Tsukimi during an embarrassing moment, and ends up staying overnight at the complex. The guest's glamorous appearance stirs the residents and upends their assumptions, especially when the newcomer turns out to be Kuranosuke, a man who prefers dresses and uses charm to open doors closed to conventional women. This starts a mix of comedy and gentle reflection. Expect awkward laughs and warmth.

Princess Jellyfish aired in 2010 as an animated adaptation of Akiko Higashimura's manga. The TV anime features voices from Kana Hanazawa and Mitsuki Saiga among others, bringing the eccentric Amamizukan residents and the gender-bending lead to life on Japanese TV.

While it didn't collect major international awards, Princess Jellyfish earned steady praise in anime communities for its sharp character work and comic timing. It helped solidify several cast members' profiles and continues to be cited by fans for its unique blend of romance and offbeat humor.

Princess Jellyfish became known for putting otaku life and gender expression in the spotlight, mixing closet-bound hobbyist culture with style and playful cross-dressing. Its imagery and characters influenced cosplay and fan art, and it introduced wider audiences to a softer, less stereotypical view of fandom and nonconforming gender presentation.

Critics and viewers generally responded well, reflected in an average 7.6/10 user score. Reviews highlight its warm humor, sharp dialogue, and focus on found family, identity, and self acceptance. The show balances light comedic episodes with quieter moments about social anxiety, creativity, and redefining what counts as beauty, and hope.