The world of fantasy romance webtoons and web novels has eagerly awaited its newest animated sensation, and the wait is finally over. “The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess,” the animated adaptation of the beloved South Korean webtoon, has officially premiered, drawing in a global audience with its captivating story of a princess determined to rewrite her tragic destiny. The series began its streaming debut in Japan on September 28, 2025, followed by a television broadcast starting October 1, 2025, with Crunchyroll streaming the series internationally.
This highly anticipated donghua (Chinese animation) brings to life the intricate world and compelling characters that have garnered over 200 million online views and sold more than 2.2 million print copies of its original webtoon. Fans old and new can now immerse themselves in Athanasia’s struggle for survival and happiness.
From Beloved Web Novel to Stunning Animation
“Who Made Me a Princess” originated as a popular South Korean fantasy web novel written by Plutus. It later gained immense traction as a webtoon illustrated by Spoon, serialized from December 2017 to April 2022. The webtoon’s popularity was so significant that it ranked among AnimeJapan’s “Manga We Want To See Animated” polls in both 2022 and 2023, signaling a strong desire from fans for an adaptation.
The animated series, also known by its Japanese title “Aru Hi, Ohime-sama ni Natte Shimatta Ken ni Tsuite” (“Suddenly, I became a princess one day”), is produced by the Chinese streaming platform iQIYI and animated by Colored Pencil Animation. This adaptation marks a significant moment for Chinese animation, as it has quickly become one of Crunchyroll’s biggest new hits, continuing a trend of successful Chinese anime in 2025.
A Princess’s Fated Struggle: The Story of Athanasia
The core of “The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” revolves around Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a modern woman who suddenly awakens in the body of an ill-fated princess from a romance novel she once read. In the original story, Athanasia is destined for a tragic end: execution at the hands of her own cold and merciless father, Emperor Claude.
Armed with the knowledge of her grim future and her past life’s memories, baby Athanasia embarks on a desperate mission to change her fate. Her initial plan involves avoiding her tyrannical father and accumulating wealth for a grand escape. However, when circumstances force her into Claude’s presence, she must pivot to charming her way into his good graces, hoping to win his affection and avert her predetermined demise. The series beautifully blends elements of reincarnation, fantasy, drama, and a touch of comedy as Athanasia navigates palace intrigue, unexpected friendships, and the complexities of her royal family.
Where to Watch the Royal Drama Unfold
Fans worldwide can catch “The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” on Crunchyroll, which is streaming the series in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, and the Indian Subcontinent. In Japan, the series is available for streaming on d Anime Store, U-NEXT, and Anime Hōdai, with its broadcast premiere on Japanese TV occurring on October 1, 2025. The original Chinese stream premiered on iQIYI on September 28, 2025.
Episode Release Schedule
New episodes of “The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” are released weekly. As of October 20, 2025, several episodes are already available, with the season expected to run for 16 episodes. New episodes typically premiere on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. PDT / 12:30 p.m. EDT on Crunchyroll with English subtitles.
Talented Cast and Creative Production
The animated adaptation boasts a talented team bringing the beloved characters to life. Yingying Zhang directs the donghua at Colored Pencil Animation.
The Japanese dub features a stellar cast, including:
- Sumire Morohoshi as Athanasia
- Tomoaki Maeno as Claude
- Ryōhei Kimura as Felix
- Nobuhiko Okamoto as Lucas
- Shūichirō Umeda as Ijekiel
- Manaka Iwami as Jennette
The opening theme song, “Ii yo” (いいよ; ‘Alright’), is performed by Daoko, while the ending theme song, “Sono Hitomi de” (その瞳で; ‘In Those Eyes’), is performed by XAI.
Why Athanasia’s Tale Continues to Captivate
“The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess” resonates with audiences due to its engaging narrative, well-developed characters, and the universal desire for self-determination. Athanasia’s journey from a doomed princess to a proactive heroine who defies her predetermined fate is both inspiring and entertaining. The series masterfully blends the political intrigue of a royal court with heartwarming family dynamics and burgeoning friendships, all set against a magical backdrop.
The animated adaptation has been praised for its quality and faithfulness to the original webtoon, delighting both long-time fans and newcomers alike. As new episodes continue to roll out, viewers are on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Athanasia will ultimately rewrite her destiny and secure her place in the Obelian Empire.
