Episode 1

**The Ex-Princess and the Harefolk** is the 1st episode of *Peach Boy Riverside anime series*, but the 2nd episode chronologically.

## Summary

Sally begins her adventure when she comes across a rabbit-man lying on the road. She initially stays out of the way, but then suddenly hears a what appears to be a rabbit-man's stomach grumbling. Thinking it may be hungry she grabs her backpack and offers her a carrot. The rabbit introduces herself as Frau, and Sally notes this is the first time she has seen a demi-human.

Against Sally's wishes, Frau begins to follow her. The two eventually set off towards a nearby village, where they meet a villager who seeing Sally is traveling with a demi-human immediately shouts at Frau to leave. Sally thinks rules are rules, and she and Frau should split, but after a brief flashback to Mikoto, she decides to leave with her. Sally gives Frau her raincoat to hide her appearance and the two reenter the village in the hopes of finding food and shelter. They run into the Lord of the village, who offers them both.

Sally and the Lord eat dinner while Frau retreats to an offered room. The Lord tells Sally of the village's hardships at the hands of the Oni and how they were all killed by an unknown stranger. After some questions, the Lord reveals that Mikoto was there just two weeks ago. After dinner, the Lord shows Sally to her room and tells her of the inferiority of the demi-human people. He says in the end, they are no different than regular demons and they are in fact the enemies of mankind.

Sally wakes up to a large crashing sound and finds that a demon has landed in the village. She approaches the Oni and freezes instantly. Realizing she is about to die, Frau comes to her rescue and kills the Oni in two kicks. Sally thanks Frau and replies saying she thinks Sally is very kind and wants to stay with her. The Lord of the village asks the two to leave, but Frau approaches the Lord and thanks him for the carrot, much to everyone shock. Leaving the village, they are surrounded and then arrested by members of the Rimdarl Knights.

Sally and Frau find themselves locked in a cell but not long after they are released by the captain of the Rimdarl Knight, Hawthorn Grattor. They say that they were interrogated without food and try to blackmail him in order to get a meal or two before going on their way. As they are on the market suddenly there is an explosion.

The source of it is revealed to be a giant Walrus Oni named Sett. Hawthorn tells Sally that they must run but she stands there, almost as if she has frozen out of fear, with a mysterious aura around herself. Frau attack the Oni and says that she must run quickly. The Oni though succeed in catching Frau and throws her in the air. As she is falling Sally tells her friend not to give up. The Oni decides to finish them both but suddenly his hand is cut off. In this moment its revealed that the peach from the old Momotaro story wasn't the only one to appear down the riverside.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Saltherine Aldarake (*Debut*)
2. Frau (*Debut*)
3. Mikoto Kibitsu (Flashback)
4. Dog (Flashback)
5. Hawthorn Grattor (*Debut*)
6. Carrot (*Debut*)
7. Sett (*Debut*)

## Manga & Anime Differences

* The anime skips the first chapter and begins directly from Chapter 2.
* In the manga they were shown on the market for a mere second before the explosion, so unlike in the anime there wasn't a tentacle scene.
* In the first episode Frau is shown fighting Sett. In the manga however while they are fighting Carrot is shown staying outside the castle walls recharging her power, as she is approached by a stranger, who immediately after is revealed to be Mikoto.