High Guardian Spice

***High Guardian Spice*** is an American animated series conceived by Raye Rodriguez that was picked up by Crunchyroll and turned into a Crunchyroll Original. The series was produced by Crunchyroll Studios (formerly Ellation), with animation work being outsourced to DR Movie and Lotto Animation.

The show is a coming-of-age story about four girls who attend High Guardian Academy in order to become Guardians. During their school years, they deal with friends, allies, and betrayals as they attempt to protect the city from an unknown threat.

*High Guardian Spice* was originally slated for release in 2019 before being delayed for approximately two years. The series officially premiered on Crunchyroll on October 26, 2021. It garnered a strong negative reception online ever since its reveal in 2018. In recent times, show staff and Crunchyroll employees have come out with insight into the show's troubled production.

## Characters

### Protagonists

* Rosemary (voiced by Briana Leon) - A pink-haired girl hailing from Pebble who strives to become a guardian, much like her missing mother. Daughter of Lavender and Fennel, as well as the younger sister of Chicory.
* Sage (Lauren White) - A blue-haired girl who attends High Guardian Academy in order to become a witch. There, she gets introduced to New Magic, which her mother has forbidden her from practicing. Sage is also Rosemary's best friend.
* Parsley (Amber Romero) - A blonde dwarf that attends the academy with the intention of becoming more than just a caretaker for her family. The daughter of Angelica and Sorrel.
* Thyme (Michelle Deco) - A dark-skinned elf with red hair who had to flee from her home and move to Lyngarth. She attends the academy to find a way to solve an issue that plagues her homeland. The daughter of Flora and Camphor.

### Supporting Cast

* Amaryllis (Katie McVay) - A purple-haired rich girl from Witch Country who also attends the academy's Mage classes.
* Snapdragon (Julia KayeW) - A red-haired girl who takes part in the Warrior classes. Born as a boy, she struggles with her gender identity at the beginning of the series.
* Caraway (Raye Rodriguez) - One of the professors of the academy, who teaches in sacred alphabets. Before Lavender's disappearance, the two were best friends.
* Anise (Haviland Stillwell) - Sage's purple-haired cousin who is married to the white-haired elf Aloe (Joy Lerner).
* Neppy Cat (Cam ClarkeW) - A cat that lives near the academy and becomes involved in a conflict between the heroes and the Triumvirate. Through the use of a potion, he is accidentally turned into a monstrous humanoid.
* Slime Boy (Julian KosterW) - A second-year student of the academy with a chilled personality.
* Parnelle (Barbara GoodsonW) - A child prodigy who was brought to the academy at a young age.
* The Triad (Salli SaffiotiW) - A trio that makes up the headmasters of the academy.
* Hakone Civet (Anthony Brandon Walker) - One of the professors of the academy, who teaches the students in combat classes.
* Wyverna Dretch (Haviland Stillwell) - One of the professors of the academy, who teaches the students in ethics.

### Antagonists

* Triumvirate - A mysterious evil organization led by a trio that is not unlike the Triad.
* Olive (Stephanie ShehW) - A catgirl working under the Triumvirate whose mission was to observe the academy. Once the heroines started to get closer to figuring out a few secrets, she is tasked with killing them.
* Mandrake (A.J. Beckles) - A shapeshifting henchmen of the Triumvirate who was sent to finish Olive's mission.

## Development

See also: High Guardian Spice/Development