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calling Hime Your Royal Highness or Your Majesty in a sarcastic tone,
referring to Hime’s princess-like airs and graces. Hime figuratively replies,
“don’t call me princess, just call me princess-like, you servant” (note that
this graphic novel is translated from Japanese and as such the dialogue
bubbles are still read from right to left). Although the character of Hime is
supposed to be of royal blood and Flandre is literally her servant, this
exchange of words emphasises that they are playing at their roles or playing
them up. But it also demonstrates the difference in attitude towards, and
perceptions about, Gothloli and Maids. Leaving aside their personalities, this
is indicated in their actual names; while Hime is the royal one to be served,
the name Flandre connotes the role of a French maid. There is in this a
sense, especially in regard to stereotypes, that the “princess’ is sweet and
pure, but haughty and cold; while the French maid image is warm but
obedient and, as an archetypal identity, sexualised.
In Princess Resurrection, Hime is depicted as a Hime Lolita,
Himeloli/Himerori, or Princess Lolita. The Himeloli style is a subcategory of
Lolita that combines the silhouette of Gothloli with items such as mini
crowns, tiaras and long silk gloves. With the Himeloli the aristocratic tone of
the Gothloli is raised. The term “princess” is also used by Gothloli to
describe themselves overall. For example, “Tsukiyo” says:
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