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Apr 13, 8:15 AM
#1

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Nov 2011
129185
Wasn't expecting this show to have kendo contests but we got one this episode. I hope Yukiya has learned something cause he needs room to improve. The timeskip is interesting though.

Again, I do think this show's setting is refreshing and Yukiya is adapting with his life style. He probably drew more attention than he should have so the guy definitely needs more time to mature.
Apr 13, 12:42 PM
#2

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Apr 2008
913
After my frustration for wainting the anime on crunchy. This is my favorite anime of the season.
Apr 13, 1:00 PM
#3

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Oct 2019
1202
This stuff looks really good imo. Red also looks really nice in here. We see Natsuka make his appearance. And we learn the Yukiya has some spunk to him. He also has a different mother from his eldest and youngest brothers who supposedly is a high class. He was taken from his mother and placed into a new family. Dude just wants to not get involved in all the political drama. The thing that strikes me tho is that attendant mentioned he was "a child of a lady of the Northern House who passed some time ago." I dont know if this means his mom is gone now or if thats just a coverup.
So far, we know that
The Empress- Omurasaki, whose son became a monk, Natsuka
Princess- Fujinami who is close to Asebi
North
Lord- Genya
Lord of Taruhi Village- Yukimasa
3rd daughter- Shiratama
East
Lord- Haruhito
2nd daughter- Asebi
South
Lord- Toru
1st daughter- Hamayu (i really like)
West
Lord- Akira
1st daughter- Masuho-no-Susuki

Im smitten by Hamayu.
FireRifle64Apr 13, 1:11 PM
"Perfection is perception. For me, humanity's imperfections is what makes it perfect"

Apr 13, 1:04 PM
#4

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Apr 2024
285
This is great replacement for Apothecary Diaries. Production is really good and plot is intriguing
Apr 13, 1:05 PM
#5
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Sep 2015
6722
Since I'm specialized in the relationship between men, I'd love to see more of the story about the Prince and his servant and less of the competition to be the Prince's consort.
Apr 13, 1:18 PM
#6

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Sep 2023
71
This episode was very good. I really like Yukiya's character. I know the comparison gets thrown around a lot in regards to things like this, but this anime is definitely reminding me of A Song of Ice and Fire in some respects. The myriad of characters, the political intrigue, the fantasy setting... I wasn't sure what to expect from this and I've been pleasantly surprised.
Apr 13, 1:43 PM
#7

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May 2018
972
This anime is so up my alley, I can already tell this is gonna be my favorite from this season. Wind Breaker might be the second. I love the historical theme, the setting, the characters... can't wait to see how this pans out.
can't yuck my yum




Apr 13, 2:35 PM
#8

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Jul 2017
6782
Finished the first two episodes and to be honest, this was a lot more interesting than I expected. The fact that there were no subtitles last week for some reason made me lose even more interest in this show but I like the storytelling so far from different perspectives that can bring connections together, and the setting is nice too. Pacing seems ideal in building a complex web of events and and character relationships present and I am interested to see what is up with the Prince, Yukiya and a bunch of these characters for different reasons. For the first two episodes, think this was a success in capturing my interest for more episodes for the time being. Refreshing little show so far.
Apr 13, 3:37 PM
#9
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Aug 2020
3698
Ep 2 was even more interesting than the first ep.

I don’t remember every characters but this boy got me.
otakuweek on insta for News /recom etc

just have a look, you won't regret it...
Apr 13, 4:18 PM

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Apr 2012
21661
Now it really does feel like a samurai fantasy. Although I'm confused by the strong Kiyotaka vibes from the protagonist.
Apr 13, 5:27 PM
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Jul 2020
110
This is interesting. '八咫烏シリーズ' (Yatagarasu series) has two parts, A Raven For All Seasons and The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, which is still ongoing. I only read some of the manga years back, but while they said that the anime is adapting the second part, this is also adapting For All Seasons. Essentially interlocking the two parts into one story.

It changed things up a little bit from the manga. Again, might be different in the novels which I haven't read, but when juxtaposed knowing how things went in the manga, I'm definitely finishing this.

In particular, with the stunning art and the finespun dialogue, it reminds me of a film adapted from a stageplay, which is how it sort of was in the manga, but it changed little things here and there, and also skipped past certain scenes. Which is for the better imo, the manga had a tad too much exposition. How this anime does it flows a lot better imo.

That being said, I'm wondering if the two different perspectives (Yukiya and Asebi) will ultimately be at conflict with each other at some point and feel way too overwhelming as a narrative. We'll see.
daft_marinerApr 13, 5:44 PM
Apr 13, 5:46 PM

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Jun 2015
2594
2nd episode is slightly better. Focusing on one character this time; Yukiya.

Another seemingly important character everyone keep gossiping about; the crown prince, who, aside from rumours, is still an enigma, which the anime shamelessly introduces him as a cliff-hanger bait; "wait till episode 3, and maybe...maybe you'll get to know him".

This anime is like a funny joke, but the delivery is so bad it's regrettable waste.
Apr 13, 6:18 PM
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Jul 2013
74
The intrigue of a palace drama, but everyone is a three footed raven…. This show needs more views and higher rating, it’s going to get so good, I can sense it with my raven senses.
Apr 13, 10:49 PM

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Jul 2011
4419
I can't take my eyes off the character designs, they're gorgeous.

Apr 14, 3:16 AM
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Jul 2021
3
I thought this anime looked interesting but after seeing the score it had I didn't expect too much. I was thus very surprised after watching the two first episodes.
I loved them.

The story takes place in an interesting and original world. Similar to ancient china or japan but with a slight bit of fantasy sprinkled on top with noblemen that can transform into crows. The two first episodes introduce us to the life at the palace and expose us to the main plot the series will revolve around: the choice of the king's consort.

This series reminds me of apothecaries diaries and I love it.

The art and animation are also very good and the music fits very well.

Overall I have high hopes for this anime and can't wait for the next episode.
Apr 14, 6:01 AM

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Jan 2009
178
These first two eps are quality, really baffled by the low score. Everything seems to be setting up nicely for a classic palace drama.

It's one of those series where it might get confusing remembering who is who and it doesn't refrain from introducing characters after characters, so I understand it might be a little difficult to follow it weekly
Apr 14, 9:10 AM

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Jan 2017
484
Yukiya's first appearance already got me. Now that he's been appearing most in the second episode, I'm kinda glad that my first impression of him (which was cool) ain't a fluke. I like the crown prince's presence as well. As for the four houses, I'm in between Shiratama and Asebi---but since it was indicated that Shiratama is just 14 years old, I think I would support Asebi more, also she's the prettiest among the four
Apr 14, 1:00 PM

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Nov 2012
2371
I feel like I need to stop watching this for a few weeks just so I can marathon. It's already jumped out in front of everything else I'm watching this season.

The artwork is sublime. I'm enjoying the world building and mythology. Although, I do wonder why the carriages have wheels if the ravens are flying them everywhere.

@18927
"...you've overdosed salt."
"...dressed in pasta of smart sounding words."


LOVE!
Just so you know I am stealing those. I love it, especially the first one. What a great way of calling someone salty.
dragynfaerieApr 14, 1:33 PM
Apr 14, 3:22 PM
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May 2017
1814
Another very good episode! The series keeps its goodness.
Mene, mene, tekel, parsin
Apr 15, 2:21 AM

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Nov 2010
122
The storytelling is quite refreshing like it seems everyone is the mc of the show and they're all likeable so far. So many hotties too (dibs on the first attendant of the prince lol).
Idk why it's scored quite low on MAL like I'm so glad I randomly watched it. I hope it gets big and doesn't go downhill later.
Apr 15, 7:26 AM
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Jan 2024
250
damnn this show is so good easily among the season best anime why hasnt it gotten more recognition like bruh
Apr 15, 3:15 PM

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Jun 2015
2594
^ It's ironic that criticising this show is frowned upon because one can't judge it based on just 1-2 episodes, yet praising it after just 1-2 episodes is perfectly acceptable. Double standards, aren't they amusing?
Apr 15, 3:18 PM
Ero Ojisan

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Jun 2019
5291
Looks like I found another historical fantasy series to replace The Apothecary Diaries. There is an awful lot of politicking among the four potential wives from their perspective houses that are a battling for the prince's hand in royal marriage. At the same time, the blockhead son Yukiya has been chosen to not only to serve the prince, but to act as an agent to gather information for the Northern house.
Apr 16, 10:42 PM

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Feb 2019
9566
Oh yea we’re eating gooood with this one. Grown man anime here. Reminds me of a mix between Ooku and Kokyou no Korasu. The historical setting with the intricate political and social dynamic… complex characters and power moves being made in the shadows, love this type of shit.

First two episodes went by really quickly despite dumping a lot of info on us. Introduced some cool characters and their multi faceted personalities and motivations as well as the complex social hierarchy of the kingdom. I can already tell there’s gonna be a lot of twists and turns in the story.

I like how the first two episodes present us with Yukiya and Asebi’s stories. Two characters who have kinda been written off because their second children and come from the sticks. Now they’ve both found themselves in the palace, one with an opportunity to marry the prince and the other as his attendant. Yukiya comes off as kinda silly, but as we saw when he beat up dude who was talking shit about him he’s got a mean side and can be cold and calculating. I really can’t wait to see more of him.

I think this is gonna be a must watch for fans of serious political stories and well written characters.
Marinate1016Apr 16, 11:15 PM
Apr 17, 2:37 AM
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Jul 2021
60
Reply to phantomfandom
Since I'm specialized in the relationship between men, I'd love to see more of the story about the Prince and his servant and less of the competition to be the Prince's consort.
@phantomfandom What a coincidence, so do I! We have so much in common! I quite like the consort plotline, so I hope to see more of it, just without the prince or his servant being implicated with anyone else.
Apr 17, 7:38 AM
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Oct 2021
8
Reply to otakuweek
Ep 2 was even more interesting than the first ep.

I don’t remember every characters but this boy got me.
@otakuweek you are right, I think it is a right move they did to have 2 episodes right away. The first one I did not really cared for enough to doubt if i should watch the 2nd or not. I am glad I did watch, the 2nd episode was good. Although I just hope that the sheltered Asubi wont start to annoy me with her extreme naivety and hope she will grow as an individual.
Apr 17, 5:11 PM

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Apr 2023
131
First episode was a snoozefest besides the interesting introduction. This episode spread out more of what the narrative will become.

Animation is good but the skin coloring and faces are weird, still it's not off putting enough to drop it just because of those reasons.
Apr 18, 3:38 PM
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Apr 2024
102
Reply to OnlyAraku
@phantomfandom What a coincidence, so do I! We have so much in common! I quite like the consort plotline, so I hope to see more of it, just without the prince or his servant being implicated with anyone else.
@OnlyAraku Don't leave out Natsuka-sama, he may be a "monk", but really good-looking.
And there is also Sumio with brown eyes and weird hairdo.
Apr 19, 1:57 PM

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Jul 2021
1571
They should've premiered with the first 2 episodes together. It's like they're two halves of a story; the rivalry amongst the 4 consort candidates plus the prince and his attendant navigating all of this together.

I wasn't expecting much, but the world looks pretty complex and interesting, the writing feels sharp, the characters look intelligent and intriguing, and the visuals look polished. Really interested now.
Apr 19, 3:09 PM
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Jul 2021
60
Reply to KisMaczka
@OnlyAraku Don't leave out Natsuka-sama, he may be a "monk", but really good-looking.
And there is also Sumio with brown eyes and weird hairdo.
@KisMaczka Haha, I understand where you're coming from. But I singled out those two because they have a set-in-stone relationship, whereas I have yet to see the nature of Natsuka and Sumio and whoever they may be entangled with.
Apr 19, 3:17 PM
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Jul 2021
60
Reply to perseii
They should've premiered with the first 2 episodes together. It's like they're two halves of a story; the rivalry amongst the 4 consort candidates plus the prince and his attendant navigating all of this together.

I wasn't expecting much, but the world looks pretty complex and interesting, the writing feels sharp, the characters look intelligent and intriguing, and the visuals look polished. Really interested now.
@perseii About your first point--I can imagine that they wanted to, based on how they later distributed the episodes to international viewers (two released simultaneously). But securing an hour-long episode in domestic broadcasts was likely too expensive for the studio/production committee, so they're two distinct episodes. The only example I've seen of such a thing (two episodes fused together) is Oshi no Ko, but that's very much an outlier in terms of monetary resources and production quality.
Apr 19, 5:39 PM
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Apr 2024
102
This anime is just pretending to have familiar clichés as regards its characters, their relationships and the whole plot, so it would be safer not to jump on conclusions in judging it after the two first eps.
Just wait and you'll see. If the authors don't make any major changes,kami forbid!
Apr 19, 8:56 PM

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Jul 2021
1571
Reply to OnlyAraku
@perseii About your first point--I can imagine that they wanted to, based on how they later distributed the episodes to international viewers (two released simultaneously). But securing an hour-long episode in domestic broadcasts was likely too expensive for the studio/production committee, so they're two distinct episodes. The only example I've seen of such a thing (two episodes fused together) is Oshi no Ko, but that's very much an outlier in terms of monetary resources and production quality.
OnlyAraku said:
But securing an hour-long episode in domestic broadcasts was likely too expensive for the studio/production committee, so they're two distinct episodes.

I didn't know that broadcasting multiple episodes at once cost a lot of money, interesting. Good on them to ask Crunchyroll to release those episodes together (assuming it wasn't just Crunchyroll messing up their schedule).

In addition to Oshi no Ko, Frieren had a 2-hour premiere recently, if I remember correctly, with 4 episodes back-to-back.
Apr 19, 11:04 PM
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Sep 2013
80
You don't know how excited I was when the ED started and I realized it was by Akiko Shikata. I adore her music and voice, it's a perfect fit for this show, and I don't think she's done an anime song since Yona of the Dawn almost 10 years ago!
Apr 20, 12:10 AM
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Feb 2015
461
Yukiya an interesting character , he deeply resent the idea of rumor of succession conflict and even pretend to be weaker than he is, he got into trouble and given the duty to become the Crown prince servant, an important role that he don't even want to get to.

The appearance of crown prince suggest he wait for him Yukiya no Taruhi,that mean he is the golden raven from the earlier maybe...
The pacing, info dumping and a diverse line of character making it quite fast to catch up into but it got promising story line. will be watching it till the end.

The op and ending have my heart, it seem a lot of effort put into the anime.
jumbosanApr 20, 12:14 AM
Apr 20, 5:16 AM
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Jul 2021
60
Reply to perseii
OnlyAraku said:
But securing an hour-long episode in domestic broadcasts was likely too expensive for the studio/production committee, so they're two distinct episodes.

I didn't know that broadcasting multiple episodes at once cost a lot of money, interesting. Good on them to ask Crunchyroll to release those episodes together (assuming it wasn't just Crunchyroll messing up their schedule).

In addition to Oshi no Ko, Frieren had a 2-hour premiere recently, if I remember correctly, with 4 episodes back-to-back.
@perseii Haha I just remembered Frieren as well, but again it's very much an outlier. Frieren was exceptional for many reasons, like its 28 episode long first season, not to mention its consistent high production quality throughout (now that's one hell of a feat). I'll admit I'm not intimately familiar with the Japanese anime industry and broadcasting, so my theory is predicated upon the comments of people more knowledgeable than I. I'd imagine streaming has had an effect on how anime is consumed in the domestic Japanese market, but TV broadcasting nevertheless retains a significant role in distribution. Programming slots can be very expensive to acquire due to them being limited in number for one, and the time of day (which can impact the type and extent of the viewership) plays a major role in determining how costly they can be. So getting a programming slot at all has an inherent cost, and one at a good time of day exacerbates that. You can imagine how that would translate when it comes to two of them. And that's why only big hitters secure special release schedules, since they're expected to have great success and so the production committees/studios behind them are willing to pay extra to cement it.
Apr 22, 4:10 AM

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Jul 2017
14912
Yukiya may have been beaten to a pulp, but the proceedings for Shiratama to the Northern House, plus high priest Natsuka, though Yukiya did almost create a scene to label his innocence. To that point, Natsuka wanting Yukiya to serve the Prince for a year, the blockhead second son sure took things too far, otherwise he's being sent to the Unbending Reed Monastery to learn combat skills for 3 years. Still, the Taruhi Village of sons are quite the figure, only for eldest Yukima, but Yukiya is clearly out of his depth, wanting his friends like Ichiryu to train him, with a casual remark being taken as an insult of him succeeding his brother. As for the various House brides in preparation to serve the Prince, Yukiya is also heading to the Center of Yamauchi, Kiel bringing Yukiya to the Yamauchi Imperial Palace to see the Prince, the meeting between the real kin'u and raven, it's a case of master and servant.

The Crown Prince and Yukiya, how will they gel?
Apr 29, 1:14 PM

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Nov 2013
3159
after Raven of the inner palace, Taishou otome otogibanashi, Apothecary diaries, Seirei no moribito, yona, Happy marriage ... and others, i get more and more sure about enjoying these kinds of Chinese/Japanese historical animes, they are so interesting
(it's funny because i really doubt i'd even watch one about my country, since i disliked history classes in school)

i laughed so much when Yukiha was showing off after the other 4 got yelled at, but quickly lost it when he ended up being picked as a retainer a minute later

also i love the ending song, contender for my favorite this season
winddevil1Apr 29, 1:49 PM
favorite "new girls" from summer <3 ... click sig for older seasons and more possible picks (rip all the other choices)
May 24, 2:20 PM

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Feb 2016
108
I hate that it was released late. I was expecting this anime, but I thought that it won't be released in Spain, and I was aware of the release much later.
Jul 4, 12:52 AM

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Jul 2023
2323
protagonist looks interesting let's see!


Jul 11, 8:13 AM

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Oct 2017
27454
Is Yukiya related to the prince somehow given his mysterious mother background? His step mother is a really nice woman, caring for him so much. Also he's the pretend weak but actually strong type. Red hair girl seems to care for the prince a lot, sewing that thing for him. Interested in Hamayuu, why was her lady in waiting talking to her like that? We finally got to see the prince and he's the raven from before.

Btw been really liking the landscapes, scenaries and visuals in general, beautiful. ED song was really good too.
Sep 24, 4:46 PM

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Jul 2023
1733
Last episode, we felt for Lady Asebi. This episode, it looks like we will focus on Yukiya going forward with Lady Asebi as subplot.

It's still in wolrdbuilding mode and we don't know how it will go and who is the villain. But it is intruiging enough.
Oct 7, 11:19 AM
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Mar 2019
9596
The Bullies were sure put in their place.
Yukiya, get to the Palace.

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