When the first cour began I was expecting a typical run-of-the mill harem story, which I was totally in for anyway. Pretty soon the creators threw us into a rich world of beauty, mystery, and ever-present threats. For anyone who enjoys the kishoutenketsu (introduction, development, twist, conclusion) storytelling style, this one is for you!
Overall 10/10 (spoiler-free)
The premise of Heian-like period Japan intrigued me from the start (historical fiction for the win!), with cunning characters of the inner palace. The introduction of the four houses and what stakes they have in gaining a connection to the imperial family sets the premise: behind the fleeting sakura and
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smiles lies an ongoing battle for power and prestige. Yatagarasu politics mirrors our own, but with the added layer of shapeshifting forms, very telling in how they are referred to in the story: miyagarasu(?), or "court ravens" vs yamayatagarasu, the "hill ravens" (lit. "mountain ravens" but I'm going by the subs). The fact that their distinguishing between the two already hints a lot to how their society is run, and that's just the tip of the mountain! Of course, what kishoutenketsu story would be complete without a number of twists and turns? Just when you think all the problems are solved, the story continues, making you question everything you thought you knew about the characters, plot, and world. It's difficult to describe it in more detail without spoiling, so I'll recommend you give it a try for yourself.
Art 10/10
The animation is fluid and you can tell a lot of love has been put into making the yatagarasu in their bird and human forms seamless and realistic. I enjoyed rewatching to see how each character's clothing styles reflects their political affiliations and trying to guess their storylines based on it. My favourite scene comes from episode 13 where the direction took faction colours, lighting, and camera angles to really nail the scene. I never saw it coming, but in hindsight all the visual signs were there, which really speaks to how much effort the animators put into even the smaller details like facial expressions. (To those of you who've seen it, you know what I'm talking about :)
Music 10/10
Not the most knowledgeable about music, but I enjoyed the soundtrack and play the OP often. The soundtrack hits hard when it needs to, particularly in key moments that truly make the conclusions feel earned.
Characters 10/10
Imagine you're wading off the shore, when suddenly the seabed drops beneath you. I felt that some characters began as archetypes to draw viewers in before moving on to explore who they really are. I think they used familiar archetypes as the baseline before expanding on what each of them actually means and how they can add to the story. Take Yukiya for instance: A male protagonist who is the "second blockhead son" of a local lord. At first I thought he was a typical shounen protagonist who'd rise in the ranks and overcome his awkward stage to be accepted for who he truly is. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised to see him out of his depth in central court politics and have to use his own wits and help from others to carry on. Whether he submits to the court is another thing, but the real treat was watching his own internal conflicts between his ideals and the expectations of others, contrasted with the external conflicts going on all around him. Even the side characters who don't get as much spotlight will leave you wondering what else they're hiding behind their feathered cloaks...
Story 10/10
I found the first watch a tad confusing as I figured out who was whom and their roles in the story. Honestly, the best enjoyment for me came in the rewatches, since I already knew the outcome I could search for clues or details I'd missed beforehand, and understand the characters a lot better. The original novelist did a great job in crafting a story where you think you know everything there is to know about the characters, world, and setting, then sweeps the rug out from under you at the end. Truly a mastercraft in kishoutenketsu! The series truly has a bit of something for anyone, be it court politics, battles for the harem, underworld societies, comedic splashes, and an abundance of world building details that grow more vivid as you watch on. I encourage anyone interested in fantasy politics and world building to watch until the very end.
Adaptation 9/10
As this anime is an adaptation of a novel with several manga adaptations, I thought it worth mentioning that there are always going to be details lost in translation. I have only had the opportunity to read a little bit of the manga, and I feel that there were a couple of things the anime could have expanded on some more. For instance, Yukiya's backstory gets more time in the manga and the character relations are better ironed out, and I imagine the novel expands on it a lot more. Still, the anime gives enough hints for you to figure out it's something big, so rewatches are definitely recommended. As there are currently no official English translations, I hope they'll be licensed soon after this anime airs!
Conclusion
As someone who loves historical fantasy and character-driven stories, Yatagarasu was a real gem in this year's lineup. If you liked Apothecary Diaries or Frieren I think this anime is worth a shot. Just be warned that you'll probably be wanting a second season by the end. :)
Sep 21, 2024
Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai
(Anime)
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When the first cour began I was expecting a typical run-of-the mill harem story, which I was totally in for anyway. Pretty soon the creators threw us into a rich world of beauty, mystery, and ever-present threats. For anyone who enjoys the kishoutenketsu (introduction, development, twist, conclusion) storytelling style, this one is for you!
Overall 10/10 (spoiler-free) The premise of Heian-like period Japan intrigued me from the start (historical fiction for the win!), with cunning characters of the inner palace. The introduction of the four houses and what stakes they have in gaining a connection to the imperial family sets the premise: behind the fleeting sakura and ... |
