In the Kingdom of Yamauchi, people have the ability to transform into three-legged crows known as yatagarasu. While the men plot over daily governance, women compete for the hand of Wakamiya, the crown prince who was selected as the Kinu, the servant to the Mountain God. Four young women arrive at the court to join the competition, including one named Asebi.
While the kind and innocent Asebi sticks out like a sore thumb compared to the other women, the crown prince has to fight for his place in the clan. Despite being born both to a concubine and as a second son, the royal priests still chose Wakamiya to be the Kinu over his older brother. This decision created a rift between the siblings while enraging Wakamiya's stepmother in the process.
When Yukiya, one of the teenage sons of the village chief, is sent to the palace to become Wakamiya's new attendant, the prince is not pleased in the slightest. However, Yukiya's presence at the imperial courts is no mere coincidence.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
Marinate1016
For the past 5 months I’ve yelled from every proverbial rooftop how underrated Yatagarasu is and how it’s one of the best anime of the year. Sadly, it never got the attention it deserved but those who watched it will sing nonstop praise about this show. It’s truly incredible and one of the best works Pierrot have ever done. Interesting fantasy story, captivating characters, twists, action, politics, you name it this show does it and does it damn well. Truly a pleasure watching this over the last half a year or so and I pray we get another season because I can tell there’s somuch left of this story.
Yatagarasu is actually the first piece of media I’ve seen in a very long time which has had twists I genuinely didn’t see coming or detect any foreshadowing of. On several occasions through the show’s run I had my jaw on the floor because of well executed plot twists that changed everything I thought I knew about the story. The author does an amazing job of having you fall in love with characters only for them to be the most vile deplorable people imaginable, and making seemingly evil people into some of the kindest and most noble. The sheer level of complexity that all the characters have in this story is remarkable. You can feel the effort and thought that went into crafting each of them and it has the feel of a fantasy soap opera at times with just how big and alive the cast feels. That’s not a knock either! I love stories with ensemble casts and multiple people you can get behind and root for. One of the best examples of that is my fave anime of all time, Fruits Basket, and I definitely got some of those vibes from this show which is a part of why I like it so much.
One of the coolest aspects of Yatagarasu for me is the political dynamic of Yamauchi. It’s not unlike medieval Japan with the class system, and gap between rich and poor, but it’s made even more interesting with the shape shifting Raven aspect of the story. Not all ravens are created equally and some are forced to work as “horses” or manual labourers for other more wealthy ones. There’s the fragile peace maintained through political alliances and the constant fear of being betrayed. As a fan of house of the dragon, I was captivated every episode by these relationships, especially at the start with the sakura palace selection arc.
But things only got better from there, culminating in what were some of the best reveals I’ve seen in anime down the stretch. The last 7-8 episodes were just incredible, nonstop action, tension, anxiety over who’d make it out. I was so enthralled by this show and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s really great. It’s hard to describe a lot without spoiling, so just give it a chance. If you’re a fan of stuff like Kusuriya, Ooku, Kokyou no Karasu and other historical fantasy/mystery stuff you really have fun with this. It feels like a well done J or K drama and you even forget it’s anime because of how immersive it is.
Yatagarasu gets a very easy 10 out of 10
KANLen09
Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master - In the realm of historical anime, this show stands aloft with its widespread wings, even if it doesn't get the popularity that it should deserve all the more. As a bona-fide Asian, having lived and watched countless palace-centred series ranging from Chinese to Korean live-action drama shows that have lasted for time millennia, I had the privilege to learn a part of history that not only is a centerpiece of the Feudal times, but this is essentially where the world got its start in a lot of aspects, from romance to politics. Of course, the Japanese medium,just like its East Asian counterparts, has all of that too in anime form through the depiction of the historical fantasy genre, ranging from the likes of Fall 2022's heavily underrated Koukyuu no Karasu a.k.a Raven of the Inner Palace, to last Fall's Magnum Opus of Kusuriya no Hitorigoto a.k.a The Apothecary Diaries. And one such work is quite the novelty that it's the ONLY way you can experience it the best: novelist Chisato Abe's Yatagarasu series, with the anime covering the first 3 volumes (out of 6) that comprise Part 1 of the novel series. And yes, despite the overall marketing of the anime as the adaptation of the 2nd novel, which is where the show got its title as Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai a.k.a The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, trust me that the series goes much deeper into more than just that part of the adaptation alone.
Be it either MAL Rewrite or Crunchyroll's synopsis that you can read as a starter to the anime, believe me on this one sole fact: once you get into the lore of the show, you CANNOT get out of it easily, it's just that engrossing. But to give a brief summary of the context, trust everything you know and come to expect when it comes to the historical fantasy genre, and amp it up a notch given all of its heavy-laden drama and mythology that doesn't take away the essence of what the anime is all about, summarized in 3 parts: marriage for succession, a reluctant figure growing to become a prominent figure to help somebody, and that somebody is ascending the conquest for royalty as the true figure of its kingdom/nation against all the heavy-handed politics as to be expected of the Feudal times. It's a lot to take both the anime and this review in general, so don't expect to get everything on the first leg.
The thing that sets Yatagarasu apart from the alikeness of historical fantasy shows is literally in its name: humans who are said to be able to shapeshift into said creatures of 3-legged mythical god-crows, and the central chess piece is a laid-back boy by the name of Yukiya. The second son of the rather medium-sized family living in the small village of Taruhi, and one that stands out not being in a good way, he's the kind of young man who just wants to have fun and not get nosy into unorthodox business matters that the adults always have daily trifles with. But from one situation to another, he gets roped into the world of the adults, thanks to this rather fine adult of Wakamiya through the imperial courts. Unbeknownst to him, the Yatagarasu also has a hierarchy system to determine who has the right to lead the Kingdom of Yamauchi in its unique parallel world of humans and gods co-existing alongside one another, and it's the true Kin'u a.k.a Golden Raven who has that right and holds the fate of the kingdom in his hands. And that responsibility lies with Wakamiya, the young Imperial Crown Prince himself, whom Yukiya is forcefully sent to become his new attendant in the hopes that he'll become a useful member of society. Despite not getting along initially whilst having other yatagarasu (like Sumio) as his close attendant, Yukiya may not like being an errand boy for Wakamiya, but little does he know that his involvement will, like Wakamiya's fateful choices, shake the kingdom in ways beyond what he could ever anticipate.
Let's break it down even further: as mentioned, the anime adapts the first 3 volumes of Part 1 of the novel. Volume 1, comprising of the Karasu ni Hitoe wa Niawanai a.k.a A Raven for All Seasons novel, focuses on the political marriage aspect where esteemed noble ladies from all areas of Yamauchi, representative of the lands they come from (North, South, East, and West), are all vying for the spot to become Wakamiya's wife in the hopes of birthing future heirs of generations to bring the kingdom to prosperity. At the centre of this is Asebi, the second princess from the Eastern family, who comes into the marriage game as someone who boasts a rich family background, but has little to no redeeming values of her own, always coming forth as a princess who lacks social etiquette and maintains her innocence as her only tool to aid being the perfect wife material for Wakamiya, despite being way out of place. And if you know anything about political marriages in general, it's a very (and I mean VERY) messy affair of instances from accusations to allegations of princesses trying to elevate themselves over their competition, and as infuriating as the subject matter comes, this is pretty bog-standard and time-period accurate as the princesses will stop at nothing to make and break other rivals to make their name stand out amongst the rest.
Yet, you can think of the whole political marriage subterfuge as the backdrop to the main adaptation of the series: Volume 2, comprising of what it was advertised to be - Karasu wa Aruji o Erabanai a.k.a The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master. This is where both Yukiya and Wakamiya get the main meat of the story going as it is, being adapted in parallel alongside Karasu ni Hitoe wa Niawanai (which I thought was a nice touch and a smart move), focusing more on the aspects of Yukiya growing, not just as a young teenager who thinks he's got the smarts to survive in the harsh outside world, and with Wakamiya quickly shooting him down to his humble abode as a test and a testament to how well he can actually survive with the crevices of Yamauchi as notable events happen that could very well jeopardize the prosperity of the kingdom to come. And this is where we land with the latter half of the anime (from Episode 14 onwards) adapting Volume 3 of the novel: Kin no Karasu a.k.a The Golden Raven, exposing more of what makes Yamauchi the kingdom that it is, and how it handles crises in the form of human-eating monkeys serving as provincial pagan gods, and an Underground that keeps all of that harmony for time millennia — a sacred tradition that must not be tampered with. And how all of this was weaved together like fine tapestry, it's just a marvel of art, worked to the finest of details.
The high praises of the show can be summed down to both the plot and its characters. As much as the story flows from one point to the next, despite it being infodump from time to time, you'll never really have the feel where you'll get lost trying to understand what the hell's going on in this seemingly larger-than-life story. Even so, all of the speculations derived from the various adapted novels depicting their specific case scenarios, each question raised will undoubtedly always have its answer resolved in a way that actually makes sense of how and why the world-building happened in the first place, and not just for plot convenience nor contrivance. Coupled together with characters who aren't written monotonously, every single one of them, protagonist or antagonist, has a reason for their parts of involvement, and doesn't go wasted when their intrigues get the better of the audience trying to assimilate who they really are when intentions serve as the tipping point for further analyses. This is not a show for the faint-hearted, as everyone is multi-layered and multi-faceted to the point of competency and interest, and it's the "one blink of an eye and you'll miss important fine details" kind of adage that connects each and every one of significance, which makes characterization ALL the more important.
There is reason enough to love Yatagarasu not just as a fictional historical fantasy show, but of the depiction that's done with the help of the people that bring this to the small screen. Yuru Camp a.k.a Laid-Back Camp director Yoshiaki Kyougoku is back on the directorial seat to helm this "intricate sum of moving parts" show, and I have to say that no one does it better than this guy who's slowly building a reputation of his own, challenging himself to direct an anime that's so far out of his comfort zone. Alongside series composer Yukiko Yamamuro (who helmed the live-action movie of mangaka Mitsuru Adachi's baseball series Touch), the writing of the show is so impeccable to the point where not one scene goes unwasted trying to serve as exposition, only to be forgotten by the wayside. Everything has a sense of purpose, and what may look like scenes that are out of place in the beginning, will come back to be revisited in different POVs that ultimately layer the appropriate sense of mystery enough to show the amount of heft of the set-up. This is exactly how you make mystery series enticing, and Yatagarasu achieves that to a T.
For what it is worth, Studio Pierrot's production on the anime might not look the best, but what it makes up for in quantity, it gives sheer quality right out of the gate. What doesn't seem like much in the way of animation because of the constant use of long shots and static scenes, the beautiful artwork compliments that so much to the point where the lack of animation doesn't even amount to much, so that the mesmerizing can truly take over and give the series a good first impression throughout its run. Likewise, the music department may also feel lacking, but the subtle use of its OST at key moments helps elevate the show to the point where even the mundane is still notable for the subsequent scenarios to come that can give the music a run for its composition. While Saucy Dog's OP is just alright and honestly forgettable, Akiko Shikata's ED makes up for it in sheer composition that fits in line with the show's historical morales to goodness.
If Kusuriya no Hitorigoto proves something about historical fantasy, it's that the genre itself actually has an audience that appreciates this rather niche content, but the caveat is that that number is small. Like Koukyuu no Karasu, Yatagarasu is massively underrated not just because of its affiliations being in the same genre, but that people dismissed this as a show so adept that it feels boring to the point where nothing happens, and that it takes a while before anything notable can take centerstage, and it wouldn't amount to much at the end of it all. Oh no, NOT in this show, where everything has substance and service for a historical Seinen show that simply just got overlooked by the masses, and Lord behold that anime like this will make people smarter at all (which is part of the intent anyways).
If you want to take a chance on Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai a.k.a Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master, please, PLEASE do, you'll certainly not regret wasting 8 to 9 hours binge-watching the anime from start to finish. It's an excellent must-watch series that was both unfortunately marred by the masses and fortunately marvelled at by the minority as an inspired folktale of legend, and one thing's for sure: it's now a certified hidden gem that delivers on all cylinders. Either way, you're doing yourself a disservice if you like (or love even) period-accurate history with endless copious amounts of never-ending drama so gripping and fascinating, it keeps you in your seat for 25 minutes' worth that goes by so fast that it feels like 5 minutes, it's just that engrossing and captivating.
Leina_Lu_Long
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 andsmiles 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. :)
One_Good_Name
It is a non mainstream anime although it is studio pierrot. This anime got me into it from episode 1, although some people only started to love it after giving it a try to three episodes at least. It is extremely amazing anime, from touching into topics like mythology and traditional customs from the japanese history. It is a straight up 10 for me, it includes lots of mystery and I did not find the plot very obvious at times, which made me go into a detective mode to find out what happens. I think the best arc was the first one because there werelots of plot twists, imo.
The last arc is also really great!
I definitely recommend this anime and to anyone giving it a try to at least watch three episodes, I met some people who only started getting more into it on episode three. If you are into history and mythology, this will be a great journey from the start, believe me! If you have anyone to watch it with, I do think you would have a better time as two heads are better than one at finding out what happens.
patkarunungan
This anime is like The Apothecary Diaries, but it has a tighter plot. The plot twists are also insane. § Overview In a land where crows can transform into humans, there lives a certain Wakamiya, the crown prince of Yamauchi. He is set to be the ruler of the kingdom because he is a 'real kin-u' or a golden crow. Also, there lives a certain young lad named Yukiya. Not serious with his life, he found himself becoming Wakamiya's attendant. How will the two navigate the palace intrigue?§ A mini-review from X
I wrote on X the following mini-review:
https://x.com/patkarunungan/status/1841869308940714243
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A small 🧵 on The Apothecary Diaries and Yatagarasu:
Earlier this year, I enjoyed watching The Apothecary Diaries. It reminded me of some of the historical costume dramas from Corea, namely 'Jewel in the Palace' and 'The King's Doctor.' Māomāo is a smart protagonist like Jang Geum and Kwang-hyun, and I love smart protagonists. These three shows also involve medicine.
The Apothecary Diaries scratches my itch for these sageuk, which, though I enjoyed watching, I no longer have the patience to watch.
It has great individual episodes, but as of season 1, it seems that its plot is amorphous and is still taking shape. We don't know who is really the bad guy.
The Apothecary Diaries is a great anime, but I found another one that's greater, namely Yatagarasu. If I have to compare Yatagarasu to kdramas I loved, it has the feel of Signal (2016), a kdrama written by Kim Eun-hee.
On the surface, Yatagarasu seems dissimilar to Signal in that the former is a costume drama set in a seemingly mediæval Japan but the latter is set in modern Corea.
Whilst Signal is not a costume drama, it has at least three common elements with Yatagarasu: 1) elements of mystery, 2) a solid plot, and 3) barely any romance subplot.
Yatagarasu's plot is more solid compared to the plot of The Apothecary Diaries, at least in season 1, its plot being unclear so far. There seem to be no filler moments in Yatagarasu.
Both also feature beautiful female side characters, but the women in Yatagarasu are more compelling.
Overall, I recommend both, and it's a shame that fewer people will watch the greatness that is Yatagarasu.
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§ Additional Thoughts
This anime's genre is seinen and therefore targets more mature male audiences. It doesn't rely on the chemistry of romantic leads, which is why I rate this above The Apothecary Diaries.
I mentioned that the women in Yatagarasu are better than the women in The Apothecary Diaries. The women in the former are attractive, but they are not sexualised as in the case of the latter when Māomāo had to remark on their large boobs.
Each of the women in Yatagarasu deserves to be the main female character in their own respective anime. That's how great they are.
If I haven't emphasised it enough, it is all driven by plot, plot, plot, and the plot is really tight. It uses misdirection to make you think that the plot is going in one direction, but when the truth comes out, you will be amazed. The plot twists are worth the price of admission. One of its episodes is comparable to Episode 9 of Shoushimin, which, if you reach it, will blow your mind.
As an aside, let me warn my readers not to believe that crappy review written by the first person who wrote a 'not recommended' review. It is clear that he didn't reach the best parts of the anime. So don't believe the bullshit in that review.
Trust me. This is worth watching.
BigDaddyTuesday
tl;dr Yatagarasu: The Raven Does not Choose its Master stands out incredibly as both a Historical Drama and as a series. The mythological flair combines with superb plot direction and character writing to form one of the best of the genre. Were this show given the recognition it deserves, it could easily stand tall among the other great hallmarks of both the historical genre and as a benchmark anime to watch. Sadly, for the time being, this show is criminally under-watched with a mere 14k people having completed the series in MAL statistics at the time of writing. I both pray for a continued adaptationof material and for more people to discover how wonderful this show truly is. Below is a more concise summation of my thoughts.
Setting - The world of Yamauchi, the fictional land in which this story takes place, is vibrant and filled with detail and life. The land resembles a feudal Japan with the primary inhabitants being shapeshifting ravens from Japanese mythology, the titular Yatagarasu. make for an interesting and unique subject matter that does not entirely conform to the mold of the basic myth. The typical historical power dynamics of commoners, nobles, and slaves is given an interesting coat of paint with several regions of the world explored in stunning depth. A large part of what drives this series is the soul and personality that each part of the world exudes, the finer details of which I leave to the reader to experience for themselves as they watch the series.
Characters - The show has an incredibly diverse cast of individuals that each plays a key role in the events of the story. Nearly every named character finds themselves developed and integral to the overall arching plot of the world. There are also no 'annoying' characters or individuals that hamper the plot by actively detracting from narrative elements. Character personality quirks and habits are toned down significantly in comparison to something like the Apothecary Diaries for example. In that show, the eccentricities of the main cast move the plot along whereas in Yatagarasu the characters eccentricities take a backseat to a more rigid sense of duty and desire. Both villains and protagonists have their share of appeal and work together with the unique setting to make something both truly unique in terms of inspiration while also being impressively well written.
Plot - Based on a series of novels still currently being written, the anime adaptation sequesters itself into 2 portions in terms of narrative. The first half revolves around palace drama and succession rights while the latter half instead becomes a suspenseful mystery. Both halves differentiate themselves from one another in subject and both manage to continually supply a grand sense of addictive intrigue. Each episode is crammed to the gills with eye catching events and story beats to the extent that your own sense of time is thrown askew as one watches. Rare is the story that both feels as if it gives more than it supplies yet leaves the viewer wanting even more as the credits roll. It is hard to strike that delicate balance, yet Yatagarasu manages to accomplish this with relative ease.
Animation - Overall very crisp with only an occasional off looking hand or faceless man in the background. The studio manages to avoid noticeable cg which is always nice.
Sound - The Opening and Ending songs are both well composed pieces of music. The opening being a more upbeat The background tracks for the show are what one would expect in their heavy use of flute and drums to give off the vibe of feudal Japan. Generally very pleasant to listen to and fitting for each scene.
Criticisms - If I were to lodge one complaint against this show, it would be that the novels adapted were very obviously setting up more material to be written and that material was not animated. The greatest sin this show commits is that the ending is somewhat open and that another season does not appear to be in sight at the moment. When the next season gets announced then this point will be null and the show will retain its overall excellence.
Overall - 'Hidden gem' is a loathsome and overused term, but I truly and wholeheartedly believe that it defines what this show represents at the moment of writing. I enjoyed my time with Yatagarasu far more than I ever would have expected with the general MAL score barely reaching over a flat 8. I find this sickening, and it confirms my theory that the average user on this site would not know a good show if it punched them in the face. If straight up human refuse like Kaiju no.8 and Hells Paradise score similarly to this then all hope is lost for the subset of humanity that uses this site. I would trade a thousand episodes of any given shounen for a single 3 minute short of more Yatagarasu.
ExistentialUFO
This anime ranks in my top five of all time. It exudes a classy, art-house vibe, with exceptional world-building, aesthetics, and character development, all deeply rooted in Japanese high culture. As someone who loves crows and ravens, I particularly enjoyed seeing them woven into this fantasy setting. The series is split into two arcs, both of which I found highly engaging. If I had to offer one minor critique, it would be that the two arcs could have benefited from separate opening themes, though this is hardly an issue for me. The first arc beautifully captures the elegance and regality of court culture amid politicalintrigue, while the second arc delves into a macabre mystery threatening societal stability. Both were exceptionally well-written.
Ionliosite2
Political dramas are hard to make, I’ve seen enough series be completely unable to have the gravitas needed for such storylines, so the fact that Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai actually managed to pull it off was a pleasant surprise to me. The series tackles webs of conspiracies ingrained in the royal family, in the royal court and even in the common populace, taking it all with the seriousness these plots need, but also the complexity needed to be engaged in them. A character chart to keep track of every character, their relations and alliances is practically a must if you want to follow allthe twists the mysteries provide, being a rare example of a modern anime that rewards you for paying close attention to everything happening, something I never expected to see when I picked this show purely because of finding the premise intriguing.
Character wise, our standouts are the main duo of Prince Nazuhiko and Yukiya, the future ruler of the land of Yamauchi and his young bodyguard. The Prince is the one fated to become the Kin’u, a mythical Messianic figure who’s said to keep the land of Yamauchi afloat for reasons the show eventually delves on, so he can come across as being a bit too perfect at times, but this is no Mao Mao, he actually has flaws and self-doubts that he needs to confront over the course of the story. Yukiya has the more interesting character arc, being forced by his family to serve as the Prince’s bodyguard due to his status as a rebel but laid back bum, and the circumstances where he has to put his life on the line for the service of a man he barely knows leads to his growth as he discovers more about the actual state of affairs in the government. Other notable characters like Sumio (the Prince’s older bodyguard), Rokon (first prince Natsuka’s bodyguard with his own agenda), and the Prince’s mistresses (a bunch of slimy women who want power no matter the way they have to get it), round out a memorable cast living in this palace of conspiracies.
Superficially, the lore of the show looks like a fairly standard Feudal Japan but with fantasy elements, with the fact the main characters are not humans but shapeshifting birds called yatagarasu coming across as its only twist, but the show also addresses on its latter half where we see more of the situation surrounding Yamauchi, so the world building is actually richer that it may seem at first glance. The show is a bit lacking animation wise, being very average with its many long shots, even if the art direction provided by the former Yuru Camp staff involved at least manages to make it nice on the eyes, while the OST is very fitting for the kind of setting this has.
Overall, I enjoyed seeing a series that succeeded where Kusuriya no Hitorigoto failed, providing a proper political drama that takes itself seriously and has flawed main characters with obstacles to face, so I’ll gladly wait for another season to see if the duty of the true Kin’u is fulfilled.
Thank you for reading
whiteflame55
This show is great. Never thought I would have been saying that early on, but wow, did this ever exceed my expectations. Still, it took a while to get there. I don't think I was really onboard with what this series had to offer until episode 7 as its mysteries, particularly those at the Cherry Blossom Palace, really started to ramp up. I like a good story of political intrigue and, while the series offered a good deal of that before that point, it didn't feel like there were real stakes to it. Oh, but the stakes came in a big way, and from then throughepisode 13, I was absolutely mesmerized. I loved how this mystery played out, especially the who's and how's of a number of key points in the story up to that point.
And it's not just the mysteries that this show does well. I think it's obvious to anyone watching that the animation looks glorious. I like the character designs a great deal, but where the series thrives is in its backgrounds, clothing, and atmosphere. It's just a spectacle to behold, particularly when it goes hard on that atmosphere and just turns everything up to 11, and its fights are solid.
Still, much as I love this series, it does hold itself back from being among my favorites for a couple of reasons.
For one, that lag time at the start of the series is a bit disappointing. I think I'd appreciate it more on rewatch, but I was feeling pretty meh on the experience going in, probably because much of the subterfuge going on just wasn't obvious to me. Apart from that, I just wasn't invested in the characters early on. I didn't see much reason to get behind Wakamiya's efforts to rise to the throne since he was just kind of an asshole, Natsuka was largely an unknown secondary party seeking the throne, and though there were indications of the fitness of the man sitting on it, their father just didn't get much characterization. Yukiya was fine, but basic. There was far more interesting interplay between the women at the Cherry Blossom Palace, which felt like there was more posturing than real character building. All this changed as various mysteries were brought to light, and particularly my impressions of these characters shifted substantially, but the lag almost shook me off the series.
For another, the last 8 episodes. They aren't bad by any means, but they just don't have the oomph of the first major arc. I'm not going to go into spoilers here, but the introduction of an antagonistic force is a good idea that only feels like it's barely getting started at the season's end. There's a subplot that goes somewhere interesting with royal connections to the underground, and an even more interesting subplot about how Yatagarasu society connects up to the rest of the world, but again, it all feels very early. This probably should have been at least introduced up front and received a slow build over all 20 episodes, which probably would have jumpstarted the series with some insight into the worldbuilding (something I felt was very much lacking in the first major arc), I don't know how it would have played with the Cherry Blossom Palace shenanigans, but I think introducing many of these ideas this late means we don't get much time to sit with them. As a more personal frustration, much of the fallout from the first major arc isn't really explored and we don't get to spend much time with my favorite two characters in that arc: Hamayuu, who largely takes a backseat, and Asebi, who's just gone.
Anyway, I really don't mean to be overly critical. The above are just issues I have with how the series used its 20 episodes, and while I think it could have been done better, I think the end product is more than worth the watch. It had some of my best moments of the season and absolutely deserves more attention.
MewsicMagic
The Raven Does Not Choose It's Master is by far the most impressive hidden gem I've ever seen. An anime that despite it's masterfully produced story, plot and pacing still manages to stay at the bottom of the popularity barrel. That sad treatment is something it certainly doesn't deserve, If I said it was better than everything that released in the same anime seasons as it, I wouldn't take that as objectively true, however it wouldn't be that far off from the truth. The short recommendation at the start is if you enjoy political maze plots, mystery vibes or even just watched something like "TheApothecary Diaries" and liked it for the "political" or mystery type parts of it. There is no reason on this earth you shouldn't watch this.
Let's hit things off with the story and plot, the actual setting or even idea isn't especially unique (at least at first glance) it's seems like mostly a pretty standard historical political setup. But the author here doesn't just look at the premise and have it tell you about the show. It's has excellent world building and isn't shy to get really detailed or complex about it either. You can tell the author thought through the details for what they we're writing and their effort shows. It's story and plot are simply put a masterpiece, it goes and builds well beyond it's seemingly "simple" premise offering a deep, interesting, and extremely well thought out story. The perfect and beautiful pacing and setup to the masterfully planned story and plot. You can figure some stuff out ahead of time by paying close attention and using your head a little. In fact I did figure out a couple major plot points a bit before they were revealed and was still impressed by this show. There's certainly some hints to things before they're revealed but if they're anything it's certainly subtle and you're unlikely to notice. The story and plot take center stage the whole way through and they really don't disappoint. I did try to find flaws with this story, believe me I really did, but gave up as there wasn't a point trying harder to find them. Everything I could possibly argue is "bad" with this show really isn't something bad about it, rather it's something I personally felt could've made it a little better if done differently. The story and plot here are truly something special, so much so that I almost feel I don't have the worthiness or intelligence to deserve this story, however it's also a viewers job to accurately review and critique a show they watch so here we are.
Next are the characters, overall they're quite good. the main critique here is really just that some characters might've felt rather shallow and lacked the same "depth" others did but I don't blame this show for any of it. Most of the characters that play bigger roles in the plot are the ones with more depth and feel to them but a couple of important ones felt rather left out or lacking in depth compared to others however it's not something you'll feel detracts from the show in any way. They're all generally entertaining too and won't make you feel as if they're lacking or "bad" characters in the least. The characters aren't quite the focus for this show as the story and plot take the spotlight with the characters more so being "plot devices" in a good sense. They all fulfill their roles in the story and plot excellently and due to how outstanding the story and plot are, is also why it ends up providing characters that are good all the same.
The production was overall quite good. The animation wasn't top tier by any means but it was more than good enough to fulfill it's purpose and where necessary such as in higher motion scenes it hardly ever felt too "cheap" or lacking in motion. The art while also nothing outstanding more than fulfilled it's purpose. The voice acting is up to the standard you'd expect from Japan's anime industry. Music and audio could feel a little simple or lacking at times but it was good enough to do the job. Overall it's quite a sufficient production if only above average, it's nothing that's gonna shock you by how good it is or be a selling point for the show (e,g Demon Slayer) but it wont hold the show back in any way.
I won't go into any more detail than this as spoilers would ruin the whole show but simply put this is a near masterpiece and one that has sadly sat heavily overlooked for it's time since release. If you are looking at this show wondering if you'd like it or thinking about whether you should or shouldn't watch it. Do it, don't even think otherwise, In the event you don't like it a "generic isekai" wouldn't have done you much better anyways. And in the event you do like it you'll be so glad you gave it a shot. The Raven Does Not Choose It's Master has become a show that's earned it's 10/10 by proving itself to be a cut above the rest and having it's 20 great episodes to show for it.
Conundrum_mine
Do you expect your anime to blow you away with every twist and turn, always exceeding what you expected out of it? If so then is the show you're looking for. This was a very masterfully crafted political drama, mixed with fantasy, lore and lots and lots of mystery and the ability of the author to keep you guessing how things are gonna get resolved but you won't be able to guess any. It starts out simply as a typical political drama, where you've got lots of plotting, power hungry characters and the cliche battle for the throne but the more time you'll give tothis anime, the more you'll realise that this is much more than that and by the end of the series you'll literally be questioning what really was this anime. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but all I'm gonna say is that this thing Starts out as something different and ends with something entirely different. If you love mystery, political feuds and like your anime to evolve with it's world building then go for it. Ong, I literally wonder why no one even talks about this anime, such an underrated masterpiece
And also, it kinda starts out slow so give it some time to bloom into the radiant flower it's destined to be
Cookie111
This is an example of good drama and suspense. The mythology adds to the setting and creates lore that makes the main plot feel more important. It completes one and then moves on to another plot. The first I believe is somewhat predictable however the experience is not diminished tone, suspense is effectively built and this does mean that when there are 'expected' twists it is a better one especially as what has been set and up makes you take the information for granted. I found the 2nd plot to be the better part of the series all previous positives stated happen again but toan extreme. I found the fact the villain was not clear more interesting as you learn new things with the characters and I played along with that when it was being revealed, this was the part that gave me an experience that warranted a high rating
I do think they should have learnt more about the supernatural side of the world and there are a few scenes in the first main plot that seemed less relevant it was about 12 episodes and I think it could have been one or two fewer. The second main plot I found very short there were some parts where I think there should have been expansion as you are left with some questions they finish the plot but don't explain the how? I do think this would have made it better especially since it was released as a season.
Though not perfect it was an anime with mores substance and better writing than has been coming out lately.
NemethBooshi
The show is separated by two arcs. If I were rating just the first, it would have been a 9/10. The first arc takes a few episodes to establish itself but once it does, it's a story full of intrigue and unexpected twists and turns. The second arc however, just isn't as strong as the previous. All the unanswered questions and political drama in the first arc were mostly ignored. Though I can appreciate the world building, if there isn't going to be a season 2 then they should have just cut this arc completely. As a whole, I still think this show is worthy of praise eventhough it takes a minute to get into and the second arc not being as strong as the first.
Moonboye
For the love of God, PLEASE give this a second season! This show has it all: brilliant writing, interesting characters, thoughtful worldbuilding, great plot twists and mystery... Mystery series can suffer from "insufferable know-it-all syndrome" (The Apothecary Diaries suffers from this, for one), where the main character is somehow able to deduce the truth from basically nothing and explains it all to the viewer as if they could have drawn the same conclusion if they had just looked a little closer. Yatagarasu is not guilty of this fault. The story is extremely well thought out. Subtle hints and clues are interlaced in the progressing plot. Nonetheless, thereveals are huge and very satisfying payoffs.
To call Yatagarasu only a mystery series would be a disservice, however. The characters are each incredibly unique personalities, with believable individual motivations that interact to develop the relationships between them.
What may be most surprising about this series is the world it's set in. Thoughtfully conceived and fleshed out fantasy worldbuilding can be hard to come by in anime, but this one nails it. There is also political strife and power struggles, reminiscent of FX's Shogun, which is constructed beautifully.
This series absolutely deserves a watch, and certainly much more attention than it's getting. It would be a shame if it doesn't continue.
ReroReroDaze
What else can I say but that this show was excellent! It is well animated, great voice acting, great soundtrack, and great story. Each episode leaves you wanting to see what the next has to offer. Admittedly when I started this show, it seemed like a bit of an oddball. Especially in that you have the shape-shifting ravens. I honestly expected that it would be really weird or just pointless or something like that. In reality, the show is well written enough that it makes it feel normal, and while there isn’t some major plot (at least atthis point) as to why they are shape-shifting ravens, there seem to be some nice hints to their lore and interesting details to learn about what is going on here. Overall the presentation on the strangest part of this show comes across well and leaves the watcher with the desire to learn more.
Aechgal
Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai has been the greatest surprise of the year so far, as of October 20th. Not only is it the biggest surprise, but it's also the best anime I've watched this year. It started off as a solid anime. The first episode threw a lot of information at me, but it still piqued my interest. As the episodes progressed, I found myself more and more engaged, increasingly intrigued, and eagerly anticipating the next one. Then came a couple of episodes—the climax of the first arc—that completely blew my mind. The end of the first arc... HOLY F*CK! It was so AMAZING, so well-crafted.Everything started coming together, bit by bit, while I couldn’t believe how thoroughly I had been fooled. It all made perfect sense. I can't even describe my reaction—it could have easily served as a season finale. I was worried the rest of the anime wouldn't live up to that peak, but it did.
The second arc is very different from the first, but it introduces new layers to this peculiar world. We get fresh cores, new characters, and great development of the already established ones. While the second arc starts off more slowly, it eventually leaves you feeling small and intrigued by the many possibilities in this well-developed universe.
I absolutely loved this anime and recommend it to everyone.
Jhulyus
It's a very good anime and quite different in some aspects, I think the main thing is the seriousness. It's all "adult" and serious, there's no comic relief, usually a slapstick character being responsible for it, but that doesn't mean the anime isn't fun. The story is very good, the characters are well-built, the world and setting are consistent and convincing. The protagonist duo has good chemistry and evolves well, going from "this prince is a pain" to "I will dedicate my life to him". The prince is very intelligent, which is required by the plot that the story delivers, bringing surprises and twists until thevery last moment.
Valentine07
(Spanish review below). I liked the first part a lot more than the second. The conflicts in the palace and the mystery behind the emperor seem a thousand times more interesting to me than the monkeys. In fact, when they appeared in the story I was like: what is this? The first part has a much bigger element of mystery than the second part. It reminded me a lot of ‘The Apothecary’s Diaries’. Also, the characters that are introduced in the second part didn’t manage to interest me either. The animation is amazing and I really liked the drawing style. Also, I found the world of the Yatagarasuvery interesting, with all its hierarchies and legends. At first I had a bit of trouble understanding the subject of hierarchies, but the story gradually introduces you to the details.
I really liked the characters, especially the main ones. Although they follow certain tropes, I don’t consider them to be clichés. Also, I loved that no one seemed to be who they really are!
It's an anime that develops slowly, but it's very enjoyable and it's not until the second part, as I said, that I started to get a little bored. I still highly recommend it and if there is a second season I will definitely be watching it.
...
La primera parte me gustó mucho más que la segunda. Los conflictos del palacio y el misterio detrás del emperador me parecen mil veces más interesantes que los monos. De hecho, cuando estos aparecieron en la historia quedé como: ¿qué es esto?
La primera parte tiene un elemento de misterio mucho mayor que la segunda parte. Me recordaba mucho a ‘Los diaros de la boticaria’. Además, los personajes que se introducen en la segunda parte tampoco lograron gustarme o interesarme.
La animación está increíble y el estilo de dibujo me gustó mucho. Además, el mundo de los Yatagarasu me resultó muy interesante, con todas sus jerarquías y leyendas. Al principio me costó entender un poco el tema de las jerarquías, pero la historia te adentra poco a poco a los detalles.
Los personajes me gustaron bastante, sobre todo los principales. Si bien siguen ciertos tropos, no considero que sean clichés. Además, ¡amé que nadie pareciera ser quien realmente es!
Es un anime que se desarrolla de forma lenta, pero es muy disfrutable y no es hasta la segunda parte, como ya dije, que comenzó a aburrirme un poco. Igualmente lo recomiendo muchísimo y si hay una segunda temporada la estaré viendo sin dudas.
kemptea
This is a classic "stick with it" show. This is an in-depth world, and a lot of moving parts. You're going to feel a little confused and bogged-down by all the characters and intrigue at first, but oh, boy does it pay off in the long run. The Good: - The show takes its time to build characters, motivations, intrigue, subplots, and red herrings. - The plot reveals reward a careful and patient audience. - The visuals are wonderful, though some people may find the character design a little off-putting at first. - The MC isn't a bland everyman. He's a clever, somewhat cynical kid who isn't afraidto dive into it.
- These are bird people. That's an unusual, fantastic setup.
The Not-Quite-Bad:
- I found it difficult to keep track of which families (north, south, east, west, etc.) were known for certain things.
- A few characters looked a little too much alike, it could be confusing.
- Parts of the second half of the season dragged a little.
