If you happen to have a look at the entire image, Karasu wa Aruji o Erabanai might be the perfect sequence of the season thus far. Generally it is nonetheless a bit an excessive amount of clarification (FFS present, do not inform – belief us, we’ll determine it out). However aside from that, this present just about covers all of the fantasy bases. Nice soundtrack (OP and ED included), compelling characters, fascinating premise, and elite world-building. You may sense one thing about this sequence, a grandeur and literary ambition that anime would not present fairly often. Yatagarasu nonetheless has an extended method to go and there are nonetheless many pitfalls to keep away from alongside the best way, however early returns are extraordinarily promising certainly.
On the coronary heart of all of it are two characters and the very effective seiyuu behind them. Wakamiya (the Crown Prince’s actual title) is a bit totally different from Irino Miyu. He’s curt, crafty and slightly joyless in his method. However Irino is without doubt one of the greatest ever and that is no downside for him. Similar to Yukiya, Tamura Mutsumi is totally in her consolation zone: few ladies play boys this age as effortlessly as she does. Yukiya performs the essential position right here – it’s really his eyes by means of which we see these occasions. He is a child on the cusp of changing into one thing extra – too sensible for his personal good, as sensible boys this age typically are. Good sufficient to know loads of issues, not sensible sufficient to understand there are numerous extra he would not know.
That information will include time – that’s the nature of expertise. However provided that Yukiya survives lengthy sufficient, and on this setting that is not sure. Wakamiya instantly places him by means of the wringer and provides the boy a laundry listing of assignments which might be seemingly unimaginable for him to finish in a day (even with wings). Partly, it is a check to make sure – to verify what the prince already suspects about him, specifically that he would not surrender simply. But in addition whether or not Yukiya’s smarts lengthen to the sensible issues, reminiscent of prioritizing the numerous chores he has to do. Makes you marvel if that enterprise with totally different coloured pots was simply a part of the check (though it is recommended there was a authentic cause behind it).
The Prince is obscure, however it’s clear that he’s not naive to the forces arrayed towards him. He refuses to go to the Cherry Blossom Palace and meet his future husbands, and visits the pleasure district. However he has a superb cause for this, if his sources are right: there’s apparently an murderer within the palace ready for the prospect to take him down. The Empress is clearly plotting towards him, and it’s value remembering that it was her son (the eldest prince) who recommended – for causes nonetheless unknown, though I don’t rule out that Natsuka secretly helps his brother – that Yukiya would enter Wakamiya’s service. .
All this discuss of a “actual Kin’u” and what it represents is definitely central to the plot. It appears possible that Wakamiya is certainly a real Golden Raven and that its start is uncommon, however it’s much less clear whether or not the rumors of a Kin’u being a harbinger of dangerous developments are rooted in historical past or propaganda. It would not take a lot creativeness to see the good thing about spreading such legends, each for Natsuka style now and for energy seekers prior to now. There appears to be a fierce battle creating for the throne right here, and plainly Wakamiya is sincerely decided to say what he sees as rightfully his.
Yukiya manages to outlive the preliminary onslaught of staff that Wakamiya dumps on him, however the prince appears decided to have him killed anyway. He drags the boy on a spy mission to the Sakura Palace to attempt to decide whose intentions are hostile. However the cause why turns into clear quickly sufficient, as Wakamiya sacrifices his pawn as quickly as one thing goes flawed. Asebi requires restraint when it seems to be just like the palace guards are going to drown Yukiya, however everybody current is shocked when he transforms in entrance of the noble women. That appears to be one thing they’re by no means allowed to see – for causes that may quickly turn out to be clear. Sumio was prepared to save lots of him if issues obtained actually dangerous, he claims, however this nonetheless means fairly a baptism of fireplace for the younger yatagarasu.
There’s loads to unpack right here. This revelation in regards to the ‘horses’ being poor yatagarasu and successfully being offered into slavery is an actual sport changer in my view. It might very properly place Wakamiya within the eventual position of social reformer (and thus clarify the hostility in the direction of him), though that is conjecture at this level. I additionally be aware that it was the primary time Asebi noticed Yukiya, and that they’re about the identical age – notable as a result of she appears to be the principle focus of the B-plot, and may be very younger for the Crown Prince (although in actuality that might not be uncommon). It is a setup that is actually overflowing with narrative prospects, and there isn’t any indication that both the supply materials or the variation are even remotely able to realizing this.
