Koukyuu no Karasu - Review (2022) [ENG/ESP]
ENGLISH
Greetings, @theanimerealm community!…
Since I was resting, I took the opportunity to watch some anime that I had been meaning to see (as well as movies and K-dramas). Among them, I came across Koukyuu no Karasu, which was highly recommended when searching for plots similar to Kusuriya. Well, the plot isn't exactly the same, but I found it interesting, although confusing in certain aspects and episodes. Even so, I wanted to share my impressions of it with you.
Koukyuu no Karasu (後宮の烏)…
Released in 2022, directed by Chizuru Miyawaki and produced by the animation studio
Bandai Namco Pictures, it is a historical fantasy, mystery, and supernatural series. It has only 13 episodes, which do not conclude the story as such, only in the novel, based on the light novel written by Koko Shirakawa and illustrated by Ayuko.
As for the plot…
Set in ancient China, the story follows Shouxue, a concubine in the imperial palace with the title of Crow Consort. Unlike the other consorts, however, she is not required to perform her nightly duties. These consorts are known as mysterious, legendary, and solitary figures, as they live in isolation in a secluded palace.
Despite rumors that the consort practiced magic, single-handedly solving the court's problems related to ghosts and all things supernatural, the young Emperor Gaojun decides to seek her out personally to solve a mystery: a ghost that was cursing the palace. Shouxue's initial reaction was very reluctant, and she did not want to get involved with him at all. However, as they solve various mysteries throughout the story, their relationship progresses considerably. But it seems that there are many hidden secrets surrounding the crow consort and her powers. What could they be? Well, it seems that it is much more complicated than it appears at first glance.
Personal opinion
Although this anime has a mysterious air that blends well with the music and historical setting, something that took me a long time to get used to was undoubtedly the character design. I don't know, those elongated shapes weren't ugly, but they weren't something that appealed to me 100% either. One of the things I liked was that they didn't approach the supernatural as a terrifying element, but rather as an enigmatic one, without crossing the line into frightening the viewer.
I really liked the main character because, even though she was cold and very reluctant at first, you start to empathize with her and understand each of her nuances, which makes the story of her characters dynamic. It's not a romance story, although there is a connection between the main characters. I felt it was a deep respect, first for each other, and then something mutual (I think).
The strong point of the plot, I think, is its mysteries, how it hooks you in and connects one case to another in some way, or at least there is an interaction between mysteries. However, I feel that at a certain point in the story, it becomes monotonous and lacks something to keep you hooked. I don't know if it was just me, but this doesn't detract from the great work of reflecting Chinese culture. Come to think of it, that drawing style reminds me a lot of Chinese paintings, which is perhaps why they are like that.
Positive points…
-An appealing setting and story.
-Notable protagonists.
-Although I don't like the character designs themselves, the animation is beautiful and the color palette is well chosen.
-There are no unsolved mysteries.
Negative points…
-I'm not convinced by the character design.
-A slow pace at one point in the story.
-Open ending.
My rating…
8.5/10 Story │ 9/10 Animation │ 9/10 Sound │ 7/10 Character Design │ 8.5/10 Overall
It is a story full of mystery and fantasy, set in a way that is consistent with the era and what the plot wants to convey, with a strong female lead and a complex male lead who is not a Prince Charming. He has his nuances that balance being an emperor, a man of great power, with being sensitive to others.
The images were captured from the IMDb website. Cover designed in CANVA. Text translated in DeepL.
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Saludos comunidad de @theanimerealm…
Como estuve de reposo, pues aproveché de ver ciertos animes que tenia pendiente (además de películas y k-dramas), entre ellos, me topé en la lista con Koukyuu no Karasu, el cual recomendaba mucho al momento de buscar tramas similares a Kusuriya, bueno, de que la trama es igual, pues no, no lo es, pero me resulto interesante, aunque confusa en ciertos aspectos y capítulos. Aun así, quería dejarles mis impresiones del mismo.
Koukyuu no Karasu (後宮の烏)…
Estrenada para el año 2022, bajo la dirección Chizuru Miyawaki y del estudio de animación
Bandai Namco Pictures; es de genero fantasía histórica, misterio y sobrenatural. Cuenta con solo 13 episodios, los cuales no culminan con la historia como tal, solo en la novela; basada en la novela ligera escrita por Koko Shirakawa e ilustrada por Ayuko.
En cuanto a la trama…
Ambientada en la antigua China, donde la historia sigue a Shouxue, quien es concubina del palacio imperial, llevando como título de Consorte Cuervo, pero, a diferencia de las demás consortes, no está obligada a cumplir los deberes nocturnos. A estas consortes se les conoce como una figura misteriosa, legendarias y solitarias, pues viven aisladas, en un palacio apartado.
A pesar de los rumores, de que la consorte practicaba magia, resolviendo por si sola los problemas de la corte relacionados a fantasma y todo lo sobrenatural, el joven Emperador Gaojun decide buscarla personalmente, para que resuelva un misterio, un fantasma que se encontraba maldiciendo al palacio. La reacción al inicio de Shouxue, era muy reacia y no quería involucrarse para nada con él, sin embargo, a medida que van resolviendo distintos misterios a lo largo de la historia, su relación progresa considerablemente, pero, al parecer hay muchos secretos ocultos en relación a la consorte cuervo y sus poderes ¿De que se tratará? Pues al parecer es mucho más complicado de lo que se nota a simple vista.
Opinión personal
Aunque este anime tiene su aire misterioso que conjuga muy bien con la música y el ambiente histórico, algo que me costó mucho acostumbrarme fue sin duda alguna, el diseño de los personajes, no sé, esas formas estiradas, pues no eran feas, pero tampoco algo que me atraía en un 100%. Una de las cosas que me gustó es que no abordaban el tema de lo sobrenatural como un elemento terrorífico, más bien enigmático, no pasa los limites del miedo hacia el espectador.
La protagonista me gustó mucho porque, a pesar de que al inicio era fría y muy reacia, vas empatizando con ella y comprendiendo cada uno de sus matices, lo que vuelve dinámica la historia de sus personajes. No es una historia de romance, que hay conexión entre los protagonistas, puede ser, yo lo sentía como un respeto profundo, primero de uno con el otro, ya como que algo mutuo (creo yo).
El punto fuerte de la trama, pienso yo que seria sus misteriosos, como te va enganchando y se va relacionando de algún modo, un caso con el otro, o por lo menos hay una interacción entre misterios. No obstante, siento que, en un punto de la historia, se va volviendo como monótona y falta algo más que enganche, no sé si fue a mi la que le paso eso, pero esto no quita el gran trabajo de reflejar la cultura china y es que, si me pongo a pensar mejor, ese estilo de dibujo me recuerda mucho a las pinturas chinas, quizás por eso sean así.
Puntos positivos…
-Una ambientación e historia que atraen.
-Protagonistas destacables.
-Aunque no me gusta el diseño de los personajes como tal, la animación es bonita y con una paleta de colores acertada.
-No hay misterios sin resolver.
Puntos negativos…
-El diseño de los personajes no me convence.
-Un ritmo lento en un punto de la historia.
-Final abierto.
Puntaje que le doy…
8.5/10 Historia │ 9/10 Animación │ 9/10 Sonido │ 7/10 Diseño de personajes │ 8.5/10 General
Es una historia llena de misterios y fantasías, ambientadas de manera acorde a la época y a lo que la trama quiere transmitir, con una protagonista fuerte y un protagonista que es complejo, no es un príncipe azul, tienes sus matices que equilibra el ser emperador, un hombre de gran poder, al ser sensible con los demás.
Las imágenes fueron capturadas de la página IMDb. Portada diseñada en CANVA. Texto traducido en DeepL.
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The art style is very different when I saw the thumbnail it felt like a Chinese series when I clicked and read I am amazed. I really would love to explore this anime. Thanks for the amazing suggestion.
Si, no me acostumbro al arte, pero si me recuerda a esas pinturas chinas, por lo que supongo que asimilaron ese mismo aire.
Muchas gracias 😊
Yes, I'm not used to art, but it reminds me of those Chinese paintings, so I guess they assimilated that same style.
Thank you very much 😊
se ve interesante, la tengo que ver jeje, excelente post
It looks interesting, I have to see it hehe, excellent post
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What I liked the most was that you didn't just give blind praise. Instead, you very accurately highlighted what you liked and where you felt there were some shortcomings.
Muchas gracias 🤗, siempre me gusta resaltar los puntos positivos y negativos (si lo tiene), aunque la historia es interesante, si tiene sus fallitas 😊
Thank you very much 🤗, I always like to highlight the positive and negative points (if there are any). Although the story is interesting, it does have its flaws 😊.
I really enjoyed reading the review. I will put it on my list and definitely watch it.
Muchas gracias 🤗
Thank you very much 🤗
Welcome my friend
Well, the truth is, I haven't seen Koukyuu no Karasu, but you praise it so highly that I'm already curious. And how curious what you mention about the character designs, that you're not entirely convinced. It happens to me a lot with some anime, where they don't really grab me visually, but if the story is good, I'll give it a chance in the end. The open ending is a bummer, to be honest. Do you know if they're planning on making a second season, or do I absolutely have to read the light novel? Because if the story is good, I'd be curious to know how it ends.
No, no han anunciado nada de segunda temporada, pero no me aguante las ganas y busque el final, y bueno, lo que te puedo decir es que es algo agridulce, no es lo que esperaba, pero como que la historia daba para eso. 😅.
Y si, hay historias con un diseño de personajes que cuesta verla, pero ya despues, como que te adaptas.
No, they haven't announced a second season, but I couldn't resist and looked up the ending, and well, what I can tell you is that it's bittersweet, not what I expected, but the story kind of lent itself to that. 😅.
And yes, there are stories with character designs that are hard to watch, but after a while, you kind of get used to them.
Your review was very constructive. Most importantly, I was impressed by your thumbnail picture.