Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai
Summary: 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]
Description
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]
Available At
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Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai Review
Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai — In the Kingdom of Yamauchi, people have the ability to transform into three-legged crows known as yatagarasu. This overview is intentionally spoiler-free and focuses on tone and intent rather than plot specifics.
Thematically, It sits firmly within Drama, Fantasy conventions as a TV work and has garnered attention (MAL score: 8.06). This work explores character dynamics, tonal shifts, and the interplay between narrative ambition and execution. The story's pacing and tonal choices are crafted to complement the central ideas, often emphasizing atmosphere and emotional truth over explicit exposition. The show's ability to evoke a consistent mood — whether melancholic, exuberant, or contemplative — is a recurring strength, and the scenes are constructed so viewers can infer stakes without needing explicit spoilers.
Characterization is a core pillar here. Protagonists and supporting figures are written with distinct motivations and narrative roles; even when archetypal, the series invests in small behavioral details that make choices feel earned. Character arcs are handled with an eye for gradualism: development often arrives through incremental beats rather than abrupt, expository shifts. The interactions between characters create texture, and relationships are used to illuminate both personal flaws and larger thematic concerns.
On the visual front, production values play a significant role. The animation quality varies by sequence but frequently showcases thoughtful direction and composition. Background art, framing, and color palettes are used deliberately to support tone — quieter scenes favor muted palettes while action or heightened emotional beats employ brighter, more kinetic visuals. Direction choices, such as camera movement and shot selection, often elevate scenes beyond their raw script, creating moments that linger in the viewer's mind.
The soundscape — score, incidental music, and sound design — complements the visual language. Music cues are placed to maximize emotional resonance without manipulating the audience with melodrama; this restraint often leads to more authentic emotional payoff. Sound design punctuates key moments, and when the series leans on silence, those quieter moments are given weight by measured audio choices.
Pacing and structure are handled with craft. Episodes are arranged to build tension and release methodically, and the narrative rarely rushes through important emotional beats. That said, the deliberate pacing may feel slow to viewers who prefer faster plot turnover; the reward is greater nuance and an accumulation of meaning across the series. Accessibility is generally good — one can appreciate surface-level pleasures, while repeat or attentive viewing reveals additional layers.
No title is without flaws. Occasional unevenness in subplots or variable animation across episodes can be distracting. Some tonal shifts might feel abrupt if you expect uniformity; others will argue that those shifts are purposeful. These are worth noting, but they seldom undercut the larger achievements of the work.
In sum, Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai offers a rich experience for viewers who value character-driven storytelling, considered visual design, and a soundtrack that supports rather than overwhelms. For fans of Drama, Fantasy, this is an especially rewarding watch. It's recommended for those who appreciate layered narratives and artistry in animation, and best approached with patience and attention to nuance.
Characters & Voice Actors
Wakamiya
Main
Yukiya
Main
Akira
Supporting
Asebi
Supporting
Atsufusa
Supporting
Azusa
Supporting
Cha no Hana
Supporting
Fujinami
Supporting
Futaba
Supporting
Genya
Supporting
Hamayuu
Supporting
Haruhito
Supporting
Hatsune
Supporting
Ichiryuu
Supporting
Jihei
Supporting
Karamushi
Supporting
Kazumi
Supporting
Kiei
Supporting
Kikuno
Supporting
Koume
Supporting
Staff
Hotta, Tetsufumi
Producer
Kyougoku, Yoshiaki
Director, Episode Director
Tange, Yuuji
Sound Director
Kawatsura, Shinya
Episode Director
Kogawa, Yoriyasu
Episode Director
Suzuki, Kaoru
Episode Director
Saucy Dog
Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Performance
Shikata, Akiko
Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics
Abe, Chisato
Original Creator
Furushou, Shiori
Color Design
Hoshino, Reika
Key Animation
Imaki, Hiroaki
Animation Director
Kamura, Yuuichirou
Key Animation
Kondou, Yuuji
Animation Director
Matsumoto, Tomoyuki
Animation Director
Mifune, Chiho
Key Animation
Murao, Minoru
Animation Director
Nagakawa, Momoko
Animation Director
Norita, Takushige
Character Design, Chief Animation Director
Segawa, Eishi
Music