Koukyuu no Karasu

Among the royal court, there is an individual feared as much as revered: the Raven Consort Ryuu Jusetsu. Residing in her jet-black palace and isolated from the emperor, she is the subject of countless rumors. Claimed to possess mystic abilities, she is said to take on any request—from finding lost items to inflicting curses. While some call her an immortal sage, others believe her to be a terrifying revenant. But such comments fail to faze Jusetsu, who prefers to spend her days in quiet solitude. That is, until the emperor, Ka Koushun, barges into her court and asks for her assistance with a mysterious case.

The young emperor's request requires Jusetsu to step out of her palace for the first time. Despite Ka Koushun's frequent visits annoying her to no end, she cannot bring herself to turn him away. Her predecessor's teachings echo in her ears: the Raven Consort is destined to remain forever alone and never desire anything. Yet Jusetsu finds herself making the first of several bonds when she asks Jiujiu, an innocently inquisitive court girl, to be her sole attendant.

Together, they begin fulfilling requests from the people of the palace. However, unknown perils lurk in the outside world, and drawing attention to herself may bring Jusetsu face-to-face with a past that is better left undisturbed.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Ryuu, Jusetsu Main

Mizuno, Saku Japanese

Ka, Koushun Main

Mizunaka, Masaaki Japanese

Ei, Sei Supporting

Yashiro, Taku Japanese

On, Kei Supporting

Shimazaki, Nobunaga Japanese

Tan, Kai Supporting

Okamoto, Nobuhiko Japanese

Jiujiu Supporting

Kouno, Marika Japanese

Ishiha Supporting

Hirata, Mana Japanese

Sai, Enrin Supporting

Kugimiya, Rie Japanese

An, Keiran Supporting

Kugimiya, Rie Japanese

Hou, Ichigyou Supporting

Ogata, Mitsuru Japanese

Saitou, Souichirou Producer

Inoue, Megumi Producer

Miyawaki, Chizuru Director, Setting

Aketagawa, Jin Sound Director

Reviews

Mar 14, 2025

DaemonLily

Recommended

I can see why people are comparing this anime to Apothecary Diaries... however, I feel that the people comparing the two don't realize nor understand the complete and utter difference in the plot and story of the two. Indeed, the setting of Imperial China is similar if not roughly the same... though the entire point of the anime is vastly different between the two, and it is an insult to say that one is undeserving of recommendation when that is far from the truth, especially if you are one who fails to even grasp the depth and meaning of both of them - only to ... rate it due to "shallow perceptions" of each.

Personally, I believe it has a much better plot and story than Apothecary Diaries, although the animation is certainly not as good. While I am currently watching Apothecary Diaries Season 2, the story for it is not quite as interesting. I also prefer the music for Raven of the Inner Palace, since it definitely portrays more soul - especially the ending song. I mean, just read the lyrics to it. Listen to the singer's voice as she pours emotion into it.

This isn't to say that Apothecary Diaries lacks in emotion or feeling... I find that it also has a fair bit of interest concerning that. However, it certainly isn't as "deep" as Raven of the Inner Palace is. Apothecary Diaries has more HEART to it, though Raven of the Inner Palace, I believe, has more SOUL. To put it in other terms... you could consider Apothecary Diaries to be the anime that EVERYONE loves, while Raven of the Inner Palace is the anime that only a few select can truly appreciate and understand.

All in all, Raven of the Inner Palace deserves a Season 2. There is no argument about that.

Note: Don't misunderstand me... I've rated both this and Apothecary Diaries as 9. However, I simply adore them for completely different reasons.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Jun 14, 2025

Mona-_-

Mixed Feelings

I wish it were better. Fell very flat development wise, especially for the characters, and unresolved by the end.

The art style and animation in some key scenes was pretty, and I feel like there's something here but really was not fleshed out well enough to feel more than the one note and clichés the characters and story beats fell into. Also pacing felt off for what emotional and story development that did happen.

Can't really recommend or call it a must watch for all these things, but def a quick, easy watch if you're into this setting/story type.

Man, I really wish it were better. ... Someone please tell me if the source material is better fleshed out!

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Jan 10, 2025

Valentine07

Not Recommended

(Spanish review below)

It feels... soulless?

If you've already seen 'The Apothecary Diaries' or 'Yatagarasu', 'Raven of the inner palace' has more or less the same essence, setting, power games in palaces, and a detective context. BUT 'Raven of the inner palace' doesn't have a soul like the others.

It's repetitive. Each chapter is the same as the previous one and the situations are resolved in exactly the same way (it even has the same animation).

The animation isn't as good as in 'Yatagarasu' and 'The Apothecary Diaries'. It's average, as is the character design.

It was really boring to watch. At first I had hopes because it seemed interesting, ... but it's not or at least the repetitive aspect kills the entertaining part.

The characters are stereotypes without much more to offer. I don't have a problem with stereotypes if the characters develop throughout the chapters and offer something more. This is not the case.

I don't recommend it

...

Se siente... ¿sin alma?

Si ya has visto ‘The Apothecary Diaries’ o ‘Yatagarasu’, ‘Raven of the inner palace’ tiene más o menos la misma esencia, ambientación, juegos de poder en palacios, y un contexto detectivesco. PERO 'Raven of the inner palace' no tiene alma como las demás.

Es repetitiva. Cada capítulo es igual que el anterior y las situaciones se resuelven exactamente de la misma forma (incluso tiene la misma animación).

La animación no es tan buena como en 'Yatagarasu' y 'The Apothecary Diaries'. Es normalita, al igual que el diseño de los personajes.

Fue realmente aburrida de ver. Al principio tenía esperanzas porque parecía interesante, pero no lo es o al menos el aspecto repetitivo mata la parte entretenida.

Los personajes son estereotipos sin mucho más que ofrecer. No tengo problema con los estereotipos si los personajes se desarrollan a lo largo de los capítulos y ofrecen algo más. No es el caso.

No lo recomiendo.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of Fall 2022 titles with an accompanying promotional video, commercial, teaser, or trailer. This post will be u...read more

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	Poll: Koukyuu no Karasu Episode 3 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Oct 15, 2022	61 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Apr 21, 3:27 PM
	Poll: Koukyuu no Karasu Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Oct 8, 2022	97 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Apr 21, 2:54 PM
	Poll: Koukyuu no Karasu Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Oct 1, 2022	129 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Apr 21, 2:33 PM
	Post-Anime: Jumping-into the Raven of the Inner Palace Novels Shining_Falcon - Dec 30, 2022	6 replies	by mejooo »» Apr 13, 4:30 AM
	Not to be offensive but I consider this the Walmart version of apothecary diaries Charleeiza - Mar 11	13 replies	by Nevasca3301 »» Apr 2, 6:31 PM