Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai

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]

Yukiya Main

Tamura, Mutsumi Japanese

Wakamiya Main

Irino, Miyu Japanese

Hamayuu Supporting

Nanami, Hiroki Japanese

Masuho no Susuki Supporting

Fukuhara, Ayaka Japanese

Shiratama Supporting

Kugimiya, Rie Japanese

Sumio Supporting

Takeuchi, Eiji Japanese

Natsuka Supporting

Hino, Satoshi Japanese

Asebi Supporting

Honizumi, Rina Japanese

Kiei Supporting

Nakamura, Kazumasa Japanese

Ichiryuu Supporting

Shin, Yuuki Japanese

Kyougoku, Yoshiaki Director, Episode Director

Tange, Yuuji Sound Director

Kawatsura, Shinya Episode Director

Kogawa, Yoriyasu Episode Director

Reviews

May 11, 2024

Chase_Christeson

Recommended

Preliminary (6/20 eps)

Why is everyone sleeping on this anime? This is by far the best series of the spring 2024 season. Please give this anime a go, you will not be disappointed! This is by far one of the most unique stories out there. Humans turning into giant Ravens? What? Yes, giant ravens....with 3 legs! Amazing visuals, art, and scenery....check. Great characters, romance, political strife, and story driven action and drama make this a nearly god tier anime in my books. WATCH THIS ANIME!!!!!! NOW!!!!! We can't let gems like this get canceled after one season, while dog water trash series like MHA are somehow still chugging ... along at the top of the charts! Seriously this anime will feel so refreshing to anyone who watches. Even if you don't end up liking the concept or story, you will still enjoy this fresh new show!

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Jun 24, 2024

NoelleIsSleepy

Recommended

Preliminary (5/20 eps)

Historical, fantasy, action, romance(?), and political intrigue. This one is for anime fans who are sick of the isekai sludge that's been dominating the industry for the past few years. And though it may be too early to grant Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai any kind of high praise, so far it seems to be a fair contender for the best anime of Spring 2024.

As with many historically themed anime, it is centered around a struggle of succession; a conspiratorial fight between two brothers for the throne. Our young MC finds himself taking the position of attendant to the royal heir, and is promptly ... thrown into a world where death and deceit are the tools for political conquest. What sets Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai apart is its fantasy setting, in which the citizens of this world are capable of transforming into giant three-legged crows. This fantasy element has yet to be explored in depth, but there seems to be an interesting connection between social status and the state of transformation - "human" or crow - one is allowed to take on.

If you are a fan of most other historical anime, chances are you will love this one too. The art is gorgeous, the music is great, the pacing has felt appropriate, and most characters have been quite likable so far. These first few episodes have led me to believe that this is an anime of substance.

EDIT: Y'all I'm on episode 12 now and it just keeps getting better! Definitely give it a chance :)

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Jun 30, 2024

Veldimburg

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (12/20 eps)

"I'm going to get this meeting"
"I finally got it after many trials"
"I did it"

Basically all the story.

I wondered why, even though the intrigue wasn't that bad, I did not feel to actually read the original work but now, after 12 episodes, I get it.
There is no climax.

It's like, look, I have my arc, I have the purpose of the arc, I have the troubles to get my purpose and, I win.
... Win what? No freaking idea, but the purpose was gotten even if you have no idea in what way it'll help in the story nor what was even the point in the short term.

Aaaaand, that's basically the whole story of Karasu wa aruji wo erabanai.
You have complots but when it ends you just don't get what was even the point to begin them for most parts in it.
You have a twist but when you think about it, you don't get why the character would actually bother to do a twist having nothing to gain but all to lose from it.
Feel like all of them are just the puppets of the author, making them move because it's otherwise boring rather than having characters in a box moving by themselves.

Now, that's the case of most stories but there are still anchors saying that you need to bring the story there, but those here are so far away that you're basically watching fillers.
I dare say that of the twelves first episodes, you just have to watch 3 of them. The others are colors.

Oh, and the main character has almost nothing to do with the story too. Too bad, the mc is one of the few likeable one, he's just watching other people while getting as much as us.

Making the whole anime, like... Not bad but I remember almost nothing?
Which is to be expected when the arcs are useless and characters shallows.

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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	Poll: Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai Episode 14 Discussion tsubasalover - Jul 20	24 replies	by KisMaczka »» Yesterday, 4:55 AM
	Poll: Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Jun 22	52 replies	by jiajia »» Jul 22, 7:06 AM
	Poll: Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai Episode 11 Discussion Stark700 - Jun 15	27 replies	by jiajia »» Jul 22, 6:26 AM
	3-week break, resume broadcasting from Aug. 17 Kast2 - Jul 20	4 replies	by KANLen09 »» Jul 22, 12:23 AM
	Is there gonna be a new op&ed for 2nd cour? Hotarieka - Jul 17	2 replies	by 18927 »» Jul 21, 3:28 AM