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%% Nice and complex plot in Chinese imperial era. I find it quite realistic in how the Chinese imperial court is represented, the role of the Mandarins, influence struggles, corruption and games of power for the domination of what was already one of the most important countries in the world. More precisely, two separate cases (from ep 1 to ep 9 and from ep 10 to 18) and the two last episodes would be teasers for next season. The first case is good but sometimes confused (cf later), the second one is much better with truly interesting development.
%%Nice music with relaxing Chinese themes.
%%Art is very good, nice colors and drawings, yet the animation is not perfect and sometimes feels a bit odd but that’s no big deal.
%%Chinese atmosphere, you have this very particular “Chinese humor” you can find in many Chinese anime, basically embodied here by Xinan king’s brother, Yao Er.
%%Sometimes people do not like Chinese voices, I actually enjoy it, being myself more familiar with Chinese language. The voices fit particularly well the characters.
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%%Some issues with the rhythm, especially in the beginning; a bit slow in the first 10 episodes, and the end appears in comparison a bit rushed. Mentioning the end, it is quite abrupt and somehow frustrating – there is no doubt there will be a second season, but when?
%%You don’t learn that much about the characters in the beginning, and sometimes you will regret the lack of interaction between the main characters (which is mainly due to the realism of the supposed interactions between the Chinese emperor and his vassals).
%%Too many names, it is sometimes hard to identify key characters in the beginning, but this is usual common flaw in many Chinese anime (cf Mo Dao Zu Shi).
%%I don’t really see the point of introducing some “fantasy”, I would had preferred if they had designed it in a full realistic scheme; because it is not really significant in the plot; well they could have done better without going this way.
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Overall, a bit confused in the rhythm, some will potentially stop after 2-3 episodes, I recommend not to do so, because this is a nice Chinese anime that will enable you to glance over Chinese imperial court and administration, which is truly fascinating.
P.S. : I have seen it twice, with several months in between, and I didn’t change my rating of this anime nor my overall impression. Just give it a try!
