Reviews

Jun 22, 2021
I've gotta pose a question for all of you: If given a choice, what would it take for you to get Isekai-ed to another world? Stabbed or Crushed to Death? Truck-kun? Or in the case of the female MC, 20-year-old Sei Takanashi: a sudden light at her doorstep after a long typical day of the stresses of being a workaholic? Personally, even with the clichés and tropes of the now oversaturated Isekai genre, everyone secretly wants to live a fleeting dream like Sei's, to be suddenly transported into another world, and with the passing of time, slowly get used to the ways of the medieval-like fantasy world and imitate Isekai Bookworm's Myne: the passion for books traded in for this series's flowers and herbs potion-making development.

For this to be yet another adaptation of a Syosetu work (along the likes of Mushoku Tensei, not to mention Re:Zero and TenSura), the Isekai influences that are written by novelist Yuka Tachibana are very clear, and her story pens the journey of a wholesome, relaxing, slice-of-life, reverse-harem of an Isekai that doesn't grate on your nerves. All those tropes and clichés you've seen time and time again are non-existent here, and Yuka Tachibana does a very good job subverting and going against the "popular" trend to deliver a story that honestly IMO, is an unique thing, all on its own. Also, like Isekai Bookworm's Myne, female Isekai protagonists are a rarity that you don't see everywhere within the genre's overstretched reaches.

The story goes like this:
The medieval-like world of the Kingdom of Salutania. Since ancient times, the kingdom has been victimized by shrouds of think and heavy miasma, warps the bodies and minds of living creatures, churning out monsters whom are ravaging destruction upon the world. While the Salutania Kingdom's Order of Knights relentlessly fight to quell this uncontrollable "death flag", the miasma sometimes overwhelm to restrict the movements of the monsters. During those periods, a holy maiden will appear in the form of a "Saint", utilize her powers to defeat the monsters, even more befitting, the lifting of the miasma. Her Saintly power and grace is tantamount to the peace of the Salutania Kingdom, and acts like a beacom of hope for people whom live alongside her at a kingdom level, but if the adverse happens, the Kingdom's sages will devise a Saint-summoning ritual to "summon" a woman with the Saint's divine powers...or so their "prophecy" was written to be like.

Here's where the problem lies (and not with the story): where this "Saint-summoning ritual" would cast a light upon the chosen "Delieverer", where the optimal result would've been one sole woman as the Saint, instead, 2 girls are summoned instead, leaving the royalty to wonder who is the real and fake Saint. Alas, as puzzled as Sei is, there isn't much to go on other than hearing the ludicrious story in disbelief. But with much convincing by the Palace's high-ranking Sers (that would go on to become Sei's trusty reverse-harem aides), Sei, having heard enough, without the option to "head home" and the heavy possibility that she would meet her death outside the kingdom walls, she has to get used to her new life in the Salutania Kingdom. And so it is, that both summoned girls: Sei, and 16-year-old Aira Misono, begin their new journey in this fantasy world, unclear and unsure of what to expect going forward.

Let's cover the true Saint first: Sei Takanashi. As mentioned, Sei hasn't had much to go on about other than her presence looming around the Salutania palace, so her only option is to invest her stress-free life in something that is deemed useful, and that leads her to the flower and herb garden outside the palace. Having an in-depth knowledge about the flowers and herbs (that the fantasy world people wouldn't even have dreamt of), Sei slowly develops an interest, starting from making potions (and saving Commander Albert "Ice Knight" Hawke with her high-quality healing potion from an instance of the fight between miasma monsters) to being a researcher at the Kingdom's medicinal institute, helping out the director Johan Valdec and her trainer Jude. NGL, the Ikemen and Bishounens in this show are talented with grace and valour, much less the point that they look handsomely adorable and treat Sei like she's a literal diamond gem (other than treating girls with graceful sincerity). Commander Hawke is one fine Ikemen of a gem, literally always by Sei's side when she tries to request for more things to do and the proceedings thereafter, so much so that he develops a crush for Sei, and she knows it all too well, not just from her "Saintly" powers of love. Both Johan and Jude are also nice guys too, helping Sei at her time in the medicinal research institute. Add an extra Ikemen by the name of Yuri Drewes who acts as the kingdom's Grand Magus, as is with noblewoman Elizabeth "Liz" Ashley for pep talks, and plus the fact that Sei's potions are 50% or 1.5X more effective for the healing treatment of soldiers who went outside the kingdom to fight those miasma monsters, Sei's "Saintly" omnipotent magic power of a mundane life is about to get more hectic, but lovely, and a sense of accomplishment, all at the same time. And Sei is a "law-abiding" person that always treats people with respect, and I find her character quite all the more intriguing in a very good way.

Next, we head onto the fake Saint: Aira Misono. Compared to Sei, Aira's life in the fantasy world is the exact opposite of Sei's, being handled mostly by the Crown Prince of Salutania, Prince Kyle. His behaviour and attitude isn't the best, and he can be arrogant and ignorant of his surroundings, much less of Liz being his fiance to deal with his short-temper attitude that earns the ire of everyone, including his father, the King Siegfried, whom is sympathetic towards Sei. It's honestly sad to see Aira being the outlier, and pair that with Kyle's nonchalant attitude that he swears by his word that he'll help her adjust to a support role, she's been the support character suffering behind the scenes, even if we don't pay a thought about her that much (since Sei is the main MC). It's only through sympathy that Aira soon gets to meet Sei with the help of Liz and confront each other about their own struggles and come with a compromise that sees the 3 ladies have some good time together, chained by heartfelt bonds. As much as I can feel happiness for Sei, Aira is just as important, if not more so.

It's been sometime since Diomedea has made a comeback into seasonal anime production with the sole focus on the year-long Ahiru no Sora for the past 2 years, and I'm glad to say that this studio still hasn't lost their unique mojo ever since. With that said, this anime looks gorgeous and beautiful, and while not outstanding, it's enough to make jaws drop at how the visuals make a reference to the show's simplicity and careful planning of its structure, balancing both happy and (at times) depressing moments so that the audience (and yours truly) stays focused on what's going on within the setup.

Even the OST's visuals look very nice and attractive with the soft motif accompanied by the OP and ED's resepctively soothing and cheerful songs. I have always been a big fan of Aira Yuuki's songs ever since Imouto sae Ireba Ii.'s ED, and her OP song "Blessing" is really, nothing short of a blessing of a soothing song that's as every bit blissful. As a tidbit, there is the usual Japanese version, but there is an English version of the song as well, and it's just as good as the Japanese counterpart to listen on its own. As for the ED, this is the Seiyuu idol group NOW ON AIR's 4th ED song, and given the song calibre in Kitsutsuki Tanteidokoro and Muhyo to Rouji Season 2, it's definitely gotten bearable overtime, but I still feel like it's always a hit-or-miss with this girl group. At least for this show alone, the song is a good one that matches up with Aira Yuuki's OP, so suffusive to say that this OST fits perfectly with the anime's themes.

Instead of my usual rantings of recommendations, let me put it this way to you:
Are you looking for an anime where you can just be a couch potato to sit and relax on?
Are you sick of the usual clichés and tropes that the Isekai genre is wrought with?
Most importantly, are you looking for a safe haven to destress at the end of your typical busy day?

Then this show is for you, in all of the perfect ways possible to gush out the winds of kindness and love to brighten your day.

The Saint's show is no masterpiece, but it has its Magic Power that is Omnipotent to attack the heart-strings of people to give the feeling of walking in Heaven. That's how pretty good this show is, and a definite heartfelt recommendation in awe of the great Saint in me.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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