Gekai Elise

Gekai Elise is an anime that combines medical drama with romance. It features a unique storyline where the characters are reincarnated twice and also trapped in a time loop.

Our protagonist, Elise, got a second chance at life after a not-so-great first run (executed, remember?). Turns out, she wasn't exactly an angel in her past life - think bad attitude and prince-obsessed. This time around, she had a loving family and a breeze of a life, but fate wasn't done with her yet. She became a renowned doctor, but sadly kicked the bucket again. (Talk about bad luck!) Now, she's back in her first life, pre-execution, and things are about to get messy. Determined to be a doctor again, she faces a major hurdle: an arranged marriage to the prince on her 18th birthday. The story follows her journey to become a doctor in this unfamiliar world, using her modern knowledge. However, people doubt her and try to throw wrenches in her plans, all because she's destined to be queen.

This anime suffers from several issues. The romance, for one, is poorly executed. Despite having multiple potential love interests for the protagonist, none of the relationships feel developed enough to be considered true romances. My biggest gripe, however, is with Linden, the supposed main love interest. He's about as exciting as watching paint dry. Throughout the entire show, he barely does anything. About the most he manages is the occasional conversation with the protagonist, Elise. Even these talks are pointless - for most of the anime, his knowledge of her seems limited to her love of sweets and her dream of becoming a doctor. He never seems to understand her as a person, yet the show expects us to root for them. Why? There are situations where Elise faces danger or obstacles to her dream, and Linden offers no assistance, even when he clearly could. This character is infuriating, especially considering there are two other men who are far better suited for her. One is intelligent, the other brave and funny.

The biggest issue is the main character, Elise. She's like a superhero with no weaknesses - flawless, universally adored, and inexplicably skilled in everything. In a world where challenges are supposed to make her grow, her constant perfection is tiresome. Even her "struggles" are shallow because she's always right and emerges unscathed. Beyond her intelligence, she simply lacks depth as a character.

This avoids the medical and logical issues to keep things concise. Were there any redeeming qualities? It was nice to see her relationship with Graham and Julian develop, and I also enjoyed seeing her try to prove herself to the entire kingdom despite no one believing her at first.

While the animation is decent and complements the anime's style, it lacks the wow factor. The character designs, particularly the male characters, are rather bland compared to the source material. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this anime. There are many superior historical romance options with well-developed female characters.

Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp is a captivating tale of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of healing. Set in a historical backdrop, the story follows the journey of Doctor Elise, a woman of noble birth who defies societal expectations to pursue her passion for medicine. With her unwavering dedication and innovative approach, she becomes a beacon of hope and a pioneer in her field.

In a world where women are often confined to traditional roles, Elise's determination to make a difference stands out. Her path is fraught with challenges, from overcoming prejudice in a male-dominated profession to navigating the intricacies of court politics. Yet, her kindness and skill earn her the respect and admiration of both her peers and patients.

The narrative intricately weaves elements of romance, drama, and intrigue, as Elise's personal and professional lives intertwine. Her encounters with royalty, fellow doctors, and those in need of care reveal the depth of her character and the impact she has on those around her. Through her tireless efforts, Elise not only saves lives but also inspires a new generation of healers to follow in her footsteps.

"Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp" is more than just a story of medical triumphs; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of a woman who dared to shine a light in the darkest of times, leaving a legacy that continues to illuminate the world.

Doctor Elise starts with an original premise that gives it a distinct identity, blending modern medicine and romance in a medieval setting (an uncommon approach in isekai anime).

However, despite this intriguing setup, the series fails to live up to its potential. Shallow character development and a rushed storyline result in a predictable, unengaging narrative. Emotional moments fall flat, and the plot doesn't fully explore its unique concept.

Ultimately, while watchable, Doctor Elise offers little depth, lacks substance, and fails to leave a lasting impression, making it hard to recommend.

(16+) What's up with the combined ratings!? This was an AMAZING series which has an intriguing hook and a very inspiring female protagonist! I'd rate it a 10 except I don't care much for the main male protagonist, honestly, I think there are TWO better matches for her. I think this series is about knowing who you were meant to be, even if it is in a second life. What was remarkable is that even the second life (that is only shown for about 15 minutes) could be made into a WHOLE SERIES by itself! I think 16+ is an appropriate rating because the first episode has a horrible and tragically cruel death but otherwise 14+ is fine. Highly recommended as the voice actors, animation, and story are ALL top notch! You will not be disappointed!

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Elise, an empress in another world, was not a good person. When she dies she reincarnates in modern Japan; here she determines to become a doctor and be of value to society. Then she dies again and reincarnates back into her old life, when she was still young. This time she decides to be a much better Maperson. She wishes to become a doctor so she can use skills she learnt in Japan to help raise medical standards in her homeland. This will mean foregoing the life that had been planned for her.

I thought this series provided an interesting twist to the isekai genre. It starts well showing us glimpses of Elise's life in Japan before her return to her original world. She is now a likeable character and it was fun watching her put her modern medical skills to use in a world that appears to be a century or two behind our own. It was nice to have an isekei world that didn't rely on magic or video game style levelling up. The characters are solid with good designs. Overall I'd say this was a fun series that is worth a watch.