Raven of the Inner Palace

This anime is definitely on the slower paced side, but it genuinely is so good. It's an imperial Chinese palace setting (similar to Apothecary Diaries) and it also features a slow burn romance. The animation and art style are absolutely gorgeous as well. Most of the characters take on more realistic appearances (no crazy hair colors) but that doesn't really affect me too much. The story is more supernatural, featuring magic. It has mysteries and resolutions, but it is a bit more dark with its themes. (Such as themes of abuse) but it makes for an amazing story. I truly wish this anime gets a season 2.

The only captivating moment in the series occurred when the emperor uncovered the secret of the raven consort. Otherwise, the show is filled with dull conversations about ghosts and features just one brief 30-second sword fight in episode twelve. I anticipated disliking this show even before watching it, but I'm running low on unwatched anime. In comparison, The Apothecary Diaries is far superior. Raven at rhe inner palace offers a premise rich with potential, but struggles to maintain its initial intrigue. It also lacks political intrigue and accuracy. The allure of its mysterious setting and the promise of untold secrets are overshadowed by a plodding narrative. Characters meander through predictable plotlines, their development stagnant, leaving viewers yearning for more depth and engagement.

Conversely, The Apothecary Diaries captivates with its vibrant storytelling and dynamic characters. It seamlessly blends mystery and historical intrigue, drawing the audience into a world where every detail matters. The protagonist's sharp wit and keen observations are a delight, making each episode a compelling journey into the heart of palace politics and secrets.

While both series explore themes of mystery and courtly intrigue, *The Apothecary Diaries* succeeds in crafting a more immersive and rewarding experience. Its rich character arcs and nuanced storytelling ensure that viewers remain eagerly invested from start to finish, proving that a well-executed narrative can truly elevate the genre.

This anime series is set in ancient China. Within the innermost area of the Imperial Palace the Emperor and those closest to him reside. Among there is the 'Raven Consort'; unlike the other consorts she has no contact with the emperor. Instead her duty is summoning the spirits of the dead and helping them find peace in the afterlife. Inevitably she gets caught up in palace machinations and as the series progresses we learn more about her and her family's past.

From first glance it is clear that this series looks great; with impressive character designs, beautiful costumes and backgrounds. Of course this doesn't guarantee a good story but thankfully that is also a lot of fun to watch. The characters are interesting and the story provides both drama and human interest. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anime fans looking for something a little different.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

I was amazed how pretty the artstyle of the anime is and the story is also nice if you're looking for something cute and entertaining at the same time. I hope the season 2 will be reliesed soon because it would be such a shame to not give this hidden gem a chance. I would totally recomend it to Apotecary Dairies fans or the mature public avoiding harems and fanservices. If you like Asian folklore and style you should deffinitely give this anime a try, I finished it in 2 days because the story goes smooth along with the charachters. I watched it on crunchyroll so it is available on streaming platforms.

The series' plot is good, but I think this deserve a season 2 where it focuses about the raven itself not about the fl, I'm still in a puzzle what really happened at the raven inside the fl. Anyways I still recommend this series! Superb!! Loved watching it! I just hope that it'll have a season 2 where they can answer what really happen at the raven, like is it really suppressed by the winter king?? And if it's contained why does it looks for another vessel? What's behind that? And Why every 8 years the previous vessel dies after finding a new one?? Too many questions left, hoping rlly for season 2.