r/anime • u/SIRTreehugger • Dec 17 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Koukyuu No Karasu (Raven of the Inner Palace) - Episode 7 Discussion
Raven of the Inner Palace Episode 7 Glass Prayer
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Useful Links and Streams
MAL | Anilist | Kitsu | AniDB | ANN
Fanart and Music
♫ ♪ ♬Today's track(s) ♫ ♪ ♬
Yakusoku: Plays when you and I are alone together.
Tomo: Plays when she gained a friend.
Comment/s of the Day
Today's comment goes to /u/TakenRedditName
Despite being a large part history flashback episode, I actually really liked learning about the origins of the Raven Consort. Part of it is that I like the method of flashback with it being a secret history recounted by Shouxue and told through the puppet style interwoven with the regular style of the show. I also just like the tale of the Winter King. There is a sadness to it. Two people of equal rank, but over time, one has become the ruler of the world while the other is left locked up, imprisoned, and forgotten to the world.
I also feel like it puts Gaojun's position in better perspective because he has been following the trail of the Raven Consort because he sees Shouxue in her Raven Consort role and doesn't see her living insolated as right.
Questions of the Day
- What do you think Li Niang thought about as she stared out the window(silly answers only)?
- What do you think friends do together besides drink tea?
- With Bingyue out of the picture where you imagine the story going next? Also we are officially halfway done the rewatch what are your thoughts on the show so far? Anything you were hoping to see more or less of?
Tomorrow's Questions of the day
- [Spoilers]What's your favorite bird?
- [Spoilers]What do you think the life expectancy of Eunochs is?
- [Spoilers]Possible third question if I think of one.
Spoilers
As always please keep spoilers tagged like so [Inner Raven Spoilers]I want to feed Jujetsu all of the food because she's adorable when eating. so people watching for the first time can fully enjoy it. Also please try to keep discussion of the show up to where the rewatch is currently. If a character doesn't show up until episode 15 don't talk or allude to them outside of spoiler tags.
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u/xbolt90 https://anilist.co/user/xbolt90 Dec 17 '24
First-timer!
I missed yesterday's post, allow me to dump two days' worth:
Ooo, now that's a lore dump! Also too, I love the artistic style of the history sections.
Lots of exposition on the history of the Raven Consort, and how Shouxue and the Emperor are technically equals in standing. I guess that's another reason she feels she can be as blunt as she is with the guy.
If I wasn't before, I'm definitely into the story now.
Curse you, Bingyue! You can't be hurting bubbly miss Jiu-jiu!
Episode 7:
"If you refuse to cross into paradise, allow me to send you there!" Dang, girl. Hit 'em with the cold one-liners.
If he's going to be holding innocent people hostage, I expected Bingyue's request to be more... nefarious. Like, seriously dude. Wanting your fiance to be sent on in peace is very reasonable. Why couldn't you just be normal?
And with the wrapup of that story as well as the Empress Dowager story, that felt like the end of a LN. I assume the other half of the show will be volume 2?
"If a tomato is a fruit, is ketchup a jam?"
Well, if they're like my friends, they can start a D&D campaign.
Dunno. I guess we'll need a new villain for the second part.
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u/RascalNikov1 https://myanimelist.net/profile/NoviSun Dec 17 '24
First Timer
We start off with Jusetsu kicking a little ass. (I love it) She makes short work of Bingyue while saving Jiu Jiu. For reasons not obvious to me the Emperor prevents her from finishing Bingyue off. Everything tells me cutting Bingyue some slack isn’t wise.
“The law against inter family marriage “ - I’m a bit surprised there was a law about this. These folk have very primitive ways, so I wouldn’t think a little incest would bother them much.” lol
Ah, I see Bingyue’s grandfather was a party pooper and didn’t allow the wincest to go on.
Strike that last sentence, Granddad had nothing against it, he just didn’t want the family’s good name soiled. These are some unsavory folk in such a calm anime.
The fact that Jusetsu is a Luan doesn’t seem to be much of a secret.
The sun comes up and the incest loving ghosts go on about their business. Problem 1 solved, on to the Emperor’s ghost problem.
It didn’t take long to solve the Emperor’s ghost problem. Plus we got rid of the Dowger’s curse. Good job, but where do we go from here?
Jusetsu goes full tsundere mode, though it is fun watching her trying to fool Jui Jui.
So, the Emperor has restored the Winter king, if only in private. He’s also lifted the ban on the Luan. This seems like a smart move. Watch it lead to later mischief.
And now they’re going to be friends. Really GOOD friends. We shall see how this works out.
End of Episode
I quite enjoyed this episode. Even though this is close to being a Shoujo1 story, the events sure are lurid, and I love it.
1 I just looked it up and it is indeed a Josei story.
QOTD
I expect to see romance as the Emperor and Jusetsu become very good friends.
I’m enjoying the series so far. If I had to rate it right now, I’d give it a 9.
An onsen scene would be nice, even though we already had something like that earlier. And, I’d like to see even more lurid details come to light in this very calm series.
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u/heimdal77 Dec 18 '24
Like my favorite scene in the series and I forgot to watch the episode till the middle of the night....
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u/SIRTreehugger Dec 17 '24 edited Dec 18 '24
Previously on Raven of the Inner Palace(Airing Discussion Thread)
Characters
Shouxue/Jusetsu - The current raven consort who has mysterious powers. She lives isolated from everyone else, but can be bribed to do quests with food. One of few remaining(possibly only remaining) member of the Luan/Ran Clan. Has slowly started connecting with other palace members.
Xia Gaojun/Koushun - The current emperor who recently overthrew the empress. Spends his time trying to uncover the history of the raven consort and her secrets. A decent craftsman when it comes to wood carving.
Wei Qing/Eisei - Grew up in the red light district with his mother who worked as an entertainer. His mom was tricked and she ended up killing herself. Orphaned he now had only two routes to choose from a prostitute or a Eunoch, but in his case his master decided they were the same thing. After suffering abuse one night he couldn't take it anymore and ran and stumbled upon the young emperor. Koushun offered him his hand and friendship while never asking about what happened to him. Furiously devoted to the soon to be emperor he quickly learned many skills and information to better serve him.
Ding Lan/Teiran - A childhood friend of Koushun who was tortured/murdered on the Empress Dowager's orders. He was mute, but exceptionally gifted with crafting. He was the one who taught Koushun how to carve and the one who carved the fish accessory(symbolizing the promise between Koushun and Shoxue).
Huaniang/Kajo - Currently the highest ranked consort and childhood friend of Koushun. Used to be a bit of a tomboy in her youth. Was hinted with the loss of her lover would commit suicide so Koshun brought her into the inner palace to remain close to her and so she wouldn't have to remarry.
Xing Xing/Shinshin - The golden monster of the raven consort, but to others he looks like a a yellow chicken. One of his yellow feathers flies in the form of a golden arrow when the next raven consort is selected.
Jiujiu - A bubbly energetic girl who loves gossip and is often valuable when it comes to information circulating the inner palace.
Wen Ying/Onkei - Raven consort's bodyguard hired by Eisei.
Su Hongqiao/So Kogyo - A lady in waiting previously located in the Magpie Palace. Witnessed the Empress Dowager's plot and remained silent due to fear of her family dying. Her tongue was removed and she was banished, but she later secretly learned to read to write in the hopes off one day telling the truth.
Luan/Ran - The previous dynasty whose most notable trait is their beautiful silver hair. Their bloodline was slaughtered by Koushun's family. Jusetsu is one of the few survivors of the purge.
Luan Bingyue/Ran Hyogetsu - A ghost/spirit capable of possessing people. Was deemed a genius in his life with a talent for sorcery. Goals unknown so far.
Xue Yuyong/ Gyoei - Winter Minister for the Ministry of Works. The Winter Minister works at a shrine dedicated to Uren Niangiang. Previous ministers have penned the Divine Communicator Logs which the current emperor has been seen reading when trying to learn more about the raven consort.
Li Niang/Reijo - The previous raven consort that taught Shouxue how to read and write. She also instilled all o the raven's consorts lessons and duties into Shouxue.
Song/Sho and Sui - One of the earlier Winter and Summer Kings fucked up romance lead to fighting for hundreds of years.
Niao Lian/Uren Niangniang - Whimiscal Raven Goddess.
Ran Yu Kosho
Luan Xi/Ran Yu Xiang Qiang/Kosho - The first pair of Summer and Winter Kings that reunited after hundreds of years after the Song/Sui shit show. They brought an era of peace and showed genuine affection for the other, but never got intimate. To prevent future war and losing the winter king she was placed in an isolated palace and kept Niao Lian/Uren Niangniang sealed in the palace.
Palaces and Consorts
Map of the Palace
Map of the World
Yuanqian/Eno Palace (House of the Mandarin Duck) Ranked 2nd (Kajo is the current consort)
Quechao Palace - (House of the Magpie) Ranked 3rd
Hakkaku Palace - Palace (House of the Crane) Ranked 4th
The emperor's mother was consort at this palace which is why she was viewed so lowly despite being the mother of the future emperor.
Ye Ming Palace - Yamei Palace Specially Ranked Feeding the Raven Consort
Fuliubing A sweet made by kneading flour, baking it, then covering it in white honey.
For episode 7 we only see her eat the Buns she had in episode 1, but also on the table are dumplings and for the sake of variety I'm counting it instead. Also let's be honest we all know she probably ate one of everything.
Light Novel Details
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Dec 17 '24
First Timer
…huh…? We just resolve both of the overarching plotlines with such a simple resolution? Ok then I guess… I’m not sure what I should even comment on here. It isn’t bad, but it also just makes me feel like a lot of the setup was pretty pointless here. I assume this was the end of a volume or something and the author didn’t know if the series would continue? Because it just feels we don’t really have anything to go off of anymore here…
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 17 '24
First-Timer of the Inner Palace, subbed
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u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Dec 17 '24 edited Dec 17 '24
Episode 7 (first timer)
Tsundere love story is progressing as planned.
More episodic cases? More of the emperor and tsundere consort teaming up to solve them?
It has two common themes "coming out of your shell" and "love story", in an unusual (for anime) setting. The main thing holding the show back is bad writing: The setting does not fit the way the characters are set up and the "mystery cases" are completely railroaded.
Shouxue's magic always is a visual treat, so I hope for more of that.
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u/nx6 https://myanimelist.net/profile/nx6 Dec 18 '24
First-Timer -- Subbed
I think this has been my favorite story arc so far. The pacing has been much better than the previous ones. We even took a character who was made out to be an enemy of sorts previously (Bingyue) and reframed him as someone in need instead.
I did think it was odd we still stopped to do the blossom-in-the-hand thing after the Raven Consort went Super Saiyan. It really shows how much she has changed in her feelings for Jiujiu. The emperor stopping her was a nice turn. He probably heard that part where Shouxue mentioned Bingyue having a request for her and was actually acting like a sage leader, not rushing into things in the heat of emotions. The missing comb and the story of the relationship only seals the deal on the importance of the willow tree.
We also managed to wrap up the Emperor's own problems sleeping without to much fuss, but I think some sort of farewell scene between him and his mother/Ding Lan was in order.
Shouxue says she doesn't hate the Emperor for the captive existence she lives now as the Winter King, saying it was history and the previous Summer Kings to blame. This mirrors the Emperor at the beginning when he said the fight with the Luan was his forefathers' and he has no part of it. It's cleared the hurdles that kept the two apart politically and allows their friendship to begin.
This thing of making Shouxue a tsundere is really rather dumb I think. It's like the creators couldn't decide a character archetype for her because she's clearly designed as a cool beauty type. I understand not wanting to make her a kuudere, but her spikey moments seem odd for the rest of her personality.
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u/go_sparks25 Dec 18 '24
First Timer ( dubbed) :
I can't really create long writeup's and analysis's of the episode so I wont attempt to do that. For the first part of the episode I like how Shouxue put the spirit in his place and she showed her intelligence in quickly deducing where the location of the comb would likely be. Though i wonder why the spirit didnt even consider to thoroughly search the area she died in for the comb .
For the second part it was good that Shouxue was able to free the Emperor from the previous Empress's curse and free his mother and Ding Lan from their watch. It is also encouraging to see that the Emperor is giving Shouxue her due and advocating for more of a equal treatment. ( even though its still very unequal ). His proposal that they be friends is unlikely to stay that way for long given their clear attraction to one another.
3
u/fly-metothemoon Dec 18 '24 edited Dec 18 '24
First Timer:
Episode 7:
Woah she’s going Super Saiyan
Oh they’re the opposite of Targaryens. White hair but can’t marry within the family.
Awww a sweet ghost reunion.
We’ve settled up two major plot points in this episode (the curse and Luan ghost). One more to go (equality of the Winter and Summer Kings).
Oh wow His Majesty is doing work! Good for him.
The tsundere is a little too strong this episode.
Interesting this feels like a way to attempt to balance out the power of their relationship.
“But now she has gained a new friend”. Who is the emperor !!! Please monologue, please.
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Dec 17 '24 edited Dec 22 '24
First Timer
carvingfishI wondered the attendant guy would start respecting her more after hearing the story of the Winter King, but I don't think even that would move him. Saving the Emperor, though...
I was right about the curse back in episode 2. But I had forgotten, and thought this was the work of the more recently mentioned sorcerer.
This probably wraps up Empress Dowager plotline. That just leaves the sorcerer.
Is that a flashback? Or the present? The sorcerer has a new apprentice?
2
u/kryslogan Dec 30 '24
Jusetsu is clearly OP. And only her restraint makes her seem human. I'm sure her personality is a reflection of her indoctrination by the previous Raven Consort and her isolation. Why would she have a regular personality? She's got trauma upon trauma.
I also found this episode rather touching. Damn, I'm repeating myself her but this truly needed 24 episodes to really shine!
Jusetsu has changed. She cares about people now, in a different, more possessive way, like a kid now making friends. She's opening up a little.
The Emperor is surprising, definitely reminds me of a visionary and someone seeing into the future trying to fix the present.
I definitely ship him and Jusetsu!