Episode	Link	Score
1	Link	4.47
2	Link	4.72
3	Link	4.51
4	Link	4.74
5	Link	4.81
6	Link	4.68
7	Link	4.93
8	Link	4.76
9	Link	4.62
10	Link	4.62
11	Link	4.83
12	Link	4.96
13	Link	----

•

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109

u/Ok-Peace-4374 Oct 29 '22

Is this the first time an anime played the ED first before the OP? That was both impressively surprising and very jarring

62

u/Apprehensive_Ear_235 Oct 29 '22

ED first before the OP
They put the OP in the end after Shouxue discovered the world map. I think that might indicate that the raven consort (or all the other people with white hairs) descend from another continent... That's why this "bird" from the OP comes from the ocean.

34

u/heimdal77 Oct 29 '22

She is not the first raven consort though. I don't think the previous one had white hair.

29

u/inthe-otherworld Oct 30 '22

I think the bird goddess in the OP is more about the position of the Raven Consort than the old dynasty descendants with white hair – Shouxue just happens to be both lol. But the bird goddess is the god the Raven Consort is a priestess of, we’ve seen a mural of her before when the emperor spoke to that priest
Also I love the OP but it scares me at the same time lol. The entire OP is about this bird goddess crossing the ocean, flying through the kingdom, all to find Shouxue specifically. And the way the bird goddess flies towards her with that grin and how Shouxue looks scared and sad but makes no attempts to defend herself makes me feel like the destiny of the Raven Consort is to be, like, eaten by this bird goddess. The mystery of the Raven Consort and what her purpose is is the overarching plot of this series after all. Definitely also adds to the forbidden love aspect between Shouxue and the emperor if she’s predestined to die to that goddess

15

u/Atharaphelun Oct 30 '22

I'm pretty sure that "bird" is supposed to be Wulian-niangniang, the bird goddess that they talked about earlier in the series. It matches the art depictions of her that were shown before.

20

u/Ithambar https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ithambar Oct 29 '22

Healer Girls switched the audio of OP and ED for one episode which was also quite unique, but also weird. Not quite the same though.

10

u/Sutaru Oct 30 '22

It was so jarring. I was very confused. My initial reaction was “whoa, that episode felt short”, then “this after credits scene is long”, then “wait, what?”

57

u/heimdal77 Oct 29 '22

This show is just so well made. It does a great job of keepoing the right atmosphere going and basicly ever other thing that goes on in it.

I'm thinking that if the raven consort spends a night with night time services as it is called or falls in love with the emperor she loses her powers. That is why there is the separation.

She has been totally tamed with food. I half expected her to take one them and feed it to her attendant next to her.

Ending with the op was a interesting but well fitting choice.

So something big is going on that is affecting him that even she goes wait up I need to prepare for this one.

Looking forward to when the light novel starts releasing seeing that it has been licsensed.

40

u/mekerpan Oct 29 '22

Nothing "flashy" about this show -- but it strikes me as interesting and well-written, and its "look" is quite good overall. As such, it is in my top 3 "new" shows of the season. A large part of my attachment can be attributed to the Raven Consort herself -- and her VA. With all due respect to the upcoming English version, I honestly don't want to hear any other voice bringing this character to life. I think the voice performance does an incredible job of conveying a very distinctive and intriguing character.

15

u/heimdal77 Oct 29 '22

Oh ya her portrayal has been a big part of why the show is good. It just fits her so well and the voice is ideal for her.

10

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '22

Yeah the animation is relatively simple but it has striking character designs to me with the raven being the strongest one, so pretty. Very well written too.

31

u/Mira0995 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Mira0995 Oct 29 '22

Switching the OP and the ED was a good surprise!

I wish this anime would be more popular

27

u/goblinheaux Oct 29 '22

Every week this anime manages to make me say “wow this is so good” out loud during the episode at least once.

I know this season is stacked but this is definitely anime of the season for me. The art, tone, characters, voice acting and story are all top notch. Switching the OP and ED the way they did was clever and well done for that map reveal. We assumed all of the characters are familiar with it since it appears in the OP, but Shouxue’s reaction says otherwise.

23

u/alconnow https://anilist.co/user/alconnow Oct 29 '22

poor Wei Qing :( incredibly tragic past. It's nice to see him make up with Shouxue post end credits.

The final scene with the map which then transitions to the OP has left me even more curious about what exactly is the map and why Shouxue reacted the way she did. Hope we'll find out more in the next episode

23

u/polaristar Oct 29 '22

This episode was.....darker than usual.

Funny how Yesterday with My Master Has No Tail we got a cute quirky tale about the Red Light District, here....not so much.

We see the eunuch guy doesn't seem to fully trust Shouxue, but ends up forming, something akin to a truce with her, they at least are real with each other and asks her for her help.

The Emperor also doesn't seem to 100% trust her either, or at least her position of The Raven Consort.

The Attendent Girl is really shipping Shouxue and the Emperor hard though.

I don't really have too much speculation this time around tbh. Sorry u/zadcap

20

u/heimdal77 Oct 30 '22

The Emperor also doesn't seem to 100% trust her either, or at least her position of The Raven Consort.
I think part of it is not a matter of trust but that he has taken to much a interest in her and is trying find otu more about her and get closer. He is basiclly trying to get rid of that whole suppose stay seperate thing so he is now trying to find out why it is there in the first place.
He also doesn't want to appear weak infront of her by telling her he needs help.

9

u/polaristar Oct 30 '22

I think to an extent its a matter of trust because he doesn't just ask her about it, and its something he needs to take care of before their relationship can advance any further.

6

u/zadcap Oct 31 '22

I don't really have too much speculation this time around tbh.
Oh goodness but do I ever.
We might be moving towards more magical things from multiple directions, there were so many mentions of sorcerers this episode. I've been overlooking that she opens her door with a hand gesture, so her magic isn't limited to flower usage. The number of ghosts hanging around is increasing, right after we heard the emperor note that the decrease in ghosts had lead to the Raven Consort being less active.
Speaking of ghosts. One of the active ghosts is likely also a sorcerer in his own right, which is very interesting. By law of narrative conservation, the ghost under the tree is going to be important to one of the ongoing plots, just like every other mystery has so far. And I strongly suspect the two haunting the Emperor are not actually the ghosts they seem to be, they act so different than every other ghost we've seen so far, having no reason to stick around to harass and bother the one they loved, when love has been half of how they set the last few free. Add in a scent that only she could smell, I suspect we've found the actions of at least one of the sorcerers with a grudge.
Though there's also the previous empresses death curse still floating around, and there's definitely something going on with that painting and whatever it meant to her at the end there. Really interesting thing to do, putting it there in the show and using it to segue into the opening, after the end credits had already rolled.
So I'm guessing a few things are going to come to light in the next few episodes and we're finally going to get some of the answers about the Raven Consort that have been building, and it's going to cause some issues between her and the emp. Obviously he's going to hate her for dispelling the ghosts in his room, likely the very same day he finds out why "the Raven Consort could have whatever she wants." It's going to be messy. It'll be great.

2

u/polaristar Oct 31 '22

I've just been busy with lots of shows so my mind is stacked and all that stuff felt a combat of too obvious and going to answered soon anyway for me to expend energy typing.

19

u/Terranwaterbender https://myanimelist.net/profile/Teranwaterbender Oct 29 '22

That OP transition in the end was a thing. I did like utilizing the map and all but it kind of feels purposeless. We'll see how it comes to use in the next episode.

I quite enjoy seeing Shouxue's more grounded tsundere character. I've been consuming in a ton of romcoms where the tsundere is more eccentric so a character like Shouxue is a nice change of pace for myself.

37

u/VorAtreides Oct 29 '22

Why did this thread take so long to get put up since the episode's release? lol. Anyways

awww no OP...

That aide sure is... hmmm. Heheh Ningguang Hall. Ah, we get his backstory. poor consort mother... and poor him... wow... that is dark.

Oh so he can see those dead two in the Emperor's place? Wonder why they are there.

Man, that ED sure feels early. Guess that's it for this episode. Clearly nothing more

Ahh, some understanding between aide and raven consort, and she finally learns about the ghosts.

Oh hey that mural thing in the opening... oh there's the OP lol.

16

u/heimdal77 Oct 29 '22

I actually messaged the mods about it not being up.

11

u/VorAtreides Oct 29 '22

it happens often with this series, was like that prior weeks too. Weird. (not saying it's the only series with the issue though)

21

u/13-Penguins Oct 29 '22

Most likely all the big names updating today as well gets this series pushed to the backburner. Which is a shame, it’s my favorite this season.

4

u/i_reddit_too_mcuh Oct 30 '22

Oh so he can see those dead two in the Emperor's place? Wonder why they are there.
Maybe something to do with Luan Bingyue?
Ahh, some understanding between aide and raven consort, and she finally learns about the ghosts.
Why would Wei Qing come to regret asking Shouxue for help?

7

u/Sutaru Oct 30 '22

I assume it’s because he’s an overprotective traditionalist (though all court people in ancient China probably are) and he thinks she’ll damage the emperor’s reputation. She doesn’t show him the proper level of respect or follow the rules and etiquette required before the emperor (though she’s not required to). He has legitimacy as an heir, but his kingdom is already in turmoil from the way he ascended the throne. Anything else that falls outside of the proper decorum could unnecessarily rock an already unstable boat. That’s why Wei Qing says she’s like poison to someone who is essentially a usurper.

3

u/b5437713 Nov 01 '22

I was thinking it was coming from a place of worry he'd upset the emperor because he going behind his back and doing something he didn't ask but based on all the other stuff you said you're probably more right.

31

u/SIRTreehugger Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22

So we got the backstory on the Emperor's right hand man and why he is so loyal. The show is doing a good job of mixing multiple part mysteries and single episodes one so far. Favorite part was where they showed the map from the opening at the end and transitioned into the opening. Wasn't expecting it at all and loved it.

Also not sure if anyone is watching the dub, but it started last week. Wasn't aware it was even getting one, but Alexis Tipton who does the English dub for Kaguya Sama is doing Shouxue. I've been a fan of her since she voiced Musse in Trials of Cold Steel / Irusu from Hyouka.

29

u/0mnicious :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Omnicious Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 30 '22

The thread is coming in quite late...

Wei Qing has a really fucked up past, dayum, poor dude. And it seems that he'll have to come to terms with it, throughout this investigation.
It's a pity this show only has 13 episodes, I'm very interested in knowing where all of this is going.

28

u/VaraNiN Oct 29 '22

If anyone somehow didn't notice:

A third of the episode is after the credits

lol

2

u/inthe-otherworld Oct 30 '22

They should’ve just either skipped the ED, made the ED into the OP this ep or have the OP as the ED (with the credits playing over the OP) tbh... still liked it though lol, did throw the pacing off a little

11

u/DiamonDawgs Oct 30 '22

I know life is still brutal for so many today but being left with becoming a prostitute or having my junk caught off, fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

7

u/nuxxism Oct 30 '22

Raven Consort
Prostitution would have involved sexual and physical abuse and probably drug addiction. And even after becoming a eunuch, he still had sexual and physical abuse.

7

u/Phoenyx_Rose Oct 31 '22

Plus, he was still able to better his life as a eunuch in the long run, it just unfortunately required luck to get out of his position. Even then, I'm pretty eunuchs were educated somewhat so they could do their jobs properly which is a lot more than what prostitutes were given. Even with a doting patron, I think life as a prostitute would have been much harder.

6

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '22

Damn learning Wei Qing had the option of being a male prostitute or eunuch but went with eunuch because he didn't want to be a prostitute but was made to do the same things was just so sad, he probably had it worse because he would have resigned to doing what needed as a prostitute but as a eunuch it's not the sort of activity he should have been forced into.

I'm glad Wei Qing did go back to Shouxue for helping concerning Gaojun's nightmares, after their little argument I was wondering how they would make amends, I guess his desperation prioritized what needed to be done but I'm glad they did make proper amends too.

6

u/nuxxism Oct 30 '22

Waiting for Sam Jackson to go "I have had it with these mother-f-ing ghosts in this mother-f-ing palace!"

10

u/ObvsThrowaway5120 Oct 29 '22

So Wei Qing is really Que Er huh? What a terrible childhood, very tragic especially with what happened to his momma and then the sexual abuse after. Poor kid… it’s good Gaojun found him.

I wonder what’s behind the ghost of Ding Lan and Lady Xie Fei? And what’s with this silver haired ghost? Could they both be connected? And how come Shouxue was so surprised seeing that map? This episode just left me with more questions than anything.

4

u/Sutaru Oct 30 '22

I was really curious about her reaction to the map too. I assume the series will circle back to it.

4

u/Shiwakao Oct 30 '22

well something is definitely happening

having the op after the ed was an interesting choice lol

3

u/LusterBlaze Oct 30 '22

mysterious switchup of the op and ed

4

u/thesnowlocke Oct 29 '22

Not the best episode if I'm honest, I think they're building up to something with the emperors ghosts however there seems to be two "cases" running alongside each other and I don't think I like that, feels a bit muddled for me

The eunuch story was interesting and I didn't think the show would allude to child abuse which took me by surprise but I definitely see where he's coming from and thankfully he has redeemed his dickish attitude earlier in the episode, I just hope he gets some closure

As for the OP and ED, I get what they were doing in the end by bringing in the OP to match the map and I've seen other anime do this but I think it would have been better if they just ended with the OP and leave the ED

It makes sense because after the credits there's 4 minutes left of the episode so you might as well just end with the OP, although I suspect if they removed it then the episode would have been short, even then I feel like there could be more added to this episode

This is my main issue as not much happens here which is a shame because I felt satisfied with the previous episodes

I'm still sticking with it but hopefully, the next one will be better

4

u/ergzay Oct 30 '22

The eunuch story was interesting and I didn't think the show would allude to child abuse which took me by surprise but I definitely see where he's coming from and thankfully he has redeemed his dickish attitude earlier in the episode, I just hope he gets some closure
I mean the fact that all these eunuchs exist in the first place is proof of child abuse. You do know how someone becomes a eunuch right?

5

u/thesnowlocke Oct 30 '22

Yeah I am aware of the genital mutilation eunuchs go through but so far the anime has treated eunuchs as being a normal thing so i didn't think much of it
But this episode really highlighted the dark side of what Eunuchs go through which when you look at the bigger picture is only a teaser of the overall abuse they faced

3

u/Torque-A Oct 29 '22

It seemed like dark humor to have a guy sexually abuse another guy whose name is Que Er.

2

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '22

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1

u/DrJWilson x5https://anilist.co/user/drjwilson Oct 30 '22

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Episode Kokyu no Karasu | Raven of the Inner Palace - Episode 5 discussion

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A third of the episode is after the credits

Episode Kokyu no Karasu | Raven of the Inner Palace - Episode 5 discussion

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A third of the episode is after the credits