A kid runs through the forest, taking his sick younger sibling on a piggyback ride as he flees from strange lights. Suddenly, he loses his footing and falls. A three-legged raven responds to their desperate plea for help and tells Yukiya that they will see each other again. We’re in the Kingdom of Yamauchi, where the Four Lords serve the kin’u, who reigns from his palace on the Mountain. And, since the new kin’u is young, they have sent their daughters. The future Queen will be chosen from their rank. From the North, we meet the brutally honest Lady Hamayu. From the South, the devious Masuho no Susuki. The West sends the beautiful yet icy Lady Shiratama. The black horse of the competition is the envoy of the East, Lady Asebi, less learned or prepared than the other three, as Lady Masuho soon brings to light. Her older sister, the firstborn, was supposed to be there in her place, but she fell ill. Day after day, the ladies wait, but the kin’u doesn’t appear. Back to Yukiya, he is now the mischievous second son of a nobleman, a teenager who knows how to exact revenge on those who underestimate him. One day, one of his schemes has the wild side effect of having him chosen as an attendant to the kin’u. Yukiya is not very happy about this arrangement, but his father makes it abundantly clear that it is either this or a monastery for him. But when he meets the kin’u, his voice sounds very familiar…

So, where do I even begin? Crunchyroll decided to drop the first two episodes of Studio Pierrot’s new show at once, and my only complaint is that they didn’t release three. This start was a wild ride, and I couldn’t be happier! The narrative proceeds at a breakneck pace, introducing character after character, fascinating dilemma after fascinating dilemma, and elaborate worldbuilding with fantasy and historical elements that I find mysterious and compelling. We get colorful nobles, mysterious priests, and crow shapeshifters. We also get compelling stories about family dynamics in a royal context. And yet, while the plot flows swiftly, it takes the time to give a compelling voice to everyone and transport you into their situations. The story is quite unusual and commands your attention. I’ve come across some other “Inner Palace Cinderella” stories, but none with such variety and intrigue. And the art direction is a feast for the eyes: the show has a very cool, artsy opening, and the ending is on par with it, if not better. The episode itself looks unique, brimming with concepts and colors, and making the little moments of risk, adventure, or character interaction feel realistic and immediate. I enjoyed Yukiya’s conspiracies, the Prince’s mystery, Lady Asebi’s innocence and kindness, and the various antics of her rivals, and now I cannot wait to see them interact. I might have found my golden show of the season, the one I will follow with committed enthusiasm. If the spirit of the first episodes is kept, this could become one of my all-time favorites.

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YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master can be streamed on Crunchyroll.