Management of a Novice Alchemist

“A Heartwarming Slice-of-Life Anime”

Imagine yourself as a young child, standing between your loving parents, filled with dreams and aspirations for your future. You cherish this sweet childhood memory, envisioning all the incredible things you want to become as you grow older. However, suddenly, everything you had hoped for is cruelly taken away, leaving you feeling despondent and uncertain about what lies ahead.

But just when it seems like all hope is lost, a stranger appears and offers you a chance to apprentice under them, guiding you towards a new path that could shape your destiny. This unexpected turn of events might initially seem disheartening, but could it also hold the potential for a remarkable and transformative journey? Watch this anime and decide for yourself if it can change your perspective.

ENGI and Hiroshi Ikehata are the creators of the anime series "Management of a Novice Alchemist" (Shinmai Renkinjutsushi no Tenpo Keiei). It features scripts overseen by Shigeru Murakoshi, character designs by Yōsuke Itō, who also serves as the chief animation director, and music composed by Harumi Fuuki.

It aired from the 3rd of October up until the 19th of December in Fall 2022 on various television channels. Through Sentai Filmworks, AMC Networks has obtained a license for the series outside of Asia, and it is available for streaming on HIDIVE. This 12-episode anime adaptation is based on the light novel series of the same name. Each episode has a duration of 23 minutes and belongs to the genres of adventure, fantasy, and slice of life. It received a rating of PG-13, making it suitable for viewers who are 13 years old or older.

Mizuho Itsuki wrote and Fuumi illustrated the light novel series "Management of a Novice Alchemist." It initially started its serialization online in November 2018 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Later on, Fujimi Shobo acquired the series and published seven volumes under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint starting in September 2019.

There is also a manga adaptation of the series, with artwork by Kirero. It has been serialized online on Kill Time Communication's Comic Valkyrie website since December 2020 and collected into three tankōbon volumes so far. During their Anime NYC 2023 panel, J-Novel Club made an announcement that they have acquired the license to publish the English version of the light novels. This means that English-speaking readers will soon have access to the translated versions of the series!

After the tragic loss of her parents at the hands of bandits, Sarasa Feed finds herself in an orphanage, where she discovers the world of alchemy. This girl is committed to starting her own business in honor of her parents' legacy. To pursue her dream, she enrolls in the Royal Alchemist Academy to receive training and certification as an official alchemist.

Following her graduation from the academy, our MC realizes that she lacks the necessary funds to achieve her goal. With limited options, she settles for a modestly priced storefront in a distant town, far from the bustling capital. Despite the challenges posed by treacherous terrain and dangerous monsters in the remote countryside, Sarasa embarks on her new and exhilarating life as an alchemist!

The story revolves around Sarasa Feed, whose mundane life in a rural village goes without any major villains or intense fight scenes. As such, this anime is best enjoyed when seeking a relaxing and low-key storyline with little action. One notable aspect of the anime is its adult/dark humor undertones, which may not be suitable for those seeking a strictly lighthearted and cute anime experience.

The protagonist occasionally surprises viewers with unexpected and humorous adult-oriented comments, adding a unique twist to the show. While it may catch some viewers off guard, others may find these moments quite amusing, like I did.

Simply put, this is a tale about the first steps into adulthood, which is not easy for most of us. We get to see what it's like to start your own business and join a new community. Settling in is one thing, but being able to positively affect the new faces around you is another thing, which is something Sarasa does out of simple charity.

But just like in real life, life is not always rainbows and roses. There will always be those who try to bring down what you’ve built, be it with crippling debt or falling prey to conmen. This is a nice reminder that kindness alone won’t cut it, as important as it is, because we all have to be smart about life as well. This is a moral drama about facing a dark past but choosing to walk forward into the future with your head held high.

The cast of this series is composed of lively and vibrant characters who bring a sense of sweetness to the story. Sarasa, the main character, is someone you'll find yourself rooting for mainly due to the hardships she has endured, even amidst some predictability. Additionally, her adorable eye swirls contribute to her charm. However, it’s easy to find the characters to be somewhat unoriginal, particularly the protagonist.

It's worth noting that she is portrayed as overpowered, which is unusual for a slice-of-life anime centered around running an alchemy store, and the series chooses not to delve into the reasons behind her strength; she simply possesses it.

Among the other characters, Lorea and Kate are less problematic in terms of originality. Iris, on the other hand, fits the stereotype of a clumsy character who frequently causes problems. It's also notable that all the characters have high energy levels and consistently display happiness and pride!

Not everything is great in the above departments, though, as I found the story to be largely predictable and plagued by the occasional cliché. The show attempts to be funny as well, but whether it succeeds or not depends on you. I found myself chuckling on occasion, but it was unsuccessful for the most part.

The series feels like it’s attempting to make the audience smile at least, but it doesn’t feel like they won that battle either. Each episode follows a simple layout: there’s a problem, they plan their course of action, and they deal with the issue without much hassle.

This is where the predictability starts, followed by Sarasa’s OP-ness. No matter how much they try to bloat up a given issue, you can bet that the protagonist will save the day and everything will be topsy-turvy soon enough. Failure isn’t in her dictionary; she will succeed every time and grow stronger still. Thus, all the action is boring and suspenseless, because it’s only a matter of time until the MC one-punches her way through it.

The animation and art style in the anime are satisfactory but not particularly groundbreaking. The scenic countryside landscapes provide a pleasant backdrop, but the overall visual experience is not particularly memorable. It falls within the expected standards for the genre and the content of the show. I do want to commend them for how they portrayed Sarasa during her journey from childhood to adulthood.

It starts off gloomy, reflective of her situation, but gets brighter as she gets where she wants to go in life, one destination at a time. This aspect is really unique, and I really loved seeing it on screen. This entire department was done on a budget, though; that much is evident. While it is certainly not bad, you can feel it on multiple occasions, but it won’t be enough to ruin the entire watch if you’re enjoying its other aspects.

The sound design in the anime is well done, with suitable and well-integrated sounds that complement the animation. The choice of soundtrack, ambiance, and overall music is fitting and enjoyable. The voice acting in the series is also commendable, particularly the performance of Takao Kanon as the MC. Aguri Ōnishi performs the opening theme song titled "Hajimaru Welcome" (Starting Welcome), while Nanaka Suwa performs the ending theme song titled "Fine Days," both of which are satisfactory.

Indeed, the predictability and presence of clichés in the show are subjective aspects that can vary from viewer to viewer. However, the objective goal of the anime is to bring a smile to the viewer's face, which it can achieve in some cases. While it may not be considered a top anime of the year or decade by many, it can still provide an enjoyable experience if you're seeking a relaxing and lighthearted show. For those looking for a moé blob-style anime that can uplift their mood and bring some brightness to their day, this series might be a suitable choice.

It offers a pleasant and enjoyable watch for those in search of a feel-good and relaxing anime. However, if you’re on the lookout for a solid plot or action, steer clear of this one. There’s no complex and intriguing world in the making here either; the show just flows with its MC. Overall, I recommend it, but I’d advise you to drop it if you find yourself yawning while watching it.