Chatting about the anime 'The Tale of the Outcasts' 🐦⬛👑｜Revised and Re-uploaded Old Post

The original work is a novel, completed in 7 volumes. The anime adaptation aired in 2022, with 13 episodes. No sequel has been announced yet. At first, I thought it was a harem romance just by the title and intended to skip it. Later, a friend introduced it to me, and knowing it had nothing to do with the 'harem genre' put my mind at ease and I started watching😆 The story is set in a fictional Chinese-style imperial palace, telling the tale of the 'U妃' (Raven Consort), Ryū Shusen, who possesses mysterious magic. She takes on commissions related to亡魂 (departed souls) and怪異 (strange phenomena), gradually uncovering the secrets of the palace and herself through various incidents. When thinking about palace settings + solving cases, one might recall 'The Apothecary Diaries'. However, there's a clear difference between the two: 'The Apothecary Diaries' essentially solves mysteries within the logic of reality, whereas 'The Tale of the Outcasts' genuinely features ghosts and magic, carrying a distinct supernatural element. I really liked the atmosphere the early part of this work created. The combination of palace life, fantasy, spiritual phenomena, and mystery felt very natural. Each commission had a touching short story behind it, making me want to keep watching and curious about U妃's past. However, as the story progressed, I personally lost that initial sense of novelty. While the plot remained good, the character charm didn't accumulate enough to keep me increasingly invested, so the overall impact wasn't as stunning as it was at the beginning. If there's a sequel to the anime, I'll probably continue to follow it. There's still a lot to explore regarding U妃's background, the hidden secrets of the palace, and this world's setting. If you enjoy works with a Chinese aesthetic, supernatural elements, and a touch of mystery, you might consider watching it😁