Underrated Anime: Fall 2023
Submitted by Stephen Li
The Apothecary Diaries
In a particular imperial court, it has been several months since Maomao, a 17-year-old girl, was abducted and compelled to serve as a low-level servant in the emperor’s palace. Nevertheless, she tenaciously clings to her inquisitive and practical nature, intending to fulfill her servitude period. One day, however, she learns that the emperor’s twin infants are severely unwell. Drawing on her upbringing as a pharmacist in the impoverished red-light district, she covertly decides to intervene.
Despite Maomao’s efforts to stay unnoticed, she soon attracts the attention of Jinshi, a powerful eunuch who discerns her skills. This catapults Maomao into the inner sanctum of the emperor’s court, where she systematically builds a reputation for herself. Leveraging her knowledge and idiosyncratic personality, she becomes known for solving a variety of medical enigmas.
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Over their ten-year quest to defeat the Demon King, the hero’s party—Himmel, Heiter, Eisen, and Frieren—bond through adventures, forging unforgettable memories. However, for Frieren, a thousand-year-old elf, the time spent with them is just a fraction of her life. After victory, she resumes her routine, seemingly unaffected. As years pass and her companions die, Frieren regrets taking them for granted. Realizing the impact of her time in the hero’s party, she vows to understand humans and form genuine connections. Although the once-memorable journey has ended, a new tale is set to begin.
Shangri-la frontier
Rakurou Hizutome, a high school sophomore, has a singular passion: hunting down and conquering “low-quality games.” With unparalleled gaming prowess, he can find enjoyment in even the worst games. When he encounters the new VR game Shangri-La Frontier, he employs his expertise to skip the prologue and dive headfirst into the action. However, can Rakurou, the seasoned gamer, uncover all the hidden secrets within Shangri-La Frontier?
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