Danica Davidson
March 12, 2024 
The Japanese novel Karasu wa Aruji o Erabanai (translated as The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master), which is part of the novel series Yatagarasu by Chisato Abe, is getting an anime adaptation. A trailer has dropped, and in it you can hear some of the opening theme song “poi” being performed by Saucy Dog.
It’s set to debut on April 6. The anime is being made at Studio Pierrot, with Yoshiaki Kyougoku of Laid-Back Camp helming the project as director. The person overseeing series scripts is Yukiko Yamamuro, who worked on the live-action Touch. The music is composed by Eishi Segawa, known for working on Ushio & Tora.
Looking toward the cast, Mutsumi Tamura plays Yukiya, Miyu Irino plays the Imperial Prince (Wakamiya), Rina Honnizumi plays Asebi, Hiroki Nanami plays Hamayū, Ayaka Fukuhara plays Masuho no Susuki, Rie Kugimiya plays Shiratama, Eiji Takeuchi plays Sumio, Satoshi Hino plays Natsuka, Hiroshi Shirokuma plays Rokon, Kengo Kawanishi plays Atsufusa, Yoshino Aoyama plays Fujinami, and Atsuko Tanaka plays Ōmurasaki no Omae.
The novel has not been licensed in English. However, a manga adaptation of the series by Natsumi Matsuzaki is available in English through K MANGA, which gave this description for the plot:
With over 1.5 million copies sold worldwide, discover the manga adaptation of this super popular Japanese fantasy novel written by the youngest Seicho Matsumoto Award-winning author in history! In the land of Yamauchi, a world dominated by “Yatagarasu” instead of humans, it’s time for the Crown Prince to choose his Queen. Four princesses are sent to the palace by four great noble families who are fiercely fighting for power in the Imperial Court. They all have their own reasons for wanting to become Empress, and many shocking developments happen along the way. In the end, who will be selected by the prince?”
Source: ANN
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
