1
This review may contain spoilers
Underrated
After a few episodes, I was so happy to finally find a series that really satisfied a craving that's been ongoing. It started off with such detailed humor and intellectual lightheartedness. The ML is a great cast for his role because he is capable of emoting different characteristics. Then there's the FL with her naivety and sweetness, a character type that I usually do not care for at all but with this one - she was super charming. With the ML's talent that balances on a thin line that can cross from light to dark, she was absolutely needed and perfect for him.
I love the uniqueness in how he grew his talents from mingling with prisoners and how he influences those around him. He's not one of those unrealistic and idealistic "always righteous" protagonists who bore you to death. He's someone who lives by his own standards and whims, whether they are always right or not, and someone who cares more about intentions and end goals. He's also capable of real empathy and not the flimsy judgemental type. The supporting cast were also very unique in their own way and they all mesh very well with one another.
The story is also quite unique in how he crosses between two very different cultural and judicial branches within the empire. So while the plot is political heavy, it's not your standard one-note. It's also one where you are constantly in anticipation of how our ML will handle all the crossroads he faces. The series does well in switching between lighthearted to dramatic before it starts to dive into the darker side.
Within the first 15 or so episodes, I was considering giving this a 10. But there are some sections that felt a bit dragged on and a few sections that felt a bit of an overreach, such as the one with the foreign envoys. Nevertheless, despite the 48 episodes, I didn't feel the need to speed up many sections at all. In fact, I wish there were even more episodes so that it can dive deeper into different arcs. As the series ended with what seems to only be halfway into its entirety, it's a shame that a second season hasn't been done... but it's still worth the watch.
I love the uniqueness in how he grew his talents from mingling with prisoners and how he influences those around him. He's not one of those unrealistic and idealistic "always righteous" protagonists who bore you to death. He's someone who lives by his own standards and whims, whether they are always right or not, and someone who cares more about intentions and end goals. He's also capable of real empathy and not the flimsy judgemental type. The supporting cast were also very unique in their own way and they all mesh very well with one another.
The story is also quite unique in how he crosses between two very different cultural and judicial branches within the empire. So while the plot is political heavy, it's not your standard one-note. It's also one where you are constantly in anticipation of how our ML will handle all the crossroads he faces. The series does well in switching between lighthearted to dramatic before it starts to dive into the darker side.
Within the first 15 or so episodes, I was considering giving this a 10. But there are some sections that felt a bit dragged on and a few sections that felt a bit of an overreach, such as the one with the foreign envoys. Nevertheless, despite the 48 episodes, I didn't feel the need to speed up many sections at all. In fact, I wish there were even more episodes so that it can dive deeper into different arcs. As the series ended with what seems to only be halfway into its entirety, it's a shame that a second season hasn't been done... but it's still worth the watch.
Was this review helpful to you?
