A Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management: A moving story about a beginner's struggles and growth

A Novice Alchemist's Shop Management - The story of Sarasa, who struggles between dreams and reality

The TV anime "The Alchemist's Shop Management", which aired from October to December 2022, is the story of Sarasa, a novice alchemist who grew up in an orphanage, struggling to make her dream come true. The original work is a light novel by Mizuho Itsuki, published by Fantasia Bunko. Animation production was handled by ENGI, and the director was Hiroshi Ikehata. This work depicts the importance of growth and bonds through Sarasa's struggle between dreams and reality.

story

Sarasa Feed is a novice alchemist who grew up in an orphanage. Her dream is to open an alchemy shop just like her late parents did. After graduating from training school, Sarasa receives an empty store in a remote village as a graduation gift from her master. Sarasa is excited that her dream has already come true, but what awaits her is a rundown store, unfamiliar communication, dangerous material gathering, and the reality of having to defeat monsters. However, Sarasa struggles in an unfamiliar land, armed with her vast knowledge, high magical powers, and honed swordsmanship. This is a touching story of encounters and bonds that are born from the feelings and alchemy that spread through the management of the store.

character

The main character, Sarasa Feed, is voiced by Kanade Takao. Although she is a novice alchemist, she is skilled in magic and swordsmanship, but she is not good at socializing. She studied hard at the orphanage and went on to alchemist training school, with the goal of using alchemy to help the people of her village.

Sarasa's friend, Lorea, is voiced by Kino Hina. She is the daughter of a general store owner in Yokku Village and is very interested in Sarasa. Lorea is an honest and studious girl who is in charge of tending Sarasa's shop, and after she finds out that Sarasa's meals are not good, she also takes over as a cook.

Iris Lotze is voiced by Saori Onishi. She is a collector, honest and earnest, but prone to getting into trouble unintentionally. Iris is unlucky, but her life is saved by Sarasa's treatment, but she ends up in a lot of debt. She lives on the second floor of Sarasa's shop with Kate Starven.

Kate Starven is voiced by Nanaka Suwa. She is Iris' childhood friend and partner, but she is a hard worker who is constantly being bossed around by Iris. Kate is a skilled archer and is the reason the two of them are able to make a living as collectors. She also helps Iris repay her debts.

Ophelia Millis is voiced by Mitsuki Saiga. She is one of the few master-class alchemists and Sarasa's teacher. Ophelia runs an alchemy shop in the royal capital, and when Sarasa had just entered alchemy school, she hired him as a part-timer and taught him the ropes.

Maria is voiced by Ami Koshimizu. She is a sales clerk at Ophelia's shop and takes care of Ophelia. She cares about Sarasa, who used to work part-time at the shop.

staff

The original work is "The Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management" by Mizuho Itsuki, and the original character design is by Fuumi. The director is Hiroshi Ikehata, the series composition is Shigeru Murakoshi, the character design and general animation director is Yousuke Ito, the general animation director is Shinpei Koikawa, the LO supervision is Masao Kawase, the art director and art setting is Kazuhiro Arai, the color design is Eiko Nishi, the director of photography is Haruka Serizawa, the editor is Akihiko Mishima (Mishima Editing Office), the sound director is Satoshi Motoyama, the music is Harumi Fuki, the music production is Nippon Columbia, the animation production is ENGI, and the production is the "Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management" Production Committee (KADOKAWA, Sammy, Nippon Columbia, AT-X, Kill Time Communication).

Broadcast information

"The Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management" aired a total of 12 episodes from October 3 to December 19, 2022. The broadcasting stations are AT-X, TOKYO MX, BS Nippon Television, KBS Kyoto, and Sun Television, and the broadcast times for each station are as follows.

• AT-X: Every Monday from 21:00 to 21:30
• TOKYO MX: Every Monday from 22:30 to 23:00
• BS Nippon Television: Every Monday from 23:30 to 0:00
• KBS Kyoto: Every Tuesday from 0:00 to 0:30
• Sun TV: Every Tuesday from 0:00 to 0:30

The series was available online on d Anime Store, ABEMA, Nico Nico, Nico Nico Live Broadcasting, Nico Nico Channel, GYAO!, Hikari TV, FOD, Bandai Channel, Hulu, TELASA Unlimited Viewing Plan, J:COM On Demand Mega Pack, milplus Unlimited Viewing Pack Prime, Animehodai, Amazon, U-NEXT, Rakuten TV, DMM.com, music.jp, Video Market, HAPPY! Video, Crank-In! Video, and Movie Full Plus.

episode

The subtitles and broadcast dates for each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: I got a store! (2022/10/03)
• Episode 2: Arrived in the Village! (2022/10/10)
• Episode 3: A monster appeared! (2022/10/17)
• Episode 4: Let's live together! (2022/10/24)
• Episode 5: Let's develop a new product! (2022/10/31)
• Episode 6: Let's go to the lake! (2022/11/07)
• Episode 7: The Artifact is Broken! (2022/11/14)
• Episode 8: A business rival appears! (2022/11/21)
• Episode 9: Let's go harvest honey! (2022/11/28)
• Episode 10: Let's solve it with money! (2022/12/05)
• Episode 11: Defeat the Salamander! (2022/12/12)
• Episode 12: A Novice Alchemist's Shop Management (2022/12/19)

Theme song

The opening theme "Hajimaru Welcome" was written by ARAKI, composed and arranged by Ryuhei Kinoshita, and sung by Aguri Onishi. The ending theme "Fine Days" was written by Shio Watanabe, composed and arranged by Masashi Kanazaki, and sung by Nanaka Suwa.

Related Titles

There is also a mini-anime in "The Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management." This is a complementary content to the main story, and you can enjoy the characters' daily lives and backstories in more depth.

Ratings and Recommendations

"The Newbie Alchemist's Shop Management" depicts the importance of growth and bonds through Sarasa's pursuit of her dreams. Viewers will be moved and sympathetic to her struggles and interactions with the people around her. The balance between the fantasy element of alchemy and the realistic aspects of shop management is exquisite, adding depth to the story.

The animation quality is also high, with the characters' expressions and movements depicted in detail. Don't miss the scenes that show Sarasa's growth, and the beauty of the village scenery. The music also plays an important role in adding excitement to the story, and the opening and ending songs are particularly memorable.

This work is recommended for those who enjoy the fusion of fantasy and reality, those who like coming-of-age stories, and those who want to be moved by the bonds between characters. Be sure to watch Sarasa's struggle between her dreams and reality.