An American Writer's Thoughts on Japanese Animation

Seasonal Selection – Management of a Novice Alchemist Episode 9

Suffering + Distance = Comedy.

This week, we find that, with the demand for cooling hats dying off on account of the seasons changing, it’s time to farm a different reagent. Iris, Kate, and the boys therefore end up sent after a special honey that should be only minimally hazardous to gather. In the mean time, Sarasa stretches her alchemy by making a weightless pop-up tent and Lorea gets the bright idea to ensure that new wares go on display so people can actually know what sorts of magic items are possible.

When they come back, though, they’re experiencing some intestinal disturbance that’s pinned down to the fact that they tasted the honey and, unknown to them but known to Sarasa (who thought it was obvious) the honey is poisonous when unprocessed.

After much pain for all the gatherers involved and an extra helping of humiliation for Iris, Sarasa decides to whip up an economical remedy for the remaining effects. The ingredients are cheap, meaning that rather than a panacea that would more than wipe out any profit from the expedition the group can take it, but since time was of the essence, Sarasa skipped the steps needed to make the ground bug slurry into something palatable rather than merely effective. As such, the two girls have a hard time taking the vile brew, until Iris is reminded of her shame and, after recovering her colors, forces Kate to have her medicine as well.

And, as the stinger to the cute and fluffy (or vaguely trolly and able to laugh at suffering) alchemist show, it’s time we meet some parents! Kate’s mother and Iris’s father have arrived, and we’ll see next time what they’re up to.