The name Ryza no Atelier was familiar but I was not sure why. Then I realised this is a game I have been looking at. I know I have this game on my STEAM wishlist ~ I guess the anime will help me decide how soon I should attempt to get the game or if I should give it a skip. 

What is Ryza no Atelier about?

Ryza is a bored teen who would like a change in her day-to-day monotonous life on the island. She convinced her two childhood friends, Toa and Lent, to go on a new adventure with her – off of the island. The trio are quickly joined by a lost girl their age, Klaudia. The four were then saved by Empel and Lila. New faces are moving to the island and the trio have made a decision that will alter their lives going forward.

• Aired on Saturdays
• Pacing: Alright
• Characters: Some are done brilliantly, others are basic.
• Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Medical
• Planned Episodes: 12

Episode-by-episode Impressions

I have given quick impressions for each of the 5 episodes while keeping it as spoiler-free as possible. I jumped into the anime totally blind, no trailer, no synopsis, not even a peek at the genre tags! I wanted to avoid any spoilers and keep an open mind with zero expectations.

Episode 1 of Ryza no Atelier: Tokoyami no Joou to Himitsu no Kakurega

Those shorts are too short but its nice to see a ‘new’ body shape on a main female character. I wonder why they do not leave the island? There are so many thigh shots in this episode. The friendship between the three is fun to see and the friendship dynamics are easy to see and follow. I am waiting for things to go wrong. I just had a whole conversation about Ryza and her shorts with my fiance – she can not be comfortable in those…Did he just add an entire test tube – cork, glass and contents to the alchemy pot? The alchemy just broke me. I suppose this will be another light hearted watch for me.

Episode 2

Another episode, another adventure. So far, I feel Ryza is the only one getting genuine assistance but that’s fine. I am glad that this episode answered how Lent has a weapon. I had been wondering while watching episode one. Our main character Ryza, I am not the biggest fan of her personality. She does not seem all that interested in others and focuses on herself. At least her friends show interest in her things but she shows minimal interest in theirs. I suppose she is meant to come across as quirky but I am being rubbed the wrong way. I am a big fan of Lent already. I am also warming up to Lila, she would be frustrating as a teacher though. Lent made the correct call out on their adventure and I am glad Lila responded the way she did. I think Lila will end up being a better teacher than Empel. Are we going top get the alchemy sequence every time she makes something successfully? Once again, so many thigh shots…but not as bad as episode one, or am I already getting used to them? If I am, gosh anime has me well trained. I barely noticed Tao in this episode, but I do relate to his shelving issues.

Episode 3 Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout The Animation

Ryza became an alchemist – almost too quickly. I do enjoy the opening song. I am enjoying the slice-of-life feel with this anime. I am trying to think of what trade Alchamy will not be useful for. The pacing of the friendship between Klaudia and Ryza is fun to watch and I like how the ‘world’ keeps reinforcing the friendship and bond between the ‘three brats of the village’. The way that the story is setting Ryza up to have her own atelier and to potentially have her own fully supportive income is great to see. It feels natural and is seamlessly forming. I can not wait to see how her mother reacts. I believe her family will be supportive. It is a path that their daughter enjoys and will enable her to live independently of them. What the old lady said about giving up and forgetting is heartbreaking. The way Empel just gives Ryza the rare ingredient that she will need is mildly frustrating to me. To answer my question from episode two, it does indeed seem that we will get the alchemy sequence every time she makes something successfully. To have such a friendship is truly a blessing. I knew the reunion would be like that. I hope the current trio don’t develop a romance plot line. As per normal, there are thigh shots throughout, but they do not feel forced and they are not overly obvious.

Episode 4

I wonder how much time is really going by. I like the idea of them being tested and assessed. Having time to prepare is also appreciated. I am starting to think that Bos Brunnen has a crush on Ryza and I am completely fine with that. Lent’s determination is endearing. I am still deciding whether I like the alchemy sequence or if I find it annoying. I am glad that it is short-ish. The monsters are cute. I find them absolutely adorable. I wonder at what point will Tao speak up. Ryza really has no concept of caution or danger. Why did she think it was a good idea to use her “secret item” inside of a cave? I feel so bad for Lent. He really is having a tough time – but out of all of them, I feel he is learning the most, especially about himself. I am so glad Toa called Ryza out on her actions but was so frustrated she just blew it off and changed the topic. I am so glad Empel is stepping up as a teacher and making Ryza see what she did was wrong. Yet she still does not acknowledge what she has done. I am coming to like Ryza less and less. I can not get past the self-centeredness.  I would like to have seen her apologise to Lent and Toa at the very least, but no, she has a new task for her alchemy. Yup, thigh shots are still a feature.

Episode 5

I am glad to see that Ryza has learned something about quality checking her creations. Reading while walking, I appreciate seeing a character doing this as I have done it and still do walk around with my nose in a book. However, reading three at once that way is ambitious, Tao. I respect it, but I question it. The more we interact with Lila, the more I like her. I was not expecting a beach episode at all. How come we did not get a pan shot of the guys in their swimwear! UNFAIR! Where did the fear of water come from? It feels too sudden considering Ryza’s actions in the first few episodes. The belt with the swimming trunks is an interesting choice. Klaudia is a good friend. I am glad that there is finally a focus on team work. It felt good to watch them work together to retrieve the fruit.

Will I continue to watch Ryza no Atelier: Tokoyami no Joou to Himitsu no Kakurega and do I have any expectations?

I will not continue watching this weekly, but I will probably binge it once all of the episodes are out. I like the characters and I am enjoying them more with each episode. I want to see more of them. I just feel that by episode five we have had sufficient world building and character dynamics to have a direction with the story – or at least the start of one. I really hope episode six starts to show a plot line and not another “side quest”. Since the anime is based on a game, the studio might be relying on players to be the bulk of their viewers but I have not played the game. I do not know what to expect; and the episodes have not done a good enough job keeping me engaged – especially for a weekly watch. I will binge this and I will only be coming back to the series because of the characters. So for now, this particular anime is going on hold.

What are your current impressions of Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout The Animation?