Review of Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout

This anime series, based on a game, is centred on Reisalin Stout, known as Ryza. She lives with her parents in a village on the island of Kurken. Her parents are farmers but she has no interest in following in their footsteps. She has a longing for adventure and despite it being forbidden she and her friends take a rowboat to the mainland. Here they help save a child but soon run into difficulties and are helped by Empel, an alchemist, and his bodyguard who had been hired to find the girl. Ryza is immediately fascinated by Empels alchemy skills and asks to be trained. Over the course of the series Ryza and her friends will get into various adventures as she develops her skills and finds the ingredients she needs.

This might not be one of the great anime series but it passes the time nicely with likeable characters getting into enjoyable adventures. Unlike many series there isn't too much in the way of fan service and the action isn't too violent so it can be enjoyed by most ages. The character designs are solid with each easy to distinguish from each other and the animation is good. I liked the fact that an anime based on a game didn't involve a character reincarnating into fantasy world where they level up in the manner of a game that has become so cliché. Overall I'd not call this a must see but it is definitely worth checking out if you enjoy fantasy anime and don't require constant fighting.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.