Management of a Novice Alchemist Vol.1 Blu-ray

What I can do, for everyone's sake — I am starting a business! The fantasy and workplace comedy originating on Shosetsuka ni Naro becomes a television anime.

The popular novel Management of a Novice Alchemist began serialization on Shosetsuka ni Naro in 2018 and was published by Fantasia Bunko. Its popular comic adaptation is serialized on Comic Valkyrie Web. Sarasa, an orphan who has just graduated from the Royal Alchemist Academy, receives a shop as a gift from her master. Sent off by her generous teacher, she sets out dreaming of a slightly elegant life as an alchemist. What awaits her is an even more remote countryside than she imagined and a dilapidated shop! This fantasy and workplace comedy about a newly qualified alchemist struggling to run a business began broadcasting in October 2022.

Popular and skilled voice actresses bring the distinctive characters to life. Kanon Takao, known as Yui Saikawa in The Detective Is Already Dead and Hina Tsurugi in Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater, plays Sarasa, the newly qualified alchemist who opens a shop in the remote village of Yok after graduation. Hina Kino, known as Hanako Honda in Asobi Asobase, plays Lorea, a village girl who becomes the shop's clerk. Saori Onishi, known as Shikimori in Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, plays the gatherer Iris, who through unexpected circumstances moves into the shop's upstairs rooms with Kate. Nanaka Suwa, known as Kanan Matsuura in the Love Live! Sunshine!! series, plays Iris's childhood friend and partner Kate. These actresses combine skill and popularity in lively performances.

The original release campaign offered a wealth of extras for fans, including a newly written novel by original author Mizuho Itsuki and new mini anime. First-production copies were advertised with the novel, a digipack newly illustrated by character designer Yosuke Ito and a special booklet, all enclosed in a slipcase newly illustrated by original character designer Fuumi. The Blu-ray and DVD series was released in three volumes. The catalogue now marks all four first-production extras as no longer available: Mizuho Itsuki's newly written novel; Fuumi's newly illustrated slipcase; Yosuke Ito's newly illustrated digipack; and the special booklet. These are historical campaign details and are excluded from the promised contents of this regular edition. The regular video extras listed below remain part of the edition.

Main programme: episodes 1–4.

Regular extras: the previously unreleased new mini anime Hot Spring, Part 1; mini anime numbers 0–4; the Pre-Broadcast Special for Management of a Novice Alchemist, featuring Kanon Takao, Hina Kino, Saori Onishi, Nanaka Suwa and bodybuilder Naotaka Yokokawa, originally broadcast on AT-X on October 3, 2022; episode 4 audio commentary featuring Kanon Takao and Hina Kino; creditless opening and ending sequences; and the next-episode previews released on the web.

Story: For an orphan with no family, one of almost the only paths to a better life is to earn the national alchemist qualification. Sarasa has just graduated from the Royal Alchemist Academy when her teacher presents her with a shop. Waved off by her generous master, she sets out dreaming of a slightly elegant alchemist's life, only to be stunned on arrival by how much more remote the countryside is than expected. Even here, she has to find a way to run the shop to make a living. Surrounded by a cute part-time assistant and kindly villagers, she aims to become a fully fledged state alchemist!

The catalogue's additional story description explains that Sarasa grew up in an orphanage and dreams of opening a shop like her late parents. Her graduation gift is a vacant shop in a remote village, fulfilling that dream sooner than planned. Excitement gives way to a rundown building, unfamiliar communication, dangerous material gathering and monster hunting. Armed with extensive knowledge, powerful magic and trained swordsmanship, Sarasa struggles in an unfamiliar land. The feelings and alchemy that spread through her business create new encounters and bonds.

Original broadcast information: the television anime began on Monday, October 3, 2022. AT-X aired it Mondays at 21:00, with repeats Wednesdays at 09:00 and Fridays at 15:00. TOKYO MX aired Mondays at 22:30; KBS Kyoto and Sun Television aired Mondays at 24:00; and BS Nippon Television aired Mondays at 23:30. These times describe the original 2022 schedule.

The catalogue listswithout separating the main episodes and extras. Audio channel count is not specified.