Review of Parallel World Pharmacy
What a wonderful, fulfilling anime. I felt it hit on so many notes, and went so many places, and you kinda got a taste of so many different things without feeling it lagged too long in any one place. MC: Pharma is a fine MC. He's smart, able and kind, without being sappy or overly confident. He realizes he has limitations, and always aims to do what is best, whilst thinking of others and their positions. He goes about trying to change the morals of the land around him while not shaming those who hold those morals. He isa very enjoyable MC who you are spurred to be interested in and root for.
Surrounding Cast: You really do cheer for all protagonists in this anime. I can't stress that enough. There are even a few of which you don't read as protagonists upon introduction, but quickly come to change that view. Pharma is a child, and yet he isn't betrothed to some other child in some awkward "this is how the nobles do" plot that allows the jokes about marriage and sex and making babies that prominently feature in so many anime in this time of age/period piece setting. The characters around him are (for the most part) not annoying, you want them to succeed, and they understand Pharma has a mission and they're most fulfilled helping him get there.
Plot: The plot along the twelve episodes really goes give you everything. To start you get the fun Isekai "Learn how MC is crazy powerful and the shocked reactions of those immediately around him as he makes everything instantly better" factor, but this show does NOT trip over the all too common trope of trying that for twelve episodes. The plot involves political intrigue, the inner-workings of a kingdom/civic matters, class system, religious struggle and the factors that go into dealing with how it feels when those of lesser power are right and you are wrong, even though you carried out your wrong ways in what was considered the highest of morale standings. Also, for it being a medicine based anime, it established that death IS inevitable very early on, and does not lean on the idea the "The MC can save everyone, in every situation, every time!" It's very maturely handled without being morose, simply real.
Music/Animation: It's a beautiful, bright anime with lovely music. It's not the star of the show, but it doesn't hamper it either. I have no complaints in this department, just nothing really extraordinary to say either.
Things I didn't like: Very few things. There is a "Beach" episode in which a character is told very simple instructions and basically just ignores it due to satiating a weeping child, and those scenes always annoy me because it's such an avoidable mistake made by someone who has proven many times they are capable of handing the situation, and illogical just choose not to in this moment. It also comes during what is basically the only filler episode (not completely filler, but a lot filler), it's really the only weak episode in the show. The MC and the major Sidekick also have an odd pairing in the first few episodes. For one, you don't really understand/aren't really explained WHY she is reacting somewhat negatively to his Isekai powers.... but then like a switch she completely changes her tune and that isn't well explained either. It felt like a very "This character needs to get from Point A to Point B, but we don't really know why, we just think it would be interesting if it happens" moment that shows do sometimes. I think they think it's character growth when it isn't. I want to make it clear everything I say in this section is nitpicky. It's a grand anime and there's no reason not to watch it.
Please watch this anime. I feel it is unique in the Isekai realm, and worth the watch. There is so much more to this show than the premise granted, it remains an Isekai the entire show instead of it just being a jumping off point that is never really mentioned again, and I think you'll just have a great, satisfying time watching it.