The premiere of The Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows, specifically episode 1, introduces viewers to Zenos and his circle of friends. As a gifted healer, Zenos lacks an official license and operates a covert clinic dedicated to assisting patients in need.
Rather than providing backstory for the characters’ relationships through exposition, the anime immerses the audience in the narrative by showcasing snippets of their everyday lives. Despite the clandestine nature of his healing work, Zenos earns the affection and respect of friends like Lily.
Highlighting Episode 1: The Dinner Preparations
In the opening episode titled “An Equal Price,”the story begins with Zenos attending to a patient before embarking on a house call. Meanwhile, Lily is at home, preparing dinner for Zenos’s return, and this moment introduces Carmilla, who eagerly anticipates Lily’s culinary efforts.
As Zenos is occupied, his friends Zophia, Lynga, and Loewe arrive at his home, hoping to see him. Upon realizing he is out, they decide to linger and wait, which excites Lily as she envisions a communal meal. However, she first takes the time to put away the laundry.
While occupied with chores, Zophia, Lynga, and Loewe succumb to temptation and finish the dinner Lily prepared. Originally intending just a taste, they found the meal irresistible. Lily, upon discovering their culinary misstep, feels disappointed but can’t stay angry. Fortunately, Carmilla arrives just in time, prompting the trio to rectify their blunder.
In an effort to make amends, Zophia, Lynga, and Loewe offer to help Lily recreate the dish but soon realize they lack certain ingredients. Thus, they venture out to procure what is needed.
Meanwhile, Zenos encounters a demihuman slave in distress, visibly suffering as she clutches her abdomen. This troubling scene reveals her owner, an aristocrat, who is coercing her into grave robbing. Suddenly, a ghost inhabits her, causing her to lash out at her master.
The aristocrat, now in distress, approaches Zenos for help. Despite his initial reluctance, Zenos recognizes the imperative to assist. He skillfully subdues the possessed slave and diagnoses her condition, using his healing powers to restore her. When the aristocrat seeks to have his injuries treated, Zenos informs him that he is off duty, with an appointment available for the following day.
Capitalizing on the aristocrat’s desperation, Zenos negotiates a deal to exchange his healing services for a monetary reward and the transfer of ownership of the slave. After the aristocrat leaves, Zenos discovers the slave’s name is Til. He conducts further inspections and treats her previously undiagnosed ailment, in return asking her to find a rare leaf he has been searching for.
The episode concludes with Zenos returning home, greeted by Lily and the others. Just as they were beginning to worry about dinner, Zophia, Lynga, and Loewe arrive with the essential ingredients, ready to make amends.