lilyhazel★★★☆☆AnimeIn a Distant Time OVA
Oshimeter
Synopsis
One moment she's a regular high school girl, and the next, a portal swallows Akane Motomiya whole and on the other side waits Kyou, a world that looks like ancient Heian-era Japan, all flowing robes, palace courtyards, and restless spirits. Turns out she's the Ryuujin no Miko, the Priestess of the Dragon God, and eight very dedicated guys have been waiting for her arrival. They're the Hachiyou, her sworn guardians, and yes, they all have their own distinct personalities and reasons to orbit around her. That's the reverse harem setup, but the show leans more into the folklore and stakes than the romance, which keeps it grounded. The threat is real: a demon named Akuram is using a woman called Azusa — someone who can drain the life out of people — to tear Kyou apart, and Akane is the only one who can stop it. She didn't ask for any of this, which makes her adjustment feel earned rather than convenient. At just two OVA episodes, it's a quick watch that works best as a companion piece to the longer series, but the Heian mythology and the emotional weight of suddenly becoming someone's last hope carry it further than you'd expect. If you liked the isekai romance of InuYasha or the atmospheric fantasy of The Vision of Escaflowne, this scratches a similar itch — quieter in tone, rooted in traditional Japanese mythology, and genuinely romantic without being saccharine.
Episode Guide
Characters
Yasuaki Abe no
Created by Abe no Seimei, Yasuaki, the Genbu, is a powerful Onmyoji lacking emotional depth, learning about humanity as he serves the Miko.
Ishida Akira
Yorihisa Minamoto no
Seiryū samurai, haunted by his brother's death, fiercely protective of those he cherishes.
Miki Shinichiro
Eisen
Eisen: A monk and former Imperial Prince, he's one of the Eight Youths, the Genbu of Heaven.
Hoshi Souichirou
Akuram
Akuram, Oni Clan leader, seeks Akane's power to control Kyō, harboring affection for the dragon priestess.
Okiayu Ryoutarou
Tomomasa Tachibana no
Byakko of Earth, nobleman, and Lieutenant of the Left Imperial Guard.
Inoue Kazuhiko
Tenma Morimura
Tenma, Akane's classmate, is a Seiryu who confesses his love, vowing to protect her, but later retracts his feelings.
Seki Tomokazu
Takamichi Fujiwara no
Takamichi Fujiwara no, Byakko of Heaven, serves as Vice Minister of Civil Affairs.
Nakahara Shigeru
Akane Motomiya
A cheerful high school freshman, Akane becomes the Ryūjin no Miko, wielding elemental powers to combat the Oni.
Kawakami Tomoko
Inori
Suzaku warrior, blacksmith's apprentice, fiercely hates Oni, devoted to his sister.
Takahashi Naozumi
Shimon Nagareyama
Shimon, Suzaku of Earth, is a junior high student and Akane's friend, often mistaken for an Oni in Kyō.
Miyata Kouki











