Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1: Takumi's journey in a new world begins

As one of the most highly anticipated isekai anime series of the Winter 2025 season, all eyes were on Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 earlier this week. Officially released on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, the series got off to an exciting start, establishing its protagonist’s exceptional abilities and teasing a bigger role to his journey.

However, Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 didn’t formally establish what the series’ overarching narrative will be, but did lay the groundwork to doing so. This is done via the introduction of what seems to be a major supporting character, as well as a look at the Holy Sidonia Empire and what they’re up to.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 teases a greater meaning to Takumi’s journey

Brief episode recap

Expand Tweet

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 begins with its protagonist being summoned to a new world immediately after dying, which fans don’t see. Instead, they see him meet with an apparent Goddess who says he’s been summoned to Mildgard. She introduces herself as Lady Nolyn before apologizing, as she says he was caught up in a summoning meant for other people.

She explains that despite not being the target of the summoning spell, he was caught up in it. She then becomes infuriated at a country using such forbidden magic, explaining that she brought him here since she couldn’t stop it. She then explains that the Holy Sidonia Empire successfully summoned their intended targets, hence why he’s alone. She also explains that she can’t return him home since she made it so similar spells can never be used again.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 sees her add that he doesn’t even have a body to return to. She suggests he tries restarting life as a citizen of Mildgard, explaining that Sidonia is a problematic place. Thus, she decides to send him elsewhere to a different nation, also giving him her blessing as a way of apologizing. She adds that her support will keep him safe, also showing him how to access his Status menu, revealing his name as Takumi Iruma.

Takumi immediately displays immense aptitude with magic in Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 (Image via Studio Comet)

She explains to Takumi that he needs to first practice his magic if aiming for a production job, adding that she’ll give him some spells to start. She then sends him to Mildgard, which she says is on the continent of Asgard. Suddenly, he then appears on the continent in his new body, complete with an equipment bag filled with food and money. He decides to keep his holy blessing a secret before inspecting the rest of his status menu, first trying to use magic.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 sees Takumi successfully use several spells, excited over this being a true fantasy world. He also has skills such as appraisal and blacksmith, the latter of which allows him to make weapons on the spot. He then saved a young girl from a rabbit-esque monster, which also leveled up his warrior profession. Focus then shifts to the Holy Sidonia Empire, where three Japanese high school students have been summoned.

A cloaked woman then approaches them, explaining why they were summoned as she introduces herself as Elizabeth, the First Empress of the Holy Sidonia Empire. One of the students’ skills then suddenly tells her that Elizabeth can’t be trusted. Takumi, meanwhile, returns the young girl to her home, asking if he can live in the village. Those present agree to this, telling him to stay as long as he likes.

Expand Tweet

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 then sees the entire village offer to help build him a home. Takumi used his magic to clear the land, while the other villagers finished the job. Takumi then used his skills to furnish his home, then changing his job to Alchemist and Blacksmith. He then tries to use his skills on the ore he mined with the village Blacksmith, Bobon, explaining the alchemic process as he does so.

However, he got carried away and passed out due to using too much mana, leading to Molly, the girl he rescued, and Martha, her mother, closely watching him. Takumi also worked with Bobon to practice his blacksmithing skills, which were already fairly impressive. However, his Blacksmith level had surpassed his Alchemist level, upsetting him. He then tried to practice making some potions with the herbs he had collected, clearly excited to do so.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 then saw him go to brutal lengths to raise his magic resistance and Light magic level, eventually running into a strong boar. Unfortunately, he was powerless against it, even with another monster’s help. Out of options, he decided to use his alchemy on the boar, successfully killing it in one attack. He then healed a poison spider before taming it, naming it Maple for the pattern on its back reminiscent of a maple leaf.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 teases more meaning to Takumi's journey via an ending focus on Lady Nolyn (Image via Studio Comet)

The poison spider then evolved into a killer spider before the pair returned to the village with their kill. The villagers questioned this initially since insect monsters supposedly couldn’t be tamed, but accepted it nonetheless. They then butchered the boar and had a feast with its meat, with Takumi being given the leftover components. Someone suggested selling what he doesn’t need in Bolton, the nearest big city.

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time episode 1 then shifted focus to a blonde woman, seemingly of noble status, staring longingly out of a window. Focus then shifted to Nolyn, who was watching Takumi’s journey and happy for him. Another goddess then approached her, revealing Takumi not only got Nolyn’s blessing and a special body, but was sent back in time a year prior. Nolyn claimed there was no reason for this as the episode ended.

In summation

Expand Tweet

Overall, the first episode of this highly anticipated Winter 2025 isekai series delivers in all the ways it needs to. Takumi’s introduction sheds light on the series’ fantasy-style power system and setting, which shine as focus is given mainly to the protagonist. Additional focuses on the Holy Sidonia Empire and Lady Nolyn also set up bigger plot developments later on in season 1, something necessary for any isekai series to succeed long-term.