Genre: Mystery, Slice of Life, School
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 22
Ratings: 8.1/10
Some Anime are those which you remember for your whole life. Alongside them, there are many other Anime which you don't really fancy much. However, inside that amazon there are gems which weren't so bad neither were they considered the Best of their time.
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 22
Ratings: 8.1/10
Some Anime are those which you remember for your whole life. Alongside them, there are many other Anime which you don't really fancy much. However, inside that amazon there are gems which weren't so bad neither were they considered the Best of their time.
"Hyouka", an Anime with mystery genre but unlike other show such as Erased; Hyouka is not very investigated upon Horror, Gore or Blood rather it's just a pure Mystery Anime with slice of life in it, all happening in the days of Highschool. I'd deceit if I say it's among the best Anime I ever watched however, it's surely one of those unique shows I can always recommend to a friend.
What Hyouka is based on? (Synopsis)
Hotaro Oreki has a simple and reliable philosophy: “if I don't have to do it, I won't, if I have to do it, make it quick.” His low-energy lifestyle has served him well up to high school, and he doesn't see any reason to change. But when his sister demands he rescue the school's former literature club, he ends up running into a girl who will change his world. From her violet eyes to her forceful energy and boundless curiosity, everything about Eru Chitanda pushes Oreki out of his comfort zone. Oreki doesn't want to change, but when Chitanda presents him with a strange mystery, he also can't say no. So begins a story of strange questions and secret selves, a story of the magic in the everyday and the brilliance on the other side.
Honestly after checking the genre and the poster I was very much prepared for a show like Erased or Gosick but never expecting to experienced something which would only base on mystery and school. Because usually when I hear Mystery, I judge it to also have Crime and Horror. But Hyouka got me totally off-guard.
What you'll like in Hyouka (Possibly)
If you're bored watching long-ass series like One piece or Naruto and just want to put those on halt for a few weeks. Hyouka could be an option you'd definitely want to pick. It's just an Anime featuring Mystery of everyday life, adjacent to Highschool and events.
Keeping up with the regular Highschool shows. It has its fine share of beautiful High-schooler, Drama or more likely love drama and Thrill which is always expected from a Mystery genre, and is actually quite entertaining to watch.
Most above all the other things I liked in Hyouka; it doesn't give you that feeling of wanting more and more, after the end of the show. I'm not saying the Anime is boring, it's just after finishing the show, you'll be like, "Hmm yeah, that was pretty satisfying" which is not same with any other Mystery Anime or heck even Highschool romance Anime.
Characters. All the characters are very well balanced and everyone has one particular thing which makes them unique. It's not the show where a single is shines alone, it's the team. No doubt Oreki is a brilliant detective but he alone most probably can't do much. With the scaps of information from the group of four, which intrigue Oreki to form a well defined image, that's what Hoyuka is all about. I also liked Fubuke, how change in Fubuke's personality was delivered and the bond between Ibara and Fubuke. How can I forget Oreki's “if I don't have to do it, I won't, if I have to do it, make it quick.” that alone makes him so cool, let alone he has got amazing skill in solving Mysteries.
What you'll not like in Hyouka (Possibly)
Eru Chitanda is cute no question in that, but damn she is so friggin' annoying and the least best part is, the whole show revolves around her. If one has to describe Hyouka in a nutshell, Chitanda's "I'm Curious" is from where everytime everything begins to kick off. Her covering the whole screen while saying her phrase that's just another adjacent thing I hated, even if it's just for a second or two.
Development
Oreki Houtarou—the very intelligent, but lazy, male lead of the series; Chitanda Eru—the kind-hearted, persistently curious, distinguished female lead; Fukube Satoshi—the carefree, fake “man of the world” and close friend of Oreki’s; and Ibara Mayaka—the sensitive, irritable, manga-lover girl. In a way almost all the leading characters showed development, whether it's little or much. In the first few episodes of the show most characters liked to seized their background information however, as the show progresses there's more openness among everybody. Let's say the main character, Oreki he grew feelings for Chitanda which was so unlikely considering his attitude in the prologue of the Anime. As for Anime as whole, development was in a quite stable pace which was very well done.
New to Anime?
I wouldn't recommend Hyouka if you're fairy new to Anime and want to experience something really memorable because like I said before, Hyouka is a kind of Anime which you'll just forget after a week or two; instead I'd recommend "Erased" if you're into Mystery, crime and school. However, if you're Anime veteran, you're missing something you shouldn't.
Alike Anime:
-The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
-Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru
-Gosick
-Kokoro Connect
-The World God Only Know