So yeah, Hyouka did us a favor by adding an actual problem solving (or mystery solving or riddle/puzzle solving) done by a highschooler in a way which almost similar to an actual investigation. But of course, the cases were so mundane that you might find it uninteresting. Well, that was fine since they're just a small highscholl clique, not an awesome-super-highschool-detective-solving-a-murder-case. But the most interesting aspect of this show is not the mystery itself but rather the process of solving it. Also, the main premise of this show is not the mystery at all. If I recall correctly, what KyoAni did promise is a youth drama of being a highschooler. It keeps being hinted throughout the show. How our MC, Oreki Houtarou longing to be a just another not-so-standout students living his peaceful days in course of energy perseverance mindset. Which being turned another way around by... well, none other than our Heroine, Chitanda Eru. The case was being built up one step at a time. Until it climaxed by the end of the show. Well, the final execution wasn't that contrast actually. Because, Houtarou would be very out-of-character otherwise.
In contrast with Houtarou, Chitanda Eru symbolize the very essence of youth spirit (Subs: Rose-colored). You might thinking about someone who will be way more hyperactive so that in a matter, Eru will be looks like a bland bipolar character. Well, I can't blame that since she is being designed to be 'like that'. But it can be understandable, considering her social status and her role in her family, but have very big appetite for digesting anything 'curiously-interesting' including some mundane mysteries which littered throughout the show. She was described as a well-mannered and well-spoken oujou who act in an impulse to the point that she doesn't aware if she was being rude, especially towards Houtarou obviously. But of course, no matter what, she is still a daughter of a well-perceived family. So she did has her own 'shining' time which was so natural it almost didn't contrast to her 'seems-like' airhead nature.
In solving the mysteries, Holmes didn't act alone. Yep, Fukube Satoshi, a fake gentleman of the world. If anything, he just looks like a relevant comedic relieve character. But funnily enough, He gained considerable amount of 'development' from the first episode to episode 21. Which leaving a lingering question to Houtarou. Which it doesn't take too long for him to get the answer. But well, he does has really unique features which being brought to life in this anime. You know, his quirk and interaction never tires me out. On another note, after Juumonji incident, it almost feels like he is more like a flamboyant type. Especially if it has anything to do with Ibara Mayaka... or was he always like that?
Who? Someone who had a crush on Satoshi... since middleschool. At first glance, she just looks like a grumpy runt who'll just blast all school windows if someone ever called her 'chibi'. But seriously, it seems she had a permanent pms or something. Whats the deal with that grumpy attitude? Given her critical approach in seeing things (especially, arguments) and never wanted to lose, you can expect a heated discussion on whatever matter you're discussing with her. Well, you can thanks Satoshi for that, maybe she is just romantically frustrated? If you get what I mean.
This anime revolves around those four members of 'kotenbu' (Classic Club/Classic Literature Club) playing and solving mysteries around their daily lives. In a sense, that was just pointlessly wasting time, but so does watching anime. So, why did you keep doing it anyway? Actually, the original author (Honobu Yonezawa) always hinted that matter in this show. Humble it might be, but still impressive in bringing that reason of why they do this deductive activities. There was always a message behind it and also it helps understanding each character and improving them or in some cases, improving their relationship.
Speaking about relationship, it did changed or developed. I don't know about Satoshi and Mayaka (seriously, they just like usual until the end) but the relation between another two (plus Houtarou and Satoshi) did changed/developed. There are also other characters as well and interaction with them. Interesting enough, almost all of these side characters are already highlighted since episode 1. Just family name I see, but look at these (Sorry for the crappy romanji): Juumonji, Sarusuberi, Chitanda, Manninbashi. See? No? Well, that was fine too, I didn't get it at first either. Each of those first letter of family names translated as: (十) ten, (百) hundred, (千) thousand and, (万) ten thousand respectively (thus explain why Satoshi pretty worked up in bringing rumors about those four families). I don't know if it piqued your interest, but this kind of trivia are littered in this show (Like in Kanya Sai name). And not just about everything written on the subtitle, but also anything else which would just lost if you didn't pay attention on it.
Speaking about detail, the production quality for this title is just magnificent. Even more so, considering this is a TV show, not a movie. Even more impressive since all this show is about people talking for the whole 20 minutes or so. Saying this never bores me would be a blatant lie. But, at least the crew which made this show working to their death in making boring conversation/discussion ala novel actually acceptable/watchable in the audiovisual media. The result is really. They paid a lot of attention on detail, whether it was a animation detail or something else (like, idea or symbolism). You can tell how those characters thinking or feels just by looking at the screen. For example: You can tell that Houtarou's heart was beating like crazy just by showing a heart-shaped pendulum swaying side to side while accompanied by a steady loud ticking clock rhythm.
Now that I mentioned rhythm. The music (or BGM) in this show is really engaging. Especially, it was being arranged to match the shows atmosphere which it has somewhat nostalgic feels around it. The direction of the sound is also perfect, I didn't talk about the nature of each track, but the audio direction. They know what goes where for how long. A bit nitpick if I may say, but a show where the sound director/enginer is so broken does exist. Well, lets say, this aspect also helps cracking up nuance score even higher. And also being supported by powerful cast to help the characters comes to life.
Of course the atmosphere and nuance doesn't came from the sound alone. The nature of key animation, the high value of in-between animation and creativity of misc really helps for this show to be more 'easier' to watch. Comparing to any other detective stories which just leave the talking into a mediocre media plus a crappy outline. Well, different MBTI have different impression anyway. Thus why this show is not for anyone. Well, at least, the animation movements are smooth and fluid that it is relatively 'easier' to watch. ANd actually it doesn't stop there. Hyouka team really puts a lot of thought in animating scenes, dialogue, monologue, even silent scene. For example: How many different angle shots from where Houtarou meets Eru in the cafe? And that was just for a 7 minutes worth of talking.
Final words, Hyouka makes us changed our perspective, Hyouka changed our habit, Hyouka changed the standard for Slice-of-Life anime. It can be deep, it can be engaging. But it will all comes down on how deep you actually wants to swim on it? How far will you walk alongside with it? And how curious you are in exploring all contents provided in this show that you can get from watching all episodes? And of course, how well did you receive all the messages in those episodic parts? (Ending is included).
