Do you think Hyouka is a Mystery anime?
If you expect awesome mystery cases in this anime, you will be extremely dissapointed. Hyouka is a philosophical slice-of-life anime covered in mystery clad.
I wasn't sure what i expect from the early episodes I watched, the mysteries are kinda dull for a moment there, however, i discover a true intention of what Hyouka want to deliver. Hyouka is deeply-focused on the character, and the subtle character developments that slowly but change my whole perspective for the show.
Story: 8/10
Hyouka wasn't particularly strong on narration. However, it doesn't make Hyouka terrible story-wise. Each arc has its own purpose of what it wants to deliver for the characters.
Art: 10/10
I never doubt KyoAni to make a beautiful art in any of their anime. The sceneries, the characters, the subtle gestures they show at the character to reveal their true nature, all are delivered beautifully.
Sound:9/10
Sure, there aren't any particular music that stands out for the anime. However, every music doesn't feel out of place at all, and it drives the right mood to it.
Characters: 10/10
(a little bit spoiler here)
NOW, this is where Hyouka truly shines at. I will describe of how i see the true nature of each main character individually. The cases they solve will slowly open their outer character skin and makes us see what lies beneath them.
-Oreki: A boy living in grey zone / Hoping to live a rose-colored life
Oreki said it a lot of times that he likes living a grey life, in which mean he doesn't particularly interested in any youth activities. However,that's all talk and a self-reminder sentences he said to himself. Behind that, lies the desire of wanting to have a rose-colored life. Oreki tries to reach them, but on the other side, he's betraying his own Ideal, the whole point of the show is about Oreki conflicting with his own Ideals.
-Fukube: A know-it-boy with a severe inferior complex.
I feel empathy to Fukube, because he's the one that i relate the most to. Contary to oreki, Fukube tries to live a Rose-Colored life. however, he decide that he will stay at the "shocking pink" state, where we can safely it's a lifestyle in the middle of "grey" and "rose-colored". He envy Oreki with Oreki's genius insights on everything. He can't never be better than Oreki, and he's totally hate that. Beneath the chemistry they have, lies a dark personality no one knows.
-Chitanda: An airhead girl with a lot of deep psychological and moral value insight, and indecisiveness.
"I'm Curious" said Chitanda a lot of time. Beneath her cheerful and curious personality is her fear of she's betraying her own value. She has a lot of worries that she has to take care about, being in a distinguished family, it kind of burden her to stick with her moral value, but still wanting to keep the balance of her school-life.
-Ibara: The Observer, the judge.
Ibara is the most neutral character we have here, she maintains the balance of all the other character's chemistry with each other. Without her in the frame, I couldn't see how the series could go on. She doesn't have any particular role, however, her presence is crucial here.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Hyouka is no doubt, on the 2nd place after Steins;Gate on my list. It gives more than what it appears to be. I love how the characters are not 1-dimensional, which bring a lot of fun into observing them, thus make it enjoyable.
