There are many different factors that make something great, and Hyouka's strength isn't the story. Hyouka isn't for everyone; if you're looking for something with a solid, engaging plot, search elsewhere. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, you might want to give it a try. Hyouka is definitely unique. It doesn't try to be overly bold and exciting; the show's pacing is relaxed and will subtly pique your interest. Nothing is excessive in Hyouka, which is something that makes it interesting. Hyouka's strength isn't the story or characters; its strengh is the way it's executed.
Story (6/10)- The story is average at best and is the weakest part of Hyouka. There isn't anything out of the ordinary here. The setting is an average Japanese high school, and most of the events that occur could very well happen in real life. Though interesting things can happen in real life as well, the events that go on in Hyouka are ordinary. When you take every other factor away and look at the story itself, nothing stands out. Think, would the things that happen in Hyouka be as interesting if they were executed in a different way? They would definitely become boring if the execution was poor. Overall, Hyouka's weakest point is definitely its plot. If you're looking for something with a strong storyline, HYOUKA IS NOT FOR YOU.
Art (10/10)- I think anyone who has seen the art will understand that it's absolutely gorgeous. I very rarely use this word, but I would consider Hyouka's artwork to be flawless. I don't recall seeing ANY mistakes or errors when watching the show, the art style suits the characters, and it matches the overall mood of the show. There's not much else I can say; Hyouka's art is definitely one of the best jobs I've ever seen.
Sound (9/10)- The sound is very good. It's not perfect, but it comes close. Personally, none of the individual tracks were very memorable for me, but I DO remember that the music made the ordinary events in Hyouka exciting. The music tied everything together and even added suspense to something that would normally not be exciting at all. The openings and endings weren't anything special to me, but if I had to choose a favorite, I would probably choose the second ending. I think it suits the series well.
Character (9/10)- Hyouka's characters are definitely one of its strengths. One of the things I like about them is that you can see them grow as the story progresses. Each one has their own problems, which makes them relatable; all the characters are realistically human, which makes them great. Oreki changes so much during the course of the show; he slowly gets pulled into Chitanda's world, and eventually discovers that he actually doesn't mind using energy once in a while. Chitanda, to me, is one of the more interesting characters. Though at first she seems static, even she eventually changes and deals with problems of her own. Personally, I think Fukube is the most interesting character. He has a lot of depth. At first, he comes off as someone who is cheerful, but he is actually quite dark. He struggles with himself, but, towards the end of the story, finally sorts out his problems. Finally, Mayaka also has problems to deal with. She has a lot of strengh, especially when she stayed friends with Fukube after he rejected her in middle school. Overall, the characters are one of Hyouka's strengths and make the show interesting.
Execution (10/10)- Though MAL doesn't have a specific section for execution, I think it's a very important category to consider, so in my future reviews, I will add it. Execution is what makes Hyouka watchable. If the execution was done poorly, Hyouka would be a failure of a show. I can say with confidence that execution is Hyouka's strongest point. Without it, the events that occur would be dull. The events in Hyouka are the very definition of ordinary. At one point, Oreki even investigated why Chitanda would get angry at certain things. This sounds boring, doesn't it? But, because of the execution, this scene was actually interesting. What makes these scenes interesting is how Oreki analyzes things, how Chitanda always becomes curious about things, how Fukube rattles off details, and how Mayaka keeps a level head. All of these things make Hyouka interesting and even suspenseful at times. The pacing is also perfect; it's not too fast but not too slow. There is some romance, but none of it is tasteless fanservice; the romance in Hyouka is mostly pure and innocent, which suits the mood and enhances it.
Enjoyment (8/10)- I personally gave Hyouka an 8/10, but I can't really review my enjoyment since it's my own opinion.
TL;DR VERSION:
Story- 6/10
Art- 10/10
Sound- 9/10
Characters- 9/10
Execution- 10/10
Enjoyment- 8/10
Pros:
---Execution is wonderful
---Art is flawless
---Unique; something you wouldn't find every day
Cons:
---Story is mediocre
---Will only interest a certain audience
---Not for everyone
Overall, Hyouka isn't the best, but it's unique and artistic. If you want to try something that strays from the normal path, Hyouka might be a good anime to watch. The story isn't great, but everything else ties together nicely to create an interesting slice-of-life anime.
