Hello everyone! It's almost summer where I live! It's so hot these days, I feel like I am melting. (〜￣▽￣)〜
Anyways, today's review is another underrated anime. If you have been following my anime reviews for MSP, you probably know by now that I like looking (and finding) great anime that is mostly unknown to many. I feel like creating a hype over something with just great graphics *cough* SAO *cough* is not enough to like an anime. The story must be really great too. Of course, though hipster I might seem, I still watch popular anime like Fairy Tail, which by the way is ending soon *throws big bunny stuffed toy across the room*. (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ
On to the anime, Andy! As I was saying, today's anime is entitled Hyouka. In Japanese, the title translates to "cold treat", but most commonly in the modern period, it is referred to as ice cream (which is the most common cold treat in Japan beside mochi, which does not have a translation since it is in Japanese).
Anyways, today's review is another underrated anime. If you have been following my anime reviews for MSP, you probably know by now that I like looking (and finding) great anime that is mostly unknown to many. I feel like creating a hype over something with just great graphics *cough* SAO *cough* is not enough to like an anime. The story must be really great too. Of course, though hipster I might seem, I still watch popular anime like Fairy Tail, which by the way is ending soon *throws big bunny stuffed toy across the room*. (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ
On to the anime, Andy! As I was saying, today's anime is entitled Hyouka. In Japanese, the title translates to "cold treat", but most commonly in the modern period, it is referred to as ice cream (which is the most common cold treat in Japan beside mochi, which does not have a translation since it is in Japanese).
Hyouka is the story of high school student Oreki Houtarou, whose older sister asks him to join the Literature Club. Now, any bored student like Oreki whose main principle in life is to forever "conserve energy" would refuse. But Oreki's sister is portrayed scary, and therefore he is unable to refuse.
In the Literature Club, he finds Chitanda Eru, who is bright and bubbly girl. She states her reason for joining the club is personal, but is later revealed to be because of her uncle, who used to be in the club years ago. Together, they open the club and solve mysteries. One of the biggest mysteries they solved is the story behind Chitanda's uncle's expulsion from the school years ago and the meaning behind the annotated book he created entitled Hyouka. In the later episodes, they solve more mysteries concerning the school.
HITS
For one, the graphics is totally awesome, but I feel like I've seen three Oreki-looking characters before.
Speaking of the characters, character development is superb by my standards! Each character in the story is well-rounded and they sounded completely human (except Oreki, whose crime-solving capabilities might surpass an A.I. Robot). Still, he made a mistake during one arc, which means he hasn't got the "god-ability". ＼(＾▽＾*)
The characters also have complexes, which I like. For instance, Satoshi, Oreki's best friend who joins the Literature Club has the "Oreki-you-freaking-crime-solver" complex. He is obsessed with crime novels and hopes to become a crime solver himself. Although he does not quarrel with Oreki, he secretly hates that he has the ability to solve crime easily and he doesn't.
The mysteries are quite okay. Some are quite obvious, but the arc about Hyouka was very interesting. Second to that would be the school festival arc, which mystery I was not able to figure out easily.
For one, the graphics is totally awesome, but I feel like I've seen three Oreki-looking characters before.
Speaking of the characters, character development is superb by my standards! Each character in the story is well-rounded and they sounded completely human (except Oreki, whose crime-solving capabilities might surpass an A.I. Robot). Still, he made a mistake during one arc, which means he hasn't got the "god-ability". ＼(＾▽＾*)
The characters also have complexes, which I like. For instance, Satoshi, Oreki's best friend who joins the Literature Club has the "Oreki-you-freaking-crime-solver" complex. He is obsessed with crime novels and hopes to become a crime solver himself. Although he does not quarrel with Oreki, he secretly hates that he has the ability to solve crime easily and he doesn't.
The mysteries are quite okay. Some are quite obvious, but the arc about Hyouka was very interesting. Second to that would be the school festival arc, which mystery I was not able to figure out easily.
MISSES
The love story between Chitanda and Oreki is so frustrating. I mean, I did not watch the anime for their love story, but judging that Oreki has super crime solving abilities (high logic understanding), can't his amazing brain tell him that Chitanda likes her? Ugh. Guys are so stupid in this anime. {{|└(>o< )┘|}}
In the same way, if Chitanda is so curious about everything, why isn't she curious about Oreki's feelings? Gaaaahhh. Girls are so shallow. (;¬_¬) Long story short: Love is so complicated that logical abilities cannot solve it.
Some of the mysteries are also too obvious or easy. Although many mysteries made me reflect for days how the hell the author thought about it, some mysteries were also like "WTH? even a child can solve this". There were also some scenes that are too hard to comprehend, especially if you do not like exercising your brain by thinking (sounds very Oreki).
The scenes are sometimes boring.
The love story between Chitanda and Oreki is so frustrating. I mean, I did not watch the anime for their love story, but judging that Oreki has super crime solving abilities (high logic understanding), can't his amazing brain tell him that Chitanda likes her? Ugh. Guys are so stupid in this anime. {{|└(>o< )┘|}}
In the same way, if Chitanda is so curious about everything, why isn't she curious about Oreki's feelings? Gaaaahhh. Girls are so shallow. (;¬_¬) Long story short: Love is so complicated that logical abilities cannot solve it.
Some of the mysteries are also too obvious or easy. Although many mysteries made me reflect for days how the hell the author thought about it, some mysteries were also like "WTH? even a child can solve this". There were also some scenes that are too hard to comprehend, especially if you do not like exercising your brain by thinking (sounds very Oreki).
The scenes are sometimes boring.
FINAL VERDICT
I recommend this anime to those who love crime solving anime (such as Detective Conan :3). It is definitely for people who like their anime with a whole lot more meaning. I like anime that moves me to think and reflect, and something with a really good story. Hyouka is such.
Ah, it's my summer vacation here now~
Don’t forget to follow Mission Start Podcast on Twitter @MissionStartP
Also subscribe to the Youtube Channel: MissionStartPodcast1
Any anime you want to get reviewed? Hit me a tweet @andyloveskawaii Ah, it's my summer vacation here now~ I'll be able to watch more anime~
-Andy-chan :3
I recommend this anime to those who love crime solving anime (such as Detective Conan :3). It is definitely for people who like their anime with a whole lot more meaning. I like anime that moves me to think and reflect, and something with a really good story. Hyouka is such.
Ah, it's my summer vacation here now~
Don’t forget to follow Mission Start Podcast on Twitter @MissionStartP
Also subscribe to the Youtube Channel: MissionStartPodcast1
Any anime you want to get reviewed? Hit me a tweet @andyloveskawaii Ah, it's my summer vacation here now~ I'll be able to watch more anime~
-Andy-chan :3
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