Gosick tv Review

Gosick was originally a Japanese light novel series by Kazuki Sakuraba. Set in a fictional European country in 1924, the story is centered around two young students named Victorique and Kazuya.

Victorique is a mysterious, brilliant girl who only leaves the library to sleep. Hidden from the outside world by her family since birth, Victorique is as physically and emotionally small and fragile as her brain is huge and complex.
As the third son of an Imperial soldier of Japan, Kazuya has always lived in the shadow of his father and his brothers, wondering if he will ever have enough strength and muster to protect anyone.

Kazuya relies on Victorique's mind to solve difficult mysteries. Kazuya has to keep both of them alive long enough to solve the mysteries and present the solution to the authorities.

Story & Characters

Among the divergent genres and plot elements, Gosick looks like a bizarre fever. Seriously, Sherlock Holmes and Gothic Lolita? The enduring popularity of Sherlock Holmes has led to hundreds of works based on the character – both adaptations into other media and original stories - so it's not new anymore. But Gosick actually works better than that, it isn't all just about solving mysteries to satisfy any Holmes fan, the brilliance lies in its lead. And even if Holmes is a runty Gothic princess and Watson is a troubled Japanese teenage boy, it proves to be one of the most potential.

In the year 1924, young exchange student Kujo Kazuya comes to the French-speaking fictional country of Sauville to attend the exclusive St. Marguerite Academy, where urban legends and horror stories are all the rage. Much to his displeasure, the local students refer him as "Black Reaper" based on his Oriental appearance. In an attempt to understand the local legends, he visits the school library. There he finds Victorique, a doll-like girl who speaks oddly about a "fountain of wisdom" within her but also soon proves very adept at sorting out the particulars of mysteries. Though initially skeptical of each other, the two form an important bond and begin struggling to solve cases while being hindered by various figures related to Victorique's past and the upcoming World War.

Now having a Gothic Lolita as the lead character, anyone would confirm it's an anime fandom's fascination of blond-haired Goth loli character, but this is an entire different concept; in fact, it determines to show it will be different. The first case plays smoothly enough, and the second case seems to prove Gosick is an episodic mystery series, but if so then the entire first twelve episodes look to be more akin to mini-arcs. This is good, while at first they seem to be only vaguely related to each other, there are clues and hints about Victorique's past given throughout the series that there are more than meets their eyes. On the down side, Gosick completely features the spoiled parts of criminology, introducing the first episode with mystery oldies like locked-room murder followed by phantom thief or such.

On the plus side, the second half washes out the retread solving mystery elements and becomes more intense. Loses some of the detective feel of earlier episodes and focuses heavier on plot involving political schemes, personal cult and masked alchemist; there's still the Victorique/Kazuya pair travel around solving cases which strongly show some nice further character development and provides hint about both short-term and long-term story elements. The suggestion that we're going to see a fuller picture of the past and future events which set this story up also helps keep it from being dulled by its episodic nature.

Blessed, this series has an interesting duo. Unlike many detective/sidekick combinations, Victorique and Kazuya genuinely work well together. There's the obvious utility of their relationship, Kazuya gathers and provides a considerable amount of evidence which required Victorique's brain. His naturally tolerant nature allows Victorique to act out as much as she wants, revealing the insecure girl under her proud personality and genius mind. Victorique tends to test Kazuya's best, uncovering his utmost loyalty and courage. Together, they are a formidable team no matter how much of a tsundere/nice guy pair they may look and it's a grant to see their relationship strengthen.

Rating: 9

Art

Gosick is a faithful treatment to the eyes. Gorgeous landmark and forest of St. Marguerite Academy elaborate Victorian unique architecture as well as foggy, apparently abandoned Gray Wolf village show its ugliness, yet affections like inspector Grevil's ridiculous hairdo and a matter concerning luggage are clearly designed to keep the story from taking itself too seriously. Blond, dresses in black Gothic clothes, Victorique's adorable character design will undoubtedly make her highly popular.

BONES makes a sharp production with the artistic effort here, and being a mystery series mixed with humor like Darker than Black, Gosick was given the same treatment, the series has solid fun and murder factors going for it. Victorique's charm is much tied up in her cute habits: rolling on the floor while making hapless noise, laughing her sadistic monologue laugh, chomping down her ceramic pipe (with no tobacco) are animated with care. The library, a marvelously improbable maze of spiral staircases and walkways built in what appears to be the remnants of a medieval tower, is a particular treat. And the nastiness is even nastier through the surprise attack and frightfulness that registers on corpses, puppets and patterns.

Rating: 10

Sound

Voice acting is another treat, Victorique's seiyuu, Yuuki Aoi did an excellent job at this young detective, giving her many spotlights: her weird laughing laughs off the seriousness given by her opponents, sadistic tone when toying Kazuya's feeling and several tsundere vibe make her irresistibly lovable. Eguchi Takuya's Kazuya shines with his good nature, Avril simply sounds too playful and inspector Grevil's change of tone depending on mood are credible.

The typically excellent music score helps too. It handles action, creeping horror, incremental tension, and even light humor with pretty much equal skill. The only used OP "Destine Histoire" is just cuddly gentle while the other two ED sound more depressing. Supported with visuals, the first ED "Resuscitated Hope" by Kosame Lisa would cover Victorique's embodiment of her own mystery before the second half which replaced by "unity" - a bit more folksy and opera-like theme. The singers are not very well-known artists, but they know how to go over-the-top, and frequently does, with occasionally beautiful results.

Rating: 9

Presentation

As a pretty diversion, you can enjoy Gosick without hesitation. To think that Gosick isn't a great mystery series because it debuts with Victorique clears the first murder of the series too quickly could jeopardize its own merit. Still, nearly every episode features its own mystery story and folklore, too, and a classic one at that, but it is still cast within the overall context of a larger story. In addition to being cute as a button, Victorique also has an immediate and adorable rapport with the hapless, though not helpless, Kazuya, who in turn provides a light counterpoint to the often grim events surrounding them.

The sleuthing is ultimately a sideshow though. Gosick is a thriller at heart, and thrill it does. Standout sequences include a study in suspense involving a rotund counselor and a very shady patient. Not that much of a loss, it contributes a satisfying ending more dynamic than the outcome of its own WWII, which is so awful as to be unwatchable—in a good way. If you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes or these kinds, you owe it to yourself to check Gosick out.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Story: 8
Characters: 9
Art: 10
Animation: 10
Voice: 9
Music: 8
Overall: 8.75

Good:
+As intelligent, punishingly suspenseful, and morally relevant as ever.
+Plenty of terrifying Victorique/Kujo cuteness.
+Music score and artistry are as beautiful as ever.
Bad:
+Loves old detective cliches a little too much.

Rating: 8

Final Verdict

8.8333 (very good)

Reviewed by Weskalia, Jul 02, 2011

Comments

angelxxuan Banned Member Jul 03, 2011

I have been debating about watching this one, been waiting for a review, and who better to give a review, which is a nice one might I add. it sounds good and I might add it to my watch list here in the near future. you helped me to decide that I might actually like this one
rosu Jul 03, 2011

hmm I watched the first few episodes and dropped it.. but after reading your review I might decide to pick it up again! great review :)
CyanideBlizzard Retired Moderator Jul 03, 2011

I absolutely adored this series from it's first episode. Great characters, beautiful animation and a wonderful music score accompanied by an even more wonderful plot. I'm also a huge fan of detective novels, movies and TV series. No matter how common the theme may be repeated, I can still get into a good one.

However, my biggest grip of the series became Kujo after awhile. Maybe it's just myself, but he seemed to regress as a character after the first arc of the series. While I'm sure this character build was made in order to make him more realistic, it instead only made him look like he was losing what likable characteristics he had. While it never got to the point of where I stopped watching the series, it ended up serving as a lot more of an annoyance. Things he should start regularly accepting about Victorique and the nature of some of the cases he deals with, he doesn't. He acts like a dunce and sort of an asshole at times, and not in an understandable way.

Aside from this minor issue, Gosick was everything I wanted in a wonderful anime series and then some. I can't wait for this to be brought over to the US so I can pick it up!

As in terms of the review, this is a beautifully crafted one! Gosick isn't a series that one can simply watch one episode and decide, since the story works in arcs, and you did a wonderful job conveying that too! I can't wait to catch up with the rest of your reviews as well!
MisaSasekage Moderator Jul 04, 2011

I have to agree with Blizzard-kun on this one, I have a wide taste in what type of anime I watch, but I do love to see a good mystery/detective series that is done well, and in my opinion Gosick was just that, I loved this series. I also thought the characters and animation were very well done. I must say I loved both ED's Resusitated Hope and Unity, they were beautiful and I thought the score for the series was very nice. Though Kazuya had his moments when he was a really irritating character to watch, I really loved how he and Victorique worked together and how she always brought out the best qualities in Kazuya. I think everyone should give this show an honest shot. Awesome review!
SnickerdoodleNinja Retired Moderator Jul 04, 2011

I am absolutely watching this as soon as I get the chance. Some of the points you mentioned are very similar to things I loved about Spiral (which I'm reviewing soon). You've definitely convinced me on this one by your excellent writing and thourough coverage and I look forward to getting my hands on this one! :)
Eriker Jul 05, 2011

Great review, Gosick was genial so anyone who didn't watch it should do so :D
mbeckley Jul 11, 2011

I heard a lot about Gosick, and this review makes me want to add it to my anime list. Nice job Wes. :)
AirJack Jul 14, 2011

GoSick was amazing, Every episode felt more and more excited.
SolemnSerpent Jul 16, 2011

I've been seeing this series around and have been only mildly interested by it, but after your review, I'll definitely check it out. My fondness for detective/mystery anime has increased over time, and this seems like an anime I'll truly enjoy.

Excellent, thorough review - great work.
maryshee Aug 15, 2011

Thanks for the helpful insights, it convinces one to watch the series. Like me, who's only seen pictures of Gosick. I will add this on my list. :)
Keyyukii Jan 11, 2012

this is wonderfull! I do love this serie

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