The many incarnations of the world's most famous detective.
Sherlock Holmes may not be the first private detective in literature, but he is certainly the most famous. In the century and a half of his existence, his story has gone far beyond the novels of the great English writer, both artistically and geographically.
Mr. Holmes also found a refuge far from England. In the cold and rainy fall, it is high time to see how Japanese animation has portrayed the famous detective in his works.
1. The Empire of Corpses, 2015
In the world of The Empire of Corpses, it became possible to use resurrected corpses for completely different purposes: from war to industry. The main character John Watson tried to bring a close friend back to life.
Of course, this was illegal, so the member of the British Secret Service who caught him offered him a choice: either prison or recruitment into the ranks of agents of the British Empire.
Watson chooses the latter: now he is sent to Afghanistan as a medic, whose main task will be to uncover the secret of the creation of mysterious creatures. In the end, director Ryoutarou Makihara manages to present the adventures of John Watson as the true backstory of the famous companion of the private detective.
2. Moriarty the Patriot, 2020-2022
Moriarty the Patriot puts the professor of the criminal world at the center of the story. Holmes' most famous enemy in this anime tries to solve terrible crimes and change the class structure of British society in the late 19th century. His goals will lead to a meeting with Sherlock.
This sensational hit overnight became the project most associated with the appearance of characters from the Holmes works in anime. Although the main character, charming and charismatic, here becomes the main antagonist of the Arthur Conan Doyle universe.
3. Holmes of Kyoto, 2018
For all fans of the romantic storyline of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, the anime Holmes of Kyoto will be a real find. The main character is high school student Aoi, who starts working in an antique shop.
There she meets a young man with the nickname Holmes. But his nickname is no coincidence. The young man is extremely smart, has an unbelievable talent for distinguishing real antiques from fakes, and draws amazing conclusions just from the clothes of the person he is talking to.
4. Detective Opera Milky Holmes, 2010
The main characters of the anime series study at an academy named after an English detective. In this reality, detectives fight phantom thieves who want to plunge the world into chaos with the help of magical toys that give their wearers magical abilities.
But the Milky Holmes team's journey begins when all four girls lose their powers. Now the characters, named after the great detectives of the past – Sherlock, Nero, Hercule and Cordelia – must use their own skills and abilities to fight crime and return the toys to make them even stronger.
5. Kabukichou Sherlock, 2019
Kabukichou Sherlock takes Holmes from Victorian England to modern Japan. The viewer will also encounter familiar names: Holmes, Moriarty, Mrs. Hudson (in a very unexpected guise), Inspector Lestrade.
As always, the cases are unusual. Sherlock will investigate the murders of Jack the Ripper (or his imitator), the disappearance of the manager who put together a group of idols, and many other incidents. Because the area where the events of the anime series take place holds many secrets.
The many incarnations of the world's most famous detective.
Sherlock Holmes may not be the first private detective in literature, but he is certainly the most famous. In the century and a half of his existence, his story has gone far beyond the novels of the great English writer, both artistically and geographically.
Mr. Holmes also found a refuge far from England. In the cold and rainy fall, it is high time to see how Japanese animation has portrayed the famous detective in his works.
1. The Empire of Corpses, 2015
In the world of The Empire of Corpses, it became possible to use resurrected corpses for completely different purposes: from war to industry. The main character John Watson tried to bring a close friend back to life.
Of course, this was illegal, so the member of the British Secret Service who caught him offered him a choice: either prison or recruitment into the ranks of agents of the British Empire.
Watson chooses the latter: now he is sent to Afghanistan as a medic, whose main task will be to uncover the secret of the creation of mysterious creatures. In the end, director Ryoutarou Makihara manages to present the adventures of John Watson as the true backstory of the famous companion of the private detective.
2. Moriarty the Patriot, 2020-2022
Moriarty the Patriot puts the professor of the criminal world at the center of the story. Holmes' most famous enemy in this anime tries to solve terrible crimes and change the class structure of British society in the late 19th century. His goals will lead to a meeting with Sherlock.
This sensational hit overnight became the project most associated with the appearance of characters from the Holmes works in anime. Although the main character, charming and charismatic, here becomes the main antagonist of the Arthur Conan Doyle universe.
3. Holmes of Kyoto, 2018
For all fans of the romantic storyline of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, the anime Holmes of Kyoto will be a real find. The main character is high school student Aoi, who starts working in an antique shop.
There she meets a young man with the nickname Holmes. But his nickname is no coincidence. The young man is extremely smart, has an unbelievable talent for distinguishing real antiques from fakes, and draws amazing conclusions just from the clothes of the person he is talking to.
4. Detective Opera Milky Holmes, 2010
The main characters of the anime series study at an academy named after an English detective. In this reality, detectives fight phantom thieves who want to plunge the world into chaos with the help of magical toys that give their wearers magical abilities.
But the Milky Holmes team's journey begins when all four girls lose their powers. Now the characters, named after the great detectives of the past – Sherlock, Nero, Hercule and Cordelia – must use their own skills and abilities to fight crime and return the toys to make them even stronger.
5. Kabukichou Sherlock, 2019
Kabukichou Sherlock takes Holmes from Victorian England to modern Japan. The viewer will also encounter familiar names: Holmes, Moriarty, Mrs. Hudson (in a very unexpected guise), Inspector Lestrade.
As always, the cases are unusual. Sherlock will investigate the murders of Jack the Ripper (or his imitator), the disappearance of the manager who put together a group of idols, and many other incidents. Because the area where the events of the anime series take place holds many secrets.
