Review of Hyouka

Hyouka, which clocks in at 22 episodes plus an OVA, is quite simply the best-looking anime I’ve watched, in terms of both animation and art direction. Indeed, Kyoto Animation raised the TV animation bar so high with this series that it's currently in low-earth orbit. Episodes are punctuated by moments of jaw-dropping beauty, and the series exhibits an unreal attention to detail with respect to its high school setting. Hyouka also employs an impressive (and much-appreciated) variety of animation styles when depicting the inner monologue of main character Oreki, ranging from abstract black-and-white imagery to a bizarre scene involving live-action puppets. In termsof anime set in high school, Hyouka is one of the most unique in terms of genre. The show is an odd amalgamation of mystery and slice-of-life, with elements of romance and drama thrown in for good measure. At its core though, Hyouka is a mystery show, showcasing the adventures of the Classic Literature Club over the course of three major mystery arcs and a smattering of single-episode, standalone mysteries. While some of these one-shot mysteries are enjoyable, none of them are as interesting or well-thought-out as those in the major arcs. As someone who finds most mystery scenarios to be either contrived or predictable (or both), I was impressed with how clever yet down-to-earth the mysteries in Hyouka turned out to be, nicely complementing the realism of the show’s setting while also providing plenty of room for character growth.

The four main characters in Hyouka are all likeable and well-developed: in addition to the laid-back Oreki (whose primary philosophy in life is one of “energy conservation”), there is the inquisitive Chitanda (who uses her “I’m curious” catchphrase throughout the series to spur Oreki to action), the hyperactive Satoshi (the self-proclaimed “database” of the group), and the sarcastic Mayaka (whose main role is to give Oreki a hard time for being such a lazy bum). While there are some good side characters as well, the chemistry among the main characters is what makes each episode of Hyouka such a treat to watch.

Of special mention, the final major mystery arc in the series (the “Order of Kudryavka” arc) is the most comprehensive and realistic depiction of a high school cultural festival I’ve seen so far in anime. The arc is particularly notable for brilliantly balancing screentime among the main characters, something the anime does quite well throughout its run. However, while each character is dealing with their own issues—Chitanda struggling to fulfill her role as president of the Classic Literature Club, Mayaka being bullied by her fellow members of the Manga Club, etc.— the show also makes sure that their experiences occasionally overlap; for example, when all four of them (even Oreki) rally together during the cooking competition.

While I mostly enjoyed Hyouka’s relaxed pacing, at times it moved at such a leisurely pace that it strayed dangerously close to “boring” territory. On the other hand, the OST is fantastic, with the plethora of rich orchestral pieces perfectly matching the show’s balancing act between whimsy and mystery. The second OP has a sick baseline and some creative visuals, as well as a humorous stand-alone end sequence (it instantly reminded me of the beehive misadventures in The Pet Girl of Sakurasou’s first OP). Also, the second ED might be my favorite ED in any anime due to its high-energy presentation and its multiple (and adorable) references to Sherlock Holmes.

I do have complaints with the finale, however. While some people love the finale, I found it severely unsatisfying, meandering to the finish line and providing no clear resolution for the characters. It almost seems like Hyouka didn’t know how to wrap itself up after the cultural festival, and as a result the show left quite a few loose ends unresolved. There is no indication that KyoAni plans to make a Season 2 or follow-up film, so the mystery of where the main characters end up will unfortunately remain a “cold case” (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

Despite my issues with the show's conclusion, I give Hyouka an 8/10 and a strong recommendation to check it out. While the slow pacing might not be for everyone, most viewers should be able to find something to enjoy about the series. I should also mention, however, that at the time of this review the show remains difficult to stream legally in the US, with none of the major legal streaming sites (Crunchyroll, Hulu, FUNimation) offering it in their catalogs. Hopefully, one of these sites will rectify this oversight in the future, giving more Western viewers the chance to experience this beautiful show.