And I'm glad I did.
Now, Gosick is not a perfect or flawless series. For a series produced by BONES, this show sure has a lot of flaws. Gosick is an adaptation of a light novel with the same title, set in a fictional European Country in the year of 1924. There are 2 main characters, Kazuya Kujo and Victorique de Blois. Both shares a relationship similar to how Holmes and Wattson from the famous Sherlock Holmes detective novel series, and the story basically revolves around the two of them, with the little Victorique playing the role of the smart Holmes, and Kujo as Wattson.
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| Victorique, our Loli-moe Sherlock Holmes |
Story-wise, Gosick is not a story of mystery as what I initially thought it would be. I came to watch this series expecting a 'Case-Closed' like series, but the mysteries and tricks inside Gosick is nothing as delicate as that. Some of the case are too obvious and too easy to solve even without a Victorique-esque mind. There are times when I could see the conclusion to the mystery far before all the evidence have been discovered. But after a few episodes in, I realize that the main focus of Gosick is actually the bond between Kujo and Victorique. Each episode focuses on the two, showing how their relationship is formed, and strengthened, and this is where Gosick spent it's time the most: build-ups for the finale. The mystery is just there as a plot device.
A 20-ish episode series is different with a 11-13 episode series. They have the luxury of time, one that a 11-13 episode series didn't have. A 11-13 episode series has to deliver by each episode, with each episode having to move the story further even if just a little, whilst 20-ish episode series usually spent it's first half on build-ups, which will hopefully give more impact upon the viewer when watching the later half. And this is where Gosick's first flaw is: bad management of the first half of the series.
The pacing of the first half of Gosick is all over the place. They put on a format of mini-arcs consisting of cases that Victorique has to solve alongside Kujo, with some of those arcs serves no purpose and some uses up too much time to conclude. But it's not that the first half is completely useless, without it, the second half wouldn't be as enjoyable, and some of the earlier episodes does give some background stories to the existing characters and does move the story forward.
Gosick is also heavy with politics, especially in the second half of the story. Battle of power between rulers, corruption, lies, and deceit filled the entire second half of the series, and thus, it requires some imaginative mind and a bit of thinking to discern the story completely. This, in my opinion, is another plus point for Gosick. It's been a while since I saw a series that focuses on Politics that is carefully thought. The imaginative and beautiful setting of old Europe also helps in keeping the interest of the viewers, and is a suitable stage for the political war to ensue. The politics could, on the other hand, be a minus point for viewers who aims for a lighter entertainment as some of the dialogues in Gosick is a bit heavy and requires some focus and a bit of thought to digest.
The final 4 episodes of Gosick is where Gosick truly shines. It is executed well, and has a lot of twist and is full of suspense as each of the mysteries is finally unraveled. It also shows a great deal of character development, especially for Kujo and Victorique. But what I like best is the final episode, especially the epilogue. Gosick actually dedicated half of it's last episode to give a proper closure to the entire series, and a heartwarming one at that.
The characters in Gosick is also another flaw that I could easily pick from early on. The only characters that is given a proper thought and development are Kujo and Victorique. Most of other characters such as Avril, the teacher, Sophie, and many others is not properly developed, and most of the served no purpose. Some of them really annoyed you to no end while some of them you could care less.
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| The teacherhas a generic and non-distinctive personality, and serves no purpose at all |
But not all is lost, Kujo and Victorique is developed quite well throughout the entire 24 episode, and that's a relief as this series focuses and revolves around the two. Kujo does start as a wimpy and spineless guy, but as the series end, he becomes more composed and refined. Victorique starts as a cold and heartless girl, but her facial expression gradually softens as is her emotions. Some other characters such as Brian Roscoe and Grevil, are also used quite well as they becomes the key that move the plot deeper and deeper.
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| Victorique and Kujo, the Duo that define and move this Anime series |
The Music in gosick is quite good. The background music is used quite well, and builds the atmosphere of the series for the viewers. Most of them are not memorable though aside from the opening song 'Destin Histoire' by Yoshiki Lisa. But I have to admit, most of the songs are used quite well, and fits the scene, and the transition between one song to another is quite smooth.
The Animation is pretty good, as expected of BONES. The opening animation is quite unique and artistic, and is upon one of the best anime opening of the season. There are quite a few drop in quality as the series went in. For example in episode 19, Cordelia's dance scene could've use a better animation as the movement is very clunky and distorted at times.
The Seiyuus in the series that are quite remarkable are the voice actor of Victorique (Aoi Yuki, a 19 year old who breathe life into Murasaki in Kure-nai and Madoka) and Miyu Irino who voiced Kujo, who has done a remarkable job in voicing Jintan in this season's best Anime series AnoHana, and Kou from Cross Game. Both has given personality into the characters they're voicing, showing how they actually feel and bringing out the emotions of the characters well.
In the end, Gosick is far from perfect. There are times when I'm tempted to drop this series, but by the time I reached the final quarter of the series, I'm glad I didn't. Gosick's story revolves around the bond between 2 people, and it shows that wonderfully. It does have a slow start, but the pace picks up at the later half and ends with a good, complete, and heartwarming epilogue. Gosick's story is not exactly perfect, there are a couple of loopholes in the story but that didn't hinder the enjoyment of watching this series by much. I wouldn't recommend this to people who wouldn't want to use their brain to digest the plot and dialogue so that the story actually make sense. But for people who does like to do just that, and is tired of watching anime with the same generic stereotype linear story, then give Gosick a try. It's mixture of politics, mysteries, and drama will keep you entertained. Gosick is an anime series that is full of flaw, but is enjoyable and worthy of your attention.
Score:
Story: 8/10
Characters: 7/10
Animation: 7.5/10
Music: 7.5/10
Final Verdict:7.5/10
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