Kyoto Animation has developed into one of the most popular studios in the business since being founded in 1981 and is known for its high production value. The studio specializes in cozy slice-of-life anime instead of the usual action-heavy shonen titles, with works like The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and K-On! reso[nsible for propelling Kyoto Animation to legendary status. However, these works are so famous that they sometimes overshadow some of the other brilliant shows that Kyoto Animation has produced over the years.

One such show is Hyouka, a slice-of-life mystery series that aired back in 2012. It was based on a series of novels and follows protagonists Hotaro Oreki and Eru Chitanda, who encounter various mysteries during their activities in the Classic Literature Club. While the initial premise might not seem too interesting, Hyouka is a treasure trove of charm that is sure to delight both fans of light-hearted high school shenanigans and puzzling mysteries.

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Hyouka's Intriguing Premise

Hyouka Eru Chitanda saying her trademark phrase

Hotaro Oreki is a listless high school student who never puts effort into anything except when absolutely necessary. He is forced to join the member-less Classic Literature Club by his sister, who wants the club to stay alive. There, he meets Eru Chitanda, an incredibly energetic and curious young girl who also planned to join the club. Chitanda immediately draws Oreki in with her inquisitive nature, forcing him to reveal his natural talent at deduction. Together with their friends and clubmates Satoshi Fukube and Mayaka Ibara, the Classic Literature Club begin to solve the various mysteries they encounter at school.

While Hyouka is considered a mystery anime, it generally concerns itself with more mundane situations rather than revolve around high-stakes scenarios. The true events behind a school scandal that happened almost half a century ago, or the ending to a movie that hadn't been finished are the kinds of mysteries that the Classic Literature Club encounters throughout the series. A first-time viewer could find that a mystery story like that is boring, but it might be better to think of it instead as a unique spin on the usual slice-of-life high school anime. While the mysteries might not be as thrilling as a case in Detective Conan, they are still intriguing to watch unravel.

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The Dynamic Between Characters

Hyouka The Classic Literature Club standing in a row

The core cast of Hyouka is the four members of the Classic Literature Club. Oreki, Fukube, and Ibara are childhood friends, and often bicker and argue as such. While Chitanda is new to the group, she meshes with Fukube and Ibara instantly thanks to her cheerful and friendly demeanor. In general, the club seems like a group of good friends, and they have good chemistry with each other.

However, Hyouka is defined by the relationship between Hotaro Oreki and Eru Chitanda. Oreki's pragmatic, unmotivated disposition clashes often with Chitanda's excitable and meddlesome nature, and Oreki trying his best to get out of a situation that he recognizes will perk up Chitanda's curiosity is a common occurrence. Despite his best efforts, however, he always ends up getting pulled into whatever strange mystery that catches Chitanda's attention.

Of course, this does not mean that they have an antagonistic friendship. Oreki often brings up the concept of a "rose-colored high school life", and claims to want no part in such a thing. However, his interactions with Chitanda ultimately lead him to breaking out of his introverted shell and cause him to take part in the school activities he insists he's not interested in. While their personalities clearly clash, their relationship has a positive impact on both of them. By the end of the series, even hints of romance between the two can be seen.

Imagery And Animation

Hyouka Hotaro thinking as words, cogs, and clocks pass by

Kyoto Animation has built its legacy on the quality of its animation work, and Hyouka reaffirms that legacy in ways that might be surprising. Although it is a mundane slice-of-life series set in the modern-day, the series makes use of numerous fantasy sequences thanks to Oreki's overactive imagination. Many of these sequences add humor and levity to what would normally be a rather basic scene, and they are all rendered beautifully thanks to Kyoto Animation's high-quality art.

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These sequences can also give the viewer a glimpse into Oreki's perspective and state of mind. The anime uses these segments to subtly hint at how he's feeling about any particular subject. Whether it's times when he's feeling irritated or times when he's feeling overwhelmed, each of these moments are illustrated to the viewer by visual imagery that makes a strong impact and gives the show a characteristic it might not have had otherwise.

Hyouka Oreki being assaulted by Chitanda angels

Hyouka has not had the kind of media attention that other Kyoto Animation works have had. However, it is a great show with an intriguing premise and compelling characters, and those who have seen the show love it dearly. Kyoto Animation fans would be remiss to skip over this hidden gem, as it is a show that is as lovingly crafted as the studio's best works.

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