(CR) Gosick

[wandering-dreamer]

I'm in love with the OP, not the song (actually, I can't remember what it even was ) but all the art nouveau imagery, so pretty. *_*

Spoiler for episode 1:

I liked the characters but felt that the pacing was a bit odd (bam EVENT! Okay, are we going to expan-BAM, ANOTHER EVENT, this one could use some expansion too!) and I wasn't that impressed with the mystery (not to mention I was yelling at my computer screen that mythbusters busted the myth about opening a locked door with a bullet, besides, how the heck did a bullet get through that keyhole?!?). I was surprised to see that the supernatural does appear to be real in this story (since people said it was similar to Sherlock Holmes I assumed that meant the "magic is not real" rule applied here as well, but that's my own silly fault) so I'm interested to see where that will go.

So, something felt off to me in the story but I'm, certainly interested enough to come back next week.

Originally Posted by Saturn Beaver

I may have missed this, but when exactly is the setting for this? It's obviously not the modern age, what's with the letters and horse carriage, but there's the elevator as well....although it seems to be an old design, when exactly are elevators first invented? I'm guessing this should be around 19th century or something, after the Industrial Revolution...yeah, around the time of Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen's novels.

The 1920s, I think 1924 specifically, so we're three or four decades after Holmes actually, Victorique's old-fashioned clothing isn't helping there.

[DezoPenguin]

Originally Posted by Saturn Beaver

Again, sorry for that stupid pun.

Spoiler for reply:

Actually no, I haven't watched Umineko yet, I'm just speaking in a general term, that's why I'm always wary when detective stuffs is mixed with the supernatural...well, thanks for not spoiling, this is definitely one series I don't want to get spoiled, I'll just have to hold you to your word that it'll be satisfying.

Spoiler for reply:

Yeah, I agree, I don't think Kazuya is that spineless at all. The way I see it, like you said he just won't bend backward to do silly things to just anyone but because he chooses to. Remember that due to that stupid rumor, all the students in the school is avoiding him, all he got is that hyperactive teacher and a letter from home. The teacher even says outright that he doesn't have any friends, maybe Kazuya wants V who doesn't treat her as something to be avoided to be her friends, that's why he does all that. I mean, he chose a Japanese Obon dance, not just any silly dance, something that V probably won't understand and he can explains to her.

Also, he does showed a bit of spine in things like confronting Drevil about taking all the credit, and even when seeing Victorique's many luggages he put his foot down and forces her to bring what's necessary instead of just being a pack mule. Also, the letter mentioned that he can go there due to his grades, which means that even if he's no Victorique's level, he's not that bad himself. I hope it will come into play somehow later on.

I may have missed this, but when exactly is the setting for this? It's obviously not the modern age, what's with the letters and horse carriage, but there's the elevator as well....although it seems to be an old design, when exactly are elevators first invented? I'm guessing this should be around 19th century or something, after the Industrial Revolution...yeah, around the time of Sherlock Holmes and Jane Austen's novels.

It's set in the spring of 1924 (it identified that right at the beginning of Kazuya's part of the episode, following the OP).

Damn, that was great...I loved the two LNs that were published by Tokyopop, and the idea of getting to see further into the story is wonderful. Good music, pretty art, and I love Victorique's voice.

Edit: I will note that while I'm not familiar with the series past the first two novels, it appears more of a case that belief in the supernatural is real, while the reality of the supernatural is left...as a maybe.

[Kunagisa]

Originally Posted by OceanBlue

Mysteries and d'awww go well together, I guess. I liked the first episode a lot, as I thought I would, and I have a feeling I'll like the rest of the series as well. I hope the mystery was supposed to be easy this episode though.

I have a feeling Kazuya will have amazing calves by the end of the season.

This is so very true, but the mystery isn't completely solved yet as the motive is not cleared.

I loved the animation. The teacher was A LOT cuter/hyperer than I remembered. Kazuya wasn't annoying (that's a hugeee +), and gotta love the attention treatment to Victorique's iris. Simply brilliant. I didn't listen to the Drama CD, but Yuuki Aoi's voice was appropriate (seemed to me that she tried to go for a deeper tone to get a more "old woman“ voice, which while didn't work particularly well, but was enough to match the cuteness).

Pacing was great. Keep it up BONES!

[Roardel]

Finally I could see Victorique in anime, the loliest detective girl ever. How I've waited.
Yuuki Aoi did a great job with her.

[Kittaka Fuyuka]

Characters and setting are good, now everything depend on how interesting mysteries will be. Hoping they won't lose too much in LN --> anime conversion.
I'm disappointed with animation, it's fitting for that setting, but that's not the Bones I know, way below their usual quality.
Also, Yuuki Aoi was born to be Victorique's seiyuu, fantastic voice.

[LKK]

Originally Posted by bahamut zero

Is it true that crunchyroll isn't streaming this in 720p? oO

Yes, it's true & I'm highly disappointed.

[Flower]

Looks pretty good thus far!

Also thought Yuuki Aoi was a great choice - I loved her work as Mina Tepes and Korone....

[ninja_pintu]

Spoiler for First impressions:

While the episode wasn't too special itself, it did the job of a first episode perfectly, that is, making the series look interesting. I like the characters, the chemistry between them seems to be pretty good. As for the plot itself, although nothing is known at the moment, this episode did make it look like there is something dark going on. The animation is pretty good as well. So,although nothing too exciting, this episode did leave me wanting more.

[Saturn Beaver]

Originally Posted by DezoPenguin

It's set in the spring of 1924 (it identified that right at the beginning of Kazuya's part of the episode, following the OP).

Damn, that was great...I loved the two LNs that were published by Tokyopop, and the idea of getting to see further into the story is wonderful. Good music, pretty art, and I love Victorique's voice.

Edit: I will note that while I'm not familiar with the series past the first two novels, it appears more of a case that belief in the supernatural is real, while the reality of the supernatural is left...as a maybe.

Ah yeah, I didn't saw it the first time, thanks for reminding me that. Hmm, so it's a bit newer than I thought...yeah, it fits, so it's around Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot time period.

Oh, and like your assumption there, it fits in nicely that the belief in the supernatural/cult to be a motive, but it's not necessarily genuine...that works for me.

[bahamut zero]

Originally Posted by LKK

Yes, it's true & I'm highly disappointed.

What's the point with this stupid decision? >__>

I mean, this is looking like the best show this season, and they decide to stream it in nearly the worst possibly resolution available -.-

[purusani]

Okay... I've been waiting for this anime since it got a green lit and my first impression is..... AWESOME ;D The animation was nothing really eye catching but the background art was amazing. Character design was good, but i still think they should have made Victorique a little bit cuter. I think the best thing in this episode was how fast paced it was ( THANK YOU Bones for not making the first episode boring ;D ). I really liked how cute the relationship between Kazuya and Victorique was shown, just like in the novels and in the manga. Talking about the opening and ending, I liked the ending song and animation (hmmm there wasn't really much animation in it, but what the heck ;P) better it just fits the atmosphere of Gosick the opening song was too happy i guess (i know that probably sounds weird ;D). Finally the voice acting was not what i expected at all, IT WAS BETTER than i expected ;D Kazuyas voice wasn't annoying ~YAY~ So the first episode was a BIG win for me and I can't wait for the next one ;D

[Kakkou]

...Let the rabbits run!

Originally Posted by Arabesque

Just finished watching the episode on Crunchyroll just now. I just fell in love with Bones all over again for making what I consider the perfect sort of adaption. They not only adapted the appropriate amount of events here, but managed to make changes that helped make the narrative flow better, removed parts of the novel I found stupid, and made things all round better while keeping everything else faithful. Madoka might have had the most stylish first episode thus far this season, but Gosick had the most solid one.

Spoiler for Gosick Episode 1: Rozen Maiden:

Okay starting with the opening, much like what applejuic had said earlier, the opening was very reminiscent of TTGL, and while that may sound very inappropriate for this sort of show, having seen it I can't imagine a better opening. This had to be the best opening I've seen this season thus far. The way they incorporated stained glass like designs to the characters, having the events shown in a story book fashion and many visual illusions made this a treat to watch.

The ending while at first doesn't have much in the visuals department, is still very good. The style here is much like the opening, however the song itself is very nice and I found myself loving it.

On the actual episode, like I mentioned, this was perfectly adapted. I haven't seen something like this recently, but they never spent too much time on anyone part and had the pace constantly on the move throughout the episode. We started out with Kujo's introduction, got to him reading his letter, meeting Cecile, meeting Victorique, meeting Grevil all in the first half and I didn't feel for a second that we were speeding through any, despite the rather fast pace. The second half was even better as they spent just enough time on the important details and didn't beat us with a hammer like the novel did, and also managed to keep Victorique's rather lengthy talk and not have it bog down the episode. Better yet, we had more than enough time to get across important things like Victorique's being unfamiliar with the outside world, the luggage scene and her rolling around (which I believe had me feeling moe for an anime the first time in my life, but that was mostly due to Yuuki Aoi's spot on voice work, which surprisingly worked a whole lot better than Chiwa Saito in the drama CD, despite me liking her a fair bit there) to help show how eccentric her personality was and her child-like fasintion with the outside world all the while showing that she was a genius.

de Blois aka the man who's hair had been sculptured by the Gods was also great, though not sure about his VA. Kujo's VA (whatshisname?) on the other hand, was the real mishap with this anime. His voice is completely boring and uninspiring, and I only hope he does what Chiaki Omigawa (Maka from Soul Eater) had done and get better as the show goes on. The Cafeteria lady (forgot her name :P) had a very good VA also.

The music was very good as well, especially the first track when Kujo was reading his father's letter and when they got on board to the Queen Berry (which I thought the lighting on that scene to be unbelievable beautiful) but overall, I believe Madoka's track had spoil me :P It's still a great score regardless, but I hope Nakagawa will pull out those tracks that will blow me away (I have faith in him he will eventually!)

The design of the world was also good, it looked exactly like I imagined it would, and the library was the most amazing one overall. They managed to capture the scope and size of it that was described in the novel, and had the garden appear wonderful. The celling painting was also very well coloured.

I was pleased to know they didn't go overboard with the gore of the first murder here like a certain other show that was found to showing gruesome murders in the most gory way.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of writing most of my thoughts lol. I love what they've done with Victorique. Her rolling around and pangs of boredom are so... adorable <3. Her 'piecing the fragments of chaos' moment was also represented very well visually.

I didn't find Kazuya's VA too bad, but as it stands Miyu Irino's drama cd performance >>> him.

Originally Posted by Arabesque

Spoiler for changes from the novel, no plot reveling spoilers but just to be sure if your curios on what changed:

The major change here from the novel is two things; one was that Kujo had just meet Victorique in the anime, which I don't really mind since it does improve the flow of the episode, and two was removing her info dump mystery reveling monologue at her introduction, and this I was very happy that they removed, as it felt like it was like the book made no effort in being a mystery and literally gave me the numbered instructions to solve the puzzle.

Another change was the lack of Avril, though I suppose they didn't want to introduce too many characters at once, which I found to be a wise choice here.

Spoiler for novel 1 & drama cd. nothing particularly serious.:

I thought that the pre-established relationship between Kazuya, Victorique and Grevil in the novels was much better, though the anime's take on it was okay as well. As for Avril, I think I have an idea of where they're going with her now that they've changed the timeline a little. If my earlier assumption about the drama cd story making it's way into the anime then the fact they've been so secretive about her and her VA makes a LOT of sense . In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the drama cd was adapted from one of the novels or side-stories.

Anyway good start and I'm already pumped up for more.

[Stefkov]

I didn't know anything about this but for the fact Bones was behind it.
Even though the first 'mystery' was a bit simple I liked the pacing and I love that Inspector's hair.
When the lightning flashed at the end and the name of the boat was visible I thought it was cool that it was already introduced briefly very early into the episode.
I'm also liking that after solving this first case all the events, whilst introducing the characters, led up to them boarding this ship. Like I said I think the pacing is good.

[strawberrypop]

I really enjoyed the this episode. The setting, music and characters are wonderful. Bones did a lovely job. Really like the opening and ending (especially the art on opening). I like Victorique's voice so much, and Kazuya wasn't so bad either. Victorique's getting bored is pretty funny to watch. This is my show of the season so far.

Now, I really want to order the novels and start reading them.

[Kagura89]

Spoiler for Episode 1:

So far i like this episode & Yuuki Aoi really flesh out Victorique here, thanks for her experience voiced Sunako & Mina Tepes. I love when she rolling around out of boredom
Meanwhile Kazuya, which for now playing normal lead guy, his interaction with Victorique is interesting & I laughed when he suddenly dance to please Victorique I hope he will develop more as the show goes on. The setting, music & animation is very good, coming from Bones.

Also, the drill hair inspector is fabulous.

[Guardian Enzo]

Best first ep of the season for me thus far.

Spoiler for 1:

Not perfect - the first half didn't fully engage me. The mystery was pretty easy to solve and there was never a moment of Holmsian deductive reasoning. But I absolutely loved the setting and the look. The gorgeous art from the manga has survived the transition. And I love the interplay between Victorique and Kazuya - it feels right at home in the Gothic setting. They're a great looking pair, and I think will make a nice Holmes and Watson - I could see something well beyond a cliched tsundere relationship even in the first episode. She's brilliant but a complete innocent, and he's straightforward and practical - and even called her on her silliness a few times. I like Grevil as Lestrade, too - with that bizarre hair and foppish demeanor I think he'll make a fine foil.

Best of all for me, though, was the way BONES really captured an authentic sense of time and place. The look and feel of things is spot-on, and everything - characters, backgrounds, buildings, wardrobe - just looks great.

[Hooves]

Was a good enough start for this anime nothing really that amazing. Has a good start that makes me want to continue watching it

[Kaoru Chujo]

1. I'm glad to hear Kano Yui as the teacher. I thought she really made something of the character. I'm not sure why she hasn't had more roles since she won a seiyuu award for Sumomo mo Momo mo, but I'm glad she's here.

2. I liked the animation, but the one scene that I really liked was the way they drew and animated the teacher's arms and hands as she walked at around 4:20-4:25.

3. I also liked Kiuchi Hidenobu as Greville. I'm used to him in more serious roles like Hei and Ren. I guess this is somewhat close to Izumida in Ryouko's Case File.

4. Of course I like Yuuki Aoi. She's using her Mina Tepes voice, but for a quite different character. I look forward to hearing the character evolve. Nice combination of innocent and wise.

[Arnavion]

I'm confused... Is the "Springtime reaper/Black reaper" supposed to be a urban legend? Then why was the MC getting called "Black reaper" too? And is the "Queen Berry" also supposed to be some sort of haunted ship urban legend? Kind of weird that it turned out to be the ship where the party was and noone seemed to notice (the main characters or any other guests)...

[Kismet-chan]

Sort of a meh first episode. I don't like how it was done differently from the novel, so I'm kinda pissed about that, but it's acceptable. I love Victorique's design. She's so lovely and cute. <3 And Yuuki Aoi is kickass as usual.

OP sounds weird for a series like this, but it's okay. ED is decent, but nothing special. The OP is a more memberable song imo, but they're both kinda lackluster overall.