The Mystery And Magic of Gosick

There are a lot of underrated anime but perhaps one of the more interesting ones is Gosick. The show I initially thought to be a mystery anime soon proved that there’s a way you can blend great character drama, worldbuilding, and mystery into one anime before one epic conclusion.

Gosick Plot

Gosick follows the story of Kazuya Kujou. He was enrolled at a prestigious school called Saint Marguerite Academy in the country of Sauvill in Southern Europe even though he was originally from Japan. Because of his black hair and brown eyes, he stood out and other students started calling him the Black Reaper.

As he visits the school library to read some exciting ghost stories, on the stairs, he sees a golden strand of hair. He investigates and he soon encounters Victorique de Blois, who has the ability to predict the future. 

As their fates intertwine, more mysteries and troubles start to arise along with new friends. With his life seemingly going down a spiral, Kazuya has no choice but to rely on the people he just recently met.

What Makes Gosick Unique?

• The beginning helped in foreshadowing the events that are about to come and also developed Victorique’s character. The mysteries that come after it are still small but they now feel like they are driving the plot forward. That’s where we get to see the big reveals and important plot points. 

• Only then will you realize that there was already something going on at the very beginning and no one just noticed it. This is a neat trick in my opinion as it gives that eureka moment to the viewers once they discover what it really is. It also builds a lot of suspense and curiosity, which adds more flavor to the already solid ending.

• Apart from the supernatural aspect, there’s also romance involved. They take a lot of inspiration from Toradora, especially in how Victorique looks and acts. She’s basically both a tsundere and loli just like Taiga. You can feel the romance and it is important however, it does not overpower the main concept of the show. They did it in a way that perfectly blends in.

• In terms of characters, one thing you’ll notice is that throughout the series, Victorique changes to the point that you won’t recognize who she was in episode 1 and these changes align themselves with the story.

• If we’re talking about the side characters then they’re one of the highlights of Gosick. They fulfill their roles and are not annoying, unlike the side characters in other anime. They’re actually likable.

If You Love Gosick You’ll Love:

Who Will Enjoy Gosick The Most?

If you’re into detective stories and anime with a lot of mystery like The Detective is Dead, then Gosick is surely the one for you. However, it may also be called historical fiction in some cases because it does not really have a grand mystery. Rather, it focuses on small challenges that the characters solve and it accumulates into something much larger over time. 

The detective is Victorique and just as the show starts, a lot of mysteries start to appear. Although the first half might have you thinking that most of the mysteries are irrelevant to the story. However, they actually make sense once you enter the second half of the series. 

Of course, since it was released in 2011, the animation is not that up-to-date but it is still good. They perfectly depicted the era the show was set in. When action scenes do arrive, they did it in a way where it still feels dynamic even to this day. You can even take a look at the character designs and see how much work has been put into them. 

When it comes to the soundtrack though, I can say that is another strong point in the series. The background music feels classic and reflects Gosick’s overall tone. Especially the song called “Unity” which is more dramatic and melancholic than the others, perfectly encapsulating the darker side of the anime.

Final Thoughts

To answer the question if Gosick is still worth watching, you would have to look at your own taste in anime. If you like darker anime that prioritizes plot over action like Frieren then this one’s for you. However, if you prefer anime that are fast-paced and action-packed like Jujutsu Kaisen then you might not be as inclined to watch Gosick. 

Still, if we look at it from a neutral standpoint, Gosick is still a series that many would love. It’s on par with the more recent detective or historical fiction anime of our time. With just 24 episodes, you can even binge-watch it in one go and you’ll find that it is genuinely interesting. This is an anime that will not only make you think but will surprise you every step of the way.