To condense the content of this review into a single sentence: if you enjoyed "Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro" then you will be able to fully immerse yourself in this series, as well! The style of direction in this series is very similar to that film, as well as the scenic designs! And if you're a fan of the original Sherlock Holmes, all the better! "Meitantei Holmes" is a warm-hearted collection of episodic stories revolving around the most famous fictional detective, diurnally living in an anthropomorphized world! ⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️ —Story/Characters Probably the weakest link in this series is its continuity. Towards thebeginning of the series, Professor Moriarty takes the beautiful Mary Hudson (part of the ※triad of Sherlock's companions) hostage, and falls madly in love with her modest and virtuous demeanor. This plot point seemed very interesting, especially since Sherlock seems to be quite taken with her as well, but this progression is completely nixed after a couple of episodes that vaguely hint at it. While often being the case in televised programming, other shows are still able to be more tactful with keeping true to the prior character progressions.
※ I assume she's a shoe-in for Irene Adler.
Sadly, this series has no real character development. Something will be hinted at or shown to be canonical in one episode, but then, the next segment will completely ignore what had happened a mere episode earlier! It's ingratiating, because it feels as though there's no real growth happening. An example of where an episodic formula works really well in one of my all-time favorite shows, "Galaxy Express 999"! Most of the characters that they meet along their galactic journey are never seen again and Maetel has a nearly impenetrable poker face, so the lead male character, Tetsurō, is shown undergoing a considerable evolution from wanting to escape impoverishment through immortality, and then accepting his mortality and being fine with his fragility and human limitations. The characters in "Meitantei Holmes" are like morsels of bean paste, in comparison to that!
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Hayao Miyazaki (director), notable works:
* Gake no Ue no Ponyo
* Ghibli ga Ippai Special Short
* Hoshi wo Katta Hi ("The Day I Bought a Star")
* Howl no Ugoku Shiro
* Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä ✅
* Kaze Tachinu ("The Wind Rises") ✅
* Kemushi no Boro
* Koro no Dai Sanpo ("Koro's Big Day Out")
* Kujiratori ("The Whale Hunt")
* Kurenai no Buta ("Porco Rosso") ✅
* Kūsō no Sora Tobu Kikaitachi
* Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro ✅
* Majo no Takkyūbin ("Kiki's Delivery Service") ✅
* Mei to Koneko Bus
* Mimi wo Sumaseba ("Whisper of the Heart") ✅
* Mirai Shōnen Conan
* Mirai Shōnen Conan: Kyodaiki Gigant no Fukkatsu
* Mizugumo Monmon
* Mononoke Hime
* Nandarō ("What is it?")
* On Your Mark ✅
* Pandane to Tamago-hime ("Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess")
* Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi ("Spirited Away") ✅
* Sora Iro no Tane ("The Sky-Colored Seed")
* Tenkū no Shiro Laputa ("Castle in the Sky") ✅
* Tonari no Totoro ("My Neighbor Totoro") ✅
* Yadosagashi ("House Hunting")
Commentary: Mr. Miyazaki doesn't need an introduction, he is large reason why Japanese animations have become so much of a respected medium in the western hemisphere of the world. Simply put, "Meitantei Holmes" is visually stunning: the fluid animation, the expressive character motions, the gorgeous backdrops with an inventive configuration of shots. This series has Ghibli-tier production levels, but TMS Entertainment has a lot of clout to its name, too. After all, I mean, look what they've done with the "Lupin III" and "Detective Conan" franchises! Legendary director, his work is more than worthy of the praise it gets, though Isao Takahata needs more adulation, as well.
Good Seiyū Work = ✅
Really Enjoyed the Seiyū's Performance = ✅ ✅
One of Luna's Favorite Performances OF ALL TIME = ✅ ✅ ✅
I watched "Meitantei Holmes" with the English dub, so I will list the Japanese seiyū, but comments will be on the performances of the English voice actors.
Taichirō Hirokawa as Sherlock Holmes, notable roles:
* Carlos Rivera, Ashita no Joe ✅ ✅ ✅
* Curtis Newton, Captain Future
* Ken'ichi Kurokawa, Mezzo DSA
* Phoebus Abel, Saint Seiya
* Mamoru Kodai, Uchū Senkan Yamato ✅
Larry Moss as Sherlock Holmes, notable roles:
* None
Commentary: Mr. Moss is mostly known for being in live musicals and working as an acting coach. I am not familiar with his other productions, but his portrayal of Sherlock HOUND is very true to what one would imagine the real Sherlock Holmes to sound like: prudent and inquisitive, a little bit grumpy on occasion. Amazing work!
Kōsei Tomita as Doctor Watson, notable roles:
* Daemon Abashiri, Abashiri Ikka
* Dr. Hell, CB Chara Go Nagai World, Mazinger Z, and Mazinkaiser ✅✅
* Danbei Hayami, Cutey Honey ✅
* Jirokichi Suzuki, Detective Conan ✅✅
* Doraemon, Doraemon (1973) ✅
* Professor Saotome, Getter Robo
* Ayanoroji Mashumaro, Hana no Kakarichō
* Bakabon no Papa, Heisei Tensai Bakabon
* Oyaji Hige, in every Osamu Tezuka adaptation ✅ ✅ ✅
* Sniff, Mūmin
* Hakka Don, SF Saiyūki Starzinger
* Yohei Hayami, Shinkai no Kantai: Submarine 707
* Bouleuse Gotho, Sōkō Kihei Votoms
* Gandal, UFO Robo Grendizer
* Dr. Oedo and Tamaga, Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace
Lewis Arquette as Doctor Watson, notable roles:
* Doctor Onishi, Akira — in the "Streamline" version of the English dub
* Mr. Cilia, As Told By Ginger
Commentary: Mr. Arquette is a famous actor, but doesn't many other voicing credits, aside from side character voices! Out of the main cast, he doesn't stand out terribly much, but he comes across as a very subdued and logical companion to his dear friend, Sherlock Holmes. Great job!
Yōko Asagami as Mary Hudson, notable roles:
* Mayu, Arei no Kagami: Way to the Virgin Space
* Akemi Itō, Chōjin Densetsu Urotsukidōji
* Saeko Nogami, City Hunter ✅✅
* Harulu Ajiba, Densetsu Kyojin Ideon ✅ ✅ ✅
* Alois Cogez, Flanders no Inu
* Layla Mineri, Ginga Reppuu Baxingar
* Machiko Valencia, Ginga Senpū Braiger
* Birdy Shaw, Ginga Shippū Sasuraiger
* Claire, Ginga Tetsudō 999 ✅✅✅
* Kanna Yūki and Layla Destiny Shula, Ginga Tetsudō Monogatari ✅✅
* Chiiko Komori, Majokko Tickle
* Nami Shimaoka, Marine Snow no Densetsu
* Ellie Kusumoto, Metal Skin Panic MADOX-01
* Belfy, Mori no Yōki na Kobito-tachi: Belfy to Lillibit
* Nell, Sasurai no Shōjo Nell
* Yuki Mori, Uchū Senkan Yamato ✅✅✅
Patricia Parris as Mary Hudson, notable roles:
* Alice, Disney's Alice in Wonderland ✅✅✅
* Cinderella, Disney's Cinderella ✅✅
* Lady, Disney's Lady and the Tramp ✅✅✅
* Daisy Duck, Mickey's Christmas Carol and Totally Minnie ✅✅
* Nora, Pete's Dragon
* The Blue Fairy, Disney's Pinocchio ✅✅✅
* Kanga, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ✅✅✅
Commentary: Beautiful voice, I had no idea that Ms. Parris had starred in such high profile Disney roles, but it's no wonder. Mary Hudson in "Sherlock Hound" is a paragon of femininity and grace, not unlike her casting as The Blue Fairy in "Pinocchio" and Cinderella in the Disney version of the tale! Incredible acting! I was utterly bewitched by her loveliness!
Chikao Ōtsuka as Professor Moriarty, notable roles:
* Piemon and Apocalymon, Digimon Adventure ✅
* Tao Pai Pai, Dragonball
* Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Lupin III ✅
* Professor Moriarty, Meitantei Holmes ✅
* Boshu, Legendary Gambler Tetsuya
* Flip, Little Nemo
* Ivo Robotnik, Sonic X ✅
* Tora, Ushio to Tora
Hamilton Camp as Professor Moriarty, notable roles
* Greedy Smurf and Harmony Smurf, The Smurfs ✅✅
* Fenton Crackshell and Gizomoduck, DuckTales ✅✅
* Little Brother Bear, Yogi's Great Escape ✅✅
* Dracula, Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf ✅✅
* Mr. Gruber, Paddington Bear
* Mountie and Chief Beetlebreath, Chip n' Dale: Rescue Rangers ✅
* Weesel, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ✅
* Ayam Aghoul, Disney's Aladdin ✅✅✅
* Chihuahua, All Dogs Go to Heaven 2 ✅
* Pig, Dr. Dolittle ✅
* Merlin, Disney's House of Mouse ✅
* Principal, Dexter's Laboratory ✅
* Country Dirt Knome, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy ✅
Commentary: Despite being a mischievous devil of a character, Mr. Camp is able to make Moriarty both dogged and sympathetic. The performance reminded me of King K. Rool in "Donkey Kong Country" — he's a similar type of evil-doer. Impeccable work!
Mayumi Tanaka as Polly, notable roles:
* Jean, Anime Sanjūshi
* Senaca, Arion
* Wataru Ikusabe, Chō Mashin Eiyūden Wataru (series)
* Liú Mǎoxīng, Chūka Ichiban!
* Kappei Sakamoto, Dash! Kappei
* Yajirobe and Kuririn, Dragon Ball (series) ✅✅✅
* Daiya Tsuwabuki, Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu
* Yū Tagami, Giant Gorg ✅
* Giovanni, Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru ✅✅✅
* Hanpeita Tsukuda, Gu-Gu Ganmo
* Ken Taiga, Jūshin Liger
* Sanpei, Kappa no Sanpei
* Nekomaru, Kidō Shinsengumi Moeyo Ken
* Gen Tokishima, MAPS: Densetsu no Samayoeru Seijin-tachi
* Elmony, Master of Epic: The Animation Age
* Lassie, Meiken Lassie
* Mojackō, Mojackō
* Lillibit, Mori no Yōki na Kobito-tachi: Belfy to Lillibit
* Papuwa, Nangoku Shōnen Papuwa-kun
* Kirimaru Settsuno, Nintama Rantarō
* Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece ✅✅✅
* Chibita, Osomatsu-kun (1988) ✅
* Kanna Kirishima, Sakura Taisen ✅✅
* Mit-sah, Shiroi Kiba White Fang Monogatari
* Hinotama Kozō, Sore Ike! Anpanman
* Pazu, Tenkū no Shiro Laputa ✅
* Luckyman, Tottemo! Luckyman
* Musuke Satō, Two Down Full Base
* Ryūnosuke Fujinami, Urusei Yatsura ✅✅✅
* Susumu Sugita, Wonder Beat Scramble
* Koenma, Yū☆Yū☆Hakusho ✅✅✅
Note: Polly's English voice is uncredited.
Conclusively, although this series follow a standard, formulaic pattern of episodic stories — it's still a deeply wholesome and passion-filled project, brimming with breathtakingly beautiful sequences. Much of Hayao Miyazaki's love for mechanical design and aircraft machinery shines through in this series, like it did in films like "The Wind Rises" and "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind"! It isn't visually jaw-dropping in each and every episode, like it in his later Ghibli productions, but it still has a unique style all its own! "Sherlock Hound" is a 6/10, and a recommendation for any fan of Hayao Miyazaki's other animations!
Rating: ★★★☆☆
