The Pure Love Between the “Gray Wolf” and the “Reaper” Spun by “GOSICK” — Solving Mysteries Was Their Guidepost for Survival

Broadcast in 2011, “GOSICK” is based on the mystery novel by Kazuki Sakuraba, with animation produced by BONES, a studio known for releasing numerous masterpieces to the world. Directed by Hitoshi Nanba with series composition by Mari Okada, the anime perfectly recreates a heavy, gothic horror atmosphere.

The greatest appeal of this work lies in the bond between Victorique, a girl possessing overwhelming intelligence, and Kazuya Kujo, a boy studying abroad from Japan—a bond that is at times adorable, and at others, heartbreaking. The story is set in a fictional small European country after World War I. The mystery element stands out as Victorique, bored at the top of a library tower, unravels difficult cases brought to her using her “Wellspring of Wisdom.”

However, as the story progresses into the second half, it transforms into a grand drama of destiny, entangled in national conspiracies and the vortex of history. The sight of the two holding hands tightly, calling each other their “fragments of destiny” while being tossed about by the rough waves of the era, leaves a deep emotional impact on the viewer. It is a masterpiece where Victorique’s beautiful, delicate design coexists with the strength to survive a turbulent age.

At the top of the St. Marguerite Academy Library Tower, in a room covered in greenery, a fairy-like girl—Victorique—is waiting. Waiting for the “chaos of the world” to fill her boredom. And waiting for a single boy, the “Reaper who comes in Spring.”

Their meeting is the beginning of everything. That story is… GOSICK.

“The fragments of chaos have been gathered.”

A beautiful girl with golden hair and emerald eyes mutters this boringly while smoking a pipe. Next to her is always an honest Japanese boy who gets dragged around by her. GOSICK, an anime broadcast in 2011 that still boasts deep-rooted popularity. Based on the original novel by Kazuki Sakuraba and animated by Bones, this work appears at first glance to be a “mystery where a Goth-Loli girl solves cases as an armchair detective.”

However, if you are dismissing it thinking, “It’s just a moe mystery, right?”, I must say that is a big mistake. What is depicted throughout the 24 episodes is a story of “soul salvation” that is too grand and too poignant, set against the backdrop of the turbulent era after World War I.

How did the two who met on the top floor of the library tower confront the global upheaval and carve out their destiny? And why does it boast such a high level of perfection that even fans of the original novel say “the anime is more interesting”? From the perspective of a veteran columnist, I will dig deep into the essence of this beloved masterpiece.

First, we absolutely cannot leave out the presence of the heroine, Victorique, when talking about this work. It is sometimes ridiculed as “a work just for admiring Victorique,” but that is not entirely wrong. That is how charming she is depicted in the animation.

Her long blonde hair fluttering, dressed in a frilly dress, rolling around on the floor screaming “I’m bored!” Aoi Yuki’s acting perfectly coexists haughtiness, childishness, and occasional weakness, making one’s cheeks relax just by watching. In contrast, the protagonist Kazuya Kujo is an honest boy played by Takuya Eguchi. His unsophisticated character highlights Victorique’s strong personality even more.

However, Victorique’s charm is not established solely by herself. From the interactions with Kujo, small gestures, to the swaying of costumes, the staff’s extraordinary “love” and “attention to detail” dwell in every part, making her shine vividly on the screen. The reason it is said to have surpassed the original work lies in the heat of this overwhelming character depiction.

The first half of the story proceeds as an orthodox mystery where Victorique solves incidents and ghost stories occurring within the academy with her wisdom. Some might point out that “the tricks are weak for a mystery.” However, all the incidents in the first half are foreshadowing for the huge vortex of destiny depicted in the second half, and are “stage devices” to deepen the bond between the two.

The story accelerates at once from the middle. The secret of Victorique’s cursed birth, the looming shadow of World War II, and the conspiracy of state power and the occult trying to tear the two apart. The process of two people who were merely puzzle-solving partners transforming into irreplaceable existences (= reasons for living) for each other cannot be watched without tears.

Especially impressive is Kujo’s change. Initially protecting her out of a sense of duty as the “third son of an imperial soldier,” he decides to protect her with his own will around Episode 3. And Victorique also learns the knowledge called “love” through him. The mystery elements are just spices. The essence is a “story of pure love” where two people rejected by the world join hands and resist the times.

The development of the final stage is truly a roller coaster of despair and hope. Physically torn apart by powerful enemies, the two are separated in the fires of war. Kujo is conscripted as a soldier in Japan, and Victorique becomes a fugitive.

Still, what kept them connected were the small items they gave each other. The pendant Kujo gave, and the ring Victorique gave. No matter how painful the trials, as long as they have those, their hearts will not separate. The strong will to “survive and meet again” overcoming even the torrent of history is filled with catharsis.

The emotions of Episode 12 and the final episode exist because of the accumulation up to that point. Because of the comical daily life in the first half, the serious development in the second half presses upon the chest, making the reunion in the last scene shine even brighter. Entering from the symbolic charm of “Blonde Loli Tsundere” and finally being overwhelmed by the way of life of “Human Victorique.” This is the true underlying strength of the work called GOSICK.

GOSICK is a work that I want not only mystery lovers but also those seeking a solid human drama or pure love story to watch.

Please do not cut it off during the relaxed atmosphere of the first half, but watch it until the end. There awaits a beautiful miracle of two people who carved out their destiny with wisdom, courage, and love, even while being tossed about by the times.

After watching, surely you will think: “This world is full of chaos, but it is still worth loving.”

While being healed by the idyllic and cute art style of the opening and ending, please set out on a journey into this turbulent story. It will surely become a “beautiful fragment” remaining in your heart.

• ヴィクトリカ・ド・ブロワ : Voiced by 
• 久城 一弥 : Voiced by 
• コルデリア・ギャロ : Voiced by 
• ブライアン・ロスコ : Voiced by 
•  Victorique de Blois: Voiced by Aoi Yuki
• Kazuya Kujo: Voiced by Takuya Eguchi
• Cordelia Gallo: Voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro
• Brian Roscoe: Voiced by Toru Okawa

• 原作 /
• 監督 /
• シリーズ構成 /
• キャラクターデザイン / 、富岡隆司
• メカニックデザイン / 田中俊成
• 音楽 / 中川幸太郎
• アニメーション制作 /
• Original Creator: Kazuki Sakuraba
• Director: Hitoshi Nanba
• Series Composition: Mari Okada
• Character Design: Toshihiro Kawamoto, Takashi Tomioka
• Mechanical Design: Toshinari Tanaka
• Music: Kotaro Nakagawa
• Animation Production: BONES

<(C)>2011 桜庭一樹・武田日向・角川書店/GOSICK製作委員会

tarumaki

ゲーム制作会社で働いてます。

最新作から過去作まで好きな作品を紹介して、少しでも業界の応援になればと思いつつに書いていこうと思います。 基本的に批判的な意見は書かないようにしています。