Gosick

In "Gosick," Kazuya Kujou, hailing from Japan, finds himself as a foreign student in the prestigious Saint Marguerite Academy, situated in the scenic Southern European country of Sauville. His distinct appearance, featuring jet-black hair and dark brown eyes, subjects him to social isolation and earns him the unkind moniker "Black Reaper," inspired by a local urban legend concerning a harbinger of death in the spring.

One day, Kujou's quest for ghost stories within the school's opulent library takes an unexpected turn. His attention is drawn to a single golden strand of hair, leading him to a grand garden where he encounters a girl resembling a porcelain doll: Victorique de Blois. Victorique possesses an extraordinary gift, enabling her to foresee their intertwined destinies.

As their connection deepens, a series of enigmatic events unfold in "Gosick," including the appearance of a phantom ship and encounters with an alchemist wielding the extraordinary power of transmutation. Faced with these mysteries, Victorique and Kujou, bound by fate and their unique abilities, find themselves inextricably relying on each other to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

Gosick's brilliance lies not just in its suspenseful and elaborate mysteries but in its characters' depth and development. Victorique, with her exceptional deductive abilities and sheltered upbringing, exudes an air of otherworldliness while harboring a profound vulnerability beneath her intellectual facade. Contrasted against her, Kujou's unwavering loyalty, genuine kindness, and quiet determination create a dynamic counterbalance, fostering an evolving bond that captivates audiences. The portrayal of Sauville's cultural backdrop, interwoven with historical elements and subtle nods to the period's societal norms, further contributes to the depth of the storytelling.

Release: 2011

MyAnimeList Score: 8.05/10