This anime is based on another school-mystery novel from the author of Hyouka. It's adapted by studio Lapintrack (which brilliantly adapted the mystery novel "Undead Murder Farce" as well). These were the reasons why it was my most anticipated anime this summer.
So how was it?
I think this should have been a consecutive-cour (20 episodes) anime rather than a split-cour (Season 2 is scheduled for next spring). Because of the kind of story this is, I can't really decide how this anime is with the first 10 episodes. As of now, I think it's fine and enjoyable. There are plenty of things I admire about the adaptation, but I don't know enough about these characters to judge how the writing is.
This is a very slow-paced story. It's full of small-scale school mysteries, so the story doesn't always feel that happening. But at the same time, it builds up a very strange, mysterious aura around its main characters, which makes the viewers curious to know more about them. But that's exactly why as of now, while I am curious about them, I find them a bit unlikeable. Especially Yuki, from the very start of the anime, I found her a bit unreasonable. There is just something about her that makes her feel fake. The reveals in the final 2 episodes didn't help her cause either. But again, season 2 might make me understand her more.
That being said, I did like the mysteries, even if they were small-scale. The author really understands the thinking behind deductions. I had fun watching how the main character, Kobato, approached the mysteries. We are given the opportunity to follow his way of thinking while he's solving them.
Studio Lapintrack's work on this anime is as good as it gets. They're really great at adapting mystery novels. The staff did a great job (especially the director) and I'm really liking their style of animation. I can't wait to see what else this studio does.
Overall, this is a nice anime but I can only give my final thoughts after watching the second season and understanding these characters.
