The Detective is Already Dead
Genre: Fantasy
Studio: ENGI.
Hello my friends.
Welcome to another entry of my blog.
And finally, after so many days of waiting, I am able to talk about this «cutesy» series that I watch and I find out that I am ready to binge it. If there is any genre that I liked, from anime, literature, movies, and even comics, is mystery; even since I realised that Agatha Christie was the creator of Hercule Poirot, Miss Jane Marple, and that Sherlock Holmes existed, I felt a great joy in my life with detective fiction.
And thanks to those media, I grow up to love Detective Conan.
Ok. Perhaps I went too far.
The point is that recently I saw his series, and it taught that there is something possibly better than a detective anime, or detective light novel. A detective story with some traces of fantasy, a beautiful heroine, and some possible romance.
I.E.
And now, we got this…
But before I start, I must ask you the some question, as always.
Are you guys ok? Feeling healthy?
If the answers is yes, then I am very happy.
And now, let’s get the detective back to life in The Detective Is Already Dead.
PREMISE
Based on the series of light novels, written by Nigoju and illustrated by Umibozu, The Detective is Already Dead (Tantei wa Mō, Shinde Iru. a.k.a., 探偵はもう、死んでいる), tells the story of Kimihiko Kimizuka, a young man who always got the fame of attracting trouble, or being a «magnet of problematic situations». From being a suspect in multiple crime scenes, to being involving in awkward activities when trying to relax, Kimihiko is always in trouble.
But one day, when the airplane he travels is hijacked, Kimihiko works with a young lady with white hair, only known as Siesta, to stop the hijacker and recover a very important suitcase he was tasked to deliver. After the plane is saved and the suitcase recovered, Siesta forces Kimihiko to work with her as a sidekick, making him solve a lot of mysteries for three years.
However, there is a problem. Siesta already passed away, and Kimihiko discovers he cannot leave the memories with her behind.
From the moment is researched about Tantei wa Mō, Shinde Iru., I started to find more and more surprised; first and foremost, Nigoju started publishing this series from November, 2019, and by August 2021, the series has reached five volumes; secondly, the author has apparently inspired by successful light novels such as Saekano, and Oreimo, so he wanted to make his own series by then.
As a matter of fact, now I feel like I am being the detective now.
Anyway. the anime adaptation of The Detective is Already Dead will have 12 episodes, while the first episode was released on last July 4th. The studio beneath its production is Studio ENGI, who, again to my surprise, produced one of the funniest anime from 2020.
On voice acting, Siesta is played by Saki Miyashita, previously known for being Kanata Higa, on Harukana Receive, Arata Nagai (Daisen Kokoriki on Nanbaka) as Kimihiko, and Ayata Taketatasu, probably the most veteran of the main cast (Date A Live, Idolmaster Cinderella Girls), as Nagisa Natsunagi.
STORY
Ok. Now, Since I only saw the first episode, the one that covers Vol 1. of the light novel in the first half, and Vol. 2 on the second half. I will mostly focus on the impression that I saw from them, and I hope that is enough to satisfy my beloved readers. At least, until I watching the rest of the episodes.
But before, I must clarify… I haven’t read the light novels.
Anyway. The moment I got the title of the story, The Detective is Already Dead, I thought it might be some story of psychological thriller, or at least some tragedy anime in which the main protagonist tried to face some dilemma of his past. And I was partially correct. I was also expecting some detective fiction, but I was ready to be disappointed for the «spoiler» that the title threw at me.
And then… I saw both Kimihiko and Siesta. The moment Siesta faced the «main villain» of the story, I understood how good was her doing mind job, that is, detective deductions, but then, there is one «supernatural» event that left me surprised, all from Siesta, and then I thought…
«Oh!! Wow!! Fantasy and detective stuff!! Alright!!! And perhaps romance!!!»
Then I analysed Kimihiko, and I consider that, despite him being attracted to trouble, he was a down-to-Earth guy that was forced to mature due to this «condition», or at least have some special ability. But it is mostly his own intelligence. Of course, not as smart as Siesta.
There was some fashion of buddy and cop, just like Victorique and Kujo, from Gosick.
Or Kuro and Kotoko, from In/Spectre.
Then, during the second half, I saw that Kimihiko and Siesta first started eating pizza, and then going to school in some kind of romantic comedy (Perhaps a small tribute to Saekano and Oreimo); which I found beautiful, because, unlike the first story, I saw more of Siesta and Kimihiko as individuals. So… imagine what would happen if both could become a couple?
- Maturating as individuals together.
- Become better detectives together.
- Falling in love and having a very optimistic perspective of the future.
Alright then, Perhaps I am over-thinking it. But literally this is how I felt about this first episode. Also, because the animation is pretty good. It has wonderful colour scheme, and on the action sequences, they have very fluid movements, and convincing choreography, not the best, but really enjoyable enough.
So at least the experience was pretty memorable. I was really hyped.
However, I recently read some reviews at Myanimelist.com, and one of them called it «the infamous light novel The Detective is Already Dead.» mentioning «notorious bits of fanservice». This is why I mentioned I haven’t read the light novels, because I can’t assure whether that is true or not.
But for now, I am willing to take my chances.
CHARACTERS
I think I already mentioned everything I needed to saw about the characters of The Detective is Already Dead, basically because, in episode one, the main stars of the show are both Kimihiko and Siesta. Also, the name Siesta is pretty random, at least for me.
Because Siesta means «nap» in Spanish. A foresight of what happens to her? The eternal Siesta?
And regarding Kimihiko, I have to admit that I would call him a bald main lead if it wasn’t because I liked his self-control, and meticulous personality, at least from my perspective. Overall, both Siesta and Kimihiko encourage me to see more.
And I am grateful for that.
CONCLUSION
Despite some opinions I read, and hear about this series, The Detective is Already Dead left on me such an impression, powerful enough to watch the rest episode, and find out if those opinions, especially the negative ones, are truly justified.
Perhaps I will end hating this series, or at least say that the fanservice is ok. But one thing is for sure… For Siesta, Kimihiko, and both Nigoju’s and Umibozu’s work… I will definitely become a detective… of anime and light novels.
But until then… There are some pending mysteries of my own… like…
Come and join me on my next upcoming idea of fanfic…
Jainituos Presents 