Hyouka

Koten-bu.

This word means classical literature club in Japanese and is also the name of the club that the storyline revolves. Staying close with the meaning, the novel tells a slow-pace story about the activities of that very club, and everything started with an anthology named Hyouka.

Sounds mystery, huh? Yeah, that’s right. This kind of club doesn’t have a true activity for most of the time, so of course it must involve with some unrelated ones, but unlike some vague-purposed club’s activities? or plotting for a harem, its members would solve some of the mysteries encountered during daily life. Then come the cases. There were something terrific, some exciting, but mostly trivial. They were hardly noticeable, but when their existence was known, it was hard to overlook. Leading the curiosity of readers, the author has built up a well-written story with meticulously calculated series of mysterious events. Though those may hold not that much of meaning, they appear very casual and that’s what makes the reading so relaxing.

On that set-up stage, the characters fulfill their roles.

Houtarou Oreki is an ordinary main character. His appearance is normal, his personality is also popular and a person of his caliber is not inspiring at all. Then throughout six volumes so far, he has shown sharp eyes on the surroundings. This definitely is a popular character. However, let reconsider the time the series began. There weren’t many characters like Hikigaya there, and someone close might be das boiz Conan. So this character had his caliber form by himself. Then his popularity isn’t an ordinary anymore.

Eru Chitanda is also a popular main charactress. She has mature air around her, but her curiosity is the proof of her yet matured personality. She is childish, innocent?, and most of the time the cause of troubles for Oreki, but without her, Koten-bu might have had nothing at all and that would be the least of interest, so she has played her role well. Since she has flaws, it is expected of readers to observe her maturity and that, of course, makes room for further developments of the story. So Chitanda is definitely, maybe a good developing protagonist.

About the remaining two Fukube and Ibara, they surely bring the balance to the formation. There is nothing much to say, because that will spoil the details, but the flexibility in the points of view has gradually left some spaces for their credits.

With that core of staffs, everything has deliberately progressed. They would discover the truth after mysteries, but those didn’t come like mushrooms after rain. Therefore, they would casually indulge themselves in daily life and this has created even more opportunities to expand the horizon, because while uncovering the given case, they would solve even more of their own internal mysteries. The various storytellers has blown fresh air in the chain of events and do contribute to the series. In comparison, Conan had begun with well set-up cases of crime, but then has gradually lost its initial nature and become akwardly romantic among endlessly repeated criminal plots for ridiculous reasons. This point I believe is the goodness of Koten-bu.

*Edit: Jun 2021 & Mar 5th 2022

What caught my attention the most is that the work was hardly illustrated, even though I figured out later that Honobu Yonezawa writes novel, no ‘light’ attached, and the cover of the fifth volume was just a part of promotion from the anime adaption. That also works for me, however. Though the truth that the adaption had taken me to the series is undeniable, after having experienced the work itself, there is no necessity of illustrating. Honobu Yonezawa’s words are enough to be the soul of the characters, and the moderation of their description, as well as the suitable degree in term of personalities are certainly the very impression of the work. As a result, the readers are able to focus on something more important, and it is clearly shown on stage that no character is able to overshadow others. As pieces, there is nothing much to remember about them, but as a whole, the synergy and balance among the crew are surely the spotlight of Koten-bu.

Koten-bu also provides a spectacular scenery. The location was in the countryside of Japan, aka Kamiyama, a place that couldn’t be said rural, but also couldn’t be in comparison to metropolitan cities like Tokyo, Osaka or… Actually, I don’t know that much about Japan, but certainly Kamiyama was not that lively, and while it was not that ancient of a town, the life there was neither that convenient. There were some spots worth sightseeing, which I would love to have them illustrated, but still, the town wasn’t different from mountainous lands outside of urban areas. Therefore, there are more reasons that explain the void of visual description. I was noticed of a tradition-rich club on the verge of abolishment, an abandoned village within the mountain ranges, The Doll that took a detour, Even though I’m told I now have wings,… The stories within the works took place in a town that didn’t have that much of commotion, and young people were growing up in that neighbourhood. At this point, along with the consideration about the serialisation time, the work itself has reflected parts of its creator’s mind, which was quite surprising at the time I knew about it. As the consequence, it was such an eye-opener to know there exist maps tracing The Classics Club’s course of actions in Takayama, Gifu, Japan, a pleasure to know such information, and the words of Yukie_Oreki for this series was so inspiring. Honestly, Koten-bu Series managed to impress, once again.

Regarding to Hyouka, despite my doubts for the Slice-of-Life approach and some creative changes, it did convey what the original works possess. At the success in adapting, what can be said about its source? Therefore, I believe this series is actually a lost gem, because the author can write what he initially purposed. And for the reason it’s lost, who knows when it’ll finally have an ending. Nevertheless, the way it can receive the final judgment at anytime does have its own greatness. Just accept it, me. =))