[Review] Moriarty the Patriot (2020)

Anime: Moriarty the Patriot / Yuukoku no Moriarty (2020)

As a fan of the Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I became interested in Moriarty the Patriot. The anime is better than I expected. Unlike the books, the main character in this anime is Moriarty. He is a criminal consultant that actively encourages people to commit murder. It is not necessary to know about the original Sherlock Holmes from the books.

• 

• 

From left to right: John Watson, Ms. Hudson, Sherlock Holmes, and Lestrade.

Synopsis: William James Moriarty is a wealthy mathematics professor. He also works as a criminal consultant. In an era where the rich treat the people of lower standing like dirt, Moriarty is the dark hand behind the curtain. He provides murder plans and aids people in killing the rich. Mid-way through the series, detective Sherlock Holmes is introduced. Moriarty tests Holmes; Holmes does the same.

Thoughts: In this anime, the protagonist is the villain. I think this anime does it well. It kind of makes you think, Whose side am I on? Moriarty’s victims are the wealthy who have committed terrible crimes against the poor. Is Moriarty a good guy, after all? And, what am I supposed to feel? Am I supposed to feel “content” or “satisfied” when a “villain” dies?

I think that Moriarty is evil, but other people may disagree.

The characters are a bit different from the books, which is refreshing in some ways. For example, Holmes can be rude to Watson and becomes frustrated more easily.

Moriarty and Holmes make great enemies because of their differences. As explained by Moriarty, Holmes’s method of solving cases involves studying the evidence and going to trial, whereas Moriarty will use psychology and illegal methods to prove his theory.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I recommend this anime! Not only is it interesting, but it also made me think a lot about classism and “good vs. evil” issues.

---

Slight spoilers for Season 2, which will come out in Spring 2021:

• 

• 

The appearance of Mycroft Holmes!

Finally, a cute screencap of Holmes and Watson:

•