Warning! This review on Yuukoku no Moriarty Chapters ten and eleven contain spoilers. If you haven’t seen the episodes yet, I recommend watching them and then going back to read the review.
# 10-11 The two detectives, acts 1 and 2
Yuukoku no Moriarty In chapters ten and eleven, a new incident is told in which Holmes intruded while trying to get out of his melancholy because there are no challenging secrets. After Sherlock refuses Hope’s deal, he begins to regret his decision and is desperate for a case that will bring him closer to the mastermind he longs for. His bad mood provokes an argument with his partner Watson, but an encounter with William changes his mood. In addition, an incident occurs on the train they are traveling on that leads him to a competition with Moriarty to catch the culprit. The case is resolved, Holmes makes peace with Watson, and a new secret lurks from the shadows.
The melancholy of a genius
As expected, Sherlock’s role in this story is far from disappearing. This is reflected in the first half of episode 10, where we face the emotional decline of Holmes. After the events of the last few chapters, Sherlock plunges into a spiral of melancholy and bad mood, the greatest secret and the one he longs for practically flew out of his hands. We return to the same thing, Sherlock Holmes is not a man of virtue, he is capricious and vain, which makes him a little unbearable when not given what he wants. In this case, it’s a big mystery. Holmes is the type of man who seeks constant challenges. His greatest desire is to keep secrets. The more complex they are, the better it will be for him.
Although episode nine provides a satisfactory conclusion even for Holmes’ ego, we can notice the traces of regret in episode 10. While the fact is that Holmes doesn’t want the answers, he doesn’t have the patience to wait for secrets. After not remotely bringing anything close to the Noathic or Count Drebber cases, his patience and enthusiasm hit rock bottom. Holmes was almost like an abstinence addict, desperately looking for a thread that would lead him to these experiences. Obviously, his humor didn’t help him at all and he only managed to touch the nerves of his companions.
It is clear that Holmes needs a focused mind to keep his balance and that is Watson’s role. The break between the two occurs at the moment of greatest tension for Holmes, as by analyzing the situation he convinces himself that without Watson he would have shot Hope and would have the answers he longs for. It’s just his bad mood, however, Sherlock is well aware that he couldn’t have done it. In fact, he trusts Watson because he is grateful that he stopped him when he is needed. Because despite the fact that he’s enough to solve cases on his own, he misses his partner’s follow-up, as we could see in episode 11 when, out of indolence, he tries to call him by his side.
Two sides of the same coin
These two episodes are special not only because they demonstrate Holmes’ impatience, but because they completely reveal the duality that both Holmes and Moriarty represent. Both are geniuses, there is no doubt about that, but each has an oral code that sets them apart. The way to demonstrate this was through the crime that was committed on the train that both rode on. They gave us a glimpse of his genius for details and inferences, but the method of the two is substantially different. The same applies to the fishing method. Holmes is an upright man, he would hardly use dirty methods to catch the criminal, whereas Moriarty is direct and is not afraid to get his hands dirty because of his goals.
The duality between the two is like seeing the same coin from both sides. They are the ideal opposite, although they are identical in many ways. The truth is, it is not the amazing similarities that stand out in both of them, but the interest they have developed. To Moriarty, Holmes is a laudable man, possibly the only one he respects almost as equals. Something similar happens with Holmes. Aside from the fact that his fascination borders on fun, Holmes may never have met anyone who could keep up with his genius. That makes the situation between the two so funny. It’s like a chase game where the two of you are playing the wrong roles, at least for now.
Far from delving further into the obvious parallels between the two men, which seem insultingly obvious to me, it would be better to briefly mention their dynamic. The enormous fascination that gave birth to Holmes is praiseworthy. His blind game of blaming William is evidence of that, with or without evidence, Holmes’ heart holds the answer. If there really is a mastermind, it has to be someone with a genius equal to or greater than yours, and so far Liam is the only one with that profile. Moriarty doesn’t miss this opportunity to spur him that “Catch Me If You Can …Is the best seduction Sherlock can be given, his face said it all at that moment.
What leaves the first half of Yuukoku no Moriarty?
Unfortunately, this anime has reached the end of its first half, the second that we’ll see until April 2021. I consider this news to be a sad thing because this is one of the best anime that premiered this season. Both the narration, the animation, the music and the details have all shown that this is a story that is carried with love and even respects its sources. This anime deserves more credit than it has received because it simply doesn’t require overwhelming and “original” premises to explode a very well-written script. As a Sherlockian, I am deeply pleased with the story on many levels. The handling and presentation of the characters is something I love. No doubt they are the characters of Doyle, but at the same time they are different, they have a life of their own.
I want to say that everything in this anime is good, that there is absolutely nothing to blame it for, but it would be hypocritical on my part. There is no doubt that I am satisfied with what we saw, but there is a narrative flow that doesn’t work for the weary and impatient viewer. I admit that the linear changes with what was presented in the manga worried me a little too. I’m still waiting for the M16 to launch. In general, I have to say that this is a fascinating and entertaining anime, especially for those who love mystery. However, if you want action and movement in constant tension, you may not find satisfaction here. At least not in this first half, but come on, if you skip this you will lose the soul of this story.
Final comment
Yuukoku no Moriarty Chapters ten and eleven were episodes full of uncertainty, fascination and sparkling moments of suspense. It must be said that the use of this confrontation between William and Sherlock to wrap up this first half of the anime was an excellent hook to longing for what is to come. It was entertaining to see Liam implement what doomed so many aristocrats under his plans to fail: noblesse oblige. An interesting reminder that aristocratic morality must always be accompanied by piety. Liam prevented an innocent person from being framed, even if it meant unethical methods. This shows that William accepts bad actions as long as they are for the benefit of the innocent. Quite different from the nobles who found their fate through Moriarty’s plans.
Before I finish, I leave you the absolute love and respect that Louis has for William. It really made us realize that Louis will not hesitate to put Holmes in his place in due course. It’s funny that he can’t tolerate Holmes’ sudden familiarity with his brother and still can’t do anything as William himself allowed it. Deep down, I think Louis wants to be closer to his brother too. Among them there are things that are not directly said even though it would be easy.
Anyway, these were my impressions from the chapters: What do you think of these episodes? What’s your last impression of Sherlock and Moriarty? What do you expect when you come back next spring?
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