GOSICK is a series I knew I was going to watch based off just the main character, Victorique, and the time period it was set in. Based in the early 1900s, GOSICK is a series about a young Japanese man, Kazuya, studying abroad. He comes across a young blonde, Victorique, in the school’s library, and they immediately create a strange bond between them. Victorique has a knack for solving mysteries, while Kazuya tends to find a way to get mixed up in them.

The first thing I noticed in this series, is the superb animation quality by Bones. Character designs and the many settings are very well done and with great detail. Victorique is stunning with her short stature and long, beautiful golden hair. Top that off with her being a tsundere, and she is an excellent female protagonist. Kazuya perfectly balances her out as he is understanding and patient, which helps him to deal with Victorique’s often brazen attitude and the insults she levies against him.

Early on in the series we don’t get a lot about who Victorique is or much progress with the overall storyline. Instead the show starts us off with some smaller mysteries that work toward explaining Victorique’s unique gift and building the relationship between her and Kazuya. The early mysteries are a mixed bag. Some mysteries were well-crafted, and they gave just enough hints to let the viewer feel like they are working along with the two of them. Unfortunately some of the mysteries didn’t provide enough clues to make sense of what was going on, and Victorique would solve them with information the viewer never got to witness.

Thankfully as the the series nears the halfway point, it really picks up with the main storyline. We get to find out more about just who Victorique is and why she has her gift. The show also does an excellent job of progressing Victorique and Kazuya’s relationship. The viewer sees the love the two feel for each other grow through subtle interactions, and not in your face sappiness.

By the end of the series, one feels the pain of both characters and things get darker and put a huge strain on the two of them trying to stay together. The series is one that begins lighthearted, and grows darker as the end grows near. With each episode the emotions and and events manage to have a more powerful affect on the viewer. As the final episodes played out, I could feel goosebumps and at times was left saying nothing but “Holy shit…”.

GOSICK is a series I can easily recommend to any type of anime viewer. While there are a couple missteps with a couple mysteries early on, GOSICK is able to grow in to an excellent story. A story about two friends having their relationship mature in to something much more, while dealing with trials and tribulations they have to face trying to stay together. It is easy to recommend this show as a must watch.

GOSICK is available in its entirety on CrunchyRoll.com