Today in Anime History: the very cool psychological crime thriller Moriarty the Patriot premieres
On October 11th, 2020, anime enthusiasts were introduced to a fresh take on a classic literary figure with the premiere of the anime series Moriarty the Patriot (aka Yuukoku no Moriarty).
The series offered a unique perspective on the crime genre by flipping the narrative from Sherlock Holmes to his infamous arch-nemesis, William James Moriarty.
Author of the Sherlock Holmes series, Arthur Conan Doyle, would have probably found it fascinating.
Plot overview of Moriarty the Patriot, Season 1
That’s because Moriarty the Patriot reimagines Moriarty not as a mere criminal mastermind, but as a complex character driven by a desire for social reform.
Set in a fictionalized Victorian era, the story follows William Moriarty and his brothers, Albert and Louis, as they set out to dismantle the corrupt British upper class.
Their methods, though violent, usually criminal, and in some cases downright evil, are portrayed with a moral ambiguity that challenges viewers to consider if the ends justify the means.
And yes, at the time of the anime’s premiere, many viewers agreed that they do.
The plot also intricately weaves complex elements of mystery, strategy, and psychological depth, all while maintaining a thrillingly fast pace.
Moriarty the Patriot director and staff
The series was directed by Kazuya Nomura (Run with the Wind),
Nomura and his direction do a lovely job bringing a dark and quite atmospheric feel to Moriarty the Patriot that, along with the beautifully created art style, creates a rich, highly-detailed environment that superbly reflects the anime’s dark themes.
The beautifully-written scripts and series composition were handled by Gou Zappa (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom), with his anime adaptation staying pretty darned true to the original manga series by Ryousuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi.
That also meant the anime did a fabulous job exploring the motivations of the Moriarty brothers, while deep diving into an excellent societal critique of Victorian London and its many ills.
Moriarty the Patriot voice cast
The voice acting in Moriarty the Patriot was a significant draw for anime fans as well, with standout performances that really brought the characters to life.
The main voice actors are:
- Souma Saitou (Jinka in Sengoku Youko) as middle brother William James Moriarty provides a calm yet supremely menacing presence, capturing the character’s intellectual prowess and moral complexity.
- Takuya Satou (Rick in The Ossan Newbie Adventurer) voices eldest brother Albert James Moriarty, and brings a blend of charm to the character known for his beauty and elegance.
- Chiaki Kobayashi (Mash Burnedead in Mashle) as Louis James Moriarty, the youngest brother, portrays innocence combined with extreme intellect that are laced with a growing darkness, making his evolution particularly compelling.
- Mokoto Furukawa (Saitama in One Punch Man) voices the intense man himself, William Moriarty’s intellectual match, and the antagonist to Moriarty’s plans.
Why anime fans loved Moriarty the Patriot
Moriarty the Patriot struck a chord with anime fans for several very important reasons:
A fresh narrative perspective: By focusing on Moriarty, the show offers a new lens through which to view the Sherlock Holmes universe, appealing to both newcomers and fans of the original stories.
Complex characters: The Moriarty brothers are not just villains; they are fully realized characters with backstories, motivations, and moral dilemmas. This depth makes for engaging character studies as the anime series progresses.
It is also not until the second episode you realize who the two younger Moriarty brothers actually are, and what happened to other members of their family, and that’s when the slowly creeping thrill mixed with more than a little dread begins to set in.
Themes and societal commentary: The anime does a brilliant job tackling the themes of class struggle, corruption, and the nature of justice during Victorian England, where the poor are often forced to take the law into their own hands.
Its commentary on societal issues also resonated with viewers. Especially those who aren’t aware that a class-based England still exists to some extent even today.
Aesthetic and style: The anime’s visual style is distinct, with a gothic, neo-Victorian aesthetic that often matches the dark, calculating nature of its protagonist.
The animation quality, particularly in action sequences, was also praised for its fluidity and detail.
Mystery and intrigue: Each of the 11 episodes is packed with twists, strategic gameplay, and psychological battles, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, while also adding more details to the backgrounds of the three Moriarty brothers.
This aspect of the anime series also caters perfectly to fans of detective and mystery genres.
Moriarty the Patriot not only masterfully reimagined a literary legend, but also provided a rich tapestry of intrigue, ethics, and suspense, making its debut on October 11th, 2020, quite a memorable day in anime history for many fans.
Its success lies in its ability to entertain while intriguing its audience, proving that sometimes, it’s the villain’s perspective that offers the most compelling story.
Of course, with Moriarty the Patriot, Season 1 being so successful, a second season premiered in April, 2021 and was equally well-received.
Season 1 is currently rated a solid 8.18 out of 10 from users of My Anime List, while the anime’s second season has earned an even higher 8.28 out of 10.
You can watch both seasons, and the anime’s two OVAs, now on Crunchyroll.