Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace
Synopsis
After what appears to be just another ordinary day, middle school student Yoshio Kobayashi wakes up in his classroom to make a terrifying discovery: his teacher has been mutilated, and Yoshio happens to be holding the weapon used to commit the crime. Despite the initial shock of finding himself in this predicament, the curious and detached Yoshio can't help but be secretly thrilled about this attempt to frame him. His put-upon friend Souji Hashiba is turned into a willing accomplice, and together, they are determined to prove Yoshio's innocence. Additionally, Kogorou Akechi, a genius high school detective, has come to the scene of the crime in order to investigate the case and when Kogorou meets the young man found guilty, an intense mutual interest sparks between the two of them. Kobayashi wishes to enter Akechi's world of crime solving as his assistant, and Akechi is determined to see if the enthusiastic boy is up to the challenge. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a surreal mystery and horror anime that contains brutal and bizarre crimes, loosely based on stories written by Ranpo Edogawa, who is famous for his influence on Japanese fiction. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a visually striking anime that fails to deliver a compelling story. Many viewers found the plot convoluted, the characters uninteresting, and the mysteries weak. While the art and music received praise, the overall consensus is that the show is a disappointing adaptation with a confusing and ultimately unsatisfying narrative. The series polarized viewers, with some appreciating its artistic qualities while others heavily criticized its fundamental flaws.
Strengths
- Stylistic and visually appealing art direction with meaningful symbolism.
- Soundtrack and OP/ED are highly praised for setting the mood.
- Some found the story and characters thought-provoking and daring.
Weaknesses
- Incoherent plot with convoluted logic and rushed resolutions.
- Weak mysteries with little suspense or clues for the viewer.
- Characters are often uninteresting, one-dimensional, and tonally inconsistent.
- Poor execution of writing, with pacing issues and irrelevant episodes.