Koten-bu Series

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Let me preface this review by admitting that Hyouka is by far one of my favorite shows. Therefore, I had very high expectations going into its textual form. To be straightforward, these expectations were met and surpassed with no difficulty. The prose, the details, everything else: they all made it possible to easily re-enter the world of Hyouka. And while many say that the artwork in the show is one of its best aspects, it is truly seen in its original novel series that that is clearly not the case, and bluntly, it isn’t even needed.

I will refrain from an elaborate review of the first ... few volumes since KyoAni produced a spectacular adaptation. But for formal review sake, I would simply like to state that these chapters do a wonderful job introducing our beloved characters, and giving life to our favorite Classics Club. Oreki is reluctant as always and Chitanda is as curious as her anime counterpart.

However, now the question is how well does the story continue? What have we not seen under the precision and beauty of KyoAni’s production? Well, in short, it’s the same quality of substances that viewers have already experienced in Hyouka(2012). Currently, there are only two additional volumes that are not part of the animation (except for one chapter about Ogi-sensei and helicopters).

The first additional volume, volume 5, is an arc where the Classics Club members are now second years. They attempt to recruit more members and stumble upon an underclassman that seems interested initially. However, her interest suddenly changes and tension is caused between Chitanda and this new character. Oreki utilizes his power of deduction, as he does, to find the reason for her sudden change of heart. These chapters were an interesting read. It gave us a shakeup in the cast as well as an entertaining chance to imagine Oreki in his prime environment, the school marathon.

However, what I truly enjoyed was volume 6. Although there is still a slim chance, I still feel disappointed that I probably won’t be able to experience these chapters in an animation form. For a concise summary, these chapters dive deeper into the club members' individual and unique character (all except for Satoshi - but he already had that Valentine chapter so no harm no foul). It shines the spotlight on Ibara and her manga, Oreki and his motto, and Chitanda and her future. While these chapters are episodic, as viewers of Hyouka can expect, it is written superbly and emotionally intriguing, and is obviously a sign of love for the characters. Each chapter fleshes out an individual, allowing for even more relatability from the reader, and provides additional evidence supporting the growth of their relationship with another character.

Throughout the series, we get to see Oreki use his logic in these so-called mysteries that many could argue to be futile or obvious. But what I learned from Hyouka and continue to agree with after reading these two volumes, is simply that the beauty of this series is not in the detective work. The true gem is found within our four curious characters (some more curious than others), their bonds, and their ever so subtle development as they fabricate, experience, and enjoy their rose-colored high school life.

How can I guarantee this series is as good as I say it is? Perhaps I’m being biased. Perhaps the translators deserve the credit by providing improvements, obvious or subtle, to the story (I will never know if this is the case). Perhaps it is naive for me to say that there isn’t anything else like this series in the world (partly because one could say this for any piece of art that hasn’t been struck with copyright infringements, partly because my experience in (light)novels is meager compared to those who can proudly say they are experts in this medium).

Perhaps.

But perhaps Yonezawa created a series that is actually as magnificent as I believe it to be... yeah, I prefer that one. And if it is true, it gives merit to my review. But alas, since this is a subjective review, as all reviews happen to be, I believe that my opinion on Oreki’s quasi-idyllic life could be valid and/or useful to other readers who might have stumbled upon this wonderful series, regardless which “Perhaps...” is true.

Although what I’m about to say is unfortunately derived from my pessimistic expectations of Yonezawa, I genuinely hope for the continuation of this wonderful series. Maybe this series was just something for fun. Maybe this series was just a lucky break. But as Irisu-senpai said, “Everyone ought to recognize their own talents… Or it would be painful to watch for those without”.

But maybe the author actually got bored of the series, or blinded and overwhelmed by the very rose-colored life he himself manifested. Or maybe he is lost and is unable to discover a clear path for this series to travel upon. If that’s the case, then I, who is simply an earnest fan, give you these wings, Yonezawa, as the path might be hidden in the sky. But if you respond as the innocent Chitanda did when contemplating inside the storehouse, and say, “Even though I’m told I now have wings, what am I supposed to do?”, then I will follow Oreki's footsteps and leave you with something similar to his (lack of) response:

I had said everything I needed to say and done everything I needed to do. The rest, no matter how much it pains me, is for you to sort out.

Koten-bu.

This word means classical literature club in Japanese and is also the name of the club that the storyline revolves. Staying close with the meaning, the novel tells a slow-pace story about the activities of that very club, and everything started with an anthology named Hyouka.

Sounds mystery, huh? Yeah, that’s right. This kind of club doesn’t have a true activity for most of the time, so of course it must involve with some unrelated ones, but unlike some vague-purposed club’s activities? or plotting for a harem, its members would solve some of the mysteries encountered during daily life. Then come the cases. There were something ... terrific, some exciting, but mostly trivial. They were hardly noticeable, but when their existence was known, it was hard to overlook. Leading the curiosity of readers, the author has built up a well-written story with meticulously calculated series of mysterious events. Though those may hold not that much of meaning, they appear very casual and that’s what makes the reading so relaxing.

On that set-up stage, the characters fulfill their roles.

Houtarou Oreki is an ordinary main character. His appearance is normal, his personality is also popular and a person of his caliber is not inspiring at all. Then throughout six volumes so far, he has shown sharp eyes on the surroundings. This definitely is a popular character. However, let reconsider the time the series began. There weren’t many characters like Hikigaya there, and someone close might be das boiz Conan. So this character had his caliber form by himself. Then his popularity isn’t an ordinary anymore.

Eru Chitanda is also a popular main charactress. She has mature air around her, but her curiosity is the proof of her yet matured personality. She is childish, innocent?, and most of the time the cause of troubles for Oreki, but without her, Koten-bu might have had nothing at all and that would be the least of interest, so she has played her role well. Since she has flaws, it is expected of readers to observe her maturity and that, of course, makes room for further developments of the story. So Chitanda is definitely, maybe a good developing protagonist.

About the remaining two Fukube and Ibara, they surely bring the balance to the formation. There is nothing much to say, because that will spoil the details, but the flexibility in the points of view has gradually left some spaces for their credits.

With that core of staffs, everything has deliberately progressed. They would discover the truth after mysteries, but those didn’t come like mushrooms after rain. Therefore, they would casually indulge themselves in daily life and this has created even more opportunities to expand the horizon, because while uncovering the given case, they would solve even more of their own internal mysteries. The various storytellers has blown fresh air in the chain of events and do contribute to the series. In comparison, Conan had begun with well set-up cases of crime, but then has gradually lost its initial nature and become akwardly romantic among endlessly repeated criminal plots for ridiculous reasons. This point I believe is the goodness of Koten-bu.

*Edit: Jun 2021 & Mar 5th 2022

What caught my attention the most is that the work was hardly illustrated, even though I figured out later that Honobu Yonezawa writes novel, no ‘light’ attached, and the cover of the fifth volume was just a part of promotion from the anime adaption. That also works for me, however. Though the truth that the adaption had taken me to the series is undeniable, after having experienced the work itself, there is no necessity of illustrating. Honobu Yonezawa’s words are enough to be the soul of the characters, and the moderation of their description, as well as the suitable degree in term of personalities are certainly the very impression of the work. As a result, the readers are able to focus on something more important, and it is clearly shown on stage that no character is able to overshadow others. As pieces, there is nothing much to remember about them, but as a whole, the synergy and balance among the crew are surely the spotlight of Koten-bu.

Koten-bu also provides a spectacular scenery. The location was in the countryside of Japan, aka Kamiyama, a place that couldn’t be said rural, but also couldn’t be in comparison to metropolitan cities like Tokyo, Osaka or… Actually, I don’t know that much about Japan, but certainly Kamiyama was not that lively, and while it was not that ancient of a town, the life there was neither that convenient. There were some spots worth sightseeing, which I would love to have them illustrated, but still, the town wasn’t different from mountainous lands outside of metropolitan areas. Therefore, there are more reasons that explain the void of visual description. I was noticed of a tradition-rich club on the verge of abolishment, an abandoned village within the mountain ranges, The Doll that took a detour, Even though I’m told I now have wings,… The stories within the works took place in a town that didn’t have that much of commotion, and young people were growing up in that neighbourhood. At this point, along with the consideration about the serialisation time, the work itself has reflected parts of its creator’s mind, which was quite surprising at the time I knew about it. As the consequence, it was such an eye-opener to know there exist maps tracing The Classics Club’s course of actions in Takayama, Gifu, Japan, a pleasure to know such information, and the words of Yukie_Oreki for this series was so inspiring. Honestly, Koten-bu Series managed to impress, once again.

Regarding to Hyouka, despite my doubts for the Slice-of-Life approach and some creative changes, it did convey what the original works possess. At the success in adapting, what can be said about its source? Therefore, I believe this series is actually a lost gem, because the author can write what he initially purposed. And for the reason it’s lost, who knows when it’ll finally have an ending. Nevertheless, the way it can receive the final judgment at anytime does have its own greatness. Just accept it, me. =))

I see what is Koten-bu trying to go for – to show that even mundane things in life can be interesting. Not bad for a concept, though hardly original one. The stumbling block of this novel is just that – being mundane. Or to be specific, being too mundane. It’s not that the mundane things are told in a symbolic way, or that a hidden deeper meaning of small occurrences is discovered. No, it is portrayed as mundane and mundane it stays. It doesn’t fall into the “mundane made awesome” trope. The “mysteries” are wholly unexciting, uninteresting and I wouldn’t hesitate to call them irrelevant. ... Though maybe it would be going too far to call it irrelevant to the plot, as if you would take them away there wouldn’t be much plot less. So yeah, the very core of Koten-bu is simply… boring.

Now you could object that perhaps it’s the characters that carry the script, not the plot itself. And to this accusation I must unfortunately also respond negatively. Well, the protagonist is what I think carried the popularity of this franchise, but not because he’s a greatly written characters – rather because he’s one of the “OMG that’s literally me” characters. You know, the usual “lone wolf outsider but somehow has a social circle build around him” and “clever but doesn’t want to even bother with most things”. The kind of characters to which people would point out and say things like “See, I’m totally also clever like them, it’s just that I don’t use this power” and “I’m also lazy like that, that’s so cool” etc. I swear large part of this series' popularity is thanks to two or so quotes by the protagonist that keep getting reposted on the internet. See also Hachiman and Ayanokouji. The heroine of the story, Chitanda… well, compared to the anime she’s less annoying. But also, compared to the anime she isn’t as moe thanks to the novel lacking visual aspect, and being moe was one of the few saving graces of Hyouka. This results in her being just forgettable. The rest of the cast – even more forgettable.

Overall, to me Koten-bu feels like just another of works that are aimed towards people that didn’t have much successful social life during their high school and are looking for a substitute in a form of fiction, one where the protagonist is cool but the plot is more or less still believably relatable for easier self-insertion. And I grew tired of these kind of works. If you’re going to dream, at least dream big and make it exciting, not this mediocre bullshit. But maybe it’s just me growing old. Or maybe it’s just some subconscious tendency to feel “elitish” – you be the judge, because undeniably most people that read this so far seem to have enjoyed it. Whether it’s because it’s actually good and I’m unfairly grumpy or because people are simply not going to read novels that don’t sound interesting to them so only those already into this style of writing are reading this. Only one way to find out, and that is giving it a try yourself. Or just watch the anime instead, that at least has nice animation. You won’t be missing much by skipping the novel and only watching the adaptation.