Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace

Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a gripping anime series launched by FUNimation in 2015. The mesmerizing series is an ingenious blend of mystery, psychological thriller, and dark comedy genres. Its storyline is inspired by the works of Edogawa Ranpo, a distinguished Japanese author widely known for his exceptional mystery novels. The series beautifully pays homage to Ranpo's legacy on the 50th anniversary of his demise, skillfully adapting his eerie tales of mystery into an innovative and provocative anime experience.

Rampo Kitan primarily revolves around three characters—the brilliant yet eccentric detective Akechi, the energetic and curious Kobayashi, and Kobayashi’s logical and calm classmate, Hashiba. It claims an intriguing canvas of crime scenes and plays mind games with its audience, blending elements of mystery with occasional instances of humour.

The storyline catapults into action as the seemingly ordinary middle-school student, Kobayashi, wakes up to find himself in his homeroom teacher's decapitated corpse's premises. The event is inexplicable, deranged, and borders on terrifying, precisely the elements that convert this horrifying occurrence into an enigmatic puzzle for the young minds. Grown weary of his humdrum routine, this grim event piques Kobayashi's interest, and he decides to dive deeper into the labyrinth. This decision brings him face-to-face with the enigmatic detective Akechi, who swiftly becomes the guiding force in Kobayashi’s newfound obsession with dissecting crime scenes.

Fascinated by the unfathomable mysteries of the human mind and intractable crime, Kobayashi expresses his desire to serve as Akechi’s assistant. Together with his loyal childhood friend Hashiba, he embarks upon a journey to uncover the layers of mysteries enveloping a series of crimes that continue to harass the city.

Unlike many run-of-the-mill mystery series, Rampo Kitan is bold in its method of dealing with grim narratives. The series subverts expectations with unexpected plot twists, often presenting viewers with stories that are far from predictable. Located in a universe where both characters and crimes are as unsettling as they are enthralling, the series takes a unique perspective on criminal psychology exploration while providing viewers with intellectual stimulation.

One of the key aspects of this anime is its commitment to the art of storytelling. Often, the narrative shifts from various perspectives to let the viewers fully comprehend the depths of every character's motivations and emotions. Each episode of Rampo Kitan is intricately designed, keeping Ranpo's literary excellence in mind. The series continuously unfurls layer by layer to lead the viewers through a web of complex riddles and puzzles, ensuring an engaging experience.

One thing that sets Rampo Kitan apart is its strikingly vivid and surreal animation. The artwork is an ensemble of imaginative symbolism and unique character design, employing a palette consisting of both grim and vibrant hues to mirror the storyline's oscillation between dark themes and lighter moments. The unsettling atmosphere and uncanny situations are only accentuated by a well-composed, suspense-driven music, providing an immersing backdrop to the series’ complex narrative. The voice actors do an excellent job delivering convincing performances, infusing life and soul into their respective characters.

Overall, Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace is an impressive series that thrives on the premise of its supernatural undertones and criminal psychology exploration. Despite its dark themes, the series never loses touch with its unique strain of humour, frequently infusing comedic relief to its grim narrative and thus, making it an addictive viewing. Rampo Kitan takes you on a disquieting journey into the world of crimes that often border on the absurd, presenting an intriguing blend of mystery and dark comedy. The series delivers a brilliant graphical tale that captivates viewers and leaves them guessing until the end.