For the non-Japanese savvy watchers mine: tantei = detective.

I kinda went on a detective anime spree within the last week or so, and have discovered a plethora of great ones!

First, Suteki Tantei Labyrinth (Cute Detective Labyrinth). I'm 9 episodes in, and still pretty much completely lost. I like it, but I've got no idea what the heck's going on with half the plot. <_< I'm curious, though. I like the characters so far, and am starting to wonder whether there is a Cain/Riff relationship going on between Mayuki and... person who's name I've forgotten. The animation is great, and wonderfully sparkly. It's up to episode 9 in Japan, and still airing.

On to Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro ("Private Evil-Eye" Nougami Neuro). Wow. Wow, that show is some sort of twisted. After the initial being completely weirded out part, I really enjoyed it. Reminded me of Beetlejuice a lot, actually... The characters are delightfully quirky, and the plots are reeeeally weird but intensely interesting. The animation is wonderful... And Neuro. wtf. Wow. What a great creation... It, too, is up to episode 9 in Japan, and still airing.

Though it's a little older (vintage 2003, heh), the one I've really gotten attached to is Tantei Gakuen Q (Detective Academy Q). Megumi Ohgata does the main character Kyu's voice. Yay. The plots aren't really dumbed down - I can actually make a few deductions that turn out correct based on some of the bits of evidence that are presented. The characters are engaging, if sometimes a little "stereo-typed." The plots are very interesting and always leaves me wanting to watch the next episode. It is a really, really great show. I'm addicted. It's 45 episodes, and originally aired in 2003.

Last, but certainly NOT least, is my NEW SHINY DEATH NOTE DVD!! AAAH! It even came with a Ryuk figurine! I am, of course, completely in love with this series. It is definitely one of the most intriguing series to come out recently. I know I was speculative of the English version... but then I found out the early trailers were recorded before they had even cast the show. So. No more worries.

Brad Swaile's performance of Light was brilliant, in my opinion. He's a really great actor. Even within the scope of tone episode, you could follow Light's character development just through his tones of voice. It made me LIKE Light for a few minutes! That's tantamount to blasphemy or treason!! So. Brad Swaile definitely is amazing as Light.

L's voice... oh god, I love it. It is perfect beyond anything I could have hoped for in the English version!! I don't even know how to describe it! It was perfectly soft-spoken, and even had a slight accent in a few places, but not enough to notice unless you're listening for voice qualities. Whereever they found that actor - omgthankyou. I cannot wait until volume 2.

Thus concludes hideko's detective anime series reviews for now! Edits may appear in the future.