When it comes to criminally underrated anime, one of the first ones that comes to mind is “Moriarty the Patriot.” I haven’t watched an anime that delivers so much as a psychological thriller/detective narrative since “Death Note,” and I think that really says something. This philosophical Sherlock Holmes pastiche is one of my all-time favorites, bringing out both the literature and history nerd in me.
Taking place in Victorian England, “Moriarty the Patriot” spins Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic storytelling by focusing on Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis, Professor Moriarty. In the anime, he is known as William James Moriarty, a 24-year-old math professor. Raised in an orphanage alongside his brother, Louis, he meets Albert James Moriarty, a young visiting lord who despises the upper class (including his own family) and wishes to dismantle England’s caste system.
Albert is inspired by William’s motive to purify English society, and soon enough, William and Louis become part of the Moriarty family name. As adults, the trio of brothers conspire together as crime consultants but, behind the shadows, orchestrate the murders of heartless elites who haven’t faced justice for their crimes against the working class. As the mastermind behind it all, William fittingly deems himself the “Lord of Crime.”
I found their brotherly relationship, based on shared trauma and a sense of justice, to be so touching, and I was drawn to each of them as individual characters: William with his intense intellect, Louis’ deep loyalty to William and killer self-defense skills, and Albert with his connections to the crown as a military intelligence (MI6) leader.
From this brief description, you can already pick up on themes of egalitarianism and vigilantism. This series’ plot seems so simple, yet it’s rich in philosophy and morality, and the moody, eerie color palette of the animation matches perfectly. For me, it raises questions like, “If justice isn’t being served, should you take matters into your own hands?”
What better way to pair such a nuanced plot with nuanced characters? Seriously, the characters in this series are so well-written and distinct! William, as a protagonist, steals the series with his cunning, intelligence, and vulnerability as an anti-heroic mastermind pulling the strings to move closer to an equitable society.
What makes his character even more nuanced is that he willingly risks exposing his identity if it means uprooting the caste system. He also develops a diverse found family of like-minded individuals that believe in his philosophy, from Colonel Sebastian Moran to the ever-charming James Bonde, a master conspirator who is trans (and my favorite character)!
With orchestrated crimes occurring, it’s only fitting that Sherlock Holmes finds his way into the story. This might sound basic, but he’s legitimately the best character in the series. Aside from his canonical roots as a brilliant detective, I love how this series portrays him as an eccentric genius and a broke slacker who can’t make friends. He kills every scene he’s in, whether he’s ridiculing Scotland Yard or causing trouble for his roommate, John Watson, or his landlady, Ms. Hudson.
Around the time he begins investigating the Lord of Crime, Sherlock meets William aboard a cruise ship, the Noatic, and from their first interaction, there’s a mutual intrigue through a battle of wits signaling to viewers that, yeah, these two are definitely going to get along … and they do!
What’s striking is that their intrigue spirals into obsession in distinct ways: Sherlock obsesses over the Lord of Crime, and William obsesses over Sherlock as the hero in this murder play that he’s orchestrated. Whenever Sherlock interacts with William, there’s that looming suspense over whether Sherlock will uncover William as the Lord of Crime at any moment. At one point, he even teases the idea to which William cheekily replies with “Catch me if you can, Mr. Holmes,” and you just know Sherlock wants him to be the Lord of Crime.
It’s amazing to see just how much chemistry they have as friends and as foils. They push each other to their intellectual limits, with Sherlock always one step behind and William not always being able to predict Sherlock’s actions. At first, William sees Sherlock as just another actor in his vigilante play, but he develops a fondness for him and sees him as his equal – surely, this won’t end up affecting William’s plans, right?
I’m not the biggest fan of the original Sherlock Holmes stories, but I can say that “Moriarty the Patriot” adapts the series in such an innovative way. It feels like a genuine love letter to Doyle’s original story and characters, even tastefully referencing stories like “A Study in Scarlet” and “The Final Problem.” I also appreciate how it sprinkles in historical references to the French Revolution (with some slight historical inaccuracies to fit the story) as a treat for history nerds like me.
If you’re a sucker for Sherlock Holmes, “Death Note”-esque mysteries, psychological thrillers, anti-heroes, or socioeconomic symbolism, this series is definitely for you! With its sharp animation, complex cast of characters, intense plot, and majestic original soundtrack, I highly recommend giving it a watch. Be sure to put those Holmesian deduction skills to use when you do!
