Holmes of Kyoto

Holmes of Kyoto, also known as Kyoto Teramachi Sanjō no Holmes, was produced by Studio Seven and premiered in 2018 as an adaptation of the light novel series written by Mai Mochizuki. The narrative is set in the historic Teramachi Sanjō shopping district in Kyoto, focusing on an antique shop where a cynical, deductive clerk named Kiyotaka Yagashira solves mysteries related to the shop's artifacts. The series was designed to blend the traditional cozy mystery genre with a deep appreciation for the aesthetic and cultural heritage of Kyoto, positioning the city itself as a central character alongside the human leads.

The character designs were handled by Yōsuke Itō, who aimed for a clean, approachable style consistent with the slice-of-life and mystery sub-genres of mid-2010s Japanese animation. Upon its release, the series received attention for its focus on the provenance and historical significance of antiques, a departure from more action-oriented mystery programs. It was largely received as a gentle, atmospheric show, praised by viewers for its educational segments on Japanese art and local Kyoto geography, even as some critics noted its modest production values compared to larger-budget seasonal counterparts.