Kitsutsuki Keikaku

Kitsutsuki Keikaku, or Woodpecker Detective's Office, originated as a mystery novel written by Kei Ii, first published in 1999. The story serves as a historical fiction piece set in the Meiji era of Japan, featuring famous literary figures such as Takuboku Ishikawa and Kyosuke Kindaichi as they navigate the shifting cultural landscape of early twentieth-century Tokyo. Its transition into an animated feature and series reflects the enduring appeal of the Meiji period in Japanese popular culture, blending intellectual history with a traditional detective narrative.

The 2020 animated adaptation was produced by Liden Films and directed by Shinpei Ezaki, with character designs originally conceived by Kaori Saki. The visual direction sought to capture the melancholic and atmospheric nature of the original prose while modernizing the aesthetic for a contemporary audience. Upon its release, the project received a measured critical reception, often praised for its unique premise of utilizing historical poets as protagonists, though it remains a niche entry within the mystery-anime genre.