Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 7

Moriarty the Patriot, written by Ryosuke Takeuchi and illustrated by Hikaru Miyoshi, is a manga series that reimagines the origin story of Sherlock Holmes's archnemesis, William James Moriarty. Debuting in Jump Square in 2016, the series explores themes of social reform and class conflict in Victorian-era England. Volume 7, published in English by VIZ Media in 2022, advances the 'Baskerville' arc, continuing the narrative trajectory that recontextualizes Moriarty as a criminal consultant aiming to dismantle the British Empire's rigid class structure from within.

The character design and aesthetic for the series were crafted by Hikaru Miyoshi to bridge the gap between traditional Victorian period visuals and the stylized, high-contrast dynamism of contemporary shonen manga. The series received significant critical attention for its philosophical approach to the detective genre, shifting the focus from the investigation to the ethical complexities of vigilante justice. By the release of the seventh volume, the series had established a dedicated international readership, praised for its polished linework and its ambitious attempt to provide a sympathetic, intellectual framework for a classic literary villain.