Sherlock Hound (名探偵ホームズ Meitantei Hōmuzu, lit. "Detective Holmes") is an anime television series based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes where almost all the characters are depicted as anthropomorphic dogs. The show featured regular appearances of Jules Verne-steampunk style technology, adding a 19th-century science-fiction atmosphere to the series. It consists of 26 episodes aired between 1984 and 1985.
The series was a joint project between Japan's Tokyo Movie Shinsha and the Italian public broadcasting corporation RAI. Six episodes were directed by Hayao Miyazaki until problems with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's estate led to a suspension in production.[1] By the time the issues were resolved Miyazaki had turned to other projects and thus the remaining episodes were directed by Kyosuke Mikuriya. In 1984, a film version of two of the episodes directed by Miyazaki (The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle and Treasure Under the Sea) was released alongside Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in Japanese theatres, entitled Meitantei Hōmuzu Gekijouban.
Music[]
The Japanese version has two pieces of theme music: The opening theme is "Sora Kara Koboreta Story" (lit. "Story Spilled From the Sky") and the ending theme is "Thames Gawa no Dance" (lit. "Dance of the Thames River"), both performed by the Japanese group, Da Capo. The series' background music was composed by Kentaro Haneda with some themes based on the opening and ending themes. The series' English version had a single piece of theme music for the opening and ending credits. The frequent soloists are Joe Farrell on soprano and alto saxes and flute (his last recording) and Milt Jackson on vibes. This English theme does not exist on the UK DVDs from Manga, instead instrumentals of both the Japanese opening and ending themes were used.
Characters[]
Sherlock Hound (ホームズ Hōmuzu): Voiced by: Taichirō Hirokawa (Japanese), Larry Moss (English)
Just like his original incarnation, he has a genius intellect and is extremely knowledgeable in multiple fields. He keeps a cool and logical head despite the situation. Unlike his original incarnation, his only drug habit is smoking a tobacco pipe. He keeps his apartment a mess and is regularly conducting chemical experiments that lead to clouds of noxious fumes. He also seems to have feelings for Mrs Hudson, as does the rest of the male cast. Hound resembles a Pembroke Corgi.
Doctor Watson (ワトソン Watoson): Voiced by: Kōsei Tomita (Japanese), Lewis Arquette (English)
Hound's loyal companion, he is a trained doctor who returned to England shortly before meeting Hound. He tries his best to help Hound as he can, but has difficulty at times keeping up with Hound, both mentally and physically, being a bit overweight. Watson is a Scottish terrier.
Hound and Watson's landlady. In most adaptations, Holmes' long-suffering landlady is shown as middle-aged or older, but in this version she is a widow in her 20s and a love interest of many, including Holmes and Moriarty (mostly Holmes), and given the first name Marie (マリー Marī). Her late husband Jim was a pilot and Hound finds her contacts in the world of aviation useful. She can also be quite quick and resourceful when need be, and she also appears to be a crack shot with a revolver. Miyazaki actually wanted to present her as the real brains of Baker Street, running rings around both Hound and his enemy Moriarty, but he was overruled. Like many people in Hound's world, Mrs Hudson is a golden retriever.
Professor Moriarty (モリアーティ教授 Moriāti-kyōju): Voiced by: Chikao Ōtsuka (Japanese), Hamilton Camp (English)
Unlike the rarely appearing mafia donnish Moriarty in the books, this Moriarty is portrayed as working personally on his plans without any sort of support network and frequently encountering Hound and his allies, being the antagonist in the majority of the episodes. Still an intellectual, he is a master inventor, often the one responsible for the steam punk technology seen in the show, including his personal "steam car", which is more like a cross between a tractor and a tank than a car. His plans can occasionally be very complex or outlandish that rely on one questioning or linking together unusual acts, which is often how Hound figures out what Moriarty is up to. In this version, Moriarty resembles a gray wolf.
One of Moriarty's henchmen, created for the show. Smiley is tall, lanky, has something of a limited intellect, a thick Cockney accent and a positive attitude. In the episodes directed by Hayao Miyazaki, he is coloured a pea green, while in other episodes, he's medium brown. Before working for Moriarty, he and George/Todd were members of the Bengal Pirates that appeared in the first episode, though they escaped being arrested with the rest of the crew.
One of Moriarty's henchmen, created for the show George/Todd is small and squat, has a negative outlook on the situation, and is usually the first to criticise Moriarty or his plans. He is inconsistently called either George or Todd, sometimes within a single episode, early in the series, eventually settling on Todd. The two are often used for comic relief. Before they worked for Moriarty, he, along with Smiley, was a member of the Bengal Pirates that appeared in the first episode, though they escaped being arrested with the rest of the crew.
As Hound's go-to guy in the police force, he's also the first to call on Hound for assistance on a case. A well-meaning and passionate police officer, he's not the most attentive of people, and his hotheaded and impulsive nature can lead to his landing in comedic situations. Lestrade is a bull dog.
DVD and internet releases[]
In 2002, Geneon released the series on DVD (Region 1, NTSC format). 6 volumes or 'Case Files' were released. Each disk was double sided with the Japanese version on one side and the English dubbed version on the other side.
As of 19 May, 2009, TMS Anime has posted all 26 full version episodes in English on YouTube. However, most of the episodes are out of order.
On 1 February 2010, Manga Entertainment released the complete series on DVD (Region 2, PAL format) in the United Kingdom as a HMV exclusive set. It has since become available in other outlets. It only contains the English dubbed version. This release also lacks the episode title cards, though the episodes are listed on the DVD case and menus.
As of 29 Mach 2012, the episodes in their original order are posted on Hulu.
On 30 August 2022, Discotek Media announced that the Blu-ray release of the series is now up for pre-order and due to be released on 29 November 2022. The collection has both the Japanese and English dubbed version fully remastered with the English dub having footage that were removed in its original broadcast restored, special features include linear notes, art gallery filled with concept art as well as an obscure English dubbed pilot. [2][3]
Episodes[]
Note: B = episode number by broadcast order, Y = episode number by YouTube order. The Original air date listed is that of Japan, the first country to air the show.
Hound is returning to England, but while crossing the English Channel, the ship he's on is attacked by pirates who are after one of the passengers. With the aid of another passenger, Dr John Watson, Hound attempts to save the day.
An aristocrat's son is the main suspect after a crown on loan from the Queen goes missing. Hound is asked to investigate, not knowing Professor Moriarty has been watching the location.
03
01
"A Small Client" "Martha's Small Case" (小さなマーサの大事件!?)
20 November, 1984
Holmes suspects Professor Moriarty for the rising counterfeit money problem in London, but is unable to find any leads until a little girl comes asking Hound to help her find her father. (Directed by Miyazaki)
Professor Moriarty thinks he has found a weakness in Hound, his land lady Mrs Hudson, and so sets about kidnapping her, but things don't go as he planned. (Directed by Miyazaki)
05
02
"The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" "The Blue Ruby" (青い紅玉)
4 December, 1984
A little girl named Polly pickpockets a gem Professor Moriarty has just stolen, and he is determined to stop at no end to get it back. (Directed by Miyazaki)
06
08
"The Green Balloon" "The Mystery of the Green Balloon" (緑の風船の謎をとけ!)
11 December, 1984
A mysterious green balloon lands in Hound's backyard, with a message asking for help as the sender is being held prisoner on Dolphin Island.
07
07
"A Sacred Image Disappears" "Large Pursuit of the Lame Detectives" (大追跡!ちびっこ探偵団)
18 December, 1984
Moriarty succeeds in stealing a large gold statue, but Hound is able to track his escape, learning that Moriarty hid it somewhere by the docks, and must find it before Moriarty returns.
08
12
"The Speckled Band" "The Uneven Cord" (まだらのひも)
8 January, 1985
A young girl returns to England after several years in America and finds her uncle is not quite who she remembers.
09
03
"Treasure Under the Sea" "Treasures of the Seabed" (海底の財宝)
15 January, 1985
The Royal Navy asks Hound and Watson to help them recover a submarine stolen by Professor Moriarty. (Directed by Miyazaki)
Someone has been sabotaging England's new Air Mail postal service to Europe, and it's up to Hound, Watson and Mrs Hudson to find out who. (Directed by Miyazaki)
11
04
"The Sovereign Gold Coins" "The Enormous Saving Box" (ねらわれた巨大貯金箱)
29 January, 1985
Sherlock Hound and Doctor Watson are asked to investigate the disappearance of twenty Sovereign Gold Coins from a specially constructed safe. (Directed by Miyazaki)
12
09
"The Stormy Getaway" "The Professor's Storm Disaster!" (教授 嵐の大失敗!!)
5 February, 1985
A large shipment of cash is being taken by carriage across the country, and due to sabotage the police are unable to escort the shipment, and so Hound is asked to shadow the shipment to ensure it arrives at its destination.
13
15
"The Runaway Freight Car" "Wagon Disappearance!? The Professor's Magic Trick" (貨車が消えた!? 教授の大魔術)
12 February, 1985
A freight car in the middle of a passenger train disappears en route to London, and Hound must figure out how.
14
14
"The Coral Lobsters" "Dainty! The Lobster Restaurant" (珍味!さんごのロブスター)
19 February, 1985
Moriarty has stolen a collection of diamond-encrusted coral lobster carvings and it's up to Hound and Watson to track him down.
15
16
"The Golden Statue of the Great Burglar" "I Saw! The Shiny Thief" (見たか!ピカピカの大どろぼう)
26 February, 1985
When a bank's entire collection of gold is stolen the same night a sculptor disappears, Moriarty becomes the first suspect when sketches of a gold statue in his likeness are found at the sculptor's house.
16
17
"The Secret of the Sacred Cross Sword" "Magic Castle! Or the Death of his Life?" (魔城!ホームズ 生か死か?)
5 March, 1985
Holmes and Watson are invited to the first unveiling of "The Sacred Sword of the Wizards" in decades, but when the safe containing it is broken into and the sword isn't even touched, it's up to Holmes to figure out why.
17
20
"The Adventure of the Thames Monster" "The Thames Monster" (テムズ川の怪物)
12 March, 1985
A sea monster seems to be attacking ships on the River Thames and devouring them whole, and after a passenger goes missing in one of the attacks and no body can be found, Holmes is called in to find him.
18
18
"The Adventure of the Three Students" "The Strategy That Scatters" (ネスコに散ったドジ作戦!)
19 March, 1985
Holmes must find three art students on holiday in London from France who have gone missing, while Inspector Lestrade tries to figure out why someone would steal artwork reproductions.
When The Rosetta Stone literally floats away from the British Museum, Holmes wonders if it has to do with various countries' claims to the stone.
20
13
"The White Silver Getaway!" "The Silver Airship, Chase the Number!" (飛行船しろがね号を追え!)
2 April, 1985
Moriarty and his gang manage to steal a shipment of gold, but Inspector Lestrade's investigation is making it difficult for the gang to get the gold out of London. Meanwhile, Holmes and Watson investigates an odd break-in and robbery at a company making a new blimp.
21
24
"The Disappearance of the Splendid Royal Horse" "Singing! Growing Mechanic Maneuvers" (ブンブン!はえはえメカ作戦)
9 April, 1985
There's a new thief in London, one that puts Moriarty to shame, and their next target appears to be the Queen's favourite horse.
22
25
"Disturbance, The World Flight Championship!" "The Chaotic Large Airplane Race" (ハチャメチャ飛行機大レース!?)
16 April, 1985
Moriarty enters a prestigious airplane race, with the intent of sabotaging his way into first place, including stealing parts from other entrants to make his plane the best. Mrs Hudson, Holmes and Watson enter the race in hopes of stopping him.
23
21
"The Secret of the Parrot" "That wisdom! The Professor-parrot" (知恵くらべ!オウム対教授)
23 April, 1985
When Moriarty goes to great lengths to steal a parrot off a train, Holmes takes up the case to find out what's so special about this parrot.
24
23
"The Bell of Big Ben" "Listen! Moriarty's Anthem" (聞け!モリアーティ讃歌)
7 May, 1985
Big Ben's bell has been stolen, but bureaucrats beseech Holmes to keep that bit buried while they search, so as to not risk blemishing England's dignity.
25
22
"The Priceless French Doll" "Chaos! The Priceless Doll Case" (大混乱!人形すりかえ事件)
14 May, 1985
Moriarty is after a large diamond, but after hiding it in a doll, he ends up with more than he bargained for.
A bride vanishes moments before she is to walk down the aisle, and the couples' families come to Holmes for help, but when secrets from the bride's past come to light Holmes has to weigh his options.
Images[]
Early Concept Art
concept art
concept2
concept3
concept4
Article on the anime from an Arabic magazine
Video[]
【PV】名探偵ホームズ Blu-ray BOX
Sherlock Hound (Movie) Trailers
KYOTO VIDEO Sherlock Hound Retrospect by KaiserBeamz
Trivia[]
In the English version when Sherlock Hound would find something suspicious he would say "Hello there.".
This is the last TV show Hayao Miyazaki worked on, since then he has been working on films.
Smiley has pea green colour on his face in episodes directed by Miyazaki, other episodes he has brown colour. [4]
In Miyazaki's original concept design, Holmes was meant to look more like a bloodhound.
Miyazaki's original concept and stories for the series was slightly more darker than the finished product, which included a reference to Holmes' drug use but RAI who co-produced the series vetoed the darker tone and Holmes' drug use.
