Case File N° 221: Kabukicho (2019)
A wildly inventive anime reimagining of Sherlock Holmes set in the neon-drenched chaos of Shinjuku's Kabuki-chō district.
Case File N° 221: Kabukicho - Series Information
- Original Title: 歌舞伎町シャーロック
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Mystery, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 24
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 10, 2019 (Canada - 14+), October 10, 2019 (Germany - 16), October 10, 2019 (Australia - MA 15+)
- Networks: MBS, TBS
- Production Companies: Production I.G, KADOKAWA, DMM pictures, movic, MBS
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: Kabuki-chou Sherlock (JP), Case file n221 : Kabukicho (US), case file 221 kabukicho (FR), كابوكيتشو شارلوك (SA)
Case File N° 221: Kabukicho - Plot
Shinjuku Ward, east side… The center of the street with the most chaos, there's Kabuki-chō, full of neon lights. When the light is stronger, the shadow is deeper. The story begins when certain bizarre murder happens one night! Suspense? Or Comedy? Drama that cannot be identified begins!
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Case File N° 221: Kabukicho - Cast & Crew
Writers
- Taku Kishimoto
Main Cast
- Tatsumaru Tachibana
- Yuichi Nakamura
- Katsuyuki Konishi
- Seiichiro Yamashita
- Soma Saito
- Nao Toyama
- Mariko Higashiuchi
- Yutaka Aoyama
- Junichi Suwabe
Executive Producers
- Daijo Kudo
- Katsuji Morishita
- Naokazu Tsuruta
- Hiroo Maruyama
- Kozue Kananiwa
Case File N° 221: Kabukicho - FAQs
How does Case File N° 221: Kabukicho reimagine Sherlock Holmes?
Rather than Victorian London, this anime transplants Holmes into the rowdy, neon-soaked streets of Shinjuku's Kabuki-chō red-light district. He's an eccentric rakugo performer who moonlights as a detective, surrounded by a colorful cast of oddballs — a far cry from the classic pipe-and-deerstalker image most fans know.
What is Case File N° 221: Kabukicho about?
Set in the chaotic east side of Shinjuku Ward, the series follows a reimagined Sherlock Holmes solving a string of bizarre murders in Kabuki-chō. The show blends sharp detective work with absurdist comedy, weaving in rakugo performances and a wildly eclectic supporting cast for a genre-defying anime experience.
Where can you stream Case File N° 221: Kabukicho?
The series streams on Crunchyroll and is also available through the Crunchyroll Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes can be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies.
What role does rakugo play in Case File N° 221: Kabukicho?
Rakugo — the traditional Japanese art of solo comedic storytelling — is central to this version of Holmes. He performs rakugo as his day job and uses the storytelling craft as a lens for his deductions. It's an inventive creative choice that roots the Western detective archetype firmly in Japanese cultural tradition.
Who are the main voice actors in Case File N° 221: Kabukicho?
Katsuyuki Konishi voices Sherlock Holmes, with Yuichi Nakamura as Dr. John H. Watson and Tatsumaru Tachibana as Toratrō Kobayashi. Seiichiro Yamashita plays James Moriarty, Soma Saito voices Fuyuto Kyogoku, and Junichi Suwabe rounds out the ensemble as Sra. Hudson.
How was Case File N° 221: Kabukicho received by critics and audiences?
The series earned a devoted niche following for its bold tonal blend and creative premise, though reactions were mixed among broader audiences. Fans of unconventional anime praised its irreverent humor and stylish Kabuki-chō setting, while viewers expecting a straightforward mystery found its comedic detours polarizing.
Who wrote Case File N° 221: Kabukicho?
The series was written by Taku Kishimoto, a seasoned anime screenwriter known for his work on Haikyuu!! and Erased. His involvement brought a strong sense of character dynamics and emotional grounding to what could otherwise have been a purely comedic romp through Kabuki-chō's criminal underworld.
What anime series are similar to Case File N° 221: Kabukicho?
If you enjoyed this series, try Detective Conan (1996) or Kindaichi Case Files (1997) for classic anime mystery. Paranoia Agent (2004) offers a darker, surreal edge, while Akudama Drive (2020) and Ikebukuro West Gate Park (2020) share that same gritty urban energy and stylish character-driven storytelling.
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