Sherlock Holmes in Shinjuku

Abstract

This research note explores how the Japanese anime Case File nº221: Kabukicho creatively reinterprets the iconic Sherlock Holmes within Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward. This adaptation transposes Conan Doyle’s characters from Victorian London to the modern, bustling district of Kabukicho. The note examines how this new setting not only mirrors London’s East-West class divides but also captures Kabukicho’s unique local dynamics, reflecting themes of social fragmentation and crime in ways similar to Conan Doyle’s stories. The study delves into the intertextuality of Case File nº221: Kabukicho, illustrating how it combines classic detective storytelling with Japanese storytelling devices such as rakugo ( 落語), which adds a distinctive layer to the character of Sherlock. The construction of the setting is compared to Charles Booth’s poverty maps of London, which serves to represent social stratification and characters’ movements across economic divides. These elements provide a framework that highlights urban issues relevant to both historical London and modern Tokyo. In the anime, the characters’ actions underscore their outsider status and their complex relationships within Kabukicho’s unique community. This research note suggests that the anime’s detective figures embody a new form of individualism within a layered social network, blending traditional detective themes with contemporary social realities. Ultimately, the anime is commended for extending the Holmes legacy by preserving the spirit of Holmesian deduction while exploring contemporary urban life and social nuances in Kabukicho.