Although a set of illustrated mystery novels actually inspired this forensics-oriented anime series, there's some resemblance to the Fox TV crime show Bones. A daughter in a family of pathologists and coroners, the beautiful but eccentric and macabre Sakurako Kujo is a brilliant osteologist who enthusiastically collects skeletal remains in the Hokkaido region and turns sleuth when confronted with the (frequent) signs of homicide. Although she's engaged to a (never seen) police officer, her Dr. Watson-like companion here is a high-school boy who serves as a surrogate for her own deceased little brother. The cases they handle include a young family man who is certain he is targeted by curses, an elderly corpse clad in hiking gear, and a widow who is seemingly planning suicide. Despite the morbidity and occasional violence, the narrative is handled with exceptional heart and brains (not in the autopsy sense), backed by striking visuals. Compiling all 12 episodes from 2015 in separate DVD and Blu-ray editions, rated TV-MA, and presented in Japanese with English subtitles, this is highly recommended. (C. Cassady)
Beautiful Bones—Sakurako's Investigation: Complete Collection
(2015) 300 min. In Japanese w/English subtitles. DVD: 3 discs, $49.98; Blu-ray: 2 discs, $59.98. Sentai Filmworks (avail. from most distributors). Volume 32, Issue 2
Beautiful Bones—Sakurako's Investigation: Complete Collection
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