Mouryou no Hako English Sub & Dub

About Mouryou no Hako

Mouryou no Hako (魍魎の匣) blends mystery, supernatural and thriller by MADHOUSE (2008). Below is a fresh retelling of what the story is about. The premise: Between August and October, 1952, a series of unusual crimes takes place in Musashino and Mitaka: the attempted murder of 14-year-old Kanako Yuzuki. News editor Morihiko Toriguchi and crime fiction writer Tatsumi Sekiguchi investigate with the help of onmyōji Akihiko Chūzenji.

Beyond that: Meanwhile, Tōkyō police detective Shutaro Kiba searches for Kanako, despite Kanagawa police having jurisdiction; and the lawyer for the estate of Kanako's grandfather hires private investigator Reijiro Enokizu to find Kanako. Their investigation uncovers bizarre truths and dark family secrets along the way.

As a mystery title, clues, misdirection and a satisfying reveal are the hook. Voice work is led by Hidenobu Kiuchi as Tatsumi Sekiguchi and Shinichirou Miki as Noriyuki Masuoka. Think of it as a pick for viewers who like piecing together a puzzle. With 13 episodes in total, there is enough room for the story to develop.

Production & Appeal

Animation is handled by MADHOUSE, so the studio's house style defines how Mouryou no Hako looks and moves on screen. Because it leans on mystery, clues, misdirection and a satisfying reveal are the hook. With a 6.8/10 score, it is more of a niche pick than a universal crowd-pleaser. On the casting side, Hidenobu Kiuchi voicing Tatsumi Sekiguchi gives the lead role a recognizable voice. Released in 2008, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.