Biblia Koshodou no Jiken Techou (2013)

I've literally just finished watching the final episode, and can definitely say that this is something I'll be coming back to again and again.

For a start, the entire drama is something quite unique. It's a mystery series, yes. But instead of the chilling tension of a gruesome murder, each episode fills you with warmth and endearment as you slowly uncover a beautiful, heartbreaking secret through the soft worn pages of that person's favourite book.

Some of the episodes do include a crime, but emphasis doesn't usually fall on it. Instead, the reasons they committed those crimes are the true mystery Shinokawa (the beautiful bookshop detective) seeks to solve. She is one of the most interesting characters I feel I've watched in a drama to date, and although I started off a little unsure of her (seemingly) emotionless character, you learn the reason she is like this as the series moves along.

Biblia Koshodou isn't a perfect drama, but one thing I love is that its "faults" seem to make it even more charming. For example, some of the plots are way, way over the top - you wouldn't try to injure others or end your marriage for a book. However, to me it feels as though this "overexaggeration" is the writers' way of trying to illustrate just *how much* they love books. You can see this in the incredible detail and research they put into each episode, each one being based off a real book and its history.

Also, the music sometimes seems very out of place; autotune and synthesisers in a drama about a quiet, beautiful girl who owns a bookshop? However, I feel this "mismatch" stops the drama becoming over-sentimental and cliched, which I eventually realised and respected the writers for.

Overall, a beautiful, heartwarming drama that I can guarantee you'll want to watch over again and again. Grab a hot chocolate, turn down the lights, and enjoy. :)

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