The Dinner Table Detective

Reiko Hosho is an heiress who secretly trains as a novice detective under Inspector Kyoichiro Kazamatsuri, a fellow scion of privilege. By day they handle official investigations together; after work Reiko swaps her pantsuit for a dress and joins an elegant dinner ritual. When cases grow thorny she confides in her long-serving butler Kageyama, who answers with savage ridicule even as he quietly untangles the clues. The show mines comedy from social manners and unequal competence, showing how Reiko's eagerness and inexperience clash with Kageyama's icy logic. She wants to prove herself, but social expectations and personal doubt often set the obstacles. Episodes keep stakes fairly light while letting recurring mysteries reveal character quirks and small moral choices.

Created by Tokuya Higashigawa and Mariko Kunisawa, The Dinner Table Detective premiered in 2025, and stars Kana Hanazawa, Yuki Kaji, and Mamoru Miyano in principal voice roles, with a stylish anime look and brisk episodic rhythm, with seasonal airings.

As of its initial run the series hasn't picked up major industry awards or mainstream nominations. That said, its voice work and unusual premise have earned attention in niche anime coverage and among award voters focused on voice acting or short-form animation. No major wins are recorded to date.

The dinner-table motif and Reiko's wardrobe switch are instantly recognizable beats, and Kageyama's cutting retorts define much of the show's comic rhythm. Short clips, reaction videos, and fan art highlighting the interplay of manners and mystery have appeared across online communities. Memes often highlight Kageyama's timing.

User response is modest, reflected in a 7.25/10 average from 16 votes, with most viewers praising the lead performances and the show's tonal balance. The series plays with class, performance, and role reversal, pitting procedural puzzle plots against domestic comedy and trust dynamics. Some viewers note uneven pacing across episodes.