Sherlock Hound (known in Italy as Il fiuto di Sherlock Holmes and in Japan as Meitantei Hōmuzu) is an animated television series based on Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, featuring anthropomorphic dogs in the primary roles. The series was created as a co-production between the Italian network RAI and the Japanese studio Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS). The production is notable for the involvement of Hayao Miyazaki, who directed six episodes before the series was placed on hiatus due to legal disputes.

Development (1979–1981)

In the late 1970s, RAI executive Luciano Scaffa initiated a plan to transition the network from an importer of Japanese animation to a co-production partner. The concept for a canine adaptation of Sherlock Holmes was proposed by Marco and Gi Pagot, aiming for a "harder style" and an adult demographic.

Following a 1979 pitch meeting in Japan with Tokyo Movie Shinsha, Hayao Miyazaki was attached to the project. Miyazaki altered the original concept significantly, shifting the tone toward a family-friendly adventure format that incorporated steampunk technology and science-fiction elements.

Initial Production and Hiatus (1981–1982)

Production commenced under the supervision of TMS subsidiary Telecom Animation Film. The initial staff included future Studio Ghibli founders and collaborators, including Animation Director Yoshifumi Kondō and Art Director Nizo Yamamoto.

By 1982, six episodes had been completed under Miyazaki's direction. However, production was halted for two years due to a copyright lawsuit filed by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The estate argued that while early Holmes stories were public domain, the character traits developed in the final ten protected stories were not, and that the anime was a derivative work. Furthermore, scriptwriter Sunao Katabuchi indicated there were contractual complications and funding disputes between the Japanese and Italian partners during this period.

Theatrical Release (1984)

Following the success of the Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind manga and its film adaptation, TMS sought to capitalize on Miyazaki's rising popularity. In March 1984, a compilation film consisting of the episodes "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" and "Treasure Under the Sea" was released theatrically as a double feature with Nausicaä.

To avoid ongoing legal restrictions, this release utilized a different voice cast and altered character names (e.g., Mrs. Hudson became "Mrs. Ellison"). The favorable reception to the theatrical release facilitated the resumption of the television series.

Series Resumption (1984–1985)

Television production resumed in 1984 without Miyazaki, who had departed to found Studio Ghibli. Kyōsuke Mikuriya assumed the role of Chief Director for the remaining 20 episodes. Animation production for the new episodes was outsourced to Studio Gallop, resulting in a noticeable shift in animation style and characterization.

Production Comparison

The series is generally divided into two eras: the six "Miyazaki episodes" (produced 1981–82) and the twenty "Mikuriya episodes" (produced 1984–85). The Miyazaki episodes are characterized by "film-tier" fluid animation and a steampunk aesthetic, whereas the later episodes adhere to standard television animation quality.

Production Element	Phase I (Miyazaki, 1981–82)	Phase II (Mikuriya, 1984–85)
Chief Director	Hayao Miyazaki	Kyōsuke Mikuriya
Animation Studio	Telecom Animation Film	Studio Gallop
Character Design	Yoshifumi Kondō	Tsukasa Tannai
Mrs. Hudson Characterization	19-year-old pilot/adventurer	Traditional landlady role

Broadcast and Reception

The full series was broadcast on TV Asahi in Japan between November 1984 and May 1985. In Italy, the series premiered on Rai 1, though the broadcast format—splitting episodes into four five-minute segments—adversely affected initial viewership. The Italian dub is noted for the vocal performance of Professor Moriarty, who was given a distinctive Turin accent by the dubbing director, a choice endorsed by co-creator Marco Pagot.

Legacy

Sherlock Hound is cited as a significant "pre-Ghibli" work in Miyazaki's filmography. Miyazaki later paid tribute to his Italian collaborators in his 1992 film Porco Rosso, naming the protagonist Marco Pagot after the Hound co-creator.

In 2025, a 328-page archive titled Meitantei Holmes Sourcebook was published in Japan. This volume included previously unreleased production materials, including Miyazaki's original outline proposals for all 26 episodes, providing insight into his intended vision for the complete series.