Sherlock: 8 Other Alternative Sherlock Holmes Adaptations

3. Sherlock Hound

The title of this one really says it all. Sherlock Hound was an anime series originally broadcast in the 1980s which saw Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson, Mrs Hudson et al transformed into anthropomorphic canines. Filled with steampunk, the series often goes down the familiar route of pitting Sherlock against Moriarty (who's a wolf, although I think they missed a trick by not making him a cat €“ Moggyarty, anyone?) but also makes some interesting additions of its own. A big one is its characterisation of Mrs Hudson. Usually a middle-aged housekeeper, here Mrs Hudson is a widow in her 20s. Intelligent, resourceful and a crack shot, Mrs Hudson is also Sherlock's love interest. It's a vibrant twist on a character who's often overlooked in most adaptations. Mrs Hudson's characterisation is thought to be the down to the input of Studio Ghibli filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, who also directed six episodes of the series before complications with the Conan Doyle Estate meant no more could be made. It's a shame they never got to do a pro-dog version of the Hound of the Baskervilles...