Seductive Slayings Unveiled: A Sinister Dance with the Undead

Highlights

Undead Murder Farce has evolved significantly since its start, combining mystery with personal character quests.

In Episode 8, the elusive Moriarty's true motivations are unveiled, which revolve around the creation of a formidable being and the involvement of enhanced soldiers. The action sequences in this episode exhibit excellent choreography and pacing, but unfortunately, there is a lack of character development for Shizuku.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Episode 8, "The Banquet," of Undead Murder Farce, now available on Crunchyroll.

In just eight episodes, Undead Murder Farce has undergone a remarkable transformation, akin to recounting a mesmerizing fever dream. And while the inclusion of literary references is just the tip of the iceberg, this narrative is not just a homage to the mystery genre but also a deeply personal journey for its main characters, albeit one that has thus far been subtly portrayed, until now.

The Grand Farce Presents Itself

Last week, Lupin and Erik successfully carried out a daring heist, only to face an unexpected obstacle when Rindo, Shinuchi, and Shizuku sprung their trap to intercept them. What ensued was a chaotic brawl involving the detectives, the thieves, the elusive Royce agents, and to make matters worse, Professor Moriarty's gang of misfits appeared just in the nick of time to ruthlessly massacre the police force in their relentless pursuit of the precious diamond.

Throughout the series, Moriarty has been a lurking shadow, potentially involved in numerous unseen cases. Episode 8 not only concludes the Penultimate Night case but also marks the beginning of the season's end, providing timely answers to long-standing questions. The undeniable scars left on the protagonists by Moriarty are clear, but his motivations have remained elusive until he finally reveals his reasons, which then become rather obvious.

With Shinuchi leading the way, it becomes evident that his aim is to develop enhanced soldiers. This becomes even more apparent considering his association with Moriarty, who is accompanied by the enigmatic Jack the Ripper - someone who shares many similarities with Shinuchi. Shinuchi's objective is to obtain the Penultimate Night, as it holds the key to locating werewolves. If Moriarty combines the abilities of a werewolf with those of an Oni, along with Rindo's immortality, he would be able to create the most formidable being on the planet.

Given Moriarty's usual inclinations, it is highly likely that he would seek to benefit economically from unleashing such a weapon on the world. Moriarty has always been more than just Holmes' archenemy; he truly embodies the title of the "Napoleon of crime" and possesses a mind that matches that of the great detective. While his portrayal may lean more towards that of a deranged surgeon rather than a mathematician in other versions, his plot undeniably suits his character.

The Last Laugh

The plan carefully considers the characterization of Moriarty while also acknowledging the supernatural elements present in the world of him and his adversary. Adding to its appeal, there is confirmation that this story occurs after the events of "Reichenbach Falls," where Moriarty is believed to have perished. This fact possibly serves as an explanation for his seemingly undead-like appearance.

Regarding the events that took place this week, there were both positive and negative aspects, although the majority leaned towards the positive side. The highlight of it all was undoubtedly Jack, whose debut truly justified the hype surrounding his name. Unfortunately, this came at the expense of poor Fatima, who not only had to suffer from an unfortunate choice of name but also endured a character design that did her no justice. Regrettably, her demise was rather gruesome.

The show's buildup to its action is just as impressive, if not more, than the actual fight scenes. The direction maximizes the budget and turns Shinuchi discarding his coat, gloves, and shoes into a highly anticipated moment. While the action may not always be flashy, it compensates with well-executed choreography and pacing. These fights are easy to follow, which is appropriate since it is based on a novel.

However, what truly stands out in Shinuchi's fight against Jack are the moments of silence that question his reasons for embarking on this journey. So much has happened since the show's premiere that viewers may feel just as bewildered as Shinuchi when faced with this question. While Rindo's motives are clear, revenge doesn't seem to be driving him anymore at this point.

In the previous episode review, we discussed Shinuchi's flair for the dramatics and how naturally he has embraced this role. However, in the current episode, he openly declares that this is indeed his motivation. It is unclear whether he has developed feelings for Rindo or if he simply revels in the theatrics, but Shinuchi is truly living his best life alongside the immortal detective. It is highly anticipated to witness how this unique dynamic will be further explored before the series concludes.

Speaking of character progress, Shizuku finds herself engaged in a challenging battle, although the outcome takes an unexpected turn. Initially, she appears to have the advantage over Carmilla, the maid. However, Carmilla's bloodstains possess an uncanny resemblance to vampire bites, serving as a venomous aphrodisiac that leaves Shizuku vulnerable. This development proves to be both a blessing and a curse for the episode.

Unfortunately, it is regrettable that she has not achieved a more fulfilling triumph in battle at this point in the series, considering the limited opportunities she has had to showcase her abilities. She experienced defeat against Shinuchi in the opening and only managed to reach a stalemate with Carmilla. Nevertheless, this unexpected glimpse of vulnerability raises implications about her sexuality and her intimate connection with Rindo, who it is presumed had a physical relationship with her.

Hopefully, the upcoming final five episodes can really showcase Shizuku's brilliance, as she is the character that the audience knows the least about in this trio-centered story. Initially, there was concern that the series would focus too much on various cameos and neglect its main characters. However, Rindo and Shinuchi have truly stolen the spotlight. In fact, Shinuchi even manages to pull off a heist of his own, leading to a surprising twist at the end of the episode. This once again proves that he is much more intelligent than his actions would suggest. With the conclusion of the second case in this season, Undead Murder Farce continues to be a greatly underestimated delight. Hopefully, the upcoming episodes will maintain the strong momentum.