The Unbelievable Rise of Undead Mayhem: A Ghoulishly Gripping Spectacle

Attention: The text below may contain spoilers for the first episode of "Oni Slayer", part of the Undead Murder Farce series, currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Accompanied by her loyal maid, a decapitated immortal embarks on a quest to seek assistance from a formidable cage fighter who is half-human and half-oni. With a unique and unconventional storyline like this, it's difficult to label Undead Murder Farce as anything but original. Nevertheless, I approached the premiere with some reservations, only to be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

A Familiar Draw

With a studio boasting a modest yet intriguing portfolio and a director who has proven their talent time and again, it's natural to wonder what potential pitfalls lie ahead. The reality is that a handful of past productions, sharing a vague resemblance to Undead Murder Farce, have sadly fallen short of expectations.

The success of these shows largely hinges on their marketing strategies and their ability to cater to a niche audience. Specifically, they target viewers who are interested in historical series set in the late 19th century/early 20th century, with a dark atmosphere that matches their violent or supernatural themes. Two notable examples are Sirius the Jaeger and this year's Revenger.

Both shows were promoted based on their intense action scenes and the talented individuals leading the projects. In the case of Sirius, director Masahiro Ando, known for his skill in crafting action-packed stories, applied a similar approach to his work in other genres. On the other hand, Revenger capitalized on the popularity of Gen Urobuchi, the writer behind renowned series like Psycho-Pass and Fate/Zero.

Regrettably, both of those shows received a mixed response. While Sirius showcased its action prowess, it fell short in terms of storytelling. Revenger, on the other hand, appeared to be a run-of-the-mill narrative, causing some in the industry, such as the Anime News Network's writers, to question the continued impact of Urobuchi's reputation.

At first glance, Undead Murder Farce appeared to be another visually captivating historical drama in the same vein. Like Revenger, it highlighted the socio-economic divide during the Meiji period in the midst of intense Westernization. However, similar to Sirius, it promised to take viewers on a thrilling adventure across Europe. Even the action sequences in the preview appeared to be intricately choreographed. Fortunately, the premiere episode hinted that there might be more depth to this story than initially anticipated.

A Farcical World

Tsugaru Shinuchi is a half-human, half-oni hybrid, on the brink of fully succumbing to his oni side. By day, he indulges in drinking, and by night, he engages in brutal battles with monsters inside a cage to entertain a crowd of gamblers. This is the life he's resigned himself to, until he becomes convinced that he's being observed and has a fateful encounter.

Aya Rindo is an immortal being, potentially the only one of her kind, who has had her body stolen. She is accompanied by her loyal protector, Shizuka (meaning silent), a maid who speaks few words and carries a linen-wrapped rifle on her back. Now, in search of help, the immortal detective seeks out Shinuchi in the hopes that they can collaborate and assist one another.

The usage of the term "farce" in relation to the tale is intriguing, as the show itself does not primarily focus on humor, but rather employs the term to highlight the cruel irony of its universe. Through Shinuchi's perspective, we are exposed to the manner in which the abnormal is addressed in a realm where monsters are commonplace. Initially, the villagers insist that he exterminate a stray cat merely because they perceive it as a monster, when in reality, it is only a famished stray that is angered and not content with being relentlessly hit with a stick.

Shinuchi's refusal to end its life leads to a nocturnal encounter with a feline-like creature. This twisted jest, however, fails to justify the unfounded animosity harbored by the ignorant villagers. Through this event, Shinuchi's position within the societal hierarchy becomes clearer, shaping his perspective on the matter. Both Shinuchi and Rindo have made peace with mortality in the face of this absurd world. Yet, upon crossing paths, they discover in each other an opportunity to persist in existence, defying the very mockery that surrounds them.

The Immortal Head and the Oni Slayer

At the outset, Rindo shows no interest in regaining her physical form. Instead, she actively urges Shinuchi to end her life. However, it is Shinuchi who persuades her to embark on the quest to reclaim her body, while also providing the opportunity to locate the individual responsible for his transformation into a half-oni. Despite consisting of just a single episode, this narrative accomplishes a remarkable amount, courtesy of its thematic elements, visual representation, and, notably, the dialogue.

Shinuchi and Rindo engage in captivating banter, each exhibiting their own craftiness by unraveling truths and pointing out contradictions. Their dynamic is enjoyable, allowing the audience to truly understand these characters before investing in the mystery they are about to unravel. Even with limited dialogue, Shizuka leaves a powerful initial impression, and it is thrilling to anticipate the interplay between this trio.

It continuously captivates through its skillful direction, injecting both nuanced character performances and bold visual metaphors, thereby invigorating even the simplest exchanges. Fans of Kaguya-sama's direction will undoubtedly be enthralled by the compelling presentation and diverse range of visual techniques showcased. The result is a perpetually engaging experience, where action benefits greatly from this dynamic approach. Although the confrontation between Shinuchi and Shizuka is brief, it is cleverly crafted, demonstrating that sometimes, less is indeed more.

While the earlier installments in this series relied solely on technical aspects and atmosphere, Undead Murder Farce shifts its focus to its characters, placing them at the forefront. It chooses a more refined and sophisticated approach, still maintaining a stylish flair. While it may not claim the title of the season's best premiere, it is evident that careful attention has been given to its creation, resulting in a pleasantly surprising first impression. This captivating mystery is definitely worth unraveling throughout the season.