Unraveling the Thrilling Tale of Undead Mayhem, Evolving Weekly
Rindo faces new werewolf challenges on her quest to reach the Forest of Fangs, adding suspense and intrigue to the captivating Undead Murder Farce series
Highlights
The opening scene of Episode 9 provides a familiar yet effective setup of werewolves facing prejudice and mob mentality.
The town doctor's erratic and questionable conduct prompts suspicion regarding his potential connection to the vanishings and fatalities of adolescent girls.
The program urges viewers to meticulously observe details and challenge the inconsistencies they observe, fostering an immersive and gratifying sense of intrigue.
Attention: Spoilers ahead for Episode 9, "Werewolves," of Undead Murder Farce, currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
The manner in which a mystery unfolds is often a key indicator of its potential development. This is because the viewers may possess insights or background knowledge that eludes the detective. Whether it involves deliberate misdirection or a hidden truth in plain sight, it profoundly shapes how the audience interprets the various clues. Such is the captivating opening of Undead Murder Farce's most recent investigation.
The Fears of Men
Last week, Moriarty's unexpected arrival at the party revealed his sinister plan. He aimed to utilize the Penultimate Night as an opportunity to locate the remaining werewolves, intending to harness their formidable power in creating an unstoppable soldier. However, Shinuchi's crafty maneuvering enabled them to retrieve the diamond and venture into the "Forest of Fangs" personally. Their objective: to apprehend Moriarty once and for all, preventing his malevolent scheme from coming to fruition.
In Episode 9, the first scene takes us back eight years before the main plot unfolds. We find ourselves amidst an angry mob as a werewolf and her daughter, the latter resembling a young werewolf in her human form, seek refuge. This familiar scenario echoes countless tales where creatures of the night attempt to integrate into human society, only to face the harsh realities of prejudice and mob mentality.
The setup may seem cliché, but it proves to be effective given the subsequent developments in the episode. Presently, reports suggest that a werewolf has been abducting and murdering young women, with Louise, a girl confined to a wheelchair, being the most recent victim. The first three victims, all girls aged between 11 and 15, displayed bite marks that matched, indicating a single perpetrator. Nonetheless, there are doubts that something is amiss.
Dr. Heinemann, the local town doctor, made a point of mentioning that all the disappearances took place on rainy nights. However, there was no rain on the night Louise went missing, and he appeared noticeably flustered when this inconsistency was pointed out. When questioned by Rindo about the certainty of the bodies being those of the missing girls, he insisted that they were indeed the right ones. However, considering he is the sole doctor in this small town, it is possible that he could have lied.
In the opening scene, both Heinemann and Louise's father, Gustav, play prominent roles during the lynching of the werewolf. Their active involvement raises doubts about their innocence. The story could be exploiting the audience's potential bias, but Gustav's behavior only adds to suspicion. He even intervenes and speaks on behalf of his wife when Rindo questions her whereabouts prior to the kidnapping. Additionally, the wife's constant shifting gaze suggests uneasiness.
However, the most significant hints are the ones that are directly presented to the audience, particularly in the initial scene. Yet, it is a slight but meaningful moment afterwards, when Rindo introduces herself to the villagers, that truly captivates. Regardless of how many times it occurs, witnessing Rindo unveiling her true form to unfamiliar individuals never loses its impact. The effect is not only surprising, but also allows her to quickly assess everyone's expressions and reactions, extracting crucial details about them almost instantaneously.
Interestingly, her condition brings along an inherent enhancement to her keen abilities simply due to its startling nature. Upon hearing Rindo's remark, Gustav experiences a sudden recollection, reminiscent of an unpleasant memory that abruptly imposes itself, and the spectators are exposed to it as well. A sight of a girl sprouting ears from her head. It is conceivable that Gustav witnessed his own daughter's transformation into a werewolf.
Crafting A Satisfying Mystery
Perhaps not everyone approaches mysteries in the same manner, so it's understandable if the following assessment may not resonate with everyone. However, there is a sense that this show is gradually urging viewers to be more observant. In the first mystery, it felt like one had to rush to keep up with Rindo's intellect, but now, it seems like both the viewer and Rindo are on an equal footing.
Some may argue that this particular mystery may be easier to solve. After all, the use of dramatic irony gives the audience an advantage. However, it shouldn't be assumed that the answers have been handed to the audience on a silver platter. Even if Louise is a werewolf, it doesn't explain why girls are disappearing, whether they truly met their demise, or where they might have gone if they didn't. Nevertheless, this clue - carefully presented to the viewer - prompts them to question the discrepancies they come across.
Across nine episodes, the meticulous attention to detail exhibited by this show has been commendable, extending even to the tiniest mannerisms or fleeting glances. And this mystery is no exception – it engenders an exhilarating sense of validation when one detects something amiss and sees those suspicions confirmed. In addition, once viewers adopt the mindset of a detective, a unique level of investment is established, compelling them to persistently tune in, eager to ascertain the accuracy of their deductions.
Following the exposure of Moriarty's scheme, there arose a fleeting instance wherein it appeared that the narrative would place a higher emphasis on halting him rather than exploring any fresh enigmas of a similar nature. Thankfully, this notion proved unfounded, as Undead Murder Farce truly thrives when it seamlessly merges traditional mystery frameworks with elements of the supernatural. The sole lament lies in the awareness that its conclusion is imminent.
