Oh look at me. I am so mysterious and profound as a character because I am staring into nothingness in the middle of a snowing night…. But those losers at Blue Fox Alley still think I am lovely.
At the end of the first chapter, Fukan Fuukei, we were offered a small glimpse into what we could expect in the second chapter. Satsujin Kousatsu the first half, as the second chapter is named, explores the past of Ryougi Shiki prior to the beginning of her career in slicing tissue paper ghosts on top of buildings.
Perhaps it is what the story wants to do. It dangles a piece of meat to attract my attention and withdraws at the last minute to keep me craving. However, I believe this would have to be the limit for me. It may have worked fine with me in drawing my attention during the first chapter and the second, but from here onwards perhaps a different pace of shedding the light would be preferred.
While the second chapter may be more informative than the first, but it is still too slow for me so that was what deemed it as a bigger ‘cocktease’ than the first was. The logic lies in expecting a lot more after watching the first chapter yet the second was not satisfactory in quenching our thirst of knowing more. So yes, the second chapter did put in some effort in explaining the big picture but it was not enough for me.
However I am not going to say Satsujin Kousatsu was disappointing, it was reasonably done but I believe it could have been better. So those were my thoughts of Satsujin Kousatsu in macro scale.
The scenes were sort of smooth flowing in its subtleties, mainly because of its slow pace. And what really impressed me was the way buildings and most scenery were depicted in both chapter one and two. So one of the themes of the story is about the identity of one’s self and alienation, which is strongly accentuated by the drab portrayal of the surroundings. This is most obvious especially in the first chapter with most of the scenes showing decrepit and abandoned buildings. It helps to generate a sense of unfamiliarity.
Apart from that, I am still have some difficulty digesting the scenes where Shiki is seen standing next to the corpses. I know the show needs to create this mysterious atmosphere but it was too ‘lolwut’ for me. Especially the one where she smeared blood over her lips.
P.S Mikiya is infatuated with Shiki. He dreams of the two of them sitting on a tree and doing stuff together.
Who’s there?
O HAI.
Holy! I am getting laid tonight!
Or maybe not.
