Episode 1: Oni Slayer
Undead Murder Farce Episode 1: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 1, “Oni Slayer,” Tsugaru Shinuchi made a living in an alternate universe Meiji period by killing oni. They had become somewhat rare after a great purge, so his future was uncertain. But his future was uncertain anyway. Then he met a maid carrying a birdcage – and a bayoneted rifle. What did she want with Tsugaru? What was in the bird cage? And what’s up with the blue line on Tsugaru’s face?
Episode 2: Vampire
Undead Murder Farce Episode 2: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 2, “Vampire,” a wealthy vampire estate owner was doing his level best to make nice with the local humans. What did he get for his efforts? His wife murdered and a horde of reporters at his doorstep. He did what any intelligent vampire would do: he called in the experts. Who were these experts? Were they able to help? And just how does one count to seven using only one hand?
Episode 3: The Immortal and the Oni
Undead Murder Farce Episode 3: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 3, “The Immortal and the Oni,” Aya and Tsugaru apparently gave up counting to seven, because now they were eating dinner with Lord Godard and his family. Goddard’s sons seemed to think Aya and Tsugaru were frauds – and given that Aya confided in Tsugaru that she really wasn’t sure of the murderer’s identity, they might be! Was Aya bluffing with Tsugaru? Or was she bluffing with Goddard? And why does the cab driver keep trying to look under the table?
Episode 4: The Headliner Appears
Undead Murder Farce Episode 4: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 4, “The Headliner Appears,” Aya calls the Godard family together to make an announcement: she had deduced who killed Mrs. Godard! Moreover, she had concluded the murdered lived in the house. How did she come to her conclusion? Who committed the murder? And how will they react when she announces their name?
Episode 5: The Immortal of London
Undead Murder Farce Episode 5: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 5, “The Immortal of London,” Annie Kerber covered a big story: a criminal had announced he would steal Phileas Fogg’s appallingly valuable diamond. It was so big it even had a name: the Penultimate Night. Fogg, being a confident yet cautious type, called in the era’s biggest detectives – including non other than Aya Rindou and her faithful companions. But they weren’t the only ones. Who else did Fogg hire? Who’s after the gem? And what do they want to do with it?
Episode 6: The Phantom Thief and the Detective
Undead Murder Farce Episode 6: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 6, “The Phantom Thief and the Detective,” Aya, Tsugaru, and Shizuku killed time waiting for the evening’s thievery to get underway. Aya said she’d like to visit the famous wax museum in London, so Shizuku inquired about tickets as Tsugaru bought a snack from a vendor – along with another random gentleman. Who happened to have a parrot in a cage. That looked just like Aya’s. Yes, Tsugaru and Shizuku lost Aya. Can they find her before Lupin makes his move? Will she ever forgive them? And why is Sherlock Holmes so certain he’ll fire six bullets before 11:00 that night?
Episode 7: Free for All
Undead Murder Farce Episode 7: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 7, “Free for All,” water poured through the grate in the underground vault’s ceiling. Holmes, Watson, Fogg, and the rest had to tread water. But they comforted themselves with the thought that at least no one could get in and steal the silver vault. Is Holmes deluding himself? Putting on an act to flush out Lupin in case he’s masquerading as one of the guards? And why is Tsugaru telling Japanese folktales?
Episode 8: The Banquet
Undead Murder Farce Episode 8: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 8, “The Banquet,” the battle over the werewolf diamond raged. Shizuku held her own against Carmilla. But the vampire was wily, and she had not yet begun to dig deeply into her repertoire. How long will our favorite combat maid last? Tsugaru also seemed to be holding his own against Reynold and Lupin. That is, until another player showed up and didn’t so much tip the scale as shatter it. Does Tsugaru stand any chance of retrieving the diamond? Or getting back to Aya in one piece?
Episode 9: Werewolves
Undead Murder Farce Episode 9: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 9, “Werewolves,” Tsugaru kept up a running dialogue as he carried Aya up the mountain, Shizuku right behind them. They were looking for the werewolve’s village. What they found instead was a doctor from a village just up the road – a doctor searching for an abducted little girl. Of course, Aya offered to help. Who was this doctor? Who abducted the girl, and why? And what, exactly, did Shizuku do to Tsugaru’s pillow?
Episode 10: Misty Hollow
Undead Murder Farce Episode 10: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 10, “Misty Hollow,” Aya closed in on the kidnapper/murderer – at least, she thought that’s what she was doing. But then two visitors disrupted her plans: Alice Rapidshot and Kyle Chaintail, security operatives from that insurance company. Those two knew nothing of subtlety, and they certainly had no love for Aya, Tsugaru, or Shizuku. Nor, apparently, for Doctor Heinemann’s furniture! Can Aya find a way to convince them to work with her, instead of against her?
Episode 11: Where the Wolves Dwell
Undead Murder Farce Episode 11: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 11, “Where the Wolves Dwell,” the doctor tried to clean the werewolf’s bite mark on Tsugaru’s leg. Alice Rapidshot kicked in the door to the church. She threatened to shoot Aya. She even threatened to shoot Tsugaru – again. Turns out when she shot at the werewolf in the previous episode, she “accidentally” shot Tsugaru, too! Can Aya talk her down? How badly was Tsugaru shot? And there in the world is Shizuku?
Episode 12: Where the River’s Flow Changes
Undead Murder Farce Episode 12: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 12, “Where the River’s Flow Changes,” Tsugaru managed to keep Aya’s head and cage safe as they plunged down the mountain. But there was a huge problem despite that success: Victor fell with them. More accurately, he pushed them, then went after the pair. Even if he survives the impact, Tsugaru will have to face Victor – who’s about twice as tall as our Oni-slayer. Does Tsugaru stand a chance? Or more accurately, does he have time – since the insurance agents are no doubt trying to follow?
Episode 13: The Culprit’s Name
Undead Murder Farce Episode 13: Favorites
In Undead Murder Farce episode 13, “The Culprit’s Name,” Aya might have figured out the identity or identities of the murderer(s), but it might be a moot point. Between Alice Rapidshot, Kyle Chaintail, Aleister Crowley, the human villagers, and the werewolf villagers, everyone is killing everyone else. There might not be anyone left alive to learn the truth! And that’s not even mentioning Shizuku’s rematch with Carmilla! Was Aya correct in her deduction? Will anyone be left alive to hear it? Or will the case be solved by attrition?
Yeah, this was such a great series! What was your favorite episode? I think mine was The Phantom Thief and The Detective. I loved the scene when Aya accidentally got kidnapped. I hope we get to see those criminal twins again in the next season!
Aya accidentally getting kidnapped was hilarious!
That’s a tough question, because almost all of the episodes appealed to me. I’d have to say The Headliner Appears. I enjoyed how Tsugaru would turn Aya’s cage so she could look at everyone as they spoke. It was great when Tsugaru took down Raoul. Not only did Raoul deserve to be taken out; but Tsugaru did it with such style.