While the last episode of Undead Murder Farce left something to be desired in terms of storytelling because of the amount of time spent essentially building a different series than shown in episode one, Episode 3 changes it all. Animated by Lapin Track, directed by Mamoru Hatakeyama, and based on the novel series by Yugo Aosaki, Undead Murder Farce Episode 3, “The Immortal and the Oni,” is all about Sherlock Holmes, or at least how Aya Rindo resembles him.
The immortal head in a bird cage showcases her deduction skill and makes a big impact on the family of vampires while doing so. As she explores the house in Tsugaru’s hand, she takes in the details of the people around her, their personalities, and the physical surroundings of the house. While Aya puts each member of the family through an uncomfortable dinner with too many questions, her unwavering assertion that the killer is in the house drives the episode’s tension.
As the interrogation unfolds, Aya gives them an example of her skill as she walks them through a deduction exercise with the stagecoach driver. While it’s a great moment to show and not tell the audience about Aya’s intelligence, the moment isn’t perfect. The biggest flaw in the episode comes from the fact that Aya, in this display of skill retreads things she’s noted in the last episode. But that isn’t the only time that Aya repeats herself. When Aya and Tsugaru go into the forest with the Godard family Patriarch, we get a repackaging of information from Episode 1 about what an Immortal (or Fushi) is, and Oni as well—hence the name of the episode.
As this continues to happen, I wonder if adapting a novel versus a manga is proving harder for Lapin Track as they feel the need to insert repetitive exposition. But that issue doesn’t overshadow the fun had while watching the series, specifically when it comes to Aya and Tsugaru’s chemistry and relationship. Their bickering and jokes consistently show the audience how much and how quickly the duo has grown close.
From an animation perspective, Undead Murder Farce Episode 3 brings forward everything that caught me from the first episode. With a small bit of action and intimidation in this episode, the animators are able to show their skill in bringing bodily movement to life on the screen. Additionally, as the pieces begin to fall into place, the perspective of the story moves from looking into the cage to looking out from it. The choice to utilize Aya’s views from behind the cage bars puts the audience at her level. As the people she’s interrogating look at her with fear, vulnerability, or even anger at points, this choice helps make Aya more than just a prop to be used.
Overall, Undead Murder Farce Episode 3 is better than the last, and now that it has its footing, it’s clear that it has a voice. The voice may be heavily informed by European literary characters but a voice nonetheless.
Undead Murder Farce Episode 3 — "The Immortal and The Oni"
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Rating - 8.5/108.5/10
TL;DR
Undead Murder Farce Episode 3 is better than the last, and now that it has its footing, it’s clear that it has a voice. The voice may be heavily informed by European literary characters but a voice nonetheless.
