「Good Luck, 名探偵君」

Who killed Cock Robin?

 I, said the Sparrow, 

with my bow and arrow, 

 I killed Cock Robin. 

Who saw him die? 

I, said the Fly, 

with my little eye,

I saw him die. 

So there has been a major detective drama on TV every day now since New Year... I hope that means this year is filled with great detective shows!

Last year, a new Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo TV drama special was broadcast just after New Year, starring Yamada Ryousuke as the fourth actor playing the young detective. It was a grand, international production, shot in Hong Kong and it was actually the most fun live action adaptation since the original TV drama starring Doumoto Tsuyoshi  (1995-1997). In fact, this 'fourth generation' Kindaichi seemed like a continuation of the original series, with a similar, silly Hajime (as opposed to the somewhat moody third/fourth Hajime), some of the more memorable background music being reused and the same school costumes. Too bad the story itself was quite boring, which is why I never bothered to write a review about it.

But the team itself had potential, so I was quite pleased when I heard that they were going to make another special drama this year based on Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo: Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken ("The Case Files of Young Kindaichi: The Prison Gate Cram School Murder Case"). It's revealed that a mysterious person called the Hell Puppeteer had been responsible for planning (not executing) the murders that occured last year in Hong Kong. Kindaichi Hajime was the first person to ever solve one of his crimes, so vowing a rematch, he sents a challenge to the young detective. Something is going to happen on the study camp in Malaysia of the prestigious Prison Gate Cram School. Hajime, Miyuki and Saki all join the study trip in order to stop the Puppeteer's plans, but it doesn't take long before one student after another falls victim to a murderer. Meanwhile,  the Puppeteer takes joy in teasing the young detective with the nursery rhyme Cock Robin. It was the Sparrow who killed Cock Robin, but is Hajime more than just a fly who can only watch Cock Robin die?

Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken is based on my favorite case in the second season of the Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo series, which ran from 2004 till 2011. I also consider it one of the best Kindaichi Shounen cases, because it has so many things that you'd expect from the series, all done in a good way. The school setting, nemesis Hell's Puppeteer, a grand trick... We've all seen the elements, but they really work in this story. So how did the adaptation turn out?

Well, it works for the most part. It is a fairly faithful adaptation and the production team did a good job at mimicking the atmosphere of the original series. One problem I had with this production was that the main trick seemed more obvious because the way the show was edited, though that is probably also because I already knew the story. The relative location of everything plays a pretty big part in this story (it's mostly an alibi cracking mystery), but I feel that the production team should have done more to convey that information to the viewer (c.f. Kagi no Kakatta Heya, with their dioramas). I have to say that the major hints were show quite good in the show (though that was also the case in the original manga) and it's definitely a great fair mystery.

The main trick itself might not be very original in theory (you'll find variations of it in the works of some of the authors I discuss here often), and Amagi Seimaru himself had actually also used a variation of it in another of his manga, but even if the trick isn't original, the execution is good, because he builds on it and makes every new, extra element work with each other. Yesterday's Kagi no Kakatta Heya special was just as long as Gokumonjuku Satsujin Jiken, but this was so much better as a two hour production, because it was planned and written as one single story, instead of being two stories glued together. This special will definitely appeal to all fans of the genre.

Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo is one of those series where the school setting works best. Fudou High School by now has been the home for a great number of murder victims and murderers (and one great detective) and it's become a bit silly, but school settings are still fairly rare in detective fiction, even though school exams, school buildings, activity clubs and complex human relations offer so much potential for a great mystery!

The drama adaptation has some minor changes compared to the original story. Most obvious is the more international setting, with foreign students at Prison Gate Cram School and the camp being held in Malaysia. I guess it was done because this special was produced internationally and it doesn't really add nor detract, so I don't have any objections against it. There are some character changes (recurring buddy Souta appears in the original instead of Saki, and Inspector Akechi Kengo is replaced by Inspector Lee from last year's special), but again, it works in the context of the series. And finally, the appearance of the Hell Puppeteer. This is his first appearance in this continuity (he also appeared in the self-contained third generation) and he is handled quite good! He's a pretty important character in the series, so I hope they'll do more with him in future productions.

I hope they'll make a TV series with this team though, because it really has much potential. Yamada plays a great Hajime, the Hell Puppeteer shows potential for a good overarching storyline and the lighter atmosphere of these specials work quite well. Seriously, moody Kindaichi was the worst thing ever to happen to the live action series. I am glad they went back on the right track with this series!

July 2014 edit: these specials indeed led to the production of a TV series called Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo NEO. Reviews of each episode start here.

Original Japanese title(s): 『金田一少年の事件簿：　獄門塾殺人事件』

Dead Man's Mirror

迷わず秘密の裏側を知りたくて扉開けたなら 

どっかでみたようなデジャヴが何度もUpside Down

 「Face Down」 (嵐）

Opening the door because I want to know what's behind it without getting lost

I find a deja vu I've seen somewhere else before, countless of times Upside Down.

"Face Down" (Arashi)

Writing this review reminded me that I went to a forum organized by Kyoto University featuring Kishi Yuusuke last year. He talked about violence in media and its (perceived) consequences on society, which was quite interesting. I still have my notes somewhere, should probably write them out one of these days though... Don't know why I never mentioned the forum here though.

I first wrote about Kishi Yuusuke's Security Consultant Detective Enomoto Kei series about two, three years ago, with my review of The Glass Hammer. It is still one of the more memorable locked room mysteries I've ever read and I've enjoyed other entries in the series too. The series was made into a TV drama titled Kagi no Kakatta Heya two years ago and I also praised that production as an excellent series focusing solely on locked room mysteries. And attornies Aoto Junko, Serizawa Gou and security consultant Enomoto Kei returned to the small screen last night (January 3) in Kagi no Kakatta Heya Special: Kagami no Kuni no Satsujin ("The Locked Room Special: The Mirror Land Murders"). Serizawa Gou still has the ability to come across locked room murders despite Enomoto's disappearance at the end of the TV series, as he finds one of his clients clubbed to death at home. Locked, naturally. His junior associate Junko on the other hand is dealing with a locked room revival: a man was having a heart attack in his own, locked apartment room, but someone appeared and called an ambulance for him. But how did his savior get and out of the room? Serizawa and Junko are both having troubles with their locked rooms, when Enomoto Kei appears again.

I actually didn't even know about this special until today, so it kinda surprised me. But like I said, the TV series was excellent, so I started watching this special without too many worries (and a little pile of expectations): I was reasonably happy with the results. The special is based on two stories by Kishi Yuusuke; Kagami no Kuni no Satsujin ("The Mirror Land Murder") and an yet unpublished story, provisionally titled Futatsu no Misshitsu ("Two Locked Rooms").  One problem I had with the special was that it really felt like two stories were just glued together. It wasn't one story, just three locked room problems in a row. Then again, most detective shows have trouble giving you a fair locked room murder in one show, so I guess I shouldn't be complaining about a special that manages to give me three locked room murders, two of which quite good.

The locked room revival is fun as a concept, but the trick behind the locked room is not fundamentally different from a locked room murder: it's still about figuring out how (if) someone got out of a locked room. The other two locked room murders in this special are 'normal' murders (no revivals here), but much more interesting. The first one features a trick actually quite simple and primitive, but it's the way it's executed that's memorable. It's quite easy to oversee the solution because it's so simple, and while I have nothing against complex tricks, I really do like it when tricks turn out to be really simple and executable.

The bigger locked room is the one that lends its name to the special's title: a museum curator is killed, but the two corridors that lead to his office were under camera surveillance; one corridor comes from the main hall, while you'll have to go through an Through the Looking Glass, And What Alice Found on the Other Side themed mirror maze exposition (in construction) to get to the other hallway. It's pretty obvious that the murderer must have gone through the maze (hence the title), but how? The trick is daring, and reminiscent of The Glass Hammer, but a bit more believable. One part of the solution does rely on a bit of specialist information and while I admit there was a bit of hinting to that, I don't believe it's common knowledge, and it felt a bit like one of those super technical tricks from Higashino Keigo's Galileo series, where you're told about a natural phenomenom that's apparently behind the magic. It's not cheating, but how am I supposed to know about obscure lasers? The first part of the trick is fantastic though and is hinted at fairly well too. It's also a trick that works best in a visual medium, so it really works well here.

As a TV production, Kagi no Kakatta Heya is still excellent. The production team really tries to make you understand the nature of the locked rooms, as well as other relevant information. When talking about alibis for example, timelines are put on screen, to ensure the viewer knows where everybody was at what time. Sherlock does a lot with visual information too, though that is mostly additional information (for example, short deductions, text messages appearing above a cellphone). In Kagi no Kakatta Heya, it's used to summarize (long threads of) information for fair play. And of course, the highlight of the show, the miniatures of all the locked rooms! This special wouldn't be complete with one and once again we see the production team doing everything to present the locked room in an understandable way for the viewer. CG reconstructions are probably easier to construct, which is why I really appreciate the work that goes into these minatures.

Oh, and I think I actually missed the ending of the TV series (which was based on The Glass Hammer), but it seems they finally made it clear that Enomoto Kei is actually a security consultant and a thief. This was clear in the novels from the beginning, but the TV series kinda jumped around that. In fact, it's only in this special that Enomoto Kei starts running his own security shop, something he had been doing from the beginning in the novels.

As a locked room mystery, the Kagi no Kakatta Heya Special is a bit uneven. The stories are glued together and it never feels like one single coherent story, but the seperate pieces of the production are quite good; it's just a shame it's not something bigger than just the sum of the parts. For those who loved the Kagi no Kakatta Heya  TV series, as well as those into a good locked room mystery, this special will provide an entertaining two hours though.  

Original Japanese title(s): 　貴志祐介（原）　『鍵のかかった部屋ＳＰ：鏡の国の殺人』

File 1: Music to be Murdered By

Welcome to the first post in the Music to be Murdered By corner, a corner where I'll post music from various detective TV series/movies/games. I try to discuss detective fiction in all kinds of media (I should work a bit on that musical tag though...), but it is sometimes hard to discuss everything from a certain medium in a review. I especially find it hard to discuss music in reviews, even though I really enjoy soundtracks.

Thus this corner was born, where I'll just introduce one piece of background music a time. Rule: it must come from a mystery related production. And could there be a better way than start with a track from the album that lends its name to this corner?

Title: Shissou - Main Theme ("The Wild Run - Main Theme") 
Composer: Wada Kaoru
Album: Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo Original Soundtrack - File 1: Music to be Murdered By

Shissou is one of the two main themes for the anime adaptation of the Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo series. The track is thrilling, fast-paced and definitely one of the better tracks of the series. It is usually used just when a new murder is discovered. The Standard Use of this track is as follows: 1) a scream, 2) [Shissou starts] everybody runs to the place where the scream came from, 3) they discover the door is locked and 4) discovery of the victim. And visually:

Given that every other victim in Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo is killed in a locked room set far away from the main party, you can imagine how often you'll hear this theme. A variation is used in the preview of the next episode, maintaining that same sense of thrill. If you have seen enough Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo episodes, you'll automatically start to run to... anywhere as soon as you'll hear this theme.

And that concludes this first post of Music to be Murdered By. This is an irregular corner, so the next post in this series will come whenever I feel like posting music.

Original Japanese title(s): 「疾走　（メインテーマ）」 （和田薫） 『金田一少年の事件簿　オリジナルサウンドトラック File 1: Music to be Murdered By』 　

The Big Sleep

君の愛の揺りかごで

もう一度安らぎに眠れたら

「The Real Folk Blues」　（山根麻衣）

I wish I could sleep once more

in the cradle of your love

"The Real Folk Blues" (Yamane Mai)

Did we all enjoy the first episode of the new season of Sherlock? I'll write a review when all episodes have aired, so that post will appear in... a bit more than a week.

Kaga Kyouichirou series
Sotsugyou ("Graduation") (1986)
Nemuri no Mori ("Forest of Sleep") (1989)
Dochiraka ga Kanojo wo Koroshita ("One of the Two Killed Her") (1996)
Akui ("Malice") (1996)
Watashi ga Kare wo Koroshita ("I Killed Him") (1999)
Uso wo Mou Hitotsu Dake ("One More Lie") (2000)
Akai Yubi ("Red Fingers")  (2006)
Shinzanmono ("Newcomer") (2009)
Kirin no Tsubasa ("The Wings of the Kirin") (2011)
Inori no Maku ga Oriru Toki ("When the Curtains of Hope Come Down") (2013)

Kaga Kyouichirou had planned to become a teacher after his graduation, but things don't always go the way you want. Nemuri no Mori ("Forest of Sleep") puts Kaga in the role of the police inspector in charge of  a murder case at the offices of the Takayanagi Ballet Troupe. Haruko, one of the troupe's dancers, was attacked by a man and killed him accidently in self defense. The police has problems figuring out why the man snuck in the offices and suspect that he was trying to find someone or something connected to the troupe. Suspecting the key to this case lies within the troupe, Kaga decides to learn more about the members of the troupe and the world of professional ballet performances.

The second Kaga Kyouichirou novel and quite different from the first novel. Sotsugyou was relatively 'classically styled', with a locked room puzzle and an intricate other problem focusing on actor movements. Nemuri no Mori on the other hand has none of these decorations; a normal bludgeoning death, and an investigation focusing on the psychology of the suspects. There is a relatively 'classic' murder around the middle of the novel, but the howdunnit of that murder is solved rather quickly and it never becomes a focal point in the case. Nemuri no Mori is definitely closer to the later novels in the Kaga Kyouichirou series.

The setting of a theater group is something you'll often see in detective fiction and while a ballet troupe is not that different, I have to admit that Higashino made quite good use of the setting and the world of ballet really comes alive in Nemuri no Mori. Specialized settings are used quite often in Kaga Kyouichirou series, with the world of university level Kendou competitions in Sotsugyou, writers in Watashi ga Kare wo Koroshita and a myriad of settings in Shinzanmono, which is definitely one element that makes the Kaga Kyouichirou series interesting to read.

One problem I had with Nemuri no Mori was its tempo though. Most of the novel focuses on Kaga getting to learn more about the members and their ideas on ballet, with the investigation almost an afterthought. Because of that, it's not always clear where Nemuri no Mori's narrative is going. Considering that the novel should be about a murder investigation, I'd prefer for the story to be a bit more focused.

A TV drama version of Nemuri no Mori was broadcast on January 2 of this year, as the fourth entry in the Shinzanmono-branded adaptations of the Kaga Kyouichirou novels. It is a fairly faithful adaptation of the original novel; changes include one concerning the second death, and some changes in the background of the character of Kaga. But I have to admit that I enjoyed the drama version more than the novel. Partly because I knew the story already; solving a bit of the problems I had with the pacing of the story. But it also helped that you could actually see and hear the ballet performances, rather than just reading about them. So much of the story depends on the characters and their passion for ballet, so it really adds to the enjoyments of the story to see and hear their art 'alive'.  

Oh, and the cameo perfomance by Nakama Yukie as Kaga's date at the beginning was hilarious, because Abe Hiroshi and Nakama Yukie are also the stars in the wonderful drama Trick!

I wouldn't call Nemuri no Mori a high point in the series in general, but I did really like the drama adaptation of it (even better than the movie!), so I'd recommend the latter for those who want to learn about one of Kaga's earliest cases.

Original Japanese title(s): 東野圭吾　『眠りの森』,　東野圭吾（原） 新春ドラマスペシャル“新参者”加賀恭一郎「眠りの森」

Turnabout Memories - Part 3

"I have to go over everything that's happened. I have to remember"

Another Code R: Journey into Lost Memories

Like last year, a list post. Because that's what blogs are supposed to do, or something like that. While I posted less on this blog this year, I only worked harder than ever on mystery fiction, because my MA thesis was about the New Authentic movement of Japanese detective fiction. Which was also why I was in Kyoto (and more specifically, the Kyoto University Mystery Club) last year; the gather material. Ah, Jukkakukan no Satsujin, 8 no Satsujin, Mippei Misshitsu and Gekkou Game, the many hours Ive spent with you lot.... And also writing about Van Dine and Knox' rules, about tropes in detective ficton.....  All things I had planned to do ever since I entered the faculty, so that was fun (note: it was only fun in the preparation period and after I had actually written it. The writing process itself was... hard work, but I also discovered that I can write amazing amounts of not entirely crazy text in little time). I also learned the valuable lesson that combining your hobby/interest with a thesis can lead to a bit of stress, because it also means that leisure time will always be partly work time.

But anyway, lists and mentions and stuff! Because it's the end of the year!

Best Project On The Blog!
Reviewing all of the early Ellery Queen novels was something I wanted to do for a long time (if only because now I can link to a review whenever I refer to one of them), but I finally got to it. And I actually think they turned out quite well (I definitely worked harder on them than with my usual reviews), but for some reason these posts didn't attract as many views as I had expected (I had at least expected them do better than my reviews of untranslated Japanese novels...).

The Roman Hat Mystery
The French Powder Mystery
The Dutch Shoe Mystery
The Greek Coffin Mystery
The Egyptian Cross Mystery
The American Gun Mystery
The Siamese Twin Mystery
The Chinese Orange Mystery
The Spanish Cape Mystery

Best Project Outside the Blog!
Writing a guess-the-criminal script

Guess-the-criminal stories are one of the main activities of the Kyoto University Mystery Club and indeed, most of the authors who originate from the club were active writers of such scripts. So when I had the chance to write a script just before I was leaving Japan, I said I would. And then I had problems with coming up with a plot. And writing in Japanese. Especially writing in Japanese. It's kinda weird to think that the very first piece of fiction I've ever written, was in Japanese...

But it went okay-ish, actually, and I was also able to fullfil a promise I had made to someone several years ago by writing that story, so that was good. Since then I've actually developed the habit of writing detective fiction occassionally. But I don't post them here because I write them in Japanese...

Oh, and maybe this is a good time to tell about that short story I translated, which will be published in 2014.... but let's wait a bit with that.

Most Difficult Novel To Review In 2013! Or: The Review That Made Me Question My Sanity
Dogura Magura (Yumeno Kyuusaku)

Ding.....dong.....

Most Surprising Tricks Encountered in 2013!
Tokeikan no Satsujin (The Clock House Murders) (Ayatsuji Yukito)

Okay, I technically read this one in 2012, but because I had read it after the list of last year, I consider something read this year. And this one deserves a mention. After a strange trip with Ningyoukan no Satsujin, Ayatsuji returned to the roots of the series with Tokeikan no Satsujin, which features a grand trick that borders on the demonical. It seems solvable and you'll probably come close, but there always remain some problems that make it seem impossible after all, until Shimada Kiyoshi explains the magic behind it.

'Kaiki Tsukiji Hotel Kan' (The Tsukiji Hotel Ghost Story) (Yamada Fuutarou)

The first mystery after a lengthy prologue in Yamada's Meiji Dantoudai and what a treat! The trick screams Meiji-period, but that is what makes it so great. This is the way to do a historical mystery!

Best Article on Ramen in 2013!
Kyoto's Ramen Street

Okay, so I only wrote two posts on ramen this year, and one of them was about a short detective story collection about ramen, so I admit there wasn't much competition for this one, but I doubt I'll ever make such a comprehensive article about ramen restaurants here again. Then again, I certainly wouldn't mind making another one.

Most surprising Scooby Doo! of 2013!
Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated

I just wanted to mention the series. There.

Most Interesting Lead of 2013!
Shinoda Masashi (Friday) (In: Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ (City ~ Crossroad of Fates~))

The evil great detective Sanzunokawa Kotowari was an interesting discovery, who uses his analytical mind for evil, and the unlikely pair of Kobato and Osanai (who only do daily life mysteries) and the Father Brown-esque A Aiichirou made quite an impression too but I had the most fun with Machi's Masashi (Friday). He isn't really a detective, but he is constantly forced into situations that require quick thinking, and by the end of the story, he shows that his powers of reasoning actually aren't that bad. What's most impressive is his amazing ability to adapt really quickly to any situation. Sure, he is a bit confused at first when he's blackmailed into entering a suspicious blackmailing organization (who wouldn't?), but he quickly picks up the tricks of the trade and even more, and by the end of the game... Masashi's still the simple self he was at the beginning of the story, just a little bit wiser and experienced. That's also what makes Masashi so memorable: he messes up (often), but we actually see him learn from that, and the gap between his 'normal' self and his 'awakened' self, on full throttle, using everything he heard and saw just the last few days and outsmarting people who have been in the trade for years, is just amazing. 

Best deductions seen in 2013!
Kyomu he no Kumotsu (Offerings to Nothingness) (Nakai Hideo)

An unlucky year for Berkeley. Normally, I'd be now talking about how The Poisoned Chocolates Case shows the unlimited potential of the human imagination and deduction.... but the range of the deductions there don't even come close to what Nakai Hideo did in Kyomu he no Kumotsu. You will be overwhelmed by deductions, you will drown in them and in the end you'll be left... with nothing. Kyomu he no Kumotsu is a fantastic mystery, and anti-mystery at the same time.

Honorable mention: Jooukoku no Shiro (The Castle of the Queendom) (Arisugawa Alice): in the world of normal deductions, you'd be king. Or queen. Of the year.

Most Interesting Game. Played in 2013 But Probably Older!
Super Danganronpa 2 - Farewell Academy of Despair

This was a fairly easy win for Super Danganronpa 2. Games like Shin Kamaitachi no Yoru and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silver Earring were disappointing, while The Testament of Sherlock Holmes and Detective Conan - Marionette Symphony had their high points, but also their share of problems. Super Danganronpa 2 on the other hand improved on all aspects of the original game; the story was much better (also on a meta-level) and the mysteries were much, much better. It's also the reason why I enjoyed it even better than my long awaited Gyakuten Saiban 5, a good game on its own, but less innovating in terms of story and plot.

And a special mention for Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ which isn't a detective game (well, it is one partially), but definitely one of the best games ever.

(Other non-detective games I enjoyed this year: Time Travelers, Luigi's Mansion 2, Attack of the Friday Monsters,  Pokémon X/Y, Batman: Arkham Asylum.

And finally, just a list.

 The Just-Ten-In-No-Particular-Order-No-Comments List:

• Tokeikan no Satsujin (The Clock House Murders) (Ayatsuji Yukito)
• Meiji Dantoudai (The Meiji Guillotine) (Yamada Fuutarou)
• Jooukoku no Shiro (The Castle of the Queendom) (Arisugawa Alice)
• Ubume no Natsu (The Summer of the Ubume) (Kyougoku Natsuhiko)
• Kyomu he no Kumotsu (Offerings to Nothingness) (Nakai Hideo)
• A Aiichirou no Roubai (The Discombobulation of A Aichirou) (Awasaka Tsumao)
• Tasogare (Twilight) (Norizuki Rintarou)
• Kuroi Trunk (The Black Trunk) (Ayukawa Tetsuya)
• The Poisoned Chocolates Case (Anthony Berkeley)
• Hitotsu Yane no Shita no Tanteitachi (Two Detectives and One Watson) (Morikawa Tomoki)

And this is the last post of the year. But with Sherlock starting on the first day of the new year, I guess it shouldn't take long for me to resume posting again.

『街中 Sophisticate』

いつも探してる　みんな歩いてる 

けれど　まだどうにも見つからない事ばかり

だけど探してく　ずっと歩いてく 

誰もが皆それぞれの自分生きている 

『One and Only』　（鈴木結女）

Everyone is searching, everyone is walking

But there are still things they can't find

But they will keep on searching, they will keep on walking

Everyone is living their lives

"One And Only" (Suzuki Yume)

Last review of the year!

October 11. Shibuya. Home of the most famous scramble crossing. Home of Hachikou. Home of major department centers. Fashion center. Home of one of the liviest shopping and nightlife districts in Tokyo. City of hope, city of dreams. City of despair, city of misery. And home to the eight protagonists of Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ ("City ~Crossroad of Fates~"). Each of them have their own worries, their own dreams, their own story. Yoshiko needs to lose weight fast or else her boyfriend will break up with her. Umabe is working on a comeback as an actor. Masashi is being blackmailed into entering a blackmail organization. Youhei is told by one of his flings she is carrying his child. Keima is working hard to stop a terrorist attack on Shibuya. Ichikawa is struggling with his fame as a scriptwriter and the wish to write real literature. Takamine has deserted from the French Foreign Legion and has come back to his home town. Ushio is a ex-yakuza who accidently gets involved with a robbery. Eight persons, eight lives. They don't know each other. The one thing they have in common: they all live in Shibuya, and the following five days will be remembered forever by both them, and the players of the game.

Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ (available on Saturn, PlaySation and PSP) is not very famous outside of Japan, but it is considered a masterpiece there; in a 2009 poll of an All Time Top 100 by gaming magazine Famitsuu, Machi ended up ranking in at fifth place, beating many major titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Dragon Quest IV.  Considering that Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ is a sound novel, that's quite impressive. A sound novel is a game where the story is told through prose (i.e. text appears on the screen like a novel, accompanied by music and background still pictures) and where you occcasionally have to make decisions that determine the outcome of the story, like an adventure-book.

In Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten, you'll have to guide each of the eight protagonists to the end of the day, making the right choices on the way (or else you arrive at a bad ending). For the scenario with Yoshiko for example, you might want to avoid going to places with a lot of restaurants if you want her diet to be succesful. But, even though the eight protagonists don't know each other, each and every action undertaken by any of them, might unknowingly have influence on someone other's fate! One early example is when Yoshiko is out jogging, when she is hit by a truck. Takamine however was having a row with the driver of that truck just a few minutes earlier, and while it has no impact on Takamine's story whether you get into a fight with the driver or not, if you choose to knock the driver out, he won't be able to hit Yoshiko with his truck later on, changing her fate. So by 'zapping' between all eight storylines, you as the player need to find the right combination of choices that will get every character safely to another day. Indeed, Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ was actually the first Chunsoft sound novel with the zapping system, a game mechanic I have also praised in my reviews of Detective Conan: Marionette Symphony and 428 ~ Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de.

428 ~ Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de and Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ are considered standalone games, but they are both set in Shibuya, they share the zapping system, and little notes and small references show that the two stories are in fact set in the same world (with 428 taking place ten years after the events in Machi). Amemiya Keima was originally scheduled to appear in the 428 as a guest character. I loved 428 ~ Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de, but I think I like Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ even better! The games are very much alike, zapping between protagonists to accomplish goals, but 428 was in the end about getting the five protagonists to work together to stop a terrorist virus attack on Shibuya. Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ however takes a slice-of-life approach: the eight protagonists do get connected at some level, but it is not like one big epic where everybody gathers to fight evil. The eight storylines are distinct from each other and fairly 'normal'. It's this sense of 'normality' that makes Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ an experience, as there are just few story-based videogames that have this slice-of-life atmosphere (as opposed to games like Animal Crossing or Boku no Natsuyasumi which aren't story-based per se).

I praised the way 428 made me realize how every little interaction with other people can have huge influences in the long term, but it is done much better in Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ because it's a set of slice-of-life stories. The way it conveys the feeling of anonymous people living in a big metropolis, all with their own lives and goals, yet having influence on each other lives through small actions is just wonderful. It's a bit It's a Wonderful Life-esque, actually, with you seeing how even the small action of closing a door can help out another person. The interconnections between the scenarios (even if small) really make Shibuya come to life as a background. And speaking of backgrounds, sometimes it's just fun to see some of the other protagonists just pop up in the background of another scenario. It really nails the feeling all these characters are living in the same space in the same time.

Another mechanic that deepens the experience is the so-called TIPS system. It's basically the option to hightlight specific keywords for more information (i.e footnotes). Some TIPS give explanations of complex words, while others are just hilarious observations. Even more important are the TIPS that describe a side of Shibuya you'll only see a glimpse of in the 'main' game; only by reading the TIPS you'll discover why that policeman is always talking with another dialect every time another person meets him, or why that convenience store is run by the same guy for five days, day and night. I am not a fan of footnotes per se (thank you, Van Dine), but when it's done like in Machi, to expand the world, I can only say yes, more please.

But even if I say Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ is slice-of-life, you can expect a lot of craziness in the scenarios here. I mean, getting mistaken for a gangster or getting to hear an old fling is carrying your baby, while an even older fling has already given birth to your child (note: Youhei is a high school student) is probably not something that happens every day. But it's not mystery per se. 428 ~ Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de can be called a detective game because of its goals, but Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ can't be called that in general. So why do I discuss the game here on the blog? Well, it's a masterpiece, and it's not a detective game in general, but there are two scenarios that actually can be considered as such and that's why I discuss those two in detail.

Run, Otaku Detective! is the 'main' scenario of the game. Police detective and full-time gamer Amemiya Keiba witnesses the screening of a mysterious message on the big TV screen mounted on a building. Decoding the message reveals a bomb threat, but his senior officer thinks it's just a hoax. The five days of Machi has Amemiya running around solving devious codes sent by the terrorist, who has hidden small bombs in videogame arcades all around Shibuya. Think Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper.

This is one of the more 'game-like' scenarios (see the similarities with 428's story) and while the first day is a bit easy, you'll have to solve the codes yourself in later days, which make it more exciting. And, something really surprising, like Chunsoft's own Kamaitachi no Yoru, you'll actually have to input the name of the culprit yourself at the end of the game (which caught me off-guard...). As a detective game it's a bit different from Kamaitachi no Yoru, because it's mostly solving codes (instead of a murder), but not less entertaining (and some of the bad endings are fantastic).

"You'll be Friday". The Seven Days Club starts with the student Shinoda Masashi being blackmailed by a mysterious beauty with the codename Sunday. He gets a discount (he only needs to pay 10.000 yen), but in return must enter the Seven Days Club. As its newest member Friday, Masashi will need to blackmail seven people himself, before he's free. Masashi has no idea what's going on at first, but he quickly develops a knack for blackmailing, making use of his fast brain and ability to adapt quickly. But he also has a soft spot for his victims, and he soon turns into a model, nice blackmailer. But what is the goal of the Seven Days Club? Why is their slogan chinchicole? That is a question Masashi asks himself (as will the player), and that is what makes this scenario the best of the game.

The whole idea of being blackmailed into a blackmailing organization that only asks for 10.000 yen is just ridiculuous, but the crazy people in the Seven Days Club (which include a high school student, a tranvestite and a hippy), as well as the people Masashi blackmails make this the funniest scenario. But the way Masashi slowly learns how to play his victims, reminds of Liar Game, whereas the latter part of the scenario, where Masashi slowly deduces the true goal of the Seven Days Club, is pure detective magic (and I will admit that I was actually surprised at the amount of foreshadowing/hinting that was done across the game).

The other scenarios are not mysteries, but again, in the end all these stories are interconnected, and Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ is definitely something that should be experienced. In fact, I consider Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ as one of the best games I've played this year. Heck, one of the best games I've played ever. I'll admit that 428 is better as a consistent game, because the boring parts of Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~ are worse than those of 428, but at its best, I prefer the more free, less concentrated and more 'realistic' slice-of-life approach of Machi ~Unmei no Kousaten~. It's a masterpiece in narrative and characterization in videogames and you should really try it out if you have the opportunity.

Original Japanese title(s): 『街　運命の交差点　特別篇』

Phantom Lady

Cherchez la femme

I should have finished this book and the review last week already, but then Meiji Dantoudai and Tanteibu he no Chousenjou popped up...

Miyabe Miyuki is one of the most famous Japanese writers of fiction, with works ranging from fantasy to mystery. I haven't read much of her (actually, I think I've only read R.P.G. (released in English as Shadow Family), but her most famous work is probably Kasha ("Fire Chariot"; released in English as All She Was Worth).  Honma Shunsuke, a police detective on leave because of an incident, is asked by his deceased wife's nephew, Kazuya, to find his fiancée. He was all set to marry Sekine Shouko, but she disappeared without any trace when he discovered her credit history was tainted with bankruptcy. Honma starts his investigation for the missing fiance by finding out more about Shouko's bankruptcy in the past, but is surprised to learn that the name Sekine Shouko belongs to someone else than Kazuya's fiancée. Who is the woman who has disappeared and where is the real Sekine Shouko?

Kasha is an exceptionally well-received novel. It is the highest ranking novel (fifth) in the new Tozai Mystery Best 100 (2012), that was published after the release of the original list (1985). It has been made into a TV drama twice. There is even a South-Korean movie released just last year. It's also been available in English for a long time now, and the novel is overall considered (both in the home country as outside) a fine example of the shakai-ha style of mystery: mystery novels providing social commentary.

For Honma's search for the disappeared lady touches upon aspects of Japanese society many people probably don't know about. The bubble economy. The 'normal' credit economy as well as the underworld credit world. The workings of the family register. Urbanization and anonymity in Tokyo and other large urban areas. Kasha offers explanations and criticism, usually written in a very readable format (save for an absolutely horrible explanation / lecture course on the credit economy) and if you're interested in these social problems, Kasha offers a great read, coupled with an interesting story. One might also find it interesting to read this in conjunction with that other shakai-ha classic, Matsumoto Seichou's Suna no Utsuwa ("The Sand Vessel", available in English as  Inspector Imanishi Investigates"), as it offers social commentary on similar topics. The first part is also very similiar, with a search across Japan based on a single hint.

But there is a reason I don't discuss a lot of shakai-ha mystery novels here. Social commentary an sich is not that bad, but I am just more of a fan of the more fantastic and exciting, I gues. Reviews also have a tendency to... become like what I just did above; commentating on Japanese society and maybe rave about well the novel forms a mirror of modern society and how it manages to expose the cruel truth of the credit economy as well as the many flaws that exist in the Japanese family register system. Like I said in my review of Matsumoto Seichou's Ten to Sen, I admit social conciousness plays a role in the story, and it is well done, but I don't read mystery novels just for that.

As a mystery novel, Kasha can feel a bit slow, even though there's always something going on. Honma's investigation moves at a slow, but steady pace, and Miyabe always manages to lure you into reading the next chapter, because you know something interesting will pop up. It's quite amazing how she does that for practically the whole story, considering it's a fairly long novel. Yet the investigation never feels dragging. As a mystery, Kasha might lack the atmosphere of a classic style murder mystery (heck, it's a missing person's investigation),  but as a mystery novel where you slowly learn more about a missing person, a novel where you piece together the background of the fiancée, where you build up a character study of "Sekine Shouko", Kasha is a good read. It will keep you And heck, I'll be the first to admit that the last half even has some good surprises in terms of a... semi-impossible situation. I won't comment more on it as it involves developments in the latter part of the story, but I was definitely pleasantly surprised with it.

Kasha is definitely not the sort of mystery I usually read, and I might attach less importance to the social commentary it offers than other people, but the mystery of "Sekine Shouko" is definitely an interesting one. It excels in characterization, and while I wouldn't name it one of the best mystery novels of all time, the captivating story will offer you a pleasant read.

And to end with some trivia: did you know that Miyabe Miyuki and Ayatsuji Yukito celebrate their birthday on the same day (December 23)?

Original Japanese title(s): 宮部みゆき　『火車』