Episode III-I Caslting
This chapter is totally different from what we’ve already seen. Just by watching the new Opening scenes, I realised it will be mostly focusing on Beatrice and other witches. And yes, I couldn’t be more right, it seems…
New witches!
Wait... BUNNYGRILS? In my Umineko?!
What the heck?
I swear! These two are half the reason I watch Umineko!
Beatrice #2... or should I say #1?
The episode starts in the past, where the Beatrice we know is still a kid, having trouble at home because she broke one of her father’s vases. A golden butterfly flies around, and a witch she calls Beatrice magically appears before her. She adresses her as ‘Princess’ and is willing to help her fix the vase in a way the Master (Her father, most probably) won’t be angry at her, using magic, of course. She tells her that the source of magical power is no else than the power of belief, and so, he asks her to wish for it strongly. The vase is back to normal but not for long, as she explains that the fate of something breaking can’t be avoided easily. As she finishes her sentence, a cat runs wild into the house and breaks the vase -again- leaving the servants who run after it in a state of panic.
Further explanation about magic is given, concluding that it’s really hard to fix something that’s broken. However, it’s not impossible. The person who taught the witch (The Beatrice of that time, that is) about magic is told to be able to use Eternal Magic, a kind of magic which lasts forever, on the contrary of the temporary magic Beatrice used to fix the vase. That level of magic is a level all witches should reach, and the ones who achieve it are given the title of an “Endless Witch” –a kind of witch who knows no limits, who defies the concept of breaking. According to Beatrice, these witches are freed from the sadness of losing things and are promised eternal bliss. As she walks off, young Beatrice asks her if she’ll also be happy if ever she becomes one. The witch gently pats her head, and tells her that it’s possible with lots of training. Young Beatrice finally asks her to become her disciple and she agrees.
Loli Beatrice, GETTO!
Someplace else, a younger Kinzo is arguing with Eva, who wants to have the same responsibilites as Krauss in the family. He strongly refuses to it, telling her her place should be to leave their family and marry a man who’s gonna be profitable to him. As he starts coughing due to his health issues, he orders her to get out and leave him alone with his son. Eva is later seen alone, sitting outside and talking to herself about her feelings of hate about Krauss and Kinzo. Ultimately she accepts her fate and wishes to become a good lady and find someone worth marrying -someone Krauss wouldn’t even be a match for.
A woman appears in front of her out of thin air, probably an even younger incarnation of herself. She claims to be the same being as Eva and strongly refuses to give in to Kinzo’s arrogant wishes. This meeting is not their first one, however. Sometime in the past they swore together they’d become the head of the Ushiromiya Family no matter what. The mysterious girl tells her to turn her anger into magical power and believe in her, so her magic can create a miracle. Eva agrees to believe in her, and as everything turns dark, she chants about the Golden Land.
Two... Evas?!
The Eva of now finally wakes up from her dream (Which we were witnessing). Their boat has reached Rokkenjima. This time we get to see another one of the younger characters’ picnic, where the four cousins and Shannon attend. Battler learns about George’s relationship with Shannon through Jessica, and later they all make an oath they’ll always stay friends, putting their parents’ matters aside.
Back to the game room now… Beato and Battler have both taken their respective seats and the Witch declares the beginning of their new game. Winds, thunders and waves gather around the island, cutting it off from the rest of the world.
Remember the rose Maria was always searching for? Well, after the explanation about magic on the beginning of the episode, it’s now kinda clear what happened. The scene changes to the gardens, where Maria asks Beatrice to fix the rose they marked earlier (As seen in Chapter I). The little girl is amazed by the Witch’s powers and wishes to become a witch like her one day. Beatrice gives her a letter and concludes to telling Maria she also had the same wish when she was a child. The little girl takes it (along with Beatrice’s umbrella) and runs off.
As the rain keeps falling wild, Kinzo throws his ring into the air and a lightning strikes it, throwing it towards Beatrice’s position. She stretches her hand out to take it, only for a male witch dressed like a buttler to appear and catch it instead. The scene changes once more to the game room and Beatrice starts with the introductions. The new witch’s name is Renove, a great demon ranked as the 27th noble of Hell, another piece of Beatrice’s furniture.
Renove-kun, who also shares Kyon's seiyuu
Back to the mansion’s dining hall, Maria is reading the letter given to her by Beatrice. Natsuhi finds the letter as an insult to the Ushiromiya family and her husband, who’s officially the one to take over after Kinzo’s death. The other siblings agree and decide to go ask Kinzo for themselves, thus leaving the cousins behind along with Gohda, Genji and Kyrie -a new character introduced into this chapter. Kyrie asks Maria more about the person who gave her the letter. Maria’s responses are the same as ever though…
The cousins procceed into a sleeping room, where Maria falls asleep. Battler, who hasn’t had much screentime the whole time, theorizes that this all is a game by Kinzo, and Beatrice’s name is used to cause an uproar. Jessica has less trouble believeing in what Maria said, however, as she knows of an old rumor about someone they dont know about lived on the island.
The elder siblings gather again, having been rejected by their father. Out of all, Natsuhi suspects the servants who used the excuse of being too busy making beds to see Maria in the gardens. Much to her displeasment though, Rudolf brings up a rumor of over 30 years ago: The rumor about Kinzo’s mistress who lived in the forests of this island. From her words on the letter, Krauss assumes she has the gold, leaving the other siblings worried. After they think again however, they start doubting her being in possesion of the gold, mostly because there was no reason to reveal that. Kyrie turns the chessboard around for them, agreeing with their previous statements that Beatrice most likely has the gold. The Ushiromiyas wouldn’t just give the inheritance to a mistress who declared a game by herself, unless by the use of a compelling force, of course. A condition that would make them glad to give her the inheritance, in other words -According to Eva- ten tons of gold. The game is now seen as a good trade by everyone except Natsuhi, who thinks of it as an insult. Nobody cares about what she says anyway. Rudolf brings up the possibility of the gold costing as much as 20 billion yen in the market. That’s a lot more than the inheritance. Eva disagrees with giving her the inheritance but her reasons are stopped by her husband who reminds her she wouldn’t get anything of the inheritance in the first place. While Kyrie explains that by writting that letter Beatrice has created a risk with her, Eva is busy listening to the “Other Eva’s” thoughts about how this is their final chance to become the family head.
Eva, dear, you're hearing voices again...
THE SILENT MOE! SHE TALKED THIS TIME!
Tic, toc, the clock rings again and we’re moved back to the game room. Renove is now serving his master and Batter tea and cake. Battler has now come with another theory for himself, that Beatrice might exist on the island not as a witch, but as a normal mistress. This way, he cant suspect any of the 18. The witch tries to scare Battler by telling him she can prove only 18 people are on the island by saying it in red letters. This time Battler takes up the challenge and asks her to repeat that there are no more 18 people on the island. This brings her in a tough position. Ensuring there are no more than 18 persons on the island would mean the culprit is someone among them, and that the deaths weren’t carried out by a witch’s magic. Beatrice refuses to repeat that. Good job Battler, you have her cornered now… or maybe not?
Nani, nani, Beatrice-sama? Having trouble, are we?
That brings Battler into believing no one of the 18 is the murdere -that there is a 19th person on the island, the human Beatrice. This time he orders her to repeat that there are at least 19 people on the island. She refuses in confusion. With this, Battler can now use a 19th person for his theories, or maybe even a 20th, a 21st or even more theoritical characters. Beatrice decides to show why she refused to speak in red for Battler’s first move…
We’re back to the room where the siblings were discussing again. Rosa seems to be acting weird and Hideyoshi is the first to realise. He asks her if she’s okay, and as everybody’s listening to what she says, she reveals that Beatrice cant be alive because she killed her.
THERE! I know you were a murderer!
-
Thoughts:
Hmmm, the episode was really good. I liked to learn more about Beatrice’s past. It seemed like we knew nothing about her… As I said before, now that the concept of magic and witches is generally accepted by the series, what chance does poor Battler stands? Beatrice seems to be always a step ahead him.
I liked the addition of new characters. Now the game room is full of life! OK, maybe not… Battler brought Beatrice into a difficult position for the first time now, interesting. The reason she wouldn’t respond to his first request was shown, but what about the second? If the human Beatrice is dead, there are now supposedely 18 people on the island and we have actually someone to suspect. Hmm, maybe Eva? I doubt it though.
Kyrie seems to be a big influence toward’s Battler’s way of thinking. What could her role in this story be? I dont remember her talking the other two chapters… And what about Rosa? She killed Beatrice? That’s a new, wow. I guess we’ll have more than one adult staying alive for longer in this chapter. Then again, we might not, as Eva is the main adult to be featured. I wouldn’t mind some more Rosa though… She came to be my favourite of the adults.
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