What are your thoughts on the latest case? It was quite explosive in terms of the amount of BO content we got, and RUM seems to have made a move! I’m curious whether your thoughts have changed in regards to RUM’s identity, or if they have been further reinforced because of this case. Thanks!
I think that this FBI serial murder case (essentially "Clash of Red & Black 2") is one hell of a fanservice & action-packed BO case similar to movie 20, but actually done correctly. We have been waiting for a moment like this where all BO members can shine, so no better timing than it happening in volume 100 ^.^
I do think however that we are currently in a prologe-ish portion of this case/plot (up to File 1063) when it comes to its relevance in the overarching Rum plot, since this is so far just a random operation born from a random mistake by a random FBI agent, but I do expect this case to change trajectory and progress ongoing/relevant plot in Rum arc, similar to how "Crimson School Trip" (File 1000-1005) lead to Shinichi public exposure, or even something like "Black impact" (File 499-504), where the misison changed from Domon to Kogoro midway.
As for Rum, I think this case has demonstrated to be the perfect way to showcase his leadership and strategizing skills. A thing I thought was perhaps a possible view into his personality was how he said "listen to me" in a polite/proper way (saying "kikinasai" rather than "kike"), which is commonly used among authorative women/teachers, although being a gender neutral term overall. I think that although Gosho's intent is to frame Rum as Wakasa Rumi, it could at the same time also be a hint to that Rum is a man who has polite mannerism similar to that of Iori Muga's, as an effeminate butler.