#stowaway dispatch

[steamtrainstowaway]

Does Lord of Mysteries count as steampunk..?

[steamtrainstowaway]

Listening to the Drama CDs with the barest of Japanese language knowledge is an adventure alright!

There's already stuff written about the mid-series ones, but I was not expecting just how The Seductive Beast ended with Kurusu cathartically screaming the name of his beloved pet mouse, after getting a balloon designed to distract the ermine-shaped Fused Colony to properly blow up, echoed by said too-cute-to-kill Colony roaring/squeaking in response. The other one is a little fuzzy, but it definitely sounded like that was the one where Suzuki reveals he's a married man and everyone is astounded by how beautiful his wife is in the photographs. (Unless that's the Seductive Beast as well?)

And then there's The Murder of Tanzaemon Suzuki.

Good lord, it went full in on the murder mystery format and, from what I could glean, pulled it off super well. It has the same structure as Hoodwinked (2005) where everyone tells their side of the story one at a time and a flashback plays; this allowed for some interesting reveals later with regards to the context of seemingly random things happening in the background.

There are some things I missed completely, such as what Ayame was keeping a secret from the others (I heard her say Sengoku a few times, is it a warring states thing?) and quite what everyone was talking about.

I'm not sure whether to spoil it or not as you can follow along vaguely by listening and be quite satisfied in my opinion. I really have to say, however, that both Maxwell Powers (Suzuki's VA) and Kensuke Satou (Kibito's VA) really get to explore their range in this, especially Satou who really deserved some honey-lemon tea after the session because good lord did that man scream and shout and weep and get all gravelly! (Ah I'm so glad he got the opportunity though, Kibito is one of my favourites big shock I know but he doesn't get much time in the series to be in focus or get explored compared to other characters.)

Mumei was charming and sharp as always, fitting neatly into the point of view of the detective while also having moments of vulnerability (she got a new kimono all muddy thanks to something to do with Haya and the pigs, so the girls went to an onsen - then Ikoma found her and scolded her for... I want to say not guarding the boiler room? Either way, it upset her and I put my hand on my chest when she started crying ;_;). I hope it was fun for Sayaka Senbongi as well - everyone, really.

I don't have much else to say on it, aside from it not all being dark and moody - there were some lighter moments as well and the ending got a laugh out of me twice.

Oh! And I guessed the culprit by the first half! :-D Well, "culprit" as he obviously lived to be in the sequel.

Here are links to the Drama CDs by the way:

6.5, 6.75, and 7.5

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Cs411k7Eh?p=1

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm34530876

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1Cs411k7Eh?p=2

Suzuki Tanzaemon Murder Case

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm35064681

https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm35064740

[steamtrainstowaway]

Getting startled by my own posts in the kabaneri tag. Also, hello new followers!

I feel like I should mention that I am an adult (25) for the sake of clarity and proper boundaries. Following and asks from those under 18 are allowed, but I'm not comfortable with private messaging. (Not that I'm expecting the latter)

Have a nice day :-)