Umineko 1-2

Disclaimer: These notes are my personal reading notes and may contain references to any other VN I have read.  Generally I don't explicitly spell things out, allowing myself to fill in the blanks I already know, but it is certainly possible that there could be explicit spoilers for other works below.  Read at your own risk.  I also swear freely here which I try not to do in my posts.

I also did not begin writing these with the intent of them being read.  Midway through chapter 2, though, I decided to post these, so I think they come together a little more there.  They can be quite scattered or repetitive at times since I write what I'm thinking at the time or just my reactions to the scene.  There is a lot of fluff here as I flip back and forth from observations/speculations, to general play-by-play of events.  There are also probably numerous spelling/grammatical errors within that I did not go back to correct.  You will, however, get to see some of my thought processes and minor theories as they came and went that did not make it into my main post.  Also, I apparently took well over 80k characters  worth of notes, so if you make it through, bravo to you!

Episode 1 - Legend of the Golden Witch

Kinzo Ushiromiya - An old man who likes to drink.  His first words are "The bottle is my friend." I like this guy.

Nanjo Terumasa - An old fat doctor.  His mustache is more mustache than Kinzo's

Genji Ronoue - A butler fellow who enables Kinzo's drinking habit.

Venomous green drink?  Must be absinthe.  This guy knows how to drink!  No wonder the doctor is so against it...

Sadly this image of a chess board does not seem to illustrate all all the position the game they're talking about is in.

Kinzo seems rather bitter.  He also seems to not care about writing a will for when he dies before long.

Terms he made with the witch?  What witch?  When he dies, everything will be lost?  What does that mean?

But he's got one regret huh?  What would that be?

His soul will be devoured by the demons of the contract and wiped out of existence at the moment of his death?  What?

Beatrice, huh?  He just wants to see her smile one more time?

Well, she must be a witch.  If she can be invisible and in a room.  Or a Hanyuu-like entity.

Kinzo is getting really worked up over this woman.

Awesome, we get an OP.  Welcome to Rokkenjima?  That'll be the island this takes place on?

10/4/1986.  The first say.  Ok, let's do this!

Battler - our protagonist?  Yep yep.  We're in his head!

George Ushiromiya - Battler's... brother?  He likes wearing bright suits that no one else wanted for some reason.

Yep, brother.  Battler seems not ready to take this plane ride.  Maybe not brother... a cousin?

Battler is still a minor?  Huh... alright then.  He's apparently younger than I thought.

Why yes Battler, I do this your name is pretty damn weird.  Let's talk about that.  Battler's parents are silly.

Hideyoshi Ushiromiya - Battler's probably uncle.  He wears a pink tie.

Eva Ushiromiya - Why hello there....

Let's have silly conversations that don't mean much for now since we all haven't seen each other in 5 years.  Presumably we're all doing this because Kinzo is going to / already has kicked the bucket.

Hideyoshi is president of some company.  Good for him.  He also speaks in faked Kansai-ben

Kyrie Ushiromiya - Battler's mother? Not birth mother apparently... but his father's current wife?  Battler's actual mother died 6 years ago... I see.

Rudolf Ushiromiya - Battler's father.  We're meeting way too many characters here.

Ange?  Must be a younger sister of Battler?

Battler is still in high school, eh?

Maria Ushiromiya - A young girl who wears a silly black crown..

Rosa Ushiromiya - Her mother who wants her to stop being so happy go lucky.

This pattern that most of them seem to have on their clothing somewhere must be a family crest sort of thing.  Is that supposed to be a bird?

Maria is only nine.  She's the exact age someone should be when getting involved in the kind of shit that's going to happen.  And she's going to be an "onii-chan" girl... Gotta prepare myself... Oh no, she's not.  Awesome!

It's funny because to me these are all normal names... but they are weird to Japanese people.  Except Battler... that's just weird to everyone.

Chill out Battler... flying isn't that bad.

Oooh, here we go.  Getting a title screen sort of deal.  Krauss and Natushi?  I don't know them yet

Okay too many unknown names now to try to note there.  They'll show up here before long.

That bird must be a family crest thing... All the family members proper have one.  Spouses don't, but children do...

Bedtime, Back at it tomorrow or Friday.
***
Battler.  Terrified of airplanes.  Good job.

Jessica Ushiromiya - She's the much hotter than expected cousin.

Battler, being totally rude.  She must have been just like a boy 6 years ago.

Jessica is the direct heir, huh?  Good to know.

Kumasawa Chiyo - An old woman who is going to terrify Battler with her mad boating skills.

Jessica doesn't respect her parents?  Is this a teenage thing, or she have a good reason?

Maria loves making fun of Battler when he's freaking out.  What a kid.  ...wait..

Battler, the comic relief of this family.  Perfect protag.

Battler has two houses... probably because he lives at whichever one his mother lived at before she died and his father lives elsewhere now?

Maria is super excited about everything.

Oh, Battler had been living with his mother's parents...

Yes Battler, the island hasn't changed a bit in 6 years... it's an island.  What did you expect?

A sign of misfortune, huh Maria?  That the shrine is gone?  I mean that does seem bad if the local gods' shrine is no longer there...

Maria is convinced bad shit is going to happen.  And she's gonna be right.  Just a typhoon, no big deal... for now.  Maria sensing the supernatural?  Yeah, probably.

That's right Maria.  There's nothing to be afraid of if we're all together... Now when that stops being the case will be a different story...

10:30?  Is that clock showing a time change?

Gohda Toshiro - A butler.  He's going to go bald in a few years, but he doesn't want to admit it.

There are a lot of characters... But I'm keeping track of them mostly for now.

Umineko?  Can't hear them!  Where are those seacats anyway?

...swim in meat dolls?  Maria...

Crazy beautiful rose garden outside the guest house.

Hey, I heard some of those seagulls!

Kanon - She has the insignia, so she must be... a boy... well shit.  Kanon must be family.  Or a servant... huh.  Guess I'm wrong about people wearing that insignia.

Battler making friends with the servants

Poor Kanon... feeling insufficient because he's a girly man.

Oh.. does Eva actually have that insignia tattooed on her arm?

Battler is the guest of honor?  Just because it's been 6 years?

Kinzo doing black magic?  hmm...

Battler and George get to room together... in this ridiculously nice room.

George asked the old woman about something in secret... did he have a thing for one of the maids last year?

Natsuhi Ushiromiya - A woman who like to wear ridiculous European style dresses for the hell of it.

Shannon - The maid with the tits.  She's bad at serving tea on time.

Hmm.. so Eva is basically a bitch.  Got it.

So do they employ like 50% incompetent servants?  Kanon and Shannon don't seem particularly great at their jobs.

Kanon calls her Nee-san... is that an actual relationship, or just what he calls her as an older coworker?

Genji has a super massive crest on his jacket.  So much for that being for family members only... Oh well.  It's definitely a mark of the Ushiromiya clan though.

So Gohda doesn't like the younger servants... what a prick..

12:00 Noon!  must be lunch time.  Also shattering glass effect for the transition... interesting choice.

Uh Maria... You shouldn't agree to let Battler rub your chest in several years...

Battler is the jokester of the cousins, obviously.  When he wasn't here they only had serious conversations?  How boring.

Battler is quite taken with Shannon... Can you blame him?  She's adorable.

Ok, Shannon will now slap Battler next time she goes for her chest.  That's happening probably... now

Maria gets excited about the most random things... and by the most random things, I mean goddamn everything.

Grown to resemble the master in his youth, eh?  Battler you take after grandpa!

Something new that wasn't here six years ago eh?  Ooh, painting of Beatrice.  What's that doing here?  Went up 2 years ago, huh?

She's... the witch?  of the island?  of Rokkenjima?  Hmm... a story of a witch living in the forest, huh?

The kids think she's a delusion, but grandpa thinks she's real... well we'll just learn about that...

Rokkenjima is the witch's island.  Beatrice is the ruler, not the family... interesting Battler.

Kinzo has Beatrice on his wall here too...

Oh my, Kinzo is quite mad, isn't he?  Is he just drunk, or going insane in old age?  Yep, he's losing it, but I wager this ridiculous act is what's going to get her here.

Kinzo is presumably toying with black magic in an effort to bring Beatrice here?

Uh oh.. the Demons' Roulette?  That sounds bad... and also like what's probably going to make the plot get rolling...

Damn he's obsessed...

Fast forward to 1:30!  This glass shattering thing though...

Krauss Ushiromiya - A man who was supposed to get a German name, but the L didn't come out pronounced enough, so now his name is just silly.  His business partners laugh behind his back about it.

Ouch, an Earthquake in 1923 brought down most of the family's business and killed many members?

So Kinzo built up the family's wealth in 20 ish years?  That's damn impressive...

Battler, don't ask Shannon about the specifics of the meal... she's no good at this stuff.  She's just 'furniture' remember?  Really good looking furniture...

Oh, time for the adults to start getting really catty with one another.  Rudolf actually drawing them back on topic before things get out of hand... Probably going to talk about that inheritance...

So Kinzo really is living on willpower alone... That's kind of impressive.

Natsuhi is really excitable... If she dies I won't really mind... God woman, calm your tits.  Seriously bitch, you're going to make things worse... Let your husband handle this...

Bam, finally calling out the wing as a part of the hierarchy.. "One-winged Eagle"  Got it.

Rewind to 1:30?  Going to snap over to the kids now?

Kinzo will relinquish the inheritance and the hidden gold to the person who solves the riddle?

Oh here we go.. legend of the gold?  Oh?  He summoned the Golden Witch Beatrice?  Got 10 tons of gold in exchange for his soul?

Hmm... so will we get to hear the riddle/puzzle?

20 billion yen in gold... that's an absurd amount...

I bet if we ever meet this person, she wouldn't be nearly as pretty... about that...

Maria is pretty confident that Beatrice is real.  Good job Maria

Back to the adults.  They have proof the gold is real?  Interesting...

Krauss is unconvinced... but they're bargaining as though he has it already.

Great question Krauss... why ARE they all in such a hurry?  They seem to be trying to get what they can now because they won't be able to later...

Oh they could all be in precarious financial situations... yeah that would make sense.  Yep, they all want that money right now.

So much backing Krauss into a corner.

Back to Kinzo.  How insane will he go this time?  Oh?  Kanon is relaying this deal to Kinzo, huh?  Is Kanon usually this close to Kinzo?

Hmm... how does them solving his puzzle defeat him?  Fulfillment of the miracle?  What miracle is he talking about?  His research?  Ah, bringing back Beatrice... which presumably will be at the cost of all his gold.

Hmm... the devils' game eh?  Something where a bunch of people die?  So this is going to start... tonight?

Epitaph

My beloved hometown, the sweetfish river running through it.
You who seek the Golden Land, follow its path downstream and seek the key.
If you follow the river downstream, you will find a village.
In the village, look for the shore the two will tell you of.
There sleeps the key to the Golden Land.
He who lays hand upon the key shall travel under the rules below.
At the first twilight, you shall lift up as sacrifice the six chosen by the key.
At the second twilight, those who remain shall tear apart the two who are close.
At the third twilight, those who remain shall praise my honorable name on high.
At the fourth twilight, gouge the head and kill.
At the fifth twilight, gouge the chest and kill.
At the sixth twilight, gouge the stomach and kill.
At the seventh twilight, gouge the knee and kill.
At the eighth twilight, gouge the leg and kill.
At the ninth twilight, the witch shall be revived and none shall be left alive.
At the tenth twilight, the journey shall end and you should reach the village of gold.
The witch will praise the wise, and should bestow four treasures.
One shall be, all the gold from the Golden Land.
One shall be, the resurrection of the souls of all the dead.
One shall be, even the resurrection of the lost love.
One shall be, to put the witch to sleep for all time.
Sleep peacefully, my most beloved witch, Beatrice.

Damn that's a long epitaph... no wonder no one has solved it...
So presumably one person has to do this... So... 6 people need to die?  or 14?
Let's see, so it's a ritual murder game?  The first twilight will be immediately knocking out 6...  The second is just driving a wedge between 2 people?  4-8 are specific ritual killings.  Then the 9th twilight claims a life on its own reviving the witch?  Part of her returning brings everyone back?

Yeah, this is pretty fucking weird... Some needs to find the key first.  Once the key is found (probably by Battler here shortly) then the game begins?

To 3:00! And picking it apart with Battler!

Hayakawa river running through grandpa's hometown with the sweetfish, ok then... so downstream from that is the village?  Odawara castle?

Hmm... look for the shore the two will tell you of... the two?  The two who?  the two being Odawara and Hayakawa?  Ah, there is a place with shore in the name nearby, not a bad idea...

Duh, of course.  Check the birth town..

Good thinking Battler.  You don't know how to find the key... but that doesn't stop you from figuring out what to do with it once you've found it!

...Could the rest of you really not come to that conclusion?  Okay, so that's basically the interpretation I had.  Which means it's probably completely wrong.  Well, maybe not.  The first bit of triggering the situation is the real issue.

A ghost story about Beatrice among the servants?  Oh this should be good.

Mansion has two masters... one of the day and one of the night.

Strange footsteps near midnight, eh?

Maria... I know you're like 9... but chill a little girl.  We'll find your rose.

Not surprised Rosa slapped Maria... She was being a brat and turning into exactly the kind of kid I don't like.

No, everyone remembers your rose, maria... It's just not here.  Maybe the servants pruned it

Shit, Rosa is blowing the fuck up...

It was the witch Maria!  You of all people should be able to come to that conclusion!  Blame Beatrice!  She'll show up later with your rose or something.

Is Kinzo expecting Beatrice to show?  Banquet of miracles?  Yeah, now he's talking sacrifices...

Yeah, 12 family members... 5 servants... and the doctor... 18?  Hmm... so the key is probably something Kinzo already has arranged...  Demons' roulette?

Oh boy!  Here we go, Kinzo. Oooohh.... BEEEAATRIICE!

Time forward to... 6:00!  Dinner time?

Still no Maria... is she still out there looking in this rain?  Yeah, bet she is.

Whew, she seems to be okay.

Wait... Maria didn't have an umbrella?  Then... Borrowed it?  YUUUUP Beatrice!

So she's here now?  Will she be joining us for dinner?

Heh, now they're all staying in the mansion tonight.  How perfect for a murder game!

Give it up Rosa.  Your daughter says it was Beatrice!  Why don't you believe her?

Battler and Jessica get it... Maria doesn't lie... she probably doesn't even know how to lie or tell a joke...

Heh, the servants are all on board with this possibility.  Not telling Kinzo until she shows is probably wise.

Oh!  Maria has an envelope with the crest on it?  From Beatrice?  Yep.

Maria is the witch's messenger eh?  Oh boy, I wonder what she has to say...

Hmm... he chucked that ring out the window so she could have picked it up... That makes sense then as to how it ended up out there.

Can we read the letter already?

Oh, Maria does sound different as she reads it... this music is pretty rad...

Beatrice... alchemist?  She's resigning as family alchemist?  Huh?  Because Kinzo ended the contract?

Hahah!  Returns all the gold and she gains everything the family owns as interest!  They're going to love this!

Battler making light of it all.  Naturally, this is a pretty ridiculous situation...

Oh boy!  Here we go!  There is a way out!  I bet it has to do with that epitaph!  Yep, someone has to find the hidden gold of the contract.

Beatrice is Kinzo legal advisor, eh Eva?  I dunno about that...

Good theory Kyrie... This is a test to see who is the best fit to be financed by her gold... Dunno about that though.

And the game is afoot!  Who will find the gold?

Ryuukishi likes talking about wagering coins when people's lives are on the line.

Glass shatters, time forward!  10 PM!

18 people on Rokkenjima for now... is there a 19th?  The answer is yes.

Kyrie says no.  Beatrice is a name one of the 18 is assuming to trick everyone else... Well we won't see her until... a lot of people die I guess...

Heh, the Devil's proof.  It's easy to prove something exists, but not that something doesn't exist.  Good thinking Battler.

Of course it wasn't mailed to you... it had to arrive to you now so you didn't have time to think about it before.  That means the riddle is fully solvable on the island... is there a picture or something that could correspond to the first 5 lines of the poem where the key could be hidden?

Not a bad thought Kyrie...  But I'm not convinced...

Yeah, it's too much for Maria to have come up with on her own.

Yeah, Maria could easily be used by someone... it does make some sense, Kyrie...

Hmm... a talk as a family when the adults are done?  That's unusual...

... what?  Rudolf thinks he'll probably be killed tonight?

I do have the advantage here of seeing Kinzo's private insanity, so Natsuhi's theory doesn't hold up about Kinzo being behind this staged Beatrice...

What is Krauss hiding behind this door? Oh... A gold ingot as described by the legend of the gold... So the gold exists...

Hmm... so where do all these other people come from eventually anyway?  Obviously they have to show up somehow... Do they get resurrected as part of the epitaph at that phase?

Hmm... so all the servants but Gohda are in the guesthouse... that's odd.  Kanon is on the right path there.  I see, these 3 wear the crest because they serve directly under Kinzo... That explains that one.

Shannon just wants to have some fun with the kids.  She probably wants to bang.  Maybe...

Kanon takes this furniture thing way too seriously...

Hahaha, Shannon has a thing for George...

George wants to marry her when she leaves the service of the family I wager.  Aww... how cute.

George... ordering her to accept the ring.  Damn George.

Going to leave Shannon alone after proposing to her... Hopefully she's not found dead because you left her!

Fast-forward to 11PM!

Oooh... shining butterflies?!  Beatrice?

6AM!  Let's all wake up waaaay too early!

10/5/1986

Gohda... isn't preparing breakfast?

The phone is dead?  and Gohda is missing... odd...

...what?  dark red liquid on her door?  Did the charm keep someone dying out?  Someone like Gohda?

Oh no... is Shannon missing too?

OH!  It's Krauss!?  How about Battler's parents?

Oh shit, them too, and Rosa?  That makes.... 5... so who is 6 if not Shannon?  Nah, it's probably Shannon.

Or Kinzo...

Yeah, looks like Shannon is the last... George won't like that..  She's the only one left... so the two who are close can't be Shannon and George, but Eva and Hideyoshi?  Or maybe even Battler and George... they're the closest non-married pair here.

Kanon found something odd about the storehouse?  Hmm... blood?

Oh... uh... what?  A magic circle?  In blood?
***
That was an awesome time to need to leave for rehearsal... Now, 8 hours later..

6 people dead.  Rudolf, Kyrie, Krauss, Rosa, Gohda, and Shannon...

Poor George... Oh.. she was wearing the ring even...

So who was the culprit of this murder..?  Did Beatrice do it?  Demons?  Oyashiro-sama?  ...wait..

Hmm.. it was shut and locked when they arrived... changing the lock is probably wise then...

As an aside... I guess those who are close could be Kinzo and Genji as well...

Time forward to 8:45 AM

Blood in the dining hall?

Battler, speaking up an acting adult-like.  Let's start being a more reliable protag!

Of course we can't contact the police.  That would be convenient.. Are we in some sort of pocket dimension now with this magic going on?  That's why communication tech doesn't work?  I guess the television is functioning though, so that doesn't hold so well...

Hideyoshi, you should be quiet before Maria hears you... she doesn't know her mother is dead yet...

Good conclusion everyone.  Yes, you all and the killer are trapped on the island.

Oh boy, Maria realizes something is up... she's going to start asking where her mom is soon!

...Is Maria going to be the one who realizes it?  I think she is.  She WOULD be the one to realize it...

Oh?  Kinzo isn't even in his room?  Probably because he know Beatrice is around somewhere.

George is breaking down... that's pretty much the worse response to a proposal you can get... a postmortem yes...

Well Eva seems to think it was one of the 3 remaining servants... Or all of them... but then why would they kill two of their own?

So why was there blood (probably) on Natsuhi's doorknob?  I don't understand that...

No matter how I look at it, the only person who benefits from this situation is Eva and her kin... Maybe Kinzo as well.

Yes, Battler!  Realize that this theory is a load of shit.

Obviously whoever did this WANTED the bodies to be found...

When is someone going to realize that this is the epitaph?

Hahaha!  Battler has read Higurashi!  I love it!

It's funny because I was just thinking of how this wouldn't be a perfect crime since Keiichi's mother had laid it out in ch. 3...

Hmm... if Battler has read Higurashi... does that mean someone wrote the events and passed it off as fiction?  Someone like... Rika?

Good job Battler.  Figuring out the bodies were supposed to be found.

Yeah... these deaths bring sorrow to everyone... except Eva and Hideyoshi.  Just what I'd concluded earlier.  They're the only ones to gain from this...

Though yeah, this could have been done to cast suspicion on you Eva..

Like I thought earlier... this happened a little past midnight.. to anyone who wasn't in their quarters..

Nice thought Battler, the magic circle could mean this was addressed to Kinzo... or maria I guess?

...Maria?  Oh god, what the hell Maria?  This is that same music from the Beatrice letter...

Seventh magic circle of the sun?  Maria... it's almost like she's possessed... Just like with the letter.  Is Beatrice possessing her?

Ah yeah, this is definitely to free Beatrice from whatever situation she's in, huh?

The six were there for the sake of the magic circle?  They were needed for its purpose... they were sacrificed  *HINT HINT*

Looks like we're going to play the human vs. supernatural game again...

A battle of wits between us and the witch, eh?

No big deal, that's just Natsuhi with a shotgun...  Or a rifle.  A bit different then... Not quite so destructive..

Oh Battler, but I think witches do exist...

Fast forward 1:00PM

Genji knows what's up... it was just bad luck, huh?

Kanon thinks it's Beatrice... no, it's more like he knows it was

Natsuhi wasn't chosen... because of the charm on her door... Jessica/Maria actually saved her life.

Time for Battler interrogating the servants!

Kanon confirming that Beatrice is a witch that lives in the forest.  And she exists according to Genji

Well, Oyashiro-sama existed, and I'm pretty sure I already know Beatrice is going to show up from the subreddit... so...

And she was the one who gave Kinzo all the gold so long ago.. and has been guiding him for years?

And they say she's on the island.  but you can't see her face... because she has no form?  Is that why her revival is part of the epitaph?

Huh... she has no body... umm... and you're all on board with this?

Ryuukishi07 likes to emphasize 'exists' that way...

Oh my Maria... you've been possessed I'm sure... Beatrice is a 1000 year old witch?  Demons at her command?  Harness alchemy and creates the philosopher's stone and vast amounts of gold?

Oh?  So she's here already?  And Battler just can't see her in the kitchen?

Haha, Battler lost his protective charm that Maria has been going on about..

Hmm... having a chat about multiple personalities... Let's file that away as something that's been talked about that could be relevant later on.

Hmm... so this implication is that perhaps the servants merely say she exists because Kinzo wants them to...

Battler says one of the 18 is trying to make it seem like #19, Beatrice, exists to cover themselves

Good job thinking about the letter George.  Now someone can put together that this is the beginning of the riddle.

ooh, does Battler get it?

God Eva, just drop it already!  If Genji says there is no secret door, there isn't a secret door.

Ugh, of course these two are going to go at each other over this... Eva is really fucking obnoxious and so is Natsuhi.

Nah, I doubt he's dead already... His death wouldn't line up with the epitaph anywhere...

Though it is a viable theory from Eva's POV... And since she hates Natsuhi, it's no surprise she's trying to find her at fault.  It also helps to deflect away from herself.

Goddammit Eva... this all comes back to the inheritance doesn't it?

Yes Natsuhi... don't let Eva provoke you anymore than she already does.

Ugh, I really fucking hate Eva.

Well yeah, going out the window is certainly an option... He was standing by it all that time after all.  But I don't think Natsuhi did it, Eva...

Yeah, that's the problem for you Natsuhi.  You had that long stretch of time when you were checking all the doors and windows.  It creates this time where you could have done that even though I don't think you were.  Though I bet you were doing something other than checking windows at that time.

Ok Battler, let's break up this uncomfortable situation!  Haha, such a simple explanation.  If Kinzo wanted to escape and create this strife, he certainly could have hidden himself like this.

Haha, even George sees the holes in Eva's argument.

Um... Jessica, are you okay there?  Coughing fits are not good... especially because that was very reminiscent of Kinzo's fits... Oh.. asthma, I see.

Ok, we get it Eva.  The receipt is real.  You did something.  Shut the fuck up already.

Oh good, Eva and Hideyoshi being together sets them up to be the second twilight.  Also it makes Eva leave so she can stop being such a bitch on screen.

Maria with the creepy smile again...

Beatrice is familiar with all 72 demons?

Maria is probably more at ease about this because she realizes a witch did it... She's also probably the only person that realizes it's the epitaph... She should really say something already...

Fast forward - 7 PM - Dinner time?

And pillow talk with Hideyoshi and Eva.  Looks like shes not always a massive bitch.  I still hate her.

.... an envelope under the door to Eva and Hideyoshi's room?  I bet they're in there dead... but the chain is on the door, so we can't know... Let's read the letter!

.... There is now another red magic rune on the door... Do these only show up when it's possible to see the bodies?  Why wasn't it there before?  Was Beatrice interrupted?  It's pretty intricate to have shown up in this short time... 5 minutes?

... A knife in the middle of Eva's forehead.  With an intricately designed handle... looks occult...

And Hideyoshi dead in the shower?  Also with an implement driven through his forehead.. more like a short-handled spear?

George is really not doing well now...

I suppose Natsuhi is probably next?  She's the last of that generation...

Battler realizes it... George has lost everyone important to him...

Battler is going to get serious now.

Something smells bad?  This is by Kinzo's room...

Hmm... the door has been a point of interest all 3 times (counting Kinzo's disappearance)... how did they get killed when behind a closed door like this?  This one is truly a closed room scenario though...

I love that they're having this conversation by Beatrice's portrait... when is someone going to link it!

Hmm... unless these were self-inflicted?  Maybe Eva was possessed and killed Hideyoshi in the shower before turning on herself?

Oh Battler, you did make that request of Maria... for the next deaths to be in such a way that it would have to have been the witch...

Maria is really changing her tune now that all this supernatural stuff is taking place...

Well that seems like a horrifically convenient rune... How did it get on the outside of the door then?  Does it only appear after it's been exhausted?

Someone... is in the basement?!

Hmm... the 3rd twilight probably implies that those who remain will acknowledge that Beatrice is doing this.

Oh... there is a body in the boiler isn't there?  A body like Kinzo's?

Butterflies?  A lot of them..

Kanon is no longer furniture!  He's fighting against Beatrice!

What was that?

There goes Kanon... In the chest... hmm..

So it seems Eva and Hideyoshi were "gouge the head"  So we either skipped 2 steps and have failed already, or we missed seeing them... the second twilight could have been Kinzo and Genji being torn apart?  But what about the third?

Battler is not doing well with these deaths...

When the seagulls cry, the crime will be solved... heh

But Battler has an uneasiness that they'll never cry again.. yeah I could see that.

Yep, and a corpse in the incinerator... damn... so that could count as #2

Hmm... he also had his forehead impaled...

So... are we going to open that letter yet?

Battler still can't admit to the existence of the witch...

Hmm... Maria says Beatrice is going to take her to the Golden Land?  Does Maria have the key?

8PM - Time to check out the latest letter?

So Kanon is dead... that means we're officially to the chest part?  That means at least 3 more have to die, right?

Jessica getting suspicious of Maria... Does that paint her as the next target?

You say it's safe... but even Kinzo disappeared from his study.. You're all looking at this without a supernatural element involved....

Yeah, even if Beatrice can't go into the study, if Kinzo came out willingly or was forced out, he'd certainly lose his protection.  And if he really wanted to see her smile again...

Yeah, there you go... if the charm really had repellent powers, you were saved by it Natsuhi...

Heh, the letter just says to praise her name... that's the 3rd twilight.

so... if we haven't even crossed the 3rd twilight yet... do 5 more still need to die?

Kinzo cared for Beatrice more than his wife... we pretty much knew that.

She died before the mansion was completed?  His black magic was to find a way to revive her... fair...

Hmm... Battler has been said to look like his grandfather in his youth... Is that why Beatrice is going to fall for him?

Maria is the only one still on board with the Beatrice will revive everyone... So was she a normal woman before and has somehow become a witch?  Or was she always a witch?

Rumor about the orphanage he supported?

ABOUT GODDAMN TIME BATTLER!  LOOK AT THE FUCKING PLAQUE!

God this took too long to figure out!  Granted... i think they were kind of distracted by all the people dying to link this together.

I feel like Maria knows too much for a 9 year old...

Natsuhi... are you even listening to Maria?  That's exactly what she's saying this situation is..

I guess she's kind of in denial since she's seen proof already that supernatural elements are at work...

So what about this key?  It's great that we've realized that we're following the pitaph, but what about the first lines about finding the key?

Okay, so now they're following exactly what I'd been thinking...

Oh shit... another letter just shows up on the table... So much for being safe here, huh?

Yep, Natsuhi freaks out and suspects someone.  Not surprised... Is she going to shoot someone?  Say... in the stomach?

Oh no... And now we all turn on each other!  Or rather on the servants... Oh boy...

Natsuhi is going to shoot someone... She just has to... it might be Maria..

George asking Natsuhi to remain composed... Do you realize who you're talking to George?  Overreaction is Natsuhi's middle name.

4 of them leaving the room.. I bet 3 of the 4 die in ways that the epitaph lists...

Yep, Battler gave up his charm... so presumably Maria is safe then?

Fast forward to 11:30PM

That clock keeps getting bigger... what's with that?

Yep, you all played right into Beatrice's hands!

Wow, the meaning of the magic circle is perfect for this situation... Discord

The phone?  I thought the phones were out!

Someone singing?  Maria?  It sounds like a girl... Is this lightly row?

Yeah, don't leave Jessica.  Natsuhi you are an idiot.  Thank you Battler for saying something..

So are we going to find 3/4 of them dead now?

Still singing... why lightly row?  What are the lyrics she's singing to the tune?

Are we going to open this to see them all dead but maria?

One in the stomach, one in the knee, one in the leg?  Or all in the stomach?  That would be bad...

Yep, that makes all 3...

Yep, Beatrice told Maria to face the wall and sing... So she wouldn't have to witness it?

It's true, if Beatrice can turn into these butterflies, she's got a way into every room, lock or no.

This sounds like about the perfect time for Beatrice to enter the room...

And now Natsuhi is gone... and we're down to only the kids...

Is this her trying to protect the kids?  Yeah, I think so... I don't think your puny rifle is going to help here...

And it seems Beatrice is now here... She fulfilled the murders and was revived at midnight?

Huh, the corpses of the kids were never found?

Huh... Maria's jaw was left behind?

Umm... are you fucking joking?

Theory time... Battler saw but denied Beatrice's existence.  Since I'm pretty sure we'll be playing time shenanigans again, I think Battler is about to find himself the subject of some sort of time loop or visiting of an alternate reality.

Ep1 Tea party - Purgatorio?

Okay, so we're going to do the same thing we did in Higurashi here...

Yep, so we've proven Beatrice

Even one of Beatrice's witch friends says that miracles won't occur if you don't believe?

Battler is going to still be the one who doubts in this after party.

The butterflies are a big sign to the witch's existence.

Heh, the miracle won't happen if only one person doesn't believe, but we know how this works from Higurashi...

And Beatrice makes her appearance at the tea party.

After a thousand years, most witches get tired of living... or just a 100 in poor Rika's case...

Battler was born with a strong magic resisting power?

So everyone died again.... Huh... is this actually happening?

Tea Party of those who are not human?

Bernkastel... It really does look like her...

Just a wandering witch?  A Legendary witch Beatrice says?

Lambdadelta?

Won an endurance contest?  Hmm...

The ability to kill an individual endlessly?

Fragments?

Hmm... witches all have a specific power?

Lady Beatrice, Endless Witch

Her existence is the personification of the rules of this world?

To beat her you have to expose the rules and unravel them?

When she was still human?  You mean when she was Rika?

So... we're Bernkastel's game piece?

Bernkastel has high standards... calls Beatrice Beato
Why does Bernkastel say she is powerless?  Is that just in relation to Beatrice?

Bernkastel is Witch of the Fragments.. Lives in a world where concepts like fate and possibility can be visualized.  Sometimes interferes with the fate of humans.

She is so totally Rika, or at least the other consciousness that popped up that wasn't Rika.
Bernkastel came because she heard Beato started something interesting.
Boredom is the only poison that can kill Bernkastel.
Bernkastel is the cruelest witch in the world?
****
Okay, Episode 2. Turn of the golden witch

Title screen has changed to an aquarium?

Guys, this story is purely fictional..

We open on George and Shannon on a date!  Shannon so kawai~i

George has dog tags around his neck?

Shannon speaks quite well for furniture.

Title screen, any new names popping up?

Yep, Beatrice is on the list this time.

These two are a super cute couple.

Hmm... Shannon says that magic happened?  To bring them together?

Shannon is set on her magic explanation.  She's having none of George's pseudo-belief about it.

Uh oh, a punishment game if Shannon breaks the rule?

Aww... the exchange of her actual name in exchange for dropping the -sama

Hmm?  What is this?  Does Beatrice have some hold over Shannon?

Breaking this mirror?  This is going to have further reaching consequences than just shattering one mirror since it's at this shrine.. (Torii?)

Presumably this is Shannon?  The witch is whispering to her?  To break this mirror... The mirror must be some sort of seal on Beatrice.  Or the Torii itself is a seal against her and shattering this mirror removes the structure's protection, allowing it to be destroyed?

Break the eternally unchangeable fate that imprisons me, into pieces... that sounds more like a witch talking than Shannon.  What does Shannon get in this deal?

She gets an OP is what she gets.

And flashback!

Fucking Natsuhi, what a bitch.  I hate this woman so much!

George saving the day for Shannon.

...Okonogi foods?  Okonogi?  Is that so?

Eva... also such a bitch.

Wow Shannon... very forward.  I'm surprised by you

Jessica playing the matchmaker!  Love it!

These two are great.

Eva is still such a horrible bitch.  She is the worst kind of rich person.

What's with Natsuhi and the headaches... there's got to be some extra reasoning behind this... Does she have a witch whispering to her as well?

So Runon is a terrible servant because she only does what she has to....

Kanon's soul was corrupted long ago?  Hmm?

Shannon confessing her love pains to Beatrice's portrait... and she talks back.. Lovely.

The single element that makes up the world?

BAM!  It's a Beatrice.  She 'exists'

Of course it's あい。 Love is the single element.

The pipe is her staff/wand, right?

Beatrice seems more like an instigator of conflict more than anything else.

Tells Shannon now that she knows love she is no longer furniture and is now 'human'

She's going to grant that desire with her power?  So... it really is magic?

Hmm... she grants her favor to those who respect her?  She's going to have to break that mirror in exchange though, right?

What does Shannon doing something to the torii and shrine do for Beatrice?  Ah, it restrains Beatrice.

Hmm... so it's imprisoning her and she's using Shannon to help break from the prison...

Wow Shannon... she refused?

Endless witch, huh?  So she's essentially saying that Shannon will be cursed if she doesn't break this mirror to continue living her life as it has always been... for all eternity?  Never to know love.  Shannon doesn't really have a choice in the matter anymore, does she?

Leaving it open ended... Yeah, that's probably best.  You've lived for a thousand years, you can wait until she caves, Beatrice.  And she certainly will.

She's a witch, but not a demon... mmkay.

Beatrice is very good at manipulating people to do what she wants them to.

Is this Beatrice's theme?  I very much like it if it is..

Kanon, I think you know exactly who this is... and you should really not oppose her...

Beatrice is giving them something as she leaves?  A small burn to prove the meeting happened... I see.

And she disappears into golden butterflies...

Poor Jessica can't get a boyfriend

Beatrice appears to Shannon once again...  And Shannon has a souvenir for her?  Wow Shannon.

Oooh.. Shannon is surely going to give this brooch to Jessica now that Beatrice has said she can give it to another if she so wishes...

Hmm... Krauss and Natsuhi would never notice Beatrice?

Hmm... so Beatrice has an issue with the contract?  She admits to giving him the mountain of gold.

Kinzo is searching for the truth of the world?  The single element, right.

I see, Kinzo has managed to bind her here?  She lost her power and form?  And Shannon hass helped to restore her?

The mirror had a hand it that too.  It wasn't designed for her, but had sealed away her power?

Kanon doesn't like Shannon and Beatrice being all buddy buddy... I suppose his outburst at Beatrice last arc makes a bit more sense now...

Kanon at least realizes that there is something more behind Beatrice's actions.  She really might only be trying to rebuild her power.

No, I guess Shannon is giving Kanon the brooch.. He's going to keep it, but try to fight its influence, eh?

Huh, Kinzo literally can't see her even when she's there...

Jessica needs a fake boyfriend for the festival.  Naturally we'll have to use Kanon

Embarrassed Jessica is super cute!  Too bad I'm not so sure Kanon is as on board with this plan as Jessica is...

BUT WE'RE DOING IT ANYWAY!

This is going pretty much exactly as I thought.

God those lyrics were quick... Hahaha... more Higurashi references!

Yeah, I just don't see Jessica living up to Krauss and Natsuhi's standards at all...

Are we going to go more into this furniture thing later?  It is REALLY deep seated in Kanon.

Jessica blowing Kanon's mind here.

But he's not buying it yet... in time maybe.

Goddammit Kanon... why'd you have to say that?

Now Beatrice is going to get on your case.  I hope you're proud of yourself Kanon.

Yep, Beatrice is just toying with everyone for her own entertainment... That's basically what i thought.

But she gains power from seeing this?  Interesting... Ah she wants to control the island completely.

What is the Golden Land?  There are more dead than just the ones to be sacrificed to bring her back for sure.

The witch's gifts from the epitaph are going to be significantly less positive than we expect them to be...

Ah... the furniture thing makes for someone that she cannot control.. is that by design by Kinzo?  Knowing that his servants cannot be influenced by Beatrice so that they can be truly his?

Ah yes, there is the crying and disconsolate Jessica I was expecting.

Oh shit, George had a pre-proposal already?  Aww... these two are great... but Beatrice is going to feed off that...

Glass shatters!  And it's 10/4/86 again!

Looks like we're going to see a little of Maria and Rosa this time.  Unfortunately, Rosa made Maria this way...

Hmm.. Rosa seems to act like she can't control that aspect of her that flips out at Maria... interesting..

Being possessed by an evil witch according to Maria?  Hmm...

Interesting... Natsuhi and Krauss expressly want everyone NOT to meet with Kinzo?

Heh, the room for all the kids to mess around in is unknown to the adults.  I suppose that's part of the trials of being a servant is being able to please everyone...

Genji knows what's going to happen.  He knows Kinzo is planning this resurrection ceremony... He's trying to let Kanon know to be prepared without actually telling him who is arriving...

Here we go... we're all finally getting back to Rokkenjima.

Heh, Jessica is worried about Beatrice suddenly deciding to come for the gathering some year... little does she know...

In ancient times Rokkenjima was feared?  Called Azukishima? mispronounced form of akujiki?  Okay, evil appetite island is a much less friendly name...

Protected by the shrine, but it's been destroyed this past summer... that helps Beato have more power

What is the deal with Kumasawa?  She's got that weird laugh...

Hmm?  What is this?  Beatrice and Battler are facing off in the game now?

Hmm... is this because Battler denied her last time and now he's been captured by Beatrice?  Is she going to try to force him to admit defeat and his belief in Beatrice?

Yeah, it sounds like Battler might have Bernkastel on his side somewhat.

Damn, Battler really wants to fight!  So perhaps episode 1 was the first attempt and Battler was captured?  Well... that's kind of no good though since everyone still died, unless this is truly the game he needs to win in order to bring everyone back..

That was an interesting scene...

10:45AM 10/4

Here goes.  Hmm... so Battler doesn't have memories from before, but perhaps Frederica will supply him with some?  Battler recognizes the name Beatrice at least though

Rosa.. I'm all for you getting upset over witch talk, but the Celts are pretty real...

Hmm... Rosa going out for Maria... is this happening earlier this time?

Maria is waiting for Beatrice out there?

Oh!  She's here... and so is Rosa still..

That's an unusual outfit for Beatrice... Is she actually going to attend the conference?

Huh, Maria calls her Beato as well?

Ah, they're trading items... the candy for Beato's letter...

There is one for Rosa as well?  Oh?

Beato is heading to the mansion?

Genji is completely unfazed by Beatrice's entrance.

Kyrie also runs into Beato, but has no idea who she is... Or she does now, but doesn't want to admit it.

But then sees Natsuhi, who doesn't seem to have seen Beatrice?

So Beatrice is treating this as a game with Kinzo?  Behind the scenes it's a game with Battler though, right?

Fast forward. 1:00 PM.  Lunchtime?

It's very interesting that she is active this time... Perhaps episode 1 was truly the beginning.

Is the epitaph supposed to refer to... Beato's homeland?

Yep, Kanon realizes that Beatrice sees human fate as a show and entertainment.

This is a day of release for furniture?  What?

Haha, since Beato wasn't a real presence last time, she actually made herself a piece this time around so the 18 v 19 people debate doesn't work as well anymore.

Hmm... so last chapter Battler was free to do as he pleased, so will Beatrice be free to do as she pleases this time?

Battler is going to deny magic as long as he can..

Did the portrait change?

Eva always snaps right back to the inheritance...

What's funny is they siblings are thinking about this completely wrong.  While it ties to the inheritance, and Beatrice is looking for her "rightful share", it's not in the manner that they're expecting at all...

No matter what is shown to us now on Rokkenjima, it can't be accepted as truth... Interesting thought Eva that has some implications you're not thinking about yet...

Like I was thinking before... this island is essentially a closed room scenario.

Looking at the character profiles... Has Beato got the insignia on her thigh?  That ZR though...

Nope, portrait hasn't changed, Kyrie is just imagining Beato like the portrait.

Maria says she's been meeting Beatrice every year?  Is that where her witch fascination comes from?

Hmm... is it just because Beatrice is unnatural that people don't want to accept her existence?  Or is this Battler's influence from the game board?

That explains how Maria knows so much about magic... I wonder if she was being used last chapter?

Yep, here are all the magic circles that we saw before..

Uh oh... Is Rosa going to open the letter early?  Nope, Maria won't let her.

Fast forward to 6:00 PM - Dinner time?

Gohda raising a huge fuss over not being able to bring Beatrice's dinner to her.  He might change his tune if he actually got to meet her...

This day of rest... are Kanon and Shannon some sort of magical creations?

So what is the Golden Land anyway?

Shifting to Shannon's perspective?

Nanjo talks of a goal other than victory in chess?  Oh, just simple enjoyment of spending time with a friend.  Silly reasons.

Shannon talking back big time to Beato... hmm.. she refuses to be called furniture.

Shannon isn't as naive as Kanon is.  Shannon says fate is just a roll of the dice... is Bernkastel whispering in her ear as well?

Beato lives off their fates?  ...and endless repeating cycle of death and rebirth?  ugh.

Damn Shannon.  Good job.

Everyone is in high spirits for dinner this time, unlike last time.  I forget what soured everyone's moods last time...

Hmm... so everyone knows that there is a 19th person and they are wondering why she hasn't been introduced.  They're worried she's also after the inheritance.  I love their one-track minds.

Oh, Natsuhi and Krauss don't even realize Beatrice is here?  Not anymore!  That's all out on the table now.. let's see how everyone reacts to this information...

Getting back to the Devil's Proof again.  This is going to be a recurring thing from Battler isn't it?

Eva really has a one track mind on this inheritance...

Let's send all the kids back to the guesthouse!  Then they won't be one of the 6 sacrifices!

Fast forward 10 PM!

The kids are having dessert in the guesthouse.. A little over 2 hours until Beato kills a bunch of people... what's are we going to do in the meantime?  Talk about Beato of course!

So the real question... is what does Beatrice gain by playing with Maria every year as Maria says... I HIGHLY doubt Beato would play with a little girl just because she's interested in witches... What does she gain from this arrangement?

Kumasawa says she appears before honest people with clean hearts... Probably because they are the easiest ones to use...

Beato is kinda like... Santa???  Not exactly what they're saying, but that just sounded funny so I typed it out.

Nanjo says there is a rumor that Kinzo had a hidden mistress and a child with her?  So it's *possible* that this Beatrice is an illegitimate child.

Kinzo says that Beato passed away.  Perhaps just a convenient excuse for her disappearance... I don't know as thousand year old witches properly die... Granted, it's also possible that this Beato is not the proper witch, but some newer one?   I honestly don't think so... though if we think about Bernkastel... she supposedly came into being as a separate consciousness from Rika, who was only trapped for a little over a hundred year (as far as we know) but she's also considered a "thousand year old witch" in the characters section as well...

Interesting theory George... impersonating an illegitimate child?

hahaha... they thing some horrible crime ISN'T going to happen... George, you don't realize it but you and Shannon are probably dying for the second twilight this time around...

Eva's trained in martial arts?  That's right.. she is isn't she?  We touched on that before... let's not forget that in case it becomes important later...

Battler.  Unconvinced that Beato is a witch.  to quote Maria.... Kihihihihihihihihihihihihi!

Hmm... Maria seems to know the exchange that happened between Beatrice and Battler off screen... He's acknowledging her existence, but not her witch powers... Maria's got you though... that's a devils proof...  You can't prove witches don't exist Battler...

Yeah, I think Beatrice is more or less speaking though Maria at this point... most of the first chapter as well...

I really like the chess analogy here and Maria explaining that Beatrice might be able to move her pieces in a way that break the rules...  Basically, it's a game that Battler is familiar with, but he doesn't know the corrected rule to it yet.

Witches aren't human.  We've hit on this point multiple times... Furniture is also not human... another thing we've touched on a lot.  Is there any other category that isn't human we need to touch on?  What makes something human?  Or what makes something not human?

Interesting... thinking like his opponent fails for Battler since he can't process a witch.

Shannon... can't admit to George that she's met Beatrice before?

George doesn't believe in a witch on the basis that she eats food?  Uh... seriously?  George... come on.

An engagement ring is like a sales contract?  Shannon... that's just... hilarious...

To George... and engagement ring is similar/equivalent to a wedding ring... that's... adorable... I really love this couple... they are fantastic...

Shannon wants to see the future that George sees... because she knows it's not going to come... holy shit... that is depressing...

YES!  I giggled like a schoolgirl here... Shannon puts the ring on her left hand IN FRONT OF GEORGE!

Aww... this is so great... and so sad... I'm going to cry...

I really want to know what other meaning this furniture notion has... it's been shoved in my face so many times, I feel like it has to have some deeper meaning.  Beatrice seemed rather entertained by the notion of Kinzo having his servants refer to themselves that way.  What does that mean for them in regards to the Golden Land?

Shannon has no regrets about falling in love.  Kanon has regrets because... he wanted to go the the Golden land with Shannon but now can't?  He wanted to fall in love and stop being furniture, but within the limitations that had been set for him?  Unlike Shannon.  Oh good, he finally admits to liking Jessica.  She's pretty great, so I can't blame you, Kanon.

So Beatrice is an actor in this play, but she's not properly one of the pieces on the gameboard, so she's immune to the ceremony.. (makes sense I suppose) She's asking if anyone will destroy the ceremony which I'm inclined to believe won't happen until the very end.  It'll probably be Battler though when it does.

Of course, Beatrice, the epitaph on your portrait offers a way to defeat you... I figured that out early on... But I still don't know myself how I can apply that to your defeat.

The scary thing is that Beatrice probably doesn't even care that much if she's beaten.  She'll merely dismiss it as interesting and carry on with her life from there...

Is this a chapel in the mansion?  Whatever happened to the letter that Rosa received?   Was that read off camera?

Is this everyone acknowledging Beato?  Does this fulfill the 3rd twilight even though we haven't hit 1 and 2 yet?  Or does that require everyone?  This might count, but do we have o get all 18 to acknowledge her to fulfill that twilight?

Oh, she is literally here in the space that all the siblings are announcing her.  Even Kyrie, who acknowledges here for all the things she has thus far claimed herself to be...

I am assuming that last chapter allowed Battler free reign to do as he pleases.  This chapter is allowing Beatrice to do as she pleases...

Fast forward: 6 AM! 10/5/86

Who are the six we will find dead this morning?

Looks like not Kinzo.  I would have been surprised if he HAD been one.  He seems to think of himself as being above humans... is the fact he finds weakness in humans why he has his 3 servants who wear the insignia consider themselves furniture?  So they're not bound by that weakness?  It would seem to line up with the conversations Shannon and Kanon had on that.

Hmm?  He won't shame himself like last time?  Last time as in chapter 1?  Or whenever the last time they met was?

Gohda is still alive, so that confirms that the initial six can be altered from episode to episode.  Shannon too.  Did all the servants survive?

Uh oh... Shannon found a note that says Chapel?  Is that where the first twilight sacrifices are now?  Looks like a resounding yes!

Happy Halloween for Maria?  Beatrice, you are really something.. This message is not going to resound well with Rosa at all.  Ah, it seems Rosa believes that Maria's envelope has the key... Yeah, it most likely does.

Maria is going to throw a fit when she sees her envelope has been opened...  On the bright side, I suppose the kids most likely won't see all the dead bodies this time around.

How nice, Beatrice actually left Halloween goodies for Maria!  ...I bet that's not jam on the floor though...

All the adult couples this time.  Holy shit... What the hell is this?  Stomachs stuffed with sweets? Like... human pinatas?

This is bringing back some kind of terrible childhood memory for her?  She's losing stability quickly here.  Can't blame her, this would be a horrific sight.  Yeah, this is messing with her head big time.  She should get out of here already.

Is it just because of how much care Beatrice put in arranging this that Rosa calls it beautiful?  Or is there some lingering magic to make it captivating?

The kids are up and Maria is throwing a fit.  Who saw that coming?  Battler saw it was Rosa who took the key as well.  I have a bad feeling the kids are going to see it.  Maria is going to have an incredibly creepy reaction again, I'm sure...

Yep, we better go chase after Kanon and Nanjo!  Let's go everybody!  Get ready for the regret!

...And the screams... oh god the screams.. Jessica has a pair of pipes on her, damn.

Oh, cutting out to the game board?  Battler yelling at Beatrice over how elaborate this one is.  The first one was just them piled into a storage shed, but this one is really something else... Oh man, she had it done this way because the last time Battler complained that he couldn't see their faces...

So how does this all work?  It's a game apparently that Beatrice is playing with Battler?  A game with the lives/souls of the Ushiromiya family?  She's the endless witch, so these multiple instances must be a manifestation of her power.

Beato's crazy face keeps getting crazier... this is the same progression Maria followed last time with expressions... She's using all his arguments from the previous episode against him.. Is the Battler who is an actor here aware of these conversations?  We haven't been in Battler's head very much this episode, so I don't know.

I wonder if Kyrie is going to make it past the first twilight ever... She'd be a major asset to Battler in trying to solve things if she survived.

Phones are out again of course.  Saw that coming.  Same with the emergency radio..

Oh!  It seems we've got another envelope here. "to those who remain" Probably the instruction for the third twilight again?  It's a little early this time though.  Oh.  It's the letter that we saw at the dinner in episode 1.  Wasn't that what was in Rosa's letter this time?  I didn't see her read it, but perhaps this one is here now so that Battler can hear it.

Even providing proof of the gold's existence here by having 3 bars on the table...

Glass shatters, 6:44AM - Over to Jessica who is on a rampage towards Beatrice's room.  Oh this can go well... That is if she's actually in the room.  Beatrice has things to do today Jessica... You can't expect her to be holed up in here all day!

I think the second twilight happened in the afternoon last time.. I wonder if the times are fixed, or if that is something that is flexible.  Having a fixed window of time could be one of the rules in the game.

Well, we've got Jessica in a rage now, and her mother isn't here to keep her in check this time.  That's going to have to fall to Battler and George I wager.  And of course Beatrice left her a letter to taunt her even further.

Clearly, Beato only wants to play with Battler.  Sit down Jessica.  Or collapse on the floor crying... And have an asthma attack... Jessica isn't going to be helpful now...

Jessica just wants Kanon to stay with her.  She can't say it though... Kanon is furniture anyway.

How many different terrifying smiles does Beatrice have?  Geez...

Yep, the rules say that 13 people must be sacrificed, but there's nothing forbidding excess.  Oh shit... no way she did it already?  No, she's doing it now... is this going to trigger Kanon realizing his feelings and fulfilling the requirements for the second twilight with Jessica?

What are the butterflies doing?  What is this?  That's a demon for sure.  Wearing a servant's uniform?  And making a magic blade on its wrist?

....and Kanon can do that too?  This is part of the furniture thing?  There is a magic to it, a contract they make?  Gives them power while they kill their emotions and humanity, perhaps?  Beatrice calls him a subhuman being?  Truly hot flames burn a cool blue - Ryuukishi07 seems to like this one since he used it in Higurashi as well.

Oh... split Kanon's sprite in two... and it faded away?  Thought he was dead there for a second, but apparently not, he's going to be a badass first.

Oh this is new... we actually get to see the killing this time?  One of the seven stakes of Purgatory, lust?  I saw someone theorizing about Higurashi and purgatory, I wonder if I can apply that same thought here... hmm... let's hang to that and see where it goes.

Asmodeus... Oh my... She is much too kawaii to be one of the demon's of the seven deadly sins.  I suppose we have the equivalent demon to deliver the other 6 as well.  I wonder which set of demons we'll be using.  Asmodeus is lust in all classifications, but the others change depending on whose set we're using.

Maria did say Beatrice could command all 72(?) demons, so no surprise there... Once again, what is a witch to command this kind of power?!

Shit, she even killed Jessica first.. so much for Kanon not letting Jessica get killed before him.  Oh!  Jessica sacrificed herself?  Beatrice is going to love this.

Oh, now we've got Satan of wrath.  She looks very similar to Asmodeus. with some slightly different hair.  Right, Satan killed Kanon last time too..  Right, checking the stakes from last time, we're using Binsfeld's classification.

Lucifer: pride. Mammon: greed. Asmodeus: lust. Leviathan: envy. Beelzebub: gluttony. Satan: wrath. Belphegor: sloth.

So all of Beatrice's minions are aware that this is happening multiple times along with her.  Makes sense.

Relating this to taking an opponent's piece in chess?  They cannot defend, following the rules... Is the game Beato is playing outside this with Battler some sort of game loosely based on chess?  With rules skewed in her favor, naturally?

Even after a hundred years, furniture is still furniture?  Is that a not-so-subtle hint that this has been going on for that long?  Or are we really at the beginning of it?

What did she do with Kanon's corpse?

Time rewind to 6:50AM - Kinzo's room

Is the typhoon supernatural in origin being formed by Beatrice's magic?  Or did she use it as a cover for whatever magic has been placed in this scenario?

...Is that hitchhicker's guide reference actually in the original japanese?

Kinzo is going to tell them everything?  And he's writing a will now?

Of course we're not actually going to get to hear it now.

Back to the chapel!  Battler says he's cried all he can.  Until he finds Jessica later that is.

It seems my theory of having set time frames for the twilights was a no go.  They just need to take place in sequential order.

Huh, I hadn't thought of the Maria in the message underneath the circle a possibly meaning the virgin mary... still pretty sure it's just our Maria though.

Good line of thinking Battler... why the chapel?  similarly, why the storehouse last time?  What do these places have in common?  Looks like I have something to puzzle over at work tomorrow... Well, several things really.

What was important about it to Kinzo?  A chapel seems very strange for a practitioner of black magic... Is there some way having it here helps him?  Is there some reason disturbing it hinders him?  Maybe not the latter since he still has it cleaned.  Though perhaps if his furniture does the cleaning that circumvents whatever issue there could be.

Kinzo couldn't receive a blessing at the chapel unless a miracle occured?  Well fortunately we've got someone behind the scenes who occasionally deals in making miracles in Bernkastel...

Battler trying and failing to English is hilarious.

Grandfather's magic is based on astronomically low probabilities?  Yeah, this is sounding more and more like Bernkastel's domain...

If Beatrice were alive, now that Kinzo's first wife is dead, he could marry her?  Is that why this chapel is here?  Kinzo is eccentric enough that could truly be the case.

Battler trying to make light of the "forbidden chapel" seems to have backfired on Rosa... Ah she finally realizes what I thought before... If there is only one key.. that Maria has had since yesterday... How did the perp get in with all the bodies?!  Answer: She's a witch, stupid.

Beato is really trying to push Battler to admit what she is this time.  Getting back into the closed room argument again.  When is someone going to feel the need to apply the closed room argument to the entire island?  It's obvious I'm supposed to draw that parallel with how much it's being brought up.

Cutting back outside the scenario to Battler and Beatrice chatting.  This is probably my last chance to escape for the night.  Bed time!

***

Let's get back to it.  Just before 7:00 now, let's see if we can finish this episode before midnight!

Battler once again being incredibly stubbborn about his refusal to believe in Beatrice's magic.  He doesn't have himself any human explanation though.

Not surprised to see him use the Devil's proof as an explanation here.  The chapel definitely could have a way that it wasn't a closed room.  Could be a secret passage from the mansion for all we know.

The only thing I dislike about Battler's way of thinking in general is that he is starting with his conclusion of magic doesn't exist and is viewing things under that light instead of trying to objectively prove or disprove it.  He hasn't taken a false step yet and his arguments do hold for now, but i don't like the approach of trying to fit details to a conclusion already made.

Oh?  Beatrice is adding a new rule to her game with Battler?  When she speaks the truth, she'll use red?  Really?  I'm skeptical, but we'll go with it.

REDTEXT: Regardless of whether they were living or dead, the six people definitely entered through the door.

Well, that's apparently the truth, but she didn't say front door or anything like that this time, merely "the door"

REDTEXT: Only one key to the chapel exists.

Well, that was one of my possible explanations too, so much for that...

REDTEXT: It is impossible to unlock the lock to the chapel without the chapel's key!

Oh, but Beatrice... If it's impossible then how did you do it?  Hmm???  Oh fine, addd that caveat... i should really let a little more text advance before responding sometimes...

Too much red, I'm stopping that. Geez, she's really putting Battler through the ringer...

Bam, there Battler hits on the first point I made.  But of course she clarifies that.  Hmm.. I'm not sure what Battler's come back can be here.  Naturally he'll rely on chessboard thinking.

Oh, is he going to test true statements against her red text?  Interesting attack plan...

Now now, Beato, we know the key was taken from Maria's handbag this morning, but what if it was switched before Rosa took the envelope?  That's what Battler is asking you.  Not a bad move Battler.  Oh, she's inviting him to call her Beato... interesting.

OH!  He got her!  ...maybe.  He seems to be cornering her.  At the very least he's driving her to prove her magic isn't all-powerful.  Battler is certainly a thinker.  He's got her on the defensive quite nicely here.

Hmm... so is Beatrice's win condition to get Battler to admit a situation she devised using only human means was achieved by magic?  That or her magic really doesn't have the kind of reach implied... I suppose she is still weaker than her full poweer right now, right?  So perhaps she normally could do it, but right now she can't?  Or I guess she probably is using magic, but Battler's arguments are basically thought experiments to prove a human COULD have done it even though she used magic.

Time forward 7:30! - Now that that fight is over, is it time to find Jessica and Kanon?

Oh good, time for Rosa to realize she needs to act like an adult.  Beato is probably going to guide her to Jessica's room on her way to the study.  No, maybe not... she's going to send a butterfly on Rosa's back to Kinzo's study?  She might be able to gain entry that way, huh?

Kumasawa had to bring up Halloween...

Getting back to the same thoughts as last time.  Why publically display the corpses?  Do they need to be discovered to fulfill the twilights?  Or is that just Beato being sadistic?

Oh that's not bad, Nanjo... maybe each sibling located a bar?  That would explain finding 3... but that still goes against the fact only 1 bar was ever proven to leave Kinzo's possession.  Unfortunately that's not going to hold.  The gold was put there by Beato to prove thatthe legend is real.

So my understanding based on last chapter is that the act of people trying to find the gold (which is the condition for destroying the magic) actually strengthens the magic by virtue of people working to undermine it?  By defeating more opponents when successful, the magic becomes stronger.  That's whay Kinzo seemed to imply by trying to get as many people as possible to solve it.

Rosa has the gun this time.  I wonder if she'll end up dying in a similar way having the bullet turned on her.

Hmm... when Genji and Shannon left Kinzo's room... Did the butterfly slip in?  Did Rosa actually get invited in to see him?  Is that what happened when Natsuhi went to see Kinzo last time.  That could very well be.  I think we'll be seeing a dead Kinzo for the 4th twilight again perhaps.

Yeah!  Let's all go see Jessica and Kanon!  I know how this ends!  Bet there is that rectangular rune on her door.

A Wolves and Sheep Puzzle, eh?  When everyone is together is when they are most safe.  Nice thinking Rosa.

Right, it's only Jessica in here.  Kanon's body was moved... Oh, someone is going to suspect Kanon I bet... I bet that person will be Rosa.

It's interesting to have these back and forths between Battler and Beato now.  I suppose this is going to happen pretty frequently after the roulette begins each time.

The only master keys are the ones the servants have.  One each.  After snubbing the closed room scenario last time, she's really going for another?  Does she just really want to show the aburdity of it to Battler?  I think the second twilight last time was already more convincing with the chain lock.

Yep, called Rosa's accusation.  Unfortunately for her, I already know that she's wrong.  Oh she's going even bigger.  She's accusing everyone.

Ugh... here we go with the false conclusions again... this is going to end poorly again... shocker.  Your thinking is too narrow!  Battler!  Step up and knock her down a peg, please!

Oh, Beato/Battler scene again, let's try to offer a solution before their dialogue that doesn't incriminate Kanon...

Here's an easy solution for you Battler.  Beatrice screwed up by removing Kanon's body.  Though it isn't what happened in reality, you can argue that the culprit took Kanon out of the room and used his key to relock the door upon leaving.  They probably wouldn't have locked the door when they were inside, so she could have easily killed them both, taken Kanon's body elsewhere and used his key to lock the door again to bring suspicion to him.  Done.  Let's see if that's what you come up with.

Interesting hearing the thoughts of the dead Kanon and Jessica here...

Oh, that works as an explanation too.  Though that clears Kanon's name, it doesn't explain the locked door... it kills my theory too.

Kumasawa was sleeping late.  Her key could have been stolen and returned.  We didn't see her awake until after Jessica stormed off... It's the same argument as before, but maybe?  Let's see if Battler tries that.  Nope, he just gives up.

Wow, fastforward all the way to 1:00PM - Guess no one can die if we're all together.  Though if I was right a while back, Kinzo has died.. Since it's about lunch time, I think a servant might got discover that soon.

Good job Battler, you just now realize the implication behind the wolves and sheep puzzle... Yep, and now he sees that Rosa suspects all the non-family members.

Another break out session.  I like that after using it several times in the first episode, Battler is faced with trying to deal with a devil's proof himself.

Seems like we're about to get a body deposited outside... Is that going to be Kanon finally?  Or Kinzo?  Oh!  Kanon is alive?!

Right... Rosa had a butterfly on her... What if that wasn't to infiltrate Kinzo's study, but rather to influence Rosa's actions?

Kanon is probably being used by Beatrice now... this is clearly not what happened... Also the only explanation to me as to how he can even be alive right now.  Oh yeah, he's got red eyes... He's absolutely being used... Beato, you play dirty.  ...What the fuck?

Oh shit... Nanjo and Kumasawa are dead just like that!?  That's not one of the twilights... so we're down to a pool of 8 people to fill ther rest?

This spiderweb burns "Kanon's" face?  Was Kanon claimed as a familiar by Beato?

1:17 - Back to the parlor

Uh oh... their bodies are gone?

Beato/Battler break out, but apparently Rosa is going to say something to ruin Battler's theories?

Ah, of course it's time for another letter.  I bet this is the "Praise my name" letter.  Or not, just more taunting... And saying those two corpses are for the ritual, and giving back the master keys.  Well, that clearly puts them all in sight again.

Ooops, Battler got too far in his reasoning and I didn't get to provide my own explanation this time, oh well.  NOPE!  Denied Battler!  You thought you had her and she shut you down hard!

I'm not sure I've got an explanation of my own for this one... I think Battler might be breaking down here unless he gets a hint from somewhere.  I wonder if we'll be seeing any of that assistance from Bernkastel that was hinted at.  Probably not right now since Beato is chatting with Battler.

Beato is leading Battler down a bad line of thinking... He's playing right into her hands!

She wants to make Battler her furniture... I'd really like to know how this whole furniture thing works..

Battler is in a state of mass confusion and Rosa just snapped, holding a gun.  It's about to get real ugly...

Oh shit... is Battler going to admit it?

Oh yeah, there was the impish laugh alongside Rosa's own laugh... That buterfly did stick with her and is influencing her.

Battler did it... he really did it...  I didn't think he'd admit to Beato being a witch so easily...

Rosa with the double title drop.  We must be getting close to the end of this.  Battler just acknowledged Beato, we've got deaths for the first 5 twilights already.

And Rosa continues her crazy... dammit.  She had me fooled there almost.  I was hoping she'd settle ddown, but so much for that.  What is she going to do?  Battler is breaking even more too... shit... This one is turning out very bad.

Fast forward all the way to 6PM?

Evil spirits lived on Rokkenjima a long time ago and the feared spider webs?  Is this some demon weakness I'm unaware of?

Hmm... Talking about going to get the spirit mirror from Natsuhi's room?  Hmm...I wonder if that would help.

I'm concerned about these three going out alone to try to recover this mirror... I bet they're going to find the bodies of Kumasawa and Nanjo out there and then become the next 3 sacrifices themselves... That or Genji will die while they're gone

If they solve the riddle, the ceremony ends automatically?  She doesn't care if she winss or loses?  That's very possible.  She's really just trying to entertain herself, isn't she?  No, she must get something more out of this... Perhaps she IS trying to claim more furniture out of this.  Perhaps this is just a game she's playing with Kinzo.  That has now turned into one with Battler.

There are rules to magic that must be followed.  So risk must be involved.  She also keeps her promises.. hmm.. She's painting herself to not be such a bad person right now...

Battler seems to have picked himself up somewhat.  Not sure what it's going to do for him at this point.  It might just have to wait until the next board.

Cut to the chapel!  Shannon finds the key on Natsuhi!  And a shitload of butterflies!  Looks like it's time got Beato to get her last 3 sacrifices.

Or not, run away everyone!  It looks like we've got the goat head butlers in the mansion again... Are we going to get to see if Shannon can fight now?

Yeah, Gohda is about to die from one of the demons of the seven deadly sins.  We can't see her, but I wonder which one will get him... Looks like Beelzebub. Gluttony. Accceptable for the cook I guess.

SHANNON!  YES!  I've been expecting something like this since Kanon pulled a blade.  Is Shannon going to actually fight, or just defend George here?

Beato seems to be losing her cool a little bit here.  More so than usual.  Of course she still gets her sacrifices... even cutting George off in the middle of confessing his love... typical

Fast forward to 9PM

Only 3 hours to midnight, this can end anytime now.

Huh, Kumasawa and Nanjo were the seventh and eighth?  So Gohda, Shannon, and George were 4-6?  Even though they died after these two?  hmm...

I suppose as long as they're staked in order it counts... These two might have been preserved by Beato as well I suppose and killed only after the other 3

Rosa still being super paranoid.  Is something going to happen to pull everyone out of the parlor again like last time?

Something like an envelope on the table.  It was a closed room while you were gone Battler!  Aaaand Rosa now suspects Battler... God dammit woman.  So paranoid...

Oh Battler... Don't go full Kinzo on me...

Speaking of Kinzo, what the hell has he been up to all this time?  Let's find out.  I suppose he'll probably come out of his room now?  He might actually get to see her smile.  Or at least her crazed laugh.  That might be enough?

Oh, is she actually visiting Kinzo?

Advancing to 11:30... only half an hour left.

Cut to Battler helping himself to the liquor cabinet.  Yeah, can't blame him there.

At the end here referencing again that Battler is very much like Kinzo.

The ceremony is complete, Genji can tell Battler everything!?  Oh!?  We're going to Kinzo's study?  Is this going to pull a Higurashi and give me some answers that bloom into way more questions than were answered?

Genji's words seem to imply he knows the full situation.

Opening the study.  Naturally it's full of butterflies.  And Kinzo and Beato just playing chess here?  What?

So what did Battler do to deserve getting to come here this time?  Is it because he acknowledged Beatrice?  Apparently his wild cries similar to Kinzo's?

Oh, she'll answer all Battler's questions on a condition?  Uh oh.. Kneeling and kissing her feet, duh, of course.

...We're cutting there?  He admits she's a witch?  Battler loses this round then... Big time.

Wow... Genji chose a peaceful sleep?  That's so sad....

Beatrice wins.  Again.

Oh, let's cut back here to crazy Rosa.  Let's see what happens to her.

Oh... Battler fully submitted here, huh?  A footrest?  Furniture.

Oh, Bern is here.

And... wow.. uh... so Kinzo died.  This is pretty fucked up right here.. and Battler..

How about Rosa and... Maria?  Is Rosa actually kind of a badass?  She wrecked that goat thing.

It seems Maria has stopped wishing to see Beato?  or is that going to change once she does?  The ending 'credits' said that Maria wished for her mother's lost love... Which perhaps she got, but this is the catch about the Golden land?  The Golden Land isn't a good thing for humans at all, is it?  Beato can give them what they ask for... but there is nothing saying they're going to live long after that.

Aww... Maria really loves her Mama... but I think stopping here to make up has sealed your fate.  Not that it wasn't sealed already...

When the Seagulls cry, there are no survivors...  Wow.

On that note, I'm going to bed.  Will read the post chapter things tomorrow morning before work and then somehow put a post together on that madness that just happened...
****
Ep 2 Tea Party - Purgatorio again... is that where this is all taking place?  Purgatory?

Hmm.. Rosa is here now... Do the tea parties only have those who made it to the end?

Maybe my thoughts on the Golden land from last night were wrong, reading the death roster seems to imply it was still blocked this time because someone didn't believe in Beato.  The 'credits' said that was Rosa, so is that why she's featured in this scene?.  Interestingly, Battler is nowhere on the chracter page right now.  Neither is Beato. Oh, but now she is.

Is Beato going to take away the scars in Rosa's heart from her upbringing?  Is that what she's implying here?  By feeding her a lavish meal?  By... force feeding her a lavish meal?

That has her brother's blood mixed in... there we go, I was waiting for the nice filter over this whole situation to fall.  Yep, here's the fucked up part.. A machine that milks blood from a human... Thanks Beato, I needed to start my day this way.  Over and over even.  Beato can just revive them when they die and do it again.  Endless witch indeed.

And this salad is horrific as well... Especially when seeing that she's being force fed this meal by the goat servants... God dammit, I knew that's who the dessert would be...

Of course Maria would understand this situation and offer herself up like this...The worst thing is... these aren't scenes to help put things together like the post chapter segments were in Higurashi.  This could actually be happening... There are probably some hints in these, but...

Oh hey, Battler shows up!  Okay, that small line there makes me think I was right in the notion that this is a game for their souls.

Battler, that comment to Maria about eating her is uh... kinda awkward.  Maria just goes with the flow though, wow.

Oh now that we got out of the subjecting Rosa to a horrible fate section, perhaps we'll get some explanation from Battler of the last game.  Haha, or we won't!  Cut to credits and leave me to figure those out on my own.

Another tea party I'm guessing?  Yep!  Let's do this!

Bern is not impressed.  Too one-sided.  I agree.  Beatrice cornered Battler too much.

Once again touting Bern as the strongest of witches.

Oh boy, Beato called someone to watch the match between her and Bern... No surprise who it is...

Geez, and Lambdadelta looks like a child version of Takano.  Eye color and all... ...are we really doing this?  Seriously?  It lines up since we've already established that Bern finished a long match with Lambdadelta...

The personalites of Bern and Lambda are so different.  They are going to play off one another very well, aren't they?

Yep, so it is going to turn into a game of witches in the background of the game between Beato and Battler.  Man, this is going to complicate things even more..

Heh, now that Bern has been exposed as a participant, she's going to get serious.  This should get interesting.  And by interesting I mean much more confusing.  At the end of the day, this whole thing is really just a diversion for them though.. Is that all witches do?  Make entertainment for themselves at the expense of humans?

Hmm... with Bern acting openly, does that mean we'll get breakout sessions with Bern and Lambda as well next round?

If this music that just kicked in isn't definite confirmation of who Bern is, I don't know what is.  This is exactly the music that played during those scenes... Also she basically just came out and said it, so I'll take what I already had determined to be true and consider it confirmed.

Yeah, Battler does seem to be in a significantly worse situation though.  Interesting, rather than trying to win, try not to lose?

Oh my god Bern... did you really?  Nipa~!

Wait Lamdbadelta will help too?  How does that work then?  If she's against Bern?  Ah, just giving us insight into Beato's habits.

Lambdadelta is so tsundere... I love it.

Not too much new information to add to what I need to think about here for ch. 2, but there is still a lot to think about overall.  Probably going to have to delay my post today, or at least the second half of it while I organize my thoughts...

Reading through the tips segment before writing it seems that there is some interesting information in the second page of characters on furniture... It implies that Kinzo actually created Genji, Shannon, and Kanon?  Is it some kind of power applied to a human being through a contract?  The reason Kinzo takes servants from that certain orphanage is because he uses them to make furniture?  Does that strip a person of their humanity?  Is it a contract, or a forced role?  Are they a person essentially turned into a familiar?  Or are they constructed from a human and more properly a homonculus?  Based on Battler at the end of chapter 2, it seems like the former is closer to the truth.  I've got so many questions...