Killed Again, Mr. Detective. Episode 1: The Queen Irie Murder Case, Part 1

The episode opens with an abstract, almost philosophical voiceover comparing a detective to a wave, eroding the intricate “sandcastles” built by criminals. Blue flames and streaking lights fill the screen, hinting at a powerful, indifferent force at work. This narration establishes a mysterious tone, setting a high expectation for the detective’s role as a restorer of nature’s original state.

We are introduced to Ootsuki Sakuya, sitting diligently at a desk, writing. A voice-over details his famous detective father, then reveals Sakuya’s own peculiar habit: writing a new will every single day. He attributes this darkly humorous routine to daily omens, like a broken shoelace or a black cat crossing his path. His assistant, Lilith, observes him with an unsettling, sharp insight.

Lilith calmly but firmly dismantles Sakuya's flustered excuses about a school nurse and an expensive perfume on his uniform. She deduces the scents of disinfectant and chemicals, exposing his attempts to conceal a visit to the infirmary. Her declaration of duty, to “keep a constant eye on Sakuya-sama to prevent him from straying from the path,” hints at a deeper, almost possessive loyalty. She sees a potential in him he is still hesitant to embrace.

Lilith reveals Sakuya's famous father, Tatsuya Ootsuki, has been called to resolve a bizarre plane hijacking by a nine-year-old girl. Sakuya, initially shocked, quickly shifts to a childish ambition, wishing for grander cases than his assigned “cheating investigation.” Their current assignment takes them to the luxurious cruise ship, the Queen Irie, where Katsuragi Makoto, a film executive, is their target. Sakuya’s playful, teasing text to his father reveals a complex, competitive relationship.

Lilith and Sakuya watch Katsuragi Makoto board the Queen Irie, a man known for mysterious purchases. Sakuya notes Katsuragi's unusually heavy luggage, hinting at more than a simple vacation. Their direct encounter is brief, but Katsuragi's cryptic remarks to Lilith, implying Sakuya is “troublesome” and offering legal assistance, suggest a shrewd assessment of their situation. The man is not as oblivious as he appears.

The duo attends the ship's circus performance, where Katsuragi Makoto is also present. Sakuya claims disinterest in the circus, but his reactions to the dangerous acts, especially the knife thrower, betray a fearful, almost childlike awe. Lilith calmly corrects his confusion between a “Pierrot” and a “clown,” highlighting his lack of basic cultural knowledge. The unsettling atmosphere, with a sinister clown and daring acts, feels like a prelude to something darker.

Lilith continues her uncanny deductions, humorously suggesting that an

As night falls, Sakuya and Lilith split up to investigate. Sakuya, alone in the men's restroom, reflects on his father's admonishments. Suddenly, Haigamine Yurii, the young actress tied to the film promotion, crashes through the ceiling, landing upside down. Her dramatic entry is utterly embarrassing, but she immediately recognizes Sakuya as a detective. This absurd scene injects a sudden, unexpected humor into the escalating tension.

Yurii, flustered but determined, begs Sakuya to find a missing calico cat, Ruuruu-chan. She explains it belongs to Katsuragi Makoto, the producer, who is also her father and a devoted cat lover. Yurii admits she entered the air ducts herself searching for the cat, underscoring her frantic concern for her father's pet and her debut film's success. Sakuya, ever pragmatic, agrees, hoping to gain information about Katsuragi through her. Their playful banter solidifies an unexpected new partnership.

Sakuya begins his search for “Ruuruu-chan,” calling through the ship’s metal corridors. A guard directs him to a dimly lit warehouse, where mice might attract cats. Inside, amidst stacked boxes and discarded circus props, Sakuya spots a motorcycle from the performance. Then, his eyes fall upon a horrifying sight: Katsuragi Makoto's body, dangling lifelessly from the ceiling. The playful hunt for a cat has turned grim, revealing a stark, brutal reality.

Distraught, Sakuya calls Lilith, his frustration palpable when she appears preoccupied with a dart game, echoing their earlier playful argument. He urgently commands her to come to the warehouse. Before Lilith can arrive, a sinister clown figure emerges from the shadows. In a shocking turn, the clown stabs Sakuya in the chest. He collapses, calling for his “old man” in a final, desperate gesture. Lilith arrives moments later, cradling his head, her earlier quip, “Killed again, Mr. Detective,” now a mournful pronouncement.

Lilith’s tearful face fills the screen, her stoic demeanor finally cracking under the weight of Sakuya’s death. The ending montage shows her alone, reflective, wandering through cities and fields, a pervasive sadness shadowing her every move. Even in moments of fleeting peace or slight determination, the loss of Sakuya is ever-present. The episode closes with the ominous title card for “Queen Irie Murder Case: Part 2,” promising an immediate continuation of this unexpected tragedy.