English Dub Review: In/Spectre “Idol Dies by Steel Beam”
Overview (Spoilers Below):
Kotoko and Saki have just faced off against the spectre Steel Lady Nanase. After retreating back to Saki’s home, the two of them agree that action needs to be taken against Steel Lady Nanase at once, before she does something worse than merely scaring people.
The two of them begin researching her past separately, but Kotoko quickly comes to the conclusion that she’ll need police connections to learn more about Karin’s death – and that means asking Saki for help. They agree to meet at a restaurant, but before Saki arrives, Kotoko is alerted to Steel Lady Nanase’s presence nearby. She runs to the scene to find none other than Kuro himself fighting against the spirit.
Our Take:
Idol Dies by Steel Beam does a good job ratcheting up the tension and mystery of the current arc. While there’s not a lot of action occurring this week, everything we learn about Steel Lady Nanase and her former self, an under-the-radar idol named Karin, serves to make us more invested in the struggle against her, and even puts us on her side perhaps.
But not everything in this episode centers around the spectre. The first few minutes are filled with plenty of great zingers between Saki and Kotoko as they feel each other out regarding Kuro. Saki is confused about why this girl, the opposite of Kuro’s type, is claiming to be so close to him when it’s clear from photographic evidence that he doesn’t like her. And Kotoko remains convinced that she’s the best one for him despite his lack of interest, because they both have otherworldly connections to the spirits. I really like these moments because they show off the more human elements of the show. And it does a nice job walking the line of the jealous ex-girlfriend trope. Plus, seeing Kotoko being a sassy little troll is always welcome: “Wow, talk about a lack of personality.”
Scenes of Saki sitting at her computer researching and reading about Karin Nanase might seem boring at a distance, but the dead idol’s history is interesting enough and the way the show presents it with flashbacks narrated by Saki’s reading is a good way to handle it. The more we learn about Karin, the more her story pulls us in. She seems like a charming, witty girl who got beat down by the world of fame and rumors. There’s even the possibility that her death was no mere accident. Saki’s detective friend hints there may have been foul play involved. And Kotoko is also convinced there’s more to it then just a simple haunting. When she’s been around Steel Lady Nanase, she hasn’t felt any willpower or vengeful grudges – just an empty puppet.
This episode was built on a solid foundation, but there’s lots of nice little moments scattered throughout as well. I especially loved the visual of Kotoko leaving Saki’s apartment by climbing up onto the shoulder of a giant skeleton. It felt very Iron Giant mixed with the more supernatural stylings of this show itself. And the backstory of Karin Nanase felt real and lived-in, complete with a theme song from her first TV appearance and all. (I’d definitely give that series a watch!)
Kuro disappearance last week is glossed over pretty quickly, which I wanted to know more about. It’s been two years since we saw Kotoko and him together and I wonder how their dynamic has changed. Is this disappearing act a frequent occurrence from him? Guess we’ll have to wait until next week to find out!
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