Jukkakukan no Satsujin (2024)

Jukkakukan no Satsujin or the The Decagon House Murders presents itself as a classic closed-circle mystery, drawing clear inspiration from traditional whodunit structures. Kinda seemed like a Jap version of Benoit Blanc. The story follows a group of university students placed in an isolated setting, where tension gradually builds as events unfold and suspicions shift from one person to another. At the same time we see our "detectives" trying to uncover the mystery from afar.
Take into account that it is based on a novel (and manga?) which means the characters seem very comic-like with individuals such as the nerd guy, the Daphne Blake girl, the timid girl and so on. Though I did enjoy the character portrayed by Aoki Munetaka.
The pacing is notably slow, and at times it struggles to maintain engagement. Scenes often linger longer than necessary, which can dilute the suspense rather than enhance it. To be honest I found myself even skipping a few scenes at the Decagon in favor of watching how the detectives will uncover the truth. Unfortunately, the same thing happened in the sequel which in my opinion could have easily been done in 5 episodes and not 8.
Visually, the series maintains a restrained style, focusing on the setting and mood rather than elaborate cinematography. The confined location works effectively to reinforce the sense of isolation, though it also contributes to a somewhat static visual experience.
Overall, the series offers a straightforward mystery experience that relies on familiar elements, leaving its impact largely dependent on how much the viewer appreciates this approach.

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