Insanity Reasoning is a mystery novel written by Shirodaira Kyo. A comic book adaptation based on the novel has also been serialized, and it is set to be made into an anime in 2020. The content of the work is quite unconventional, and from the protagonists' perspective, it is a world where occult elements such as ghosts, monsters, and strange phenomena exist as a matter of course, so anything goes. However, there are also some intriguing hints that we have summarized here.
Foreshadowing 1: Why is Steel Man Nanase dressed like that?
A recently circulating urban legend features a monster known as "Steel Man Nanase," dressed as a busty idol in a frilly dress, holding a rugged steel beam in her hand, and her face painted black. Rumors have circulated that Steel Man Nanase attacks people every night, swinging the beam around, and numerous eyewitness accounts have been gathered.
Background of Steel Man Nanase
Steel Man Nanase is said to be the remnant of the idol "Nanase Karin," who died in an accident earlier this year. Nanase Karin was widely regarded as ambitious, intelligent, and cunning. She was also suspected of murdering her own father, and dark rumors about her continued to circulate. One day, she was caught in a falling steel beam from an abandoned construction site, and her face was crushed beyond recognition.
Questions about Steel Man Nanase
Detective Terada felt that if Nanase Karin was seeking revenge on society, it would be impossible for her to show up in a frilly dress with a crushed face and carrying a steel beam. If Nanase Karin had a desire for revenge, he felt, she wouldn't appear in the image that would delight occult enthusiasts. Why did Steel Man Nanase appear in such an image?
Foreshadowing 2: How to Eliminate Steel Man Nanase
For the protagonists of this story, Kotoko Iwanaga and her boyfriend, Kuro Sakuragawa, demons and spirits were relatively familiar creatures. Even for them, who had extensive knowledge of their nature and characteristics, the existence of Steel Man Nanase was alien. It was common knowledge for Kotoko and Kuro that humans could deal with demons and spirits in countless ways, and that they could be defeated if their weaknesses were exploited. However, Steel Man Nanase lacked these elements, and was an entity that could easily be revived even with physical interference. While normally youkai would be afraid of Kuro, Kotoko states that there is no sign of this and that Steel Man Nanase cannot be eliminated by normal means.
Foreshadowing 3: The Death of Nanase Karin (aka Nanase Haruko)
There have been many suspicions surrounding the death of Nanase Haruko, the idol who inspired Steel Man Nanase. The murder scene was an unpopular construction site, and the fact that Nanase Haruko was there alone was also rather unnatural. However, even though Nanase Haruko was a minor at the time, there were signs of smoking nearby, and autopsy results also confirmed her smoking. Therefore, both the possibility that she stopped by to smoke or that she was called there by someone were considered.
Traces of Death
Nanase Haruko's face was crushed by a steel beam, but there were no signs of defense. Based on this, the police considered the possibility of homicide, but ultimately concluded that it was an "accident that was very close to suicide." Some investigators believed that the police, driven by the scandal and hounded by her family, had become so desperate that they simply accepted the iron frame. As a result, Haruko Nanase's death was ruled an accident.
Foreshadowing 4: Hatsumi Nanase Questions Haruko's Death
Haruko Nanase's older sister, Hatsumi Nanase, was the prime suspect. As a result, Hatsumi inherited a large amount of royalties and never spoke out in Haruko's defense. However, Hatsumi was the only person involved in the case who suspected that Haruko's death was not a suicide. Hatsumi had a motive, but her alibi was also perfect. The biggest mystery in this case is that she repeatedly asserted her true identity without regard for the possibility that she might be suspected.
Is that even possible?
The truth behind Nanase Haruko's death—was it suicide, or was it not? It seemed impossible to reach a conclusion or prove it. However, Kotoko quickly discovered the truth. It was an incredibly forbidden move that overturned the very foundations of mystery and detective stories.
Foreshadowing 5: The Death of Nanase Haruko's Father
Before Nanase Haruko's mysterious death, her father also died mysteriously. He had complained about Haruko before his death, and after his death, a note was discovered in which he wrote, "I sense murderous intent from Haruko." As a result, Haruko was pursued by the media and forced to live on the run. Did Haruko really murder her father? However, it's conceivable that Haruko, being intelligent, could have hidden the evidence.
Foreshadowing 6: Who created the Steel Man Nanase summary site?
The true nature of Steel Man Nanase is that when the Steel Man Nanase summary site became popular online, rumors spread like the Slit-Mouthed Woman, materializing into a monster. However, there was a person who set up the Steel Man Nanase summary site, instigated it, and manipulated public opinion. Who, exactly, and where did they set up the Steel Man Nanase summary site? Also, there's the question of whether monsters would be born so easily just because the Steel Man Nanase summary site became a festivities.
Foreshadowing 7: Kuro Sakuragawa's Complicated Family Situation
Kuro Sakuragawa, who gained immortality and the ability to determine the future by eating the flesh of a mermaid as a child, is said to have come from a prestigious family, but it is said that there are very few survivors of his lineage. The Sakuragawa family is shrouded in mystery, but what is the current relationship between them and Kuro?
[Instantiation] Summary of Foreshadowing
Instantiation is a mystery, but it is a rather unconventional one. Breaking the so-called Ten Commandments is something that would instantly fall apart if it were done in a detective drama or mystery story, but would actually make it more interesting, as it is done as if it were a matter of course. And what's most interesting is that, rather than uncovering and proving the truth, they hide inconvenient truths and manipulate public opinion to suit their own convenience. Because of this, the foreshadowing introduced is resolved in unexpected ways, which is interesting. I think it will be a fascinating work, so I'm looking forward to it airing! It will start airing in winter 2020.
