The Garden of Sinners: A Study in Murder (Part 1) 2007

First encounter with Shiki Ryōgi

Mikiya Kokutō briefly encounters Shiki Ryōgi while walking home in 1995. This chance meeting foreshadows their later recognition and budding friendship.

School reunion and friendship

Later at his high school, Mikiya recognizes Shiki in a crowd and introduces himself. The two become friends, though Shiki seems to have forgotten their earlier meeting.

Shiki's nocturnal wanderings begin

One night, Shiki leaves her home to wander the streets of Mifune City. She finds the corpse of a traffic accident victim and applies their blood to her lips in a trance.

The first murder occurs

The following night, a man is brutally killed by an unseen attacker with a knife. The murder spree appears to be escalating.

Lunchtime confrontation about the murders

During lunch the next day, Mikiya discusses the murders with Shiki, which displeases her. Their exchange hints at Shiki's growing distance from ordinary life.

Mikiya stays with Shiki as more victims appear

Three more victims are murdered in a similar manner. Mikiya remains with Shiki as she waits for an upperclassman's associate to pick her up after school, and they argue about a party invitation while Shirazumi Lio cryptically reprimands Shiki.

A fifth corpse and another night walk

Sometime later, Shiki leaves her home again to explore Mifune City and encounters a fifth corpse. The pattern of violence continues to deepen the mystery.

Ryōgi family reveal and SHIKI's alter

Shiki's servant Akitaka reveals that Shiki is the successor to the Ryōgi family due to a condition of multiple independent personalities. The alter-ego SHIKI is revealed to be male and in control at times.

Love letter and SHIKI's control

Mikiya finds a letter from Shiki asking him out on a date. She appears, acts boyish, and explains that SHIKI is currently in control of her body, with the two personalities out of sync recently.

Cousin Daisuke and emblem evidence

Mikiya has dinner with his detective cousin Daisuke, who is investigating the murders. Daisuke explains that the police found Mikiya's school emblem at the latest crime scene.

SHIKI warns and a lunch plan

After school, SHIKI cryptically warns Mikiya that Shiki will kill anything that opens up her isolation from the world. Despite this, Mikiya agrees to eat lunch with Shiki the next day.

Bandaged arm and a brutal discovery

Mikiya spots a bandaged injury on Shiki's left arm and she admits it happened during the latest killing. Nervous, he still goes to Shiki's mansion and finds her drenched in blood with a freshly beheaded corpse. She approaches him with a cryptic warning.

Nightly watch and police presence

After police arrive at the crime scene, Mikiya pretends not to have seen anybody but secretly returns to Shiki's house nightly to keep watch. The danger surrounding Shiki intensifies as he remains in denial.

Confrontation on the road

Shiki chases Mikiya to the outside road and holds him at knifepoint. When she demands that he say something, Mikiya declares that he does not want to die, and SHIKI reveals her intent to kill him.