Garden of Sinners: Murder Speculation Part B is an absolute masterpiece. It perfectly recontextualizes the entire series bringing an emotional climax to Shiki’s character arc. All the while the film brilliantly deals with the implications of murder and whether one can still

Be considered after committing such a deed. Like everything in Garden of Sinners it leaves the audience to form their own conclusions to this question with it providing evidence for both sides on why someone would commit such an act. My interpretation is the act of murder

Is a indeed a sin that takes such a toll on a person that they can’t carry it alone. Shiki at the end of the film very easily could’ve become the murder she detests if Mikiya wasn’t by her side and said he would carry the sin in her stead.

When confronted with life or death situations we are forced to make decisions we wouldn’t care to make. That’s why more than ever it is important to have someone there to turn to and say you need help in order to move forward.

If you do not do this it is likely you become nothing but a machine trudging through life alone and causing on to loose one of the most important parts of themselves.

Shiki and Mikiya’s relationship across all of the films is built to explore this question but it’s here where their relationship is truly pushed to the brink as they wonder what they have been fighting for all this time.

Their relationship is wrought with difficulties but while unconventional it’s one of the greatest romances ever created. There love for each other is genuine and both long for happiness. It’s though Mikiya’s willingness to constantly reach out his hand that allows for

Shiki to reconcile both sides of herself and accept the happiness that for so long she only thought would be a dream. Her struggle and ability to confront death and choose life over it makes her one of and arguably the greatest female character in fiction.

The beauty of this film and the rest of this series cannot be understated. It’s a masterpiece deserving of the highest praise imaginable. The journey it has taken me on will be one I will always remember and continue to contemplate for a long time to come.