Maybe it’s just me reading too much into this, but the way this is written/translated is giving me the feeling that, unlike the fake memories from the Campania arc, UT possibly isn’t the one who extracted those “episodes” (even if he’s the one who added them to the records)…
…If it’s true though, then this could further solidify the idea that he’s possibly not the only supernatural being involved with bringing back the dead…
So in the latest chapter Othello says that demons sometimes help humans with the development of new technologies which implies that demons have some knowledge about these kind of things.
That makes me wonder how much Sebastian really knows about such developments. As a demon he’s one of those Othello spoke about so maybe he should know about all these technologies. However, Sebastian doesn’t really strike me as someone who does. He usually seems very surprised whenever he sees some advanced technology and even though he looks quite fascinated it doesn’t seem as if he already knows all of that or could provide someone with such technologies on his own.
In the Green Witch arc he sent the samples of the gas to England for examination and he rather relies on humans (e.g. Sieglinde) to get some results regarding medical and technological questions. Also, when Sebastian investigated the cult’s lab he only seemed to see it as a room where the blood is being stored and maintained.
Othello, however, seems to have found that there’s more going on since he said that this is even more progressed than it should be (which might be related to what the cult is doing with the blood).
So I guess that not all demons possess the knowledge to provide humans with such technologies and Sebastian probably isn’t one of them. Of course, he could just hold back such information since Ciel isn’t asking and his fascination with new technologies might be more of a fascination for the humans who apparently developed them on their own. But to me, Sebastian seems more like someone who draws his knowledge from the past and who’s maybe a bit old-fashioned.
And maybe that’s what Othello meant here:
Many people think Othello is talking about Undertaker here and while that indeed could be true, he might also be talking about Sebastian.
It’s not a secret among the English shinigami that Sebastian is under contract with Ciel. So when Othello spoke about the possibility of a demon being responsible for the cult’s technologies Sebastian could have been his first guess. However, as Othello says, “that one” doesn’t really have the knowledge about this progress.
By the way, if Othello really meant Sebastian, it seems as if he knows him…
Chapter 119 brought an interesting issue. While looking at the hidden lab of Sphere Music Hall, Othello comments that they (whoever is behind the cult) has progressed too far. He even talks about some people can gain technology by making deals with a devil.
What’s peculiar is how he could know if someone has progressed ‘too far.’ People are making advancements all the time after all. How would anyone know if someone had progressed just the right amount? While Shinigami know some things about the immediate future, such as who is about to die, it seems odd they would have knowledge about what should or shouldn’t be invented. If Othello just expressing his opinion, or is there something more?
There was a post by into–the–abyss recently (you can find it here) about fixing the anachronisms in the series. Honestly, before this chapter, I had always thought these anachronisms was just a bit of a quirk of the story. There is so much careful detail and research put into decor and food – yet you have those little things that stand out. There is mention of television and shows. Bardroy refers to Sebastian as ‘Superman.’
In fact, the entire Shinigami society seems out of place when you think of time. Their suits are too modern, their scythes have yet to be invented, and then you have Ronald’s watch. Unless they are traveling through time, something seems a bit out of place. What if it’s not just a quirk? What if it’s part of the bigger story?
What if something happened in the past that caused the entire timeline to skew? Most characters would be unaware of this entirely. Finny and Bard think nothing of a television despite the fact it shouldn’t exist. To them, it simply exists. Of course, even the ones that do know aren’t really able to do much about it. There are attempts to correct this skewed timeline or, at least, attempt to get it back on track, but it’s a big issue. A single change could affect so much.
Allow me venture further into crack theory territory here. There’s been a lot of talk about this ’50’ years ago. Undertaker deserted and this was the last time Othello had to come to the living world. What if Undertaker did something 50 years ago that led to his need to desert? He could have been trying to save Claudia, but this caused this shift in time.
If he was saving Claudia, then this would mean that she was supposed to have died. If she had died young, there would be no Vincent…and no Ciel. In other words, almost none of the events we’ve been reading about were supposed to have happened. Of course, they have happened so now they have to be dealt with accordingly.
Please note that this is only a crack theory. I’m not really able to defend it or anything. It’s just a strange little thought that occurred to me.
Nice post 🙂 I would just advise to be careful with the beginning of the series (namely anything before the JTR arc) because Yana-sensei hadn’t received the offer to do a long serialization yet, so she had to change and plan a lot of things after the beginning of the story.
I do think you have a good idea though, if anything because “50 years ago” led to UT’s desertion and we don’t know if it’s because of him or if he just couldn’t handle it anymore after a sordid case, but since Othello (who is from forensics) was involved, it’s obvious it was a big case (I wonder if it could have had to do with Victoria becoming Queen, it was in 1837 which is technically 52 years ago…).
I also wonder if your theory could also have a link to the last arc and not just mainly the current one. After all, panzer and radars were also a bit out of place considering the time era, no? And Ciel said…
So I’m just wondering if whoever/whatever helped the Blue Sect progress so much could also have something to do with the technology progress of last arc in Germany. I mean, when you take a look at the Murders at Manor arc, Grey did tell Siemens that for now Germany was not able to surpass England, and yet they had the panzers (amongst other things) when England didn’t…
And in case UT is involved with all that (even if Othello doesn’t seem to think so), because of 50 years ago or because of recently as well, then maybe that post of mine is linked to your theory…
Sorry for the huge add ^^” while I am not really considering the initial anachronisms of the earliest chapters (except the TV in the curry arc), I do think you might be onto something. 🙂
((PS: just saying, but if there is really something off with the flow of time allowing all this progress (linked to what happened 50 years ago or not), I wonder if that’s not another hint towards the Worthy Ciel Theory…))
So far, even the other Shinigami doesn’t seem to know Undertaker’s true identity. When Ronald first saw him, he only figured out he was a deserter by his lack of glasses.
Of course, Ronald appears to be young, so it’s possible he wasn’t a Shinigami when Undertaker was active – but it seems like Grell should have been. Why doesn’t she appear to recognize Undertaker? His customized scythe alone should be recognizable.
What if Undertaker has been recognized and identified by now, but none of the Shinigami had referred to him by name? They haven’t even called him Undertaker.
In Chapter 119, Othello is musing aloud about the advanced technology when he talks about ‘that one.’
A lot of people have theorized ‘that one’ might refer to the Undertaker. So, why didn’t Othello use his name? After all, Othello was sent on an assignment to the mortal realm around the same time that someone last referred to Undertaker as a Shinigami, so it seems like their paths might have crossed.
I think Othello might know Undertaker’s true identity, but talking aloud to himself about ‘that one’ was possibly a clever way to avoid using Undertaker’s true name. It’s only a theory, but I feel like Undertaker’s real name, thus his identity, is important to the overall story and perhaps it’s not something this is to be revealed just yet.
Thoughts?
Very nice!
It is indeed possible, as others pointed out, even though as I said to an Anon last week, if it’s really him Othello is talking about, then that doesn’t mean UT is out of the list for the likely candidates behind the explanation of the current arc (because even if he didn’t know about this stuff 50 years, he might have learned since then).
Anyway, I think it’s a good theory and I wonder if Othello not giving any name is because we supposedly already have a hint towards UT’s name… I agree his identity is probably important to the story, otherwise Yana wouldn’t have hidden it for so long. About Othello knowing UT though, I think the “50 years ago” bit Othello mentioned when introduced is definitely a big hint and I would be very surprised if they didn’t know each other, so maybe Othello will be the one revealing UT’s identity when confronting him at the end of the arc?
Food for thoughts I hope you don’t mind. (@Anon about Undertaker & Othello of last week, if you see this :))
Seb is right, looks like this is quite the effective bold move, haha ^^
Have a nice day Anon!
Hahahaha xD So true!!
Back off Soma, UT knows how to do it better xD It’s the scars, the scars I’m telling you!
Thanks for passing by Anon ^_^
Hey Anon 🙂
Ah but you know, it’s not like I’m surprised. UT can often be an ass and say bad jokes, so this sounds like something he’d do. Besides, he just loooves poking Ciel with his long black nails…
and “poking” others with his scythe…
And I doubt he knows the concept of personal space…
So yeah, he’s just plain “funny”, that guy, and his nails actually being painful in that sketch wouldn’t surprise me at all, lol. xD
I love how Ciel looks more conflicted than in pain in that drawing though, like, “what do you even want from me, I don’t get it” more than “hey it hurts *cries*”. That boy is pragmatic.
Haha, thanks for your thoughts Anon! Have a nice day/evening ^^
It’s too bad we don’t see him acting this way with Ciel too. I mean Seb is one thing and I understand why, but Ciel totally saved him from being eaten by UT’s dolls, so I would have wanted Harcourt to be more thankful and appreciative of Ciel too ^^ (I just loved their relationship in Weston, they had a great dynamic).
Oh well 🙂 Thank you for passing by Anon ^^ and thanks for the link towards the video!
Everything we’ve seen of the F5 seems to have Edward as their lead.
But why use Edward in that position? Although he was eager to do everything he could to save Lizzy and the first recruited, he said he couldn’t sing or dance. In fact, Ciel seems to think the fact that Edward is a good looking young man of high status to be more important. If it was purely on talent, Soma should be the lead. He had natural talent and was even shown to help Edward. So, why Edward?
I think it has to do with their reasons for joining. Soma did so to help Ciel, and Joanne joined because Sebastian asked him to do so. Cheslock joined because it looked like fun, and Clayton said something about not wanting the former P4 from sinking further.
Edward is doing this not only to help Lizzy but to save Lizzy. He joined the group for love. It could be argued that his reason is more pure and he has the most riding on the group’s success.
So if what Othello is saying in Chapter 119 is correct, demons can provide future technology to humans who are in contract with them.
Is this Yana’s way of explaining away the anachronisms from the entire series? Ciel’s radio, television, and video games were all gifts from Sebastian, then? Interesting. I was wondering if that would ever be addressed.
And the Queen and John Brown walk around sporting sunglasses, so does that mean he’s a demon providing her with 20th century gadgets?
Oh, yeah, and about that tank the Germans have…..
Or, maybe this is all a sleight of hand, and the technology at the Sphere Music Hall is there not because of a demon, but because Undertaker pulled a Prometheus and gave some curious, blood-happy humans a little lesson about the four blood types.
(Or maybe UT has been a demon all along and isn’t a shinigami….)
I was actually planning on writing a crack theory along these very lines, so I hope you don’t mind me adding some thoughts here.
We’ve seen these anachronism throughout the story, as you said, and I initially thought it was just a quirk in a way. Now, I’m wondering if it’s not something much bigger.
What if something happened that actually skewed the entire timeline?
It could go back to this ‘50 years ago’ or it might go back even farther. Something happened that changed the flow of time. Most people can’t see this and are happy to accept things that are ‘out of place.’ Others, like John Brown the shinigami, know things aren’t right and are trying to fix it.
Also, if demons can change the flow of time by introducing items before they were supposed to be invented, then maybe the shinigami are to fix these issues. Perhaps Ronald’s watch is even a hint of this. After all, the shinigami are supposed to collect souls at the end of a person’s time.
Sorry if my thoughts are random, but those were just a few of things buzzing around in my head.
Each of the F5 have their own reason for joining the group. Edward wants to save Lizzy. Soma is happy to help Ciel. Cheslock things it sounds like a lot of fun, and Joanne feels indebted to Sebastian.
Clayton’s reason intrigues me a bit though.
He doesn’t want the former prefects to sink any lower. Why? He never seemed to have any real feelings towards them other than the expected respect. He didn’t appear particularly friendly. Why is this concern?
Back in the Weston Arc, Ciel thinks about how the students are brainwashed to a certain degree to the point that Bluer not only thinks their actions were justified but feels that Ciel has to agree. To the former P4, protecting the reputation of the school trumped all other concerns. They literally killed to protect their school.
At the time, Clayton seems horrified by their actions, but I’m curious if he would feel the same now. It’s very clear that acting as part of the F5 is way out of his comfort zone. He has to go without his glasses and wear his hair in a fashion that is very uncomfortable for him. He has no desire to dance and sing on stage, yet he is doing just that.
If he is doing this to prevent the S4 from ‘sinking further,’ it’s very likely he’s doing this for Weston’s reputation. He doesn’t want former members of the school to disgrace Weston with their actions. If that’s the case, then his reasons for doing this are the same as the S4 back when they committed murder. While there’s a big difference in killing and becoming a pop idol, this leads me to question Clayton’s state of mind. While his reason for joining might seem frivolous, if he has gotten to the point where protecting the school’s honor comes before all else, he might be very determined. He could even be willing to go farther.
Thoughts?
Kuroshitsuji: Starlight Four vs Funtom Five
Shining boys in white garbs or bad boys clad in black?
midnight-in-town 