Tsumi to Batsu no Spica - Ch. 9 - The Last Job (6)

[Nivek]

Got a feeling the manga will end with Tsumugi commit suicide once she comes to realizations that she is also the "unfixed button".

That's a possibility, maybe doing one of her mind games to get killed.

 

[Nivek]

First, even for mentally normal people, there are plenty who would not be bothered by seeing an unrepentant, vicious murderer executed. Even doing it yourself might be a relief -- "That threat has been removed. I can sleep better now." Or "Finally, justice for XXX. I can sleep now." (I am NOT saying "always," but I think that this would be true for some people at least.)

As for Tsumugi, the suggestion here is that her thinking is not normal. Rather, she seems to be a sociopath -- i.e. she's just not bothered. She's not malicious, she's not out to hurt people; but OTOH she's not out for justice. She's just OCD about murderers going free, so she does something about it. Perhaps the author will reveal some hidden inner turmoil in the future -- but from what the author has told us so far, she doesn't have any such turmoil.

JP WNs etc. have a lot of socially distant (to outright sociopathic) MCs. So it's not surprising at all for Tsumugi to be another such character.

Tsugumi is a pink haired anime girl...those are a trope themselves

 

[Stikki]

Very curious what'll happen if she does get turned in. I think this is the 2nd time she's said "Go ahead and turn me in" ?

 

[E8Oz5]

@StormSen:
Google:

Not all murders and murderers are the same and:

Most people where I am from are against the death penalty. 🤷‍♂️
also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recidivism

Sentencing a person convicted of murder to death is only justified if the person actually committed murder.

Plenty of people got wrongfully convicted of murder based on circumstantial evidence or due to evidence mishandling, perjury, confirmation bias, misidentification by witnesses, false confessions (Yes, those had happened irl), and so on. Recently, a guy in the US was executed despite the lack of evidence. The prosecutor even tried to stop it.

The point is, the criminal justice system is not perfect and death is permanent. That's why life without parole is always better than capital punishment. If you'd rather execute an innocent person and let a real murderer get free, then it's no better than supporting murder.

 

[Squall_Leonhart]

Spica unburdened by man's need for morality allows her to dish out true justice.

 

[babonjra]

Anita deserved this soft epilogue chapter 😭

 

[Senros]

Tsumigi-SAMA!!!!! is what he was going to write, but he died before he could finish

 

[Riorio56]

Damn what a delicious conclusion for crime Manga chapter

 

[Babymech2]

I always worry that I'm going to die thinking that I was a worthless detective

 

[Ranzo]

I think the emotion the detective should have felt was either relief over having the curtain finally closed over the case that consumed his life or jealousy.
Like, imagine spending (what was it 20 years?) convinced that you know who the true culprit is, but without the evidence to convict, only to have that cold case solved by a girl five seconds holding someones hand.
Not only that, she solves it in a way that leaves no room for doubt about the guilt of the suspect, and it was someone who was right under their noses the whole fucking time.
If it were me I'd be consumed with jealousy in my final moments

 

[cromat]

Do murder really gets solved if some random decides to write a suicide notes and confess in a text?

There isn't any new evidence, and existing evidence wasn't enough to lead to a suspect so it'd be no different if the neighbor confessed right?

It's Japan, they're used to beating false confessions out of innocent people so this would still be a huge step up

 

[Hakurei06]

Man, I can't believe Spica was the Bay Harbor Butcher.

 

[Doodads]

First, even for mentally normal people, there are plenty who would not be bothered by seeing an unrepentant, vicious murderer executed. Even doing it yourself might be a relief -- "That threat has been removed. I can sleep better now." Or "Finally, justice for XXX. I can sleep now." (I am NOT saying "always," but I think that this would be true for some people at least.)

As for Tsumugi, the suggestion here is that her thinking is not normal. Rather, she seems to be a sociopath -- i.e. she's just not bothered. She's not malicious, she's not out to hurt people; but OTOH she's not out for justice. She's just OCD about murderers going free, so she does something about it. Perhaps the author will reveal some hidden inner turmoil in the future -- but from what the author has told us so far, she doesn't have any such turmoil.

JP WNs etc. have a lot of socially distant (to outright sociopathic) MCs. So it's not surprising at all for Tsumugi to be another such character.

That's not what I meant by mental anguish. She might feel nothing over killing those murderers, but having to read the twisted thoughts and memories of such people, especially when unprepared, could definitely affect her, like we see at the end of Ch. 3. As for turmoil, isn't that exactly what that her conversation with the detective was about? Sure, she doesn't regret or hesitate about what she's doing, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have inner turmoil that she herself doesn't understand. We all brushed it off when she told the teacher he could report her to the police if he wanted because he ended up being a murderer as well (so she probably knew he wouldn't do it), but don't you think it's weird that she said the same thing to the detective? Why does she keep saying she doesn't mind if she's reported to the police? While she may not particularly want to be stopped, I think it's quite possible a small part of her wishes for it to be over.

 

[StormSen]

That's not what I meant by mental anguish. She might feel nothing over killing those murderers, but having to read the twisted thoughts and memories of such people, especially when unprepared, could definitely affect her, like we see at the end of Ch. 3. As for turmoil, isn't that exactly what that her conversation with the detective was about? Sure, she doesn't regret or hesitate about what she's doing, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have inner turmoil that she herself doesn't understand. We all brushed it off when she told the teacher he could report her to the police if he wanted because he ended up being a murderer as well (so she probably knew he wouldn't do it), but don't you think it's weird that she said the same thing to the detective? Why does she keep saying she doesn't mind if she's reported to the police? While she may not particularly want to be stopped, I think it's quite possible a small part of her wishes for it to be over.

Ah, gotcha. You're right -- there are some hints towards "she wants to be stopped". 1) her suggesting that she can be reported; 2) her excessively consistent (and thus probably fake) smile; 3) her statement that she doesn't know her own heart. So it might be that she doesn't know her own feelings; and given that "repression of one's own feelings" is a common issue in Japan, it wouldn't be surprising in the author went that way.

OTOH... From what she tells us and what we're aware of she's NOT emotionally driven. Nor do we ever see turmoil seep through. And if she's emotionally detached from other people, then neither the negative nor positive thoughts of other people will sway her at all. To her, the negative emotions of other people might be no more annoying than a radio station playing a song that she doesn't like -- which she then turns off.

Also if she is impacted by negative emotions to some degree, then keep in mind the balance -- she's also exposed to the positivity of other people. And she can be comforted by the emotions of people who finally find peace due to justice being done. (E.g. here, the father of the family who is finally able to mourn his family.) Also, its not like being exposed to malice is unique to her -- cops, detectives, criminal lawyers are exposed to that every day. It's perfectly possible to be exposed to that and not have it bother you. (At least for some/many people.)

Summary: If you're raising the possibility that the story will go that way, I agree -- that's possible. However, what we're told about her conscious mind is that this isn't the case. And we have the real world where we have people exposed to this sort of malice, yet not be deeply affected by it.

To be fair: It's fiction. Adding personal drama is a pretty likely move by the author.

 

[Doodads]

Summary: If you're raising the possibility that the story will go that way, I agree -- that's possible. However, what we're told about her conscious mind is that this isn't the case. And we have the real world where we have people exposed to this sort of malice, yet not be deeply affected by it.

Yeah, I did say it was a long shot. I personally think it would make for a better story in the long run, but there's far from any guarantee it'll go that way.

 

[wallsg]

I'm not going to argue it. I'm just pointing out that where people stand on death penalty is going to drive readers' responses.

I did clarify my post to indicate that there are many people on both sides.

It may but it shouldn't.

There is a big difference between the government executing someone after a trial (how accurate those are is for other libraries full of debate) and a vigilante dispensing "justice". Even a police officer killing someone that he "knows beyond doubt" is guilty is still vigilantism.

 

[StormSen]

It may but it shouldn't.

There is a big difference between the government executing someone after a trial (how accurate those are is for other libraries full of debate) and a vigilante dispensing "justice". Even a police officer killing someone that he "knows beyond doubt" is guilty is still vigilantism.

And what's wrong with vigilantism? That's not a rhetorical question. I'd like you to explain it. And then say if the problems with vigilantism apply in this case.

 

[wallsg]

And what's wrong with vigilantism? That's not a rhetorical question. I'd like you to explain it. And then say if the problems with vigilantism apply in this case.

Vigilantism is the punishment of crimes without legal authority (actually a little broader then that but this is what we're concerned with here).

If don't have a problem with someone committing homicide without the legal authority to do so then I guess there's nothing wrong with it. Or with killing someone for the crime of stomping in the apartment above. Or running someone off the road for being on their cell phone. Or slashing their tires for parking in a fire lane or handicap spot.

 

[StormSen]

Vigilantism is the punishment of crimes without legal authority (actually a little broader then that but this is what we're concerned with here).

If don't have a problem with someone committing homicide without the legal authority to do so then I guess there's nothing wrong with it. Or with killing someone for the crime of stomping in the apartment above. Or running someone off the road for being on their cell phone. Or slashing their tires for parking in a fire lane or handicap spot.

You're giving (confusing) examples, but not giving your reasoning. Just say why vigilantism is wrong.

 

[wallsg]

You're giving (confusing) examples, but not giving your reasoning. Just say why vigilantism is wrong.

Because it is revenge instead of lawful punishment.

Now it is your turn to state WHY vigilantism is RIGHT.