In MURCIÉLAGO, Volume14 (ムルシエラゴ ), the gang learns of a new, exciting horror to infest their city; someone is chomping chunks out of the necks of women.

Narumi and Kuroko team up to discover just what the hell is going on, but Narumi finda herself purposefully disabled and stuck in a sewer with a bunch of other girls, all of whom have the same injury she’s been given. Narumi and the others…have been put in the larder. She quickly learns the horror this time is not new at all…in fact, it’s the return of one of the most complicated and interesting antagonists of the entire series. 

Rose Marie is back and creepier and more horrific than ever! Narumi holds out until Kuroko and Shizuka arrive and help her take out this new/old scourge.

The counterpoint to all of this is that Hinako and the remaining half of the team go to the pool where they swim, eat, and pound the living shit out of some assholes. All good fun.

Chiyo has one of those serious moments, when speaking about Kuroko to Hinako and explains that her “like” is definitely different than Hinako’s like – she’s not above a little fantasizing that they might be married one day… Hinako’s main objection is that the idea of Kuroko in a dress really annoys her. ^_^

Ratings:

Art – 8 On repeat: In so far as it is conveying horrific violence, I think it’s getting better.
Story – 8 Creepier than usual, which is saying a lot
Characters – 8
Service – 5 less than usual, skimpy bathing costumes
Yuri – 4 Chiyo is the Yuri carrier drug here, and I’m okay with it

Overall – 8

I am in awe of Yoshimurakana’s ability to come up with new skin-crawling terrors. I am also a little in awe that this series, which is very heavy on the violence against girls doesn’t make me want to punch someone. The only thing I can think of is that the violence against women is the only part that’s taken seriously. When guys are killed, it’s like, “eh, whatevs.” ^_^