Detroit Metal City Season 1 Episode 1 PV/Sick Murderer
- TV-MA
- August 8, 2008
Detroit Metal City is a Japanese anime series that revolves around a young man named Soichi Negishi, who has dreams of becoming a gentle folk singer in Sweden. However, he finds himself being forced instead into the role of the lead singer of a satanic death metal band called Detroit Metal City, which is known for its violent lyrics and obscene stage antics. In episode one of season one, we are introduced to Negishi and the members of his band for the first time.
The episode, titled "PV/Sick Murderer," starts with Negishi making his way to his band's studio for a meeting. On his way, he bumps into an old friend who is shocked to see him dressed in full gothic regalia with face makeup, as opposed to the gentle attire he used to wear. Negishi tells him that he is only doing this to earn some money, but deep down, he hates the music he is playing.
Arriving at the studio, Negishi meets his fellow band members - Johannes Krauser II (vocals), Alexander Jagi (guitar), and Camus (drummer). They are all dressed in black leather and spiked collars, looking nothing like the humble young men they were before. Krauser II is the epitome of a metal band frontman, with his long purple hair, black contact lenses, and a grotesque facial expression. However, Negishi's attempts to blend in are less successful, as he is too shy to maintain the facade of his alter-ego Krauser II, often breaking out into fits of nervous laughter.
During the meeting, the band members discuss their upcoming music video. They need to shoot something that is gory and violent, enough to create a shock factor in their viewers. Negishi tries to suggest something more positive, but the rest of the band members shut him down, stating that positivity is not what sells in their genre.
The rest of the episode sees the band members at their music video shoot, where Negishi continues to struggle with his inner conflict. He tries to resist the urge to unleash Krauser II, but ends up falling into the role anyway, as the director insists that they go for a more brutal angle. The shoot involves a lot of fake blood and gore, with members of the band posing as corpses and being chopped up by a chainsaw wielding Krauser II.
The shoot is interrupted when a man appears, claiming to be a former soldier who had fought in Iraq. He insists that the band is spreading a message of violence and hatred, which will only make things worse. The rest of the band members dismiss him as a lunatic and continue with the shoot. However, Negishi breaks down in front of the man, confessing that he is only doing this for money and has no idea how to express himself through this kind of music.
The episode ends with the band members chanting a song about a sick murderer, while Negishi's conscience keeps telling him that this is not the right thing to do. However, he is unable to stop himself from transforming into Krauser II, and the episode ends with him screaming into the microphone, embodying the violent spirit of Detroit Metal City.
Overall, the first episode of Detroit Metal City sets the stage for the series by introducing us to the characters and their motivations. Negishi's struggle to reconcile his peaceful persona with his violent new identity sets the tone for the series, which is a mix of comedy and satire. The darkly humorous tone is evident throughout the episode, with the music video shoot serving as a perfect example of how far the characters are willing to go for shock value. The episode deals with themes of authenticity, rebellion, and the selling out of one's values for the sake of fame. It's a thought-provoking start to a series that is sure to entertain and amuse audiences.