Ep 19. Nineteenth Coffin

In Shiki season 1 episode 19, titled "Nineteenth Coffin," tensions in the town of Sotoba reach a boiling point as the villagers continue to struggle against the increasing number of Shiki. The episode primarily follows the struggles of two characters: Sunako Kirishiki, a powerful Shiki who has taken up residence in the Kanemasa mansion, and Doctor Toshio Ozaki, the town's chief physician who has dedicated himself to eradicating the Shiki threat.

When we first check in with Sunako, she is growing increasingly frustrated with her fellow Shiki who seem content to feed on the dwindling human population without any consideration for the consequences. As one of the more intelligent and thoughtful Shiki, Sunako is deeply conflicted about the ethics of her situation and the harm she is causing to the people in the town. However, her sense of self-preservation also keeps her from openly questioning the other Shiki or revealing her doubts to the humans.

Meanwhile, Toshio is continuing to gather information about the Shiki in order to find a weakness that they can exploit. He enlists the help of Muroi Seishin, the town's priest who has recently discovered that he is also a living corpse and is struggling to come to terms with his new reality. Together, Toshio and Muroi examine a mysterious 19th coffin that was recently discovered in the Kanemasa mansion, and they begin to unravel some of the secrets of the Shiki's origins and powers.

As the episode progresses, tensions in the town reach a breaking point. The humans are growing increasingly desperate as the Shiki population continues to grow and they struggle to defend themselves against the constant attacks. Some of the villagers even begin to turn on each other, becoming suspicious of anyone who exhibits strange behavior or seems too friendly with the Shiki.

Ultimately, "Nineteenth Coffin" sets the stage for the final episodes of the season, as the conflict between the humans and the Shiki reaches a climax. As Toshio and Muroi get closer to uncovering the truth about the Shiki's plans and motivations, the Shiki themselves begin to turn on each other, with some starting to question the leadership of their elders and others becoming disillusioned with the endless cycle of bloodshed. With the fate of the town hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen which side will emerge victorious.