Arne no Jikenbo [Episode 7]

“Arne no Jikenbo” Episode 7: A Vampire Detective’s Chaotic Dance with a Phantom Thief

Let’s cut to the chase: Episode 7 of Arne no Jikenbo (The Case Book of Arne) is a wild ride—one that’s equal parts frustrating and fun, depending on how much you’re willing to roll with its messy pacing and supernatural chaos. For those who’ve stuck around this underrated vampire detective series, this episode throws a curveball with a new character who’s impossible to ignore: Phantom Red Riding Hood, a flamboyant thief with more charisma than half the cast combined. But is she enough to save an episode that’s still struggling to find its footing? Let’s break it down, fan-style.

First, let’s recap the basics: Arne Neuntöte is a vampire detective with a penchant for supernatural hijinks, and Lynn Reinweiß is a noble’s daughter obsessed with vampires. Their worlds collided to solve a bloody mystery, but Episode 7 shifts focus to a new case involving a phantom thief and a missing “Blue Heart” treasure. The problem? The episode can’t decide if it wants to be a detective story, a supernatural action flick, or a character drama—and it shows.

Fans on MyAnimeList are split, and honestly, I get it. One user called the episode “pretty decent” with “good pacing,” but others ripped into its meandering plot. “Still think this is the most underrated of the season, but they did waste way too much time on Lynn’s dad’s arc,” one fan ranted. “Feels like this show is just meandering with no real purpose. I’m confused on wtf’s going on in this case too.” Preach. The episode jumps between Lynn’s dad’s drama, Arne’s vague vampire powers, and the thief’s antics without connecting the dots. It’s like trying to follow a recipe with half the ingredients missing.

But let’s talk about the star of the show: Phantom Red Riding Hood. She’s a breath of fresh air—sassy, pro-active, and with a laugh that’s either endearing or grating (depending on who you ask). “Phantom Red Riding Hood has such a level of charisma,” one fan gushed. “Definitely an interesting addition to the show, and feels like her character overshadowed Lynn this time.” Ouch, but true. Lynn’s subplot—wandering around town investigating—feels like filler compared to Red’s high-energy heists. Even her outfit’s a meme: “Why is Lynn dressed like a 1900s British explorer lmao,” another fan joked. Valid.

Then there’s the supernatural stuff. The episode drops bombs like moving statues (turns out they’re corpses animated by Amy, a necromancer—wait, when did we meet Amy?) and a mysterious “Blue Heart” treasure. But instead of building tension, it’s all tell and no show. “Once again, we are told rather than shown,” a fan complained. “The detectives’ first encounter with Red Riding Hood was interesting, but they just glossed over it with flashbacks.” It’s like the writers are in a hurry to get to the next big twist without letting us care about how we got there.

And don’t get me started on the German grammar fail. The thief leaves two cards: the first is proper German, the second? “Wir suchen die verschwundene ‘Meisterin Yeller’ Schatz ‘Blaues Herz’” (We are searching for the missing ‘Mistress Yeller’ treasure ‘Blue Heart’). A German-speaking fan called it “bad” and pointed out the gendered “Meisterin” (mistress) for Yeller—foreshadowing or a mistake? Also, “Schatz” means “treasure” but is also a term of endearment. “It’s a bit old-fashioned, though,” the fan added. “More used by my parents’ generation, and I’m 40.” Oof, that’s a cringe-worthy detail for language nerds.

But here’s the thing: despite its flaws, Arne no Jikenbo Episode 7 is still entertaining. The fight scenes with Red are dynamic, and the ending—where the statues come to life—has a creepy, fun vibe. “The ending was a bit creepy,” one fan noted. “And the new villain I’m not sure what to make of yet, but I like how pro-active she is.” Plus, Bernd (from the previous arc) is back, and he’s still the best side character. “Glad to see Bernd back, he was the best cast member of the previous arc,” another fan said.

The biggest issue? The show’s skipping critical info. As one fan explained, “About half of the missing info was in the DLC of the game that’s being adapted.” So if you haven’t played the JP-only game, you’re left in the dark. “Suddenly, this same guard is just back? Zero clues about the missing people and then a sudden reveal?” another fan asked. “This series is not exactly not entertaining, but it doesn’t really do transitions well.”

In the end, Episode 7 is a mixed bag. It’s got a cool new character, some fun action, and that underrated charm fans love. But it’s held back by messy pacing, skipped details, and a mystery that’s more confusing than compelling. If you’re here for the vampire detective vibes and don’t mind a little chaos, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re looking for a tight, well-crafted mystery? You might be disappointed.

As one fan summed it up: “It’s hella underrated omg, but I do feel you tho. Only major criticism rn for me is the time skip ngl.” Yeah, same. Here’s hoping Episode 8 ties up the loose ends—because Phantom Red Riding Hood deserves a better story than this.

Final Verdict: 6.5/10 (same as its MAL rating). Fun, but frustrating. Worth watching for Red, but don’t expect a masterpiece.