Lord of Mysteries Episode 4 Review: Don't Let the Slice-Of-Life Distract You From the Oncoming Storm
Spoiler Alert !!!
Major spoilers ahead for Episode 4 of Lord of Mysteries!
Any suspicions I had that the gorgeous visuals for Lord of Mysteries were a fluke have been thrown out the window. The consistent effort and love the animation studio puts into it, even in a fairly tame episode like this one, shows how dedicated they are. However, it isn’t the only aspect that entices the audience to keep watching.
Episode 4 is the direct opposite of its previous one, which gave me some whiplash, but also provided a much-needed break. Although Lord of Mysteries is Lovecraftian horror, it reminds us that it has magic and divination involved. Klein, too, has a normal life away from the Nighthawks that we get a deeper glimpse of in this episode. The adaptation hasn’t forgotten Melissa and Benson, thankfully.
Lord of Mysteries probably realized we witnessed enough horror in Episode 3 and decided to have mercy. The Suited Clown and the Antigonus Family Puppet were enough nightmare fuel; now it’s time for a slice-of-life perspective. Episode 4 is rather funny and wholesome, while also diving into the lore of magic and mysticism.
If you’re not into heavy gore related to the body, you might have to look away for the first few minutes. However, it establishes the existence of the True Creator and the Aurora Order. They become relevant much later, but their presence is felt through Vincent. What drew me into the episode wasn’t the horror for a change.
Klein finally has a life beyond the Nighthawks. As much as I do love Dunn and Leonard, his siblings and others also needed some screentime. Neil also deserves some credit for being a sweet and silly old man. Klein’s reaction to how he obtained the 30 pounds he wished for was comedic gold.
It wasn’t a one-time thing in this episode. There are jokes sprinkled in throughout that made me realize how normal these characters are beyond the magic and horror of Lord of Mysteries. Miss Justice, whom we get to see more of, has a hilarious side plot. I never thought a series like this would have a talking dog, but here we are.
Episode 4 manages what most horror series need to do. It gives us more context on the characters beyond Klein. We finally see him socializing and trying to figure out the world he’s been thrown into. Mr. Hanged Man also makes an appearance, a character I personally want to know more about.
That being said, it was high time for some magic and horror. Melissa’s friend, Selena, gets possessed by an evil spirit. The change in her appearance was menacing, and the details are horrifying. It shows what true possession looks like, unlike live-action horror movies.
Klein deals with it through great difficulty as Vincent is determined to get revenge. After he fails, the horror only escalates, and he’s dead within the next scene. It’s only the beginning of the True Creator’s part in Lord of Mysteries.
Dunn accompanies Klein to investigate Vincent’s corpse. The captain then sees a vision of the True Creator, shocked by how imposing it is. My eyes once again can’t imagine how much effort and detail went into that one frame. It might be the most gorgeous visual yet.
Every tiny detail in Lord of Mysteries stuns me, from the hair movements to the expressions. It somehow makes them more lifelike and personable, too. The ambience and music also hook you in, while maintaining a feeling of dread in the horror segments.
I also loved the pacing of Episode 4 the best, as the first three were slightly rushed and overwhelming. The balance of slice-of-life and horror made it feel more realistic and digestible. It sets the stage for what’s to come in the upcoming episodes, and I cannot wait.
Lord of Mysteries surpasses expectations once again.
Bidisha is an Anime Content Writer at FandomWire with over 600+ published articles. She has a Master’s Degree in Japanese Studies, which she uses to watch anime without subtitles. From One Piece to Bungo Stray Dogs to The Apothecary Diaries, she has years of watching various anime under her belt and enjoys making theories. She also enjoys literature, music, Marvel, and many other forms of entertainment. Her passion for writing has been constant throughout the years, from Kpop to educational material.
