Zaregoto (2002)
Overview
an unnamed, cynical college student narrator who gets unwillingly pulled into bizarre, complex mysteries, starting with a locked-room murder on an island of geniuses, exploring themes of genius, meaninglessness, truth, and the struggle to find one's place through philosophical dialogue and intricate plots. Despite trying to remain a detached bystander, he's always at the center, only to find his actions ultimately meaningless, a core theme of nihilism and the search for value in a world of lies and exceptional individuals.
StatusEnded
TypeScripted
Original LanguageJapanese
Network
Seasons
Volume 1
2002 | 3 Episodes
Volume 1 of Zaregoto premiered on February 5, 2002
Volume 1 is about Ii-chan (the unnamed narrator) visiting a remote island with geniuses, where a locked-room murder occurs, forcing them to uncover a killer amidst intellectual clashes; the series follows this cynical protagonist through various mysteries, revealing his unique ability to discern truth from lies, though he often feels his actions are meaningless in the grand scheme.
Volume 2
2002 | 9 Episodes
Volume 2 of Zaregoto premiered on May 8, 2002
follows jaded college student Ii-chan as he tries to avoid trouble but gets pulled into a murder mystery where he becomes the prime suspect in a co-ed's strangulation, all while dealing with the philosophical challenges posed by a fellow student and the presence of the serial killer Zerozaki Hitoshiki, exploring themes of nihilism, meaning, and human connection through bizarre characters and a dark, psychological mystery
Volume 3
2002 | 8 Episodes
Volume 3 of Zaregoto premiered on August 5, 2002
involves the narrator (Ii-chan) being blackmailed by Aikawa Jun into infiltrating Sumiyuri Academy (Hanging High School) to "free" a student named Yukariki Ichihime, leading him into a dangerous, violent situation where he must navigate complex relationships and hidden truths within the academy's genius-focused environment
Volume 4
2002 | 5 Episodes
Volume 4 of Zaregoto premiered on November 5, 2002
focuses on the narrator and Kunagisa Tomo going to rescue their genius friend Gaisuke Utsurigi from a mysterious research facility, but they encounter a gruesome scene and deep philosophical confrontation with Utsurigi about Tomo's influence and the narrator's past
Volume 5
2002 | 6 Episodes
Volume 5 of Zaregoto premiered on November 5, 2002
focuses on the rescue mission of genius engineer Gaisuke Utsurigi from a mysterious research facility, where narrator Ii-chan and Kunagisa encounter a horrifying murder scene and deeper conspiracies, exploring themes of identity, meaninglessness, and Ii-chan's desire for connection as he confronts his own nihilistic worldview and the true nature of the events
Volume 6
2003 | 11 Episodes
Volume 6 of Zaregoto premiered on July 5, 2003
follows protagonist Ii-chan (the "Nonsense User") as he gets involved with the mysterious Niounomiya siblings, notorious killers, while investigating a girl who can't die in a haunted clinic in Kyoto, leading to a chaotic encounter with unimaginable fate, gruesome murders, and the deepening of his complex relationship with Tomo
Volume 7
2005 | 9 Episodes
Volume 7 of Zaregoto premiered on February 8, 2005
protagonist Ii (the Nonsense User) faces off with the fox-masked man and confronts the true, often meaningless, nature of his existence, delving into themes of destiny, truth, lies, and the ultimate conclusion of his journey as he grapples with overwhelming assassins and the impending end of the "Story," setting up the explosive final arc
Volume 8
2005 | 7 Episodes
Volume 8 of Zaregoto premiered on June 7, 2005
focusing on the narrator (Nonsense User) and humanity's last hope, Omokage Magokoro (The Orange Seed), confronting the mysterious fox-masked man, exploring deep philosophical questions about reality and destiny, and escalating the series' trademark blend of philosophical dialogue and action as past betrayals and origins come to light
Volume 9
2005 | 8 Episodes
Volume 9 of Zaregoto premiered on November 8, 2005
the climactic finale of the entire Zaregoto series, bringing together all plot threads with intense drama, tragedy, plot twists, and revelations about the narrator (Ii-chan) and Kunagisa Tomo, resolving themes of revenge, sacrifice, and the search for truth amidst overwhelming "nonsense," as all character arcs reach their ultimate conclusion