written by Kaori Yuki

Now in the third volume of her series, Kaori Yuki continues with her Gothically inspired tale of zombie-like Guignols. As it starts, Eles (who is really a girl disguised as a boy) and Lucille (who could be a boy or a girl or may not even be human, but is referred to as a “he”) are doing undercover work in a convent. Dressed as nuns, no doubt as a unique take on fanservice, the two discover a new strain of Guignols.

After their time at the convent, Lucille and Eles go see Duke Rhodonite, a self-centered and cold-hearted man who is going to announce his engagement to “Ruby.” Ruby, in fact, is the character Spinel, who’s changed her identity in order to do some spying work.
 
At the betrothal gala/masked ball, Duke Rhodonite makes a surprising change of tune. Instead of having a regular party, he starts a bid to sell Spindel/Ruby in order to make her into a Guignol. It turns out the duke knew she was a spy and wants her killed—by turning her into a zombie creature—for this crime.
 
Around this time, there’s a brief scene with a young blonde girl bemoaning her mother’s turning into a Guignol and the fact her father works so hard. At first this seems like a random thing, but it does show back up, and it’s important—and engrossing. There is also an important part of the story, tied in with the little girl, about Guignol statues that show the images of beings who used to be human but are now destroyed in both body and mind.
 
Grand Guignol Orchestra continues to have Yuki’s stylized and lovely artwork. There’s something almost Victorian about this series, though it doesn’t take place in the Victorian era. It’s ornate, decadent, sometimes gory and always a wonder. The biggest issue would be the fact that Orchestra can be confusing, and I don’t recommend that anyone start the series on volume three, because much has already happened. Some confusion might be forgiven, though, for the sumptuous banquet of the visuals. Yuki seems to have a special relish for making resplendent, detailed, and occasionally outright odd costumes for her characters to wear. Her work continues with a dramatic and edgy flair, and would most likely be welcome in the hands of horror fans who enjoy some beauty and ornateness with their horror.

-- Danica Davidson

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