Ninth Step Station, a police procedural set in a future Tokyo divided by war, is the latest serial from Serial Box written by the creative team of Malka Older, Fran Wilde, Jacqueline Koyanagi, and Curtis C. Chen
Episode 1: The Faceless Body written by Malka Older
The first episode of Ninth Step Station marks the start of a series filled with loads of promise. The setting of a war-torn Tokyo comes to vibrant life. There is a palpable sense of the division left in the aftermath of war, the ever-present impact of scarce resources and the tension of a populace constantly on edge. Yet, despite all this, life goes on. Crime and all.
The main protagonists make for an unlikely, but ultimately captivating duo. The dynamic between Miyako Koreda and Emma Higashi is what makes the serial so fascinating. Their perspectives and backgrounds differ greatly making for some brilliant, often funny, moments as their cultures and outlooks clash.
The two cases at the centre of it all, a murder and a hijacking (by Katana-wielding culprits of all things!), makes for compelling reading, but are solved a little too easily. There are hints that a far greater mystery is at play and I can't wait to see how things develop further.
This is great start to the series and sets the groundwork for larger things to come. I'm definitely hooked!
The audio version is a real treat. The sound effects adds a whole other layer to the narration and really brings the world to life.
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The first episode of Ninth Step Station is available for free in both text and audio format and you can get a subscription to the entire first season of 11 episodes for $13.99.
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