TV-Series
Description
Shigeo Ijūin (伊集院茂夫) operates as a vigilante executing criminals who evade legal justice. He adopts the title "torture sommelier," signifying specialized expertise in historical and contemporary torture methods which he employs to inflict prolonged suffering. His appearance typically features short black hair, narrow black eyes that widen during torture, a white shirt, gray vest, bowtie, black trousers, and shoes, sometimes with an overcoat.
His motivation stems from childhood trauma: the loss of his family and home due to a crime orchestrated by Gozen, Doma, and Otori, leaving him homeless until an unnamed elder took him in. During this period, he formed a crucial alliance with Chihaya Godai, who later became a key informant aiding his pursuit of those responsible. Upon reclaiming his family mansion, he discovered torture chambers in its basement, repurposing them for his activities.
His operational code includes several principles: requiring clients to seek his services for perpetrators escaping legal consequences, independently verifying the target's guilt, maintaining a detached, formal demeanor toward clients while exhibiting sadistic traits during torture, and refraining from allowing clients to witness the torture to avoid psychological branding. He typically questions victims about remorse before proceeding, though responses seldom sway him. Personal history fuels a specific aversion for crimes targeting homeless individuals.
His network comprises collaborators: Emma, a high school student whose mother's murder led her to seek his services; he assisted her despite her inability to pay, after which she became an informant. Himuro aided in torturing a corrupt hospital director linked to a patient's death named Arisa and subsequently assisted in prolonging victims' suffering. Takao Rukawa frequently participates as an accomplice during executions. Chihaya Godai remains a long-term informant and ally.
Documented torture methods and victims demonstrate his historical knowledge and adaptability:
- **Scaphism** (exposure to insects and elements) for a marriage fraud offender who exploited and ruined families.
- **Brazen bull** (immolation inside a bronze bull) for a parliament member's son who murdered family members.
- **Judas cradle** (impalement on a pyramid-shaped seat) for a fraudulent fortune-teller.
- **Duke of Exeter's daughter** (rack-like stretching device) for a stalker-rapist-murderer.
- **Disembowelment** for a drug dealer who drove a victim to suicide.
- **Necklacing** (burning via a tire) for an incel stalker who raped and caused a victim's abortion.
- **Crucifixion** for attackers who murdered a homeless woman.
- **Gochiso-zeme** (force-feeding) for a rapist-murderer who bribed authorities.
- **Wicker man** (burning inside an effigy) for a con man who framed and extorted a family, leading to suicide.
His actions against corrupt police officer Aobayashi Takao—who tortured innocents and buried victims alive—resulted in the officer enduring a "fate worse than death," highlighting the moral ambiguity of his role compared to state-sanctioned violence.
His motivation stems from childhood trauma: the loss of his family and home due to a crime orchestrated by Gozen, Doma, and Otori, leaving him homeless until an unnamed elder took him in. During this period, he formed a crucial alliance with Chihaya Godai, who later became a key informant aiding his pursuit of those responsible. Upon reclaiming his family mansion, he discovered torture chambers in its basement, repurposing them for his activities.
His operational code includes several principles: requiring clients to seek his services for perpetrators escaping legal consequences, independently verifying the target's guilt, maintaining a detached, formal demeanor toward clients while exhibiting sadistic traits during torture, and refraining from allowing clients to witness the torture to avoid psychological branding. He typically questions victims about remorse before proceeding, though responses seldom sway him. Personal history fuels a specific aversion for crimes targeting homeless individuals.
His network comprises collaborators: Emma, a high school student whose mother's murder led her to seek his services; he assisted her despite her inability to pay, after which she became an informant. Himuro aided in torturing a corrupt hospital director linked to a patient's death named Arisa and subsequently assisted in prolonging victims' suffering. Takao Rukawa frequently participates as an accomplice during executions. Chihaya Godai remains a long-term informant and ally.
Documented torture methods and victims demonstrate his historical knowledge and adaptability:
- **Scaphism** (exposure to insects and elements) for a marriage fraud offender who exploited and ruined families.
- **Brazen bull** (immolation inside a bronze bull) for a parliament member's son who murdered family members.
- **Judas cradle** (impalement on a pyramid-shaped seat) for a fraudulent fortune-teller.
- **Duke of Exeter's daughter** (rack-like stretching device) for a stalker-rapist-murderer.
- **Disembowelment** for a drug dealer who drove a victim to suicide.
- **Necklacing** (burning via a tire) for an incel stalker who raped and caused a victim's abortion.
- **Crucifixion** for attackers who murdered a homeless woman.
- **Gochiso-zeme** (force-feeding) for a rapist-murderer who bribed authorities.
- **Wicker man** (burning inside an effigy) for a con man who framed and extorted a family, leading to suicide.
His actions against corrupt police officer Aobayashi Takao—who tortured innocents and buried victims alive—resulted in the officer enduring a "fate worse than death," highlighting the moral ambiguity of his role compared to state-sanctioned violence.