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Jun 11, 2023 5:18 AM
#1
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Jun 2023
19
Disclaimer: I have only watched anime

I have doubts about William's use of violence as a means to provide justice.
Class oppression is a complex socio-economic issue and to what extent violence can solve this issue is highly questionable.  I feel that even if one bad guy dies then another will take over him because murder only kills a person, not a mindset.
Moriarty group's action creates fear and horror in society but does not contribute to any sort of change in mindset among people. Though, towards the end, William becomes a common enemy of the society that also doesn't bring any long-term change. Anime conveniently crafts the ending of the anime depicting a disastrous fire that unites commoners and Aristocrats. However, there was no build-up or any similar class interaction throughout both seasons to depict this unity. I would say rather this ending only defends William’s action.

So, does that suggest that William is a bad guy after all?                                 
William is a complex character. William loved commoners and was frustrated due to class inequalities. Another reason why I question William’s action is due to his standing in the social hierarchy. Moriarty family is quite powerful and they have the power, influence, and wealth to impact society. Despite all of these reasons, it intrigues me why they still chose violence when he can have other possible means to do so. 
Towards the end, William feels that he is guilty of his crimes. His hands were soaked in crimson blood of innocents and nobles. His final act of doing justice was his death. However, I wonder was death ultimate act of penance? and should William get to judge and decide for himself?
Albert gets the imprisonment and louis has to serve the Queen for rest of his life and William exiles. Was William really punished for his acts? Or was it one of the William's clever scheme to get away from punishment?

Is there any sort of explanation for this in manga?
Jun 11, 2023 5:43 AM
#2
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Jul 2021
11
Because the anime focused more on Moriarty as a character. That is why everything is William-centric. This is based on historical era but focused on William. Hence the name.

William’s crime’s motive was to tear down aristocracy, but the crime is justified? Never. Crime can never be justified. The reason William is shown to have that motive is to make the audience feel what he feels and what he is trying to do. And also, the point you bought up is good. Change is never sustainable. Karl Marx have told society will always revolt. There will always be class distinctions, gaps which will make one side revolt. The oppressed will overthrow the oppressors. The only thing William did is to recognize that truth and take actions. He knew aristocrats were going to out of line; also let’s see, he was used as a pawn. He wanted that to change. He did it in his way. And the unification through him being the crime lord? Of course, it will bring people together but also not all the people. The aftermath of what will happen wasn’t focused since the anime ain’t about them! Also, one thing was indicated - in anime, there was a debate as to whether or not commoners should sit in the power position and democracy should be built. After William’s death, it can be assumed that did happen.

On William’s death : William wasn’t penancing through his death. His life goal was to unify people and show why people shouldn’t be discriminated by birth. When he had done so, he no longer had anything else to live for. His younger brother was actually in a better position than William and Albert comparing the punishment. Louis wasn’t a nobleman in blood. He was adopted. Albert was a nobleman and William was disguised as a nobleman. Their blood status would have shielded them but Louis could’ve faced the gallows. So, actually Louis serving under the Queen is more like a slap on the hand since he’s ultimately a commoner. Also, let’s not forget Louis was scarred on the face. Back then, even a nobleman or woman wouldn’t have been able to escape the backlash for having a mark on his/her face. So, no William didn’t scheme for to escape punishment. William rather actually wanted to die. Cause he had no life goal. Rather the fact William did knew beforehand that his brothers didn’t want him to die coupled with Sherlock asking him not to die and willing to jump after him changed his mind. Because when William saw Sherlock wasn’t condemning him even after his crimes rather extended the friendship; William could see a bit of hope in life.
Jun 11, 2023 6:19 AM
#3
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Feb 2022
1860
i do not know maybe je is maybe je is not
Jun 17, 2023 3:20 PM
#4
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Aug 2022
4
I have actually thought about this for a while; for example during the scene when Sherlock was first introduced on the boat who orchestrate that whole “play” when he had the money and connections to, for example, have someone tail the serial killer and take pictures of him doing the killing and then have those shown to the public? The sketchy man that got murdered on that boat was indeed sketchy but did that justify sending him to his death?
I also agree that the finale was rather unnecessary in terms of the violence, especially because most of it got directed at the lower class people and it felt like they rushed to get the job done; like with how long the “genius” William spent planning this was all he could really think of to set the whole city on fire so everyone works together to put it out??

On the other hand, him helping the wronged people as a consultant felt a lot more in tune with his goals of helping the lower class (like the parents that lost their kid and that one student that fell in love with a commoner), and I feel like those could potentially be justified (maybe), and from what I remember there were a lot more cases like this than the aforementioned boat episode and the violence shown at the end.

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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