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Based on Rin Fujiki's homonymous light novel series Vatican Miracle Examiner (''Vatican Kiseki Chousakan'' in Japanese) is an anime produced by J.C.Staff for the summer 2017 season.
Originally published by Kadokawa Shoten, the series has 13 compiled volumes to date, with two manga adaptations by Eiji Kaneda and Anjue Hino.
The story follows Fathers Josef Kou Hiraga and Roberto Nicholas who, under the Vatican's orders, work to unravel mysteries involving so-called 'miracles'. Despite being ordained priests, they use scientific methods and logical reasoning to disclose the truth about the alleged holy events that they investigate.
----
!!Vatican Miracle Examiner has examples of:
* ABNegative: Very conveniently, this is Sister Dolores' blood type.
* AbusiveParents: John Bricket's parents. Also, [[spoiler:Roberto]]'s father.
* AncientConspiracy: [[spoiler:Galdoune, which apparently has ties to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon The royal line of Bourbon]] (in RealLife, thought extinct by 1521) and TheIlluminati, and is cutting-edge in the production of drugs, forged dollar bills, cloning and medical science, specifically wanting to control the world through the last mentioned in the long run. Preparations for this conspiracy's grand plan include subjecting a small population of Italians to 800 years of deprivation from sun-light and gold mining to see how they would end up. It's clear that Galdoune is ''very'' fucked up, and ''very'' dangerous, potentially poised to TakeOverTheWorld.]]
* AnimeCatholicism: Downplayed, but still felt due to the excessive femininity of some male characters, and the and overly stylish Christian symbolism in the series.
* ApocalypseHitler: [[spoiler: The anime's first 4 episodes]] in a nutshell.
* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
* ArtisticLicenseGeography: St. Rosario's Church is said to be located in some unspecified country of South America. However, the map that shows the route taken by the plane points to somewhere in Mexico.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology: There is no such a thing as a virus that turns your blood into a rubber-like material. But, even if it were, its effect would be a increased risk of thrombosis due to blood hyperviscosity, and not a non-decaying body. Also, being sun-deprived can never make one ''turn'' albino. Albinism is a genetic, inherited condition, not an acquired disease. You are either ''born'' with it or you will never have it.
* BadassIsraeli: [[spoiler: The organization of the Zion Code in episode 4 is almost a direct reference to Jewish secret organizations of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_hunter Nazi hunters]], whose goal was to track down Nazi criminals after the war.]]
* BadSanta: On the Christmas day (which also happened to be the day of his thirteenth birthday), [[spoiler:John Brickett]] lost his neighbour friends, killed by a man dressed as Santa Claus.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[spoiler: John Bricket]] learns this the hard way. First he wishes he wouldn't have to see his abusive mother ever again and his mother dies seconds later. After he wishes his mother would be alive again, she miraculously comes back to life [[spoiler:but as a completely different person.]]
* BigRedDevil: A recurrent trope on the first arc, along with its inseparable partner, the NumberOfTheBeast.
* BlindMistake: The guard of St. Rosario's Academy suffers from a very rare condition called Riddoch Syndrome. Father Hiraga [[DiagnosisFromDrBadass easily diagnoses it]], despite having no medical training.
* BodyDouble: [[spoiler: Father Julia]] has (or better said, ''had'', since the poor thing died in his place) one. The true identity of his double wasn't revealed, and it was only hinted that he probably lived locked in a room full of toys. [[spoiler:Later, Julia confessed he was his "twin brother", or rather a clone]].
* BodyOfTheWeek: Bod''ies'', in this case - there is more than one gruesome death per episode.
* BookcasePassage: Below the glass case where the [[spoiler: Holy Lance]] is displayed in [[spoiler: St. Rosario's Church]], there is a staircase that leads to some sort of chemistry industry [[spoiler: intended for producing illegal drugs]]. On another episode, behind [[spoiler: Father Julia]]'s painting, there was a secret chamber leading to a child's room, a corridor with shelves full of jars containing human hearts inside, and an operating room with a pentagram drawed on the operating table, where an AncientConspiracy with ties to The Illuminati (yes that one) had a woman give birth to a Siamese twin they call "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus Janus]]" - yes, this series never stops trying to overcome itself on macabre things.
* BoomHeadshot: How [[spoiler: James Chester]] ended up dying.
* ChurchOfSaintGenericus: Completely avoided, as the place where the action develops in the first four episodes not only has a name based on one of Virgin Mary's titles (St. Rosario's Church), but also has the interior decorated with stained glass windows depicting Saints and Martyrs who are properly named.
* CluelessMystery: The anime's breakneck pace and the amount of information dumped onto to the viewers allows no time for anyone try to figure out what is happening.
* ConjoinedTwins: A more feasible explanation to Mary Brown's deceased child(ren). Makes a lot more sense than the baby(ies) being an incarnation of ancient deity Janus (who is depicted as having two heads), right?
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted in return for them joining Galdoune.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother Joseph's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him all the time, resources and staff he would ever need to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
** [[spoiler: Due to their mutual disgust for Galdoune's methods, both naturally refuse. [[VillainousValor As a token of good faith, Julia still went on to disguise himself as a civil doctor and personally delivers and administered the drug to Joseph, who did recover as promised]].]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His bisexual superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
* EvilParentsWantGoodKids: [[spoiler:Azazel]] gave to his only son 1000 wishes which would be immediately granted, as a way of testing humanity. Depending on [[spoiler:John]]'s choices, humanity either would be wiped out or spared.
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: Father Julia]], on episode 8. What motivated him to do so remains a mystery.
* FantasticCatholicism: Easily guessed by the title, the series has lots of references to Christian iconography and imagery.
* FetusTerrible: Both of [[spoiler: Mary Brown]]'s children. [[spoiler: Averted with Sister Dolores' child.]]
* FictionalCountry: Sofuma, a typical example of DarkestAfrica.
* FourEyesZeroSoul: [[spoiler:Lauren Di Luca]]
* GratuitousNazis: The resolution to the first mystery could have been, with a little more of creative effort, almost credible, if it weren't for the fact that the Church's illicit activities [[spoiler: producing and distributing drugs]] were performed by Priests who were actually [[spoiler: second- and third-generation Nazis]].
* {{Ghostapo}}: [[spoiler: TheReveal of the first arc of the anime is that the priests at St. Rosario Church turn out to be Nazi occultists who believe in Hitler as the Messiah and worship Satan under the influence of drugs.]]
* HouseHusband: Roberto and Hiraga aren't technically a married couple, but one of their very first interactions on episode 1 was Roberto ironing Hiraga's cassock. Then, on episode 5, Hiraga boasts to a less-than-amused [[spoiler: Lauren DiLuca]] how amazing at performing chores Roberto is.
* JumpScare: The most delightful scene of episode 3 involved the sudden appearance of a [[spoiler: masked person holding a knife to Father Nicholas]].
* KillItWithWater: Subverted, as Father Hiraga candidly explains that his bottle of "[[KillItWithWater Holy Water]]" contained a very different fluid.[[spoiler: Meaning sulfuric acid. Just in case]].
* MedicalRapeAndImpregnate: Happened first to [[spoiler: Mary Brown]], and then, a few decades later, to [[spoiler: Sister Dolores]].
* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler: Father Thomas]], who survived being burned alive only to perish by MultipleGunshotDeath.
* NunTooHoly: One of the most discussed moments of the first episode was that in which Sister Dorothea bites into a sausage in such a explicitly sexual way that even the more chaste viewer could not notice. [[spoiler: Turns out she was NOT actually a nun, but a spy from Zion's Order who infiltrated St. Rosario with the intent to uncover the Priests' plan of creating a new Nazi Reich.]]
* OminousLatinChanting: The BGM is heavily influenced by Gregorian chants, and Ave Maria tends to play even during sequences in which nothing sinister is about to happen.
* OuijaBoard: The students from St. Rosario's Academy seems to enjoy indulging in [[SpookySeance seances]] that include, of course, trying to talk with the Evil by means of using a curiously crafted Ouija Board that has an alphabet derived from the Runes.
* PedophilePriest: The reason for [[spoiler: Carlos]]' odd behaviour upon hearing about Father [[spoiler: Klaus]]' death was that the student was being [[spoiler: sexually abused by Father Klaus and a few other priests. When Hiraga and Nicholas came to St.Rosario, Klaus feared he would be exposed and threatened Carlos with death had he dare to tell anyone.]]
* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man Roberto is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
* ReligionOfEvil: The students of St. Rosario Academy are constantly being caught performing some obscure rite in the middle of night, and rumours are that there are devil worshippers among them. [[spoiler: This trope magnified to a even larger level as it was revealed that the whole Academy was run by former Nazis whose sole purpose was brainwash the students into creating a second Nazi empire.]]
* ReligionIsMagic: Surprisingly enough, averted, since the investigated 'miracles' are explained by science - a misrepresented and far-fetched science, though. One of the early examples, a weeping state of the Virgin Mary, turns out to be caused by [[spoiler:condensation - the stone statue was chilled from being washed in an ice-cold fountain]].
* ScaledUp: while under the effect of [[spoiler:the poison of a black mamba]], [[spoiler: Roberto]] sees himself being trialed by Atotelus, a [[spoiler: made-up Snake God]].
* ScoobyDooHoax: The main premise of the series is that many "miracles" are either a confluence of random scientific circumstances, or a deliberate hoax of swindlers.
* SnakesAreSinister: for sure they are. It doesn't matter if it's just a painting or if it's the real thing, the [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent evil aura]] that emanates from them will give you a chill down the spine. Thank God (or should I say [[spoiler: thanks to Hiraga]]) [[spoiler: Roberto]] doesn't end up dying victim of one - his partner was shrewd enough to [[spoiler: order some antivenom through the mail just in case Roberto gets bitten]].
* SuckOutThePoison: [[spoiler: Hiraga]] does this to [[spoiler: Roberto]] supposedly to prevent the black mamba poison spreading through his circulation. Anyone with a little knowledge on first aid for snake victims knows this is not only ineffective, but also potentially dangerous. Also, why [[WorstAid lose your time]] sucking the venom when [[spoiler: you already have the venom antiserum at hand]]? Makes no sense.
* ThroughHisStomach: The ending of every episode shows Roberto cooking something up and then eating together with Hiraga in their Vatican clergy dormhouse. Also, on episode 5, Hiraga comments enthusiastically about Roberto's abilities on the kitchen to a seemingly jealous Lauren Di Luca.
* VillainousRescue: the last turning point of the rollercoaster plot that were VME was [[spoiler: Julia]] saving [[spoiler: Hiraga’s brother, Ryota]] from iminent death. Talk about a miracle...
%% * Wangst: [[spoiler: Roberto]]'s tears at the end of episode 8 looked ''forced'', at best. He had all the reasons on the previous episode to shed a good ammount of tears, and instead he coped with the fact of almost being killed bursting into a [[DissonantLaughter maniac laugh]]. So, after all that happened, he caring for what [[spoiler:Hiraga]] would think of his past seemed really disproportionate to the whole situation, even more when compared to his behaviour just some days before.
* WhiteHairBlackHeart: [[spoiler: Father Julia]].
* WholeEpisodeFlashback: never before in a series the FlashbackWithinAFlashback trope was so abused as in VME episode 5. Also applies to episode 12.
Based on Rin Fujiki's homonymous light novel series Vatican Miracle Examiner (''Vatican Kiseki Chousakan'' in Japanese) is an anime produced by J.C.Staff for the summer 2017 season.
Originally published by Kadokawa Shoten, the series has 13 compiled volumes to date, with two manga adaptations by Eiji Kaneda and Anjue Hino.
The story follows Fathers Josef Kou Hiraga and Roberto Nicholas who, under the Vatican's orders, work to unravel mysteries involving so-called 'miracles'. Despite being ordained priests, they use scientific methods and logical reasoning to disclose the truth about the alleged holy events that they investigate.
----
!!Vatican Miracle Examiner has examples of:
* ABNegative: Very conveniently, this is Sister Dolores' blood type.
* AbusiveParents: John Bricket's parents. Also, [[spoiler:Roberto]]'s father.
* AncientConspiracy: [[spoiler:Galdoune, which apparently has ties to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon The royal line of Bourbon]] (in RealLife, thought extinct by 1521) and TheIlluminati, and is cutting-edge in the production of drugs, forged dollar bills, cloning and medical science, specifically wanting to control the world through the last mentioned in the long run. Preparations for this conspiracy's grand plan include subjecting a small population of Italians to 800 years of deprivation from sun-light and gold mining to see how they would end up. It's clear that Galdoune is ''very'' fucked up, and ''very'' dangerous, potentially poised to TakeOverTheWorld.]]
* AnimeCatholicism: Downplayed, but still felt due to the excessive femininity of some male characters, and the and overly stylish Christian symbolism in the series.
* ApocalypseHitler: [[spoiler: The anime's first 4 episodes]] in a nutshell.
* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
* ArtisticLicenseGeography: St. Rosario's Church is said to be located in some unspecified country of South America. However, the map that shows the route taken by the plane points to somewhere in Mexico.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology: There is no such a thing as a virus that turns your blood into a rubber-like material. But, even if it were, its effect would be a increased risk of thrombosis due to blood hyperviscosity, and not a non-decaying body. Also, being sun-deprived can never make one ''turn'' albino. Albinism is a genetic, inherited condition, not an acquired disease. You are either ''born'' with it or you will never have it.
* BadassIsraeli: [[spoiler: The organization of the Zion Code in episode 4 is almost a direct reference to Jewish secret organizations of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_hunter Nazi hunters]], whose goal was to track down Nazi criminals after the war.]]
* BadSanta: On the Christmas day (which also happened to be the day of his thirteenth birthday), [[spoiler:John Brickett]] lost his neighbour friends, killed by a man dressed as Santa Claus.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[spoiler: John Bricket]] learns this the hard way. First he wishes he wouldn't have to see his abusive mother ever again and his mother dies seconds later. After he wishes his mother would be alive again, she miraculously comes back to life [[spoiler:but as a completely different person.]]
* BigRedDevil: A recurrent trope on the first arc, along with its inseparable partner, the NumberOfTheBeast.
* BlindMistake: The guard of St. Rosario's Academy suffers from a very rare condition called Riddoch Syndrome. Father Hiraga [[DiagnosisFromDrBadass easily diagnoses it]], despite having no medical training.
* BodyDouble: [[spoiler: Father Julia]] has (or better said, ''had'', since the poor thing died in his place) one. The true identity of his double wasn't revealed, and it was only hinted that he probably lived locked in a room full of toys. [[spoiler:Later, Julia confessed he was his "twin brother", or rather a clone]].
* BodyOfTheWeek: Bod''ies'', in this case - there is more than one gruesome death per episode.
* BookcasePassage: Below the glass case where the [[spoiler: Holy Lance]] is displayed in [[spoiler: St. Rosario's Church]], there is a staircase that leads to some sort of chemistry industry [[spoiler: intended for producing illegal drugs]]. On another episode, behind [[spoiler: Father Julia]]'s painting, there was a secret chamber leading to a child's room, a corridor with shelves full of jars containing human hearts inside, and an operating room with a pentagram drawed on the operating table, where an AncientConspiracy with ties to The Illuminati (yes that one) had a woman give birth to a Siamese twin they call "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus Janus]]" - yes, this series never stops trying to overcome itself on macabre things.
* BoomHeadshot: How [[spoiler: James Chester]] ended up dying.
* ChurchOfSaintGenericus: Completely avoided, as the place where the action develops in the first four episodes not only has a name based on one of Virgin Mary's titles (St. Rosario's Church), but also has the interior decorated with stained glass windows depicting Saints and Martyrs who are properly named.
* CluelessMystery: The anime's breakneck pace and the amount of information dumped onto to the viewers allows no time for anyone try to figure out what is happening.
* ConjoinedTwins: A more feasible explanation to Mary Brown's deceased child(ren). Makes a lot more sense than the baby(ies) being an incarnation of ancient deity Janus (who is depicted as having two heads), right?
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted in return for them joining Galdoune.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother Joseph's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him all the time, resources and staff he would ever need to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
** [[spoiler: Due to their mutual disgust for Galdoune's methods, both naturally refuse. [[VillainousValor As a token of good faith, Julia still went on to disguise himself as a civil doctor and personally delivers and administered the drug to Joseph, who did recover as promised]].]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His bisexual superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
* EvilParentsWantGoodKids: [[spoiler:Azazel]] gave to his only son 1000 wishes which would be immediately granted, as a way of testing humanity. Depending on [[spoiler:John]]'s choices, humanity either would be wiped out or spared.
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: Father Julia]], on episode 8. What motivated him to do so remains a mystery.
* FantasticCatholicism: Easily guessed by the title, the series has lots of references to Christian iconography and imagery.
* FetusTerrible: Both of [[spoiler: Mary Brown]]'s children. [[spoiler: Averted with Sister Dolores' child.]]
* FictionalCountry: Sofuma, a typical example of DarkestAfrica.
* FourEyesZeroSoul: [[spoiler:Lauren Di Luca]]
* GratuitousNazis: The resolution to the first mystery could have been, with a little more of creative effort, almost credible, if it weren't for the fact that the Church's illicit activities [[spoiler: producing and distributing drugs]] were performed by Priests who were actually [[spoiler: second- and third-generation Nazis]].
* {{Ghostapo}}: [[spoiler: TheReveal of the first arc of the anime is that the priests at St. Rosario Church turn out to be Nazi occultists who believe in Hitler as the Messiah and worship Satan under the influence of drugs.]]
* HouseHusband: Roberto and Hiraga aren't technically a married couple, but one of their very first interactions on episode 1 was Roberto ironing Hiraga's cassock. Then, on episode 5, Hiraga boasts to a less-than-amused [[spoiler: Lauren DiLuca]] how amazing at performing chores Roberto is.
* JumpScare: The most delightful scene of episode 3 involved the sudden appearance of a [[spoiler: masked person holding a knife to Father Nicholas]].
* KillItWithWater: Subverted, as Father Hiraga candidly explains that his bottle of "[[KillItWithWater Holy Water]]" contained a very different fluid.[[spoiler: Meaning sulfuric acid. Just in case]].
* MedicalRapeAndImpregnate: Happened first to [[spoiler: Mary Brown]], and then, a few decades later, to [[spoiler: Sister Dolores]].
* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler: Father Thomas]], who survived being burned alive only to perish by MultipleGunshotDeath.
* NunTooHoly: One of the most discussed moments of the first episode was that in which Sister Dorothea bites into a sausage in such a explicitly sexual way that even the more chaste viewer could not notice. [[spoiler: Turns out she was NOT actually a nun, but a spy from Zion's Order who infiltrated St. Rosario with the intent to uncover the Priests' plan of creating a new Nazi Reich.]]
* OminousLatinChanting: The BGM is heavily influenced by Gregorian chants, and Ave Maria tends to play even during sequences in which nothing sinister is about to happen.
* OuijaBoard: The students from St. Rosario's Academy seems to enjoy indulging in [[SpookySeance seances]] that include, of course, trying to talk with the Evil by means of using a curiously crafted Ouija Board that has an alphabet derived from the Runes.
* PedophilePriest: The reason for [[spoiler: Carlos]]' odd behaviour upon hearing about Father [[spoiler: Klaus]]' death was that the student was being [[spoiler: sexually abused by Father Klaus and a few other priests. When Hiraga and Nicholas came to St.Rosario, Klaus feared he would be exposed and threatened Carlos with death had he dare to tell anyone.]]
* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man Roberto is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
* ReligionOfEvil: The students of St. Rosario Academy are constantly being caught performing some obscure rite in the middle of night, and rumours are that there are devil worshippers among them. [[spoiler: This trope magnified to a even larger level as it was revealed that the whole Academy was run by former Nazis whose sole purpose was brainwash the students into creating a second Nazi empire.]]
* ReligionIsMagic: Surprisingly enough, averted, since the investigated 'miracles' are explained by science - a misrepresented and far-fetched science, though. One of the early examples, a weeping state of the Virgin Mary, turns out to be caused by [[spoiler:condensation - the stone statue was chilled from being washed in an ice-cold fountain]].
* ScaledUp: while under the effect of [[spoiler:the poison of a black mamba]], [[spoiler: Roberto]] sees himself being trialed by Atotelus, a [[spoiler: made-up Snake God]].
* ScoobyDooHoax: The main premise of the series is that many "miracles" are either a confluence of random scientific circumstances, or a deliberate hoax of swindlers.
* SnakesAreSinister: for sure they are. It doesn't matter if it's just a painting or if it's the real thing, the [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent evil aura]] that emanates from them will give you a chill down the spine. Thank God (or should I say [[spoiler: thanks to Hiraga]]) [[spoiler: Roberto]] doesn't end up dying victim of one - his partner was shrewd enough to [[spoiler: order some antivenom through the mail just in case Roberto gets bitten]].
* SuckOutThePoison: [[spoiler: Hiraga]] does this to [[spoiler: Roberto]] supposedly to prevent the black mamba poison spreading through his circulation. Anyone with a little knowledge on first aid for snake victims knows this is not only ineffective, but also potentially dangerous. Also, why [[WorstAid lose your time]] sucking the venom when [[spoiler: you already have the venom antiserum at hand]]? Makes no sense.
* ThroughHisStomach: The ending of every episode shows Roberto cooking something up and then eating together with Hiraga in their Vatican clergy dormhouse. Also, on episode 5, Hiraga comments enthusiastically about Roberto's abilities on the kitchen to a seemingly jealous Lauren Di Luca.
* VillainousRescue: the last turning point of the rollercoaster plot that were VME was [[spoiler: Julia]] saving [[spoiler: Hiraga’s brother, Ryota]] from iminent death. Talk about a miracle...
%% * Wangst: [[spoiler: Roberto]]'s tears at the end of episode 8 looked ''forced'', at best. He had all the reasons on the previous episode to shed a good ammount of tears, and instead he coped with the fact of almost being killed bursting into a [[DissonantLaughter maniac laugh]]. So, after all that happened, he caring for what [[spoiler:Hiraga]] would think of his past seemed really disproportionate to the whole situation, even more when compared to his behaviour just some days before.
* WhiteHairBlackHeart: [[spoiler: Father Julia]].
* WholeEpisodeFlashback: never before in a series the FlashbackWithinAFlashback trope was so abused as in VME episode 5. Also applies to episode 12.
to:
Based on Rin Fujiki's homonymous light novel series Vatican Miracle Examiner (''Vatican Kiseki Chousakan'' in Japanese) is an anime produced by J.C.Staff for the summer 2017 season.
Originally published by Kadokawa Shoten, the series has 13 compiled volumes to date, with two manga adaptations by Eiji Kaneda and Anjue Hino.
The story follows Fathers Josef Kou Hiraga and Roberto Nicholas who, under the Vatican's orders, work to unravel mysteries involving so-called 'miracles'. Despite being ordained priests, they use scientific methods and logical reasoning to disclose the truth about the alleged holy events that they investigate.
----
!!Vatican Miracle Examiner has examples of:
* ABNegative: Very conveniently, this is Sister Dolores' blood type.
* AbusiveParents: John Bricket's parents. Also, [[spoiler:Roberto]]'s father.
* AncientConspiracy: [[spoiler:Galdoune, which apparently has ties to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon The royal line of Bourbon]] (in RealLife, thought extinct by 1521) and TheIlluminati, and is cutting-edge in the production of drugs, forged dollar bills, cloning and medical science, specifically wanting to control the world through the last mentioned in the long run. Preparations for this conspiracy's grand plan include subjecting a small population of Italians to 800 years of deprivation from sun-light and gold mining to see how they would end up. It's clear that Galdoune is ''very'' fucked up, and ''very'' dangerous, potentially poised to TakeOverTheWorld.]]
* AnimeCatholicism: Downplayed, but still felt due to the excessive femininity of some male characters, and the and overly stylish Christian symbolism in the series.
* ApocalypseHitler: [[spoiler: The anime's first 4 episodes]] in a nutshell.
* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
* ArtisticLicenseGeography: St. Rosario's Church is said to be located in some unspecified country of South America. However, the map that shows the route taken by the plane points to somewhere in Mexico.
* ArtisticLicenseBiology: There is no such a thing as a virus that turns your blood into a rubber-like material. But, even if it were, its effect would be a increased risk of thrombosis due to blood hyperviscosity, and not a non-decaying body. Also, being sun-deprived can never make one ''turn'' albino. Albinism is a genetic, inherited condition, not an acquired disease. You are either ''born'' with it or you will never have it.
* BadassIsraeli: [[spoiler: The organization of the Zion Code in episode 4 is almost a direct reference to Jewish secret organizations of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_hunter Nazi hunters]], whose goal was to track down Nazi criminals after the war.]]
* BadSanta: On the Christmas day (which also happened to be the day of his thirteenth birthday), [[spoiler:John Brickett]] lost his neighbour friends, killed by a man dressed as Santa Claus.
* BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor: [[spoiler: John Bricket]] learns this the hard way. First he wishes he wouldn't have to see his abusive mother ever again and his mother dies seconds later. After he wishes his mother would be alive again, she miraculously comes back to life [[spoiler:but as a completely different person.]]
* BigRedDevil: A recurrent trope on the first arc, along with its inseparable partner, the NumberOfTheBeast.
* BlindMistake: The guard of St. Rosario's Academy suffers from a very rare condition called Riddoch Syndrome. Father Hiraga [[DiagnosisFromDrBadass easily diagnoses it]], despite having no medical training.
* BodyDouble: [[spoiler: Father Julia]] has (or better said, ''had'', since the poor thing died in his place) one. The true identity of his double wasn't revealed, and it was only hinted that he probably lived locked in a room full of toys. [[spoiler:Later, Julia confessed he was his "twin brother", or rather a clone]].
* BodyOfTheWeek: Bod''ies'', in this case - there is more than one gruesome death per episode.
* BookcasePassage: Below the glass case where the [[spoiler: Holy Lance]] is displayed in [[spoiler: St. Rosario's Church]], there is a staircase that leads to some sort of chemistry industry [[spoiler: intended for producing illegal drugs]]. On another episode, behind [[spoiler: Father Julia]]'s painting, there was a secret chamber leading to a child's room, a corridor with shelves full of jars containing human hearts inside, and an operating room with a pentagram drawed on the operating table, where an AncientConspiracy with ties to The Illuminati (yes that one) had a woman give birth to a Siamese twin they call "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus Janus]]" - yes, this series never stops trying to overcome itself on macabre things.
* BoomHeadshot: How [[spoiler: James Chester]] ended up dying.
* ChurchOfSaintGenericus: Completely avoided, as the place where the action develops in the first four episodes not only has a name based on one of Virgin Mary's titles (St. Rosario's Church), but also has the interior decorated with stained glass windows depicting Saints and Martyrs who are properly named.
* CluelessMystery: The anime's breakneck pace and the amount of information dumped onto to the viewers allows no time for anyone try to figure out what is happening.
* ConjoinedTwins: A more feasible explanation to Mary Brown's deceased child(ren). Makes a lot more sense than the baby(ies) being an incarnation of ancient deity Janus (who is depicted as having two heads), right?
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted in return for them joining Galdoune.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother Joseph's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him all the time, resources and staff he would ever need to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
** [[spoiler: Due to their mutual disgust for Galdoune's methods, both naturally refuse. [[VillainousValor As a token of good faith, Julia still went on to disguise himself as a civil doctor and personally delivers and administered the drug to Joseph, who did recover as promised]].]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His bisexual superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
* EvilParentsWantGoodKids: [[spoiler:Azazel]] gave to his only son 1000 wishes which would be immediately granted, as a way of testing humanity. Depending on [[spoiler:John]]'s choices, humanity either would be wiped out or spared.
* FakingTheDead: [[spoiler: Father Julia]], on episode 8. What motivated him to do so remains a mystery.
* FantasticCatholicism: Easily guessed by the title, the series has lots of references to Christian iconography and imagery.
* FetusTerrible: Both of [[spoiler: Mary Brown]]'s children. [[spoiler: Averted with Sister Dolores' child.]]
* FictionalCountry: Sofuma, a typical example of DarkestAfrica.
* FourEyesZeroSoul: [[spoiler:Lauren Di Luca]]
* GratuitousNazis: The resolution to the first mystery could have been, with a little more of creative effort, almost credible, if it weren't for the fact that the Church's illicit activities [[spoiler: producing and distributing drugs]] were performed by Priests who were actually [[spoiler: second- and third-generation Nazis]].
* {{Ghostapo}}: [[spoiler: TheReveal of the first arc of the anime is that the priests at St. Rosario Church turn out to be Nazi occultists who believe in Hitler as the Messiah and worship Satan under the influence of drugs.]]
* HouseHusband: Roberto and Hiraga aren't technically a married couple, but one of their very first interactions on episode 1 was Roberto ironing Hiraga's cassock. Then, on episode 5, Hiraga boasts to a less-than-amused [[spoiler: Lauren DiLuca]] how amazing at performing chores Roberto is.
* JumpScare: The most delightful scene of episode 3 involved the sudden appearance of a [[spoiler: masked person holding a knife to Father Nicholas]].
* KillItWithWater: Subverted, as Father Hiraga candidly explains that his bottle of "[[KillItWithWater Holy Water]]" contained a very different fluid.[[spoiler: Meaning sulfuric acid. Just in case]].
* MedicalRapeAndImpregnate: Happened first to [[spoiler: Mary Brown]], and then, a few decades later, to [[spoiler: Sister Dolores]].
* NotQuiteDead: [[spoiler: Father Thomas]], who survived being burned alive only to perish by MultipleGunshotDeath.
* NunTooHoly: One of the most discussed moments of the first episode was that in which Sister Dorothea bites into a sausage in such a explicitly sexual way that even the more chaste viewer could not notice. [[spoiler: Turns out she was NOT actually a nun, but a spy from Zion's Order who infiltrated St. Rosario with the intent to uncover the Priests' plan of creating a new Nazi Reich.]]
* OminousLatinChanting: The BGM is heavily influenced by Gregorian chants, and Ave Maria tends to play even during sequences in which nothing sinister is about to happen.
* OuijaBoard: The students from St. Rosario's Academy seems to enjoy indulging in [[SpookySeance seances]] that include, of course, trying to talk with the Evil by means of using a curiously crafted Ouija Board that has an alphabet derived from the Runes.
* PedophilePriest: The reason for [[spoiler: Carlos]]' odd behaviour upon hearing about Father [[spoiler: Klaus]]' death was that the student was being [[spoiler: sexually abused by Father Klaus and a few other priests. When Hiraga and Nicholas came to St.Rosario, Klaus feared he would be exposed and threatened Carlos with death had he dare to tell anyone.]]
* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man Roberto is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
* ReligionOfEvil: The students of St. Rosario Academy are constantly being caught performing some obscure rite in the middle of night, and rumours are that there are devil worshippers among them. [[spoiler: This trope magnified to a even larger level as it was revealed that the whole Academy was run by former Nazis whose sole purpose was brainwash the students into creating a second Nazi empire.]]
* ReligionIsMagic: Surprisingly enough, averted, since the investigated 'miracles' are explained by science - a misrepresented and far-fetched science, though. One of the early examples, a weeping state of the Virgin Mary, turns out to be caused by [[spoiler:condensation - the stone statue was chilled from being washed in an ice-cold fountain]].
* ScaledUp: while under the effect of [[spoiler:the poison of a black mamba]], [[spoiler: Roberto]] sees himself being trialed by Atotelus, a [[spoiler: made-up Snake God]].
* ScoobyDooHoax: The main premise of the series is that many "miracles" are either a confluence of random scientific circumstances, or a deliberate hoax of swindlers.
* SnakesAreSinister: for sure they are. It doesn't matter if it's just a painting or if it's the real thing, the [[ReptilesAreAbhorrent evil aura]] that emanates from them will give you a chill down the spine. Thank God (or should I say [[spoiler: thanks to Hiraga]]) [[spoiler: Roberto]] doesn't end up dying victim of one - his partner was shrewd enough to [[spoiler: order some antivenom through the mail just in case Roberto gets bitten]].
* SuckOutThePoison: [[spoiler: Hiraga]] does this to [[spoiler: Roberto]] supposedly to prevent the black mamba poison spreading through his circulation. Anyone with a little knowledge on first aid for snake victims knows this is not only ineffective, but also potentially dangerous. Also, why [[WorstAid lose your time]] sucking the venom when [[spoiler: you already have the venom antiserum at hand]]? Makes no sense.
* ThroughHisStomach: The ending of every episode shows Roberto cooking something up and then eating together with Hiraga in their Vatican clergy dormhouse. Also, on episode 5, Hiraga comments enthusiastically about Roberto's abilities on the kitchen to a seemingly jealous Lauren Di Luca.
* VillainousRescue: the last turning point of the rollercoaster plot that were VME was [[spoiler: Julia]] saving [[spoiler: Hiraga’s brother, Ryota]] from iminent death. Talk about a miracle...
%% * Wangst: [[spoiler: Roberto]]'s tears at the end of episode 8 looked ''forced'', at best. He had all the reasons on the previous episode to shed a good ammount of tears, and instead he coped with the fact of almost being killed bursting into a [[DissonantLaughter maniac laugh]]. So, after all that happened, he caring for what [[spoiler:Hiraga]] would think of his past seemed really disproportionate to the whole situation, even more when compared to his behaviour just some days before.
* WhiteHairBlackHeart: [[spoiler: Father Julia]].
* WholeEpisodeFlashback: never before in a series the FlashbackWithinAFlashback trope was so abused as in VME episode 5. Also applies to episode 12.
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* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man he is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
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* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man he Roberto is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
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** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him the ability to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
to:
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him all the ability time, resources and staff he would ever need to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
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* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune by attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
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* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune by attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
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* ArtificialHuman: [[spoiler: Father Julia was the [[NumberOfTheBeast sixth]] of such produced by Galdoune by attempting to genetically engineer the perfect human being.]]
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* BodyDouble: [[spoiler: Father Julia]] has (or better said, ''had'', since the poor thing died in his place) one. The true identity of his double wasn't revealed, and it was only hinted that he probably lived locked in a room full of toys. [[spoiler:Later, Julia confessed he was his twin brother]].
to:
* BodyDouble: [[spoiler: Father Julia]] has (or better said, ''had'', since the poor thing died in his place) one. The true identity of his double wasn't revealed, and it was only hinted that he probably lived locked in a room full of toys. [[spoiler:Later, Julia confessed he was his twin brother]]."twin brother", or rather a clone]].
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Bi The Way is a disambiguation page, and therefore not a trope. Do not pothole or wick to Bi The Way.
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* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His BiTheWay superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
to:
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His BiTheWay bisexual superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
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* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
to:
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted.wanted in return for them joining Galdoune.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to hisbrother's brother Joseph's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his
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* AncientConspiracy: [[spoiler:Galdoune, which apparently has ties to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon The royal line of Bourbon]] (in RealLife, thought extinct by 1521) and TheIlluminati, and is cutting-edge in the production of drugs, forged dollar bills, cloning and medical science, specifically wanting to control the world through the last mentioned in the long run. Preparations for this conspiracy's grand plan include subjecting a small population of Italians to 800 years of deprivation from sun-light and gold mining to see how they would end up. It's clear that Galdoune is ''very'' fucked up, and ''very'' dangerous, potentially poised to TakeOverTheWorld.]]
* DealWithTheDevil: [[spoiler: Julia's offer to Hiiraga and Roberto is framed like this after they're captured while snooping around in Galdoune's underground tunnelwork; Galdoune has genuine VillainRespect for the investigators, and no findings of theirs in the old tunnels they were in could ever threaten the AncientConspiracy. So instead of killing two gifted young men in their prime, Julia offers them both what they always wanted.]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him the ability to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
** [[spoiler: Due to their mutual disgust for Galdoune's methods, both naturally refuse. [[VillainousValor As a token of good faith, Julia still went on to disguise himself as a civil doctor and personally delivers and administered the drug to Joseph, who did recover as promised]].]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His BiTheWay superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
** [[spoiler: Hiiraga has spent most of his teenage and adult years frantically searching for a cure to his brother's terminal disease. Galdoune are pioneers in the medical field and already have an off-market wonder drug they are 100% certain will work on poor Joseph.]]
** [[spoiler: Roberto has always been obsessed with old tomes and lost knowledge. Julia makes it abundantly clear that Galdoune are incredibly impressed with Roberto's abilities as a translator and offer him the ability to go through [[GreatBigLibraryOfEverything the group's 800+ years worth of archives with many, many books of theirs]] in need of copying down or being re-translated.]]
** [[spoiler: Due to their mutual disgust for Galdoune's methods, both naturally refuse. [[VillainousValor As a token of good faith, Julia still went on to disguise himself as a civil doctor and personally delivers and administered the drug to Joseph, who did recover as promised]].]]
* DudeLooksLikeALady: Several characters, but Father Julia in particular. [[spoiler: His BiTheWay superior within Galdone says he enjoys partying with Julia most of all people because he gets to see the bishie in [[WholesomeCrossdresser pretty dresses]].]]
* RealMenCook: In addition to being a scholar on the matters of theology, history, syncretism and being a near {{Omniglot}}, like any proud Italian man he is a wizard in the kitchen, and [[OnceAnEpisode he and Hiiraga will discuss the episode's happenings over dinner after the ED]].
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* ThroughHisStomach: The ending of every episode shows Roberto and Hiraga eating together a meal prepared by the former. Also, on episode 5, Hiraga comments enthusiastically about Roberto's abilities on the kitchen to a seemingly jealous [[spoiler:Lauren Di Luca]].
to:
* ThroughHisStomach: The ending of every episode shows Roberto cooking something up and Hiraga then eating together a meal prepared by the former. with Hiraga in their Vatican clergy dormhouse. Also, on episode 5, Hiraga comments enthusiastically about Roberto's abilities on the kitchen to a seemingly jealous [[spoiler:Lauren Lauren Di Luca]].Luca.
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* BookcasePassage: Below the glass case where the [[spoiler: Holy Lance]] is displayed in [[spoiler: St. Rosario's Church]], there is a staircase that leads to some sort of chemistry industry [[spoiler: intended for producing illegal drugs]]. On another episode, behind [[spoiler: Father Julia]]'s painting, there was a secret chamber leading to a child's room, a corridor with shelves full of jars containing human hearts inside, and an operating room with a pentagram drawed on the operating table - yes, this series never stops trying to overcome itself on macabre things.
to:
* BookcasePassage: Below the glass case where the [[spoiler: Holy Lance]] is displayed in [[spoiler: St. Rosario's Church]], there is a staircase that leads to some sort of chemistry industry [[spoiler: intended for producing illegal drugs]]. On another episode, behind [[spoiler: Father Julia]]'s painting, there was a secret chamber leading to a child's room, a corridor with shelves full of jars containing human hearts inside, and an operating room with a pentagram drawed on the operating table table, where an AncientConspiracy with ties to The Illuminati (yes that one) had a woman give birth to a Siamese twin they call "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus Janus]]" - yes, this series never stops trying to overcome itself on macabre things.
