Author: Javiera Vega
Book-to-film adaptations often get a bad rap. It’s rare for them to truly satisfy the audience, and they hardly ever live up to the expectations of the fans of the original material. When it comes to Japanese works adapted by Western directors, the situation usually takes a nosedive. They tend to prioritize making the content
Urban legends are described as a part of the folklore genre in which a story or claim is circulated as true. In Japan, these stories become even more eerie because of the country’s rich cultural history and deep-rooted beliefs in the supernatural. The blending of ancient myths and modern urban tales creates a uniquely unsettling
Demonic possession has always fascinated and terrified many. The idea of losing oneself both physically and mentally to an intangible force feels akin to a dreadful disease. However, as depicted in classic films dealing with this subject matter, medicine can’t do much when someone suffers from a spiritual affliction. That is when the figure of
Science fiction, often preoccupied with technology and artificial beings, can sometimes seem overly intricate, neglecting the mundane facets of life. However, this stereotype is not only unfair but also doesn’t hold true for Junta Yamaguchi’s body of work. From his debut feature, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020) Yamaguchi has masterfully blended the time travel
It has been over a year since we last discussed Saki Sanobashi, also known as “Go for a Punch,” the alleged lost ero guro anime. Given the high likelihood of this media piece being nothing more than a hoax from the very beginning, it’s not surprising that no substantial leads have emerged since the original
The Sound of Summer (2022) is a disturbing and suffocating Japanese body horror, written and directed by the UK-born creator Guy (Guy Pearce). Although this film is his debut feature-length film, he already has made a name for himself by writing and directing a number of shorts such as The Rope Maiden (2013), Difficulty Breathing
Hello, fellow weirdos! Today, we are delving into the Kowai Shashin, a purportedly cursed Japanese video game with a fascinating marketing strategy that incorporates urban legends and exploits the naivety of early 2000s consumers. The team behind Kowai Shashin understood the need to differentiate their generic horror game in an oversaturated market. To achieve this,
Welcome, fellow weirdos, to another captivating exploration of Japanese culture. Prepare yourselves for a spine-chilling journey as we delve into a tale filled with possessed dolls, ancient curses, and the enigmatic realm of lost media. Brace yourselves, for this combination is bound to send shivers down your spine. You may already be familiar with the
Hi fellow weirdos! Today we are discussing an obscure controversy that actually changed the whole Japanese adult video game industry. Dubbed “The Saori Incident” in the press, this 1991 affair involved a sexy computer game, a delinquent and hormonal junior high school student, and the literal creation of an ethical regulation organization. What’s this game
Self-described as a metalhead for life, Chilean filmmaker Patricio Valladares makes some noise in this year’s version of Unnamed Footage Festival. Taking place in San Francisco, this event is proud to showcase subversive films that explore the found footage format and Valladares’ Invoking Yell (2023) is one of them. By mixing black metal, interpersonal conflict,