Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls (1986) Manga Review- A Chilling Blend of Humor and Horror

Posted on by Javiera Vega

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Born in 1946, Hideshi Hino stands out as a prominent Japanese horror artist, dedicating the majority of his life to conjuring various nightmares for his audience. Regrettably, in the Western world, his name is frequently associated only with the widely recognized Guinea Pig instalments: “Flower of Flesh and Blood” and “Mermaid in the Manhole.” Although both movies have earned cult-classic status and are commendable in their own right, it seems unjust that many are unaware of Hino’s extensive body of work in manga.

Luckily, Star Fruit Books [now defunct] is changing that and bringing us some of Hideshi Hino’s more memorable works, like “The Town of Pigs” and “Panorama of Hell.” In line with this initiative, they’ve recently unveiled Hino’s delightful masterpiece, “Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls,” originally published in 1986. While the title might suggest a straightforward plot involving—you guessed it—an occult club and undead dolls, the narrative proves to be anything but predictable. Hino flips the script just when you think you’ve got it all figured out. He tosses in humor and cranks up the chilling factor so much that the characters and you end up frozen in shock.

 

 

What’s Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls about?

“Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls” narrates the tale of Chiko and Dai, two classmates who decide to join their middle school’s occult research club. Initially, it appears to be a gathering of a bunch of weirdos fascinated by supernatural phenomena. However, when the charismatic and stunning leader, Fuyumi Shiratori, introduces herself, Chiko and Dai realize that this is no casual pursuit—it’s a serious business. Shiratori, the daughter of a renowned supernatural researcher, extends a warm invitation to the group to visit her home, where an assortment of cursed objects is meticulously collected.

During the visit, Chiko inexplicably finds herself drawn to a doll with hair that seems to grow. Still kind of shaken, she returns home with Dai, only to stumble upon another discarded doll. As she observes it, she becomes convinced that it opens its eyes. Despite her fear and frustration at Dai’s skepticism, the situation takes a bizarre turn. Chiko begins to experience unsettling nightmares, convinced that something ominous is pursuing her. Shiratori confirms her fears when she notices a foreboding shadow lurking behind Chiko.

Following a harrowing encounter with undead dolls, Shiratori, Dai, and the rest of the occult club resolve that it’s high time to unravel the mystery behind Chiko’s haunting. In a display of almost comical naivete, they embark on a quest to venture into another dimension, driven by the determination to unearth answers and combat these malevolent entities, all in a bid to rescue their newest member from the bizarre fate of death by dolls.

 

Is Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls good?

Absolutely! In fact, this manga proves how frustrating it is to realize how much of Hideshi Hino’s work has slipped under our radar until now. Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls is the kind of work that reminds us that horror can be scary, but also quite entertaining.

Even though this particular work by Hino was published in the ’80s, in a world filled with Annabelle’s and Megan’s, the concept of haunted dolls might seem repetitive. Toss in a teen occult club, and at first glance, it might come across as just another run-of-the-mill campy story. However, that is not the case as Hino is clearly an expert of his craft.

 

Hino demonstrates a remarkable ability to skillfully juxtapose the most dreadful and uncomfortable horror imagery, yet he makes his characters react in the most mundane way possible. While they do initially respond with terror to the horrors they witness, and it must be said, no one masters a face frozen in terror quite like him, once the shock subsides, his characters adopt an almost blasé attitude toward everything. Take Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls, for instance; after Chiko’s brutal attack, their primary concern shifts to “solving the case” through the power of friendship. It’s like Nancy Drew meets Stephen King, and, somehow, not only does it work, but it ends up being extremely amusing. 

For those who relish their most nightmarish horror with a touch of humor, Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls is unquestionably the manga you need to read. Additionally, if you’re a fan of horror manga and are curious about how Hino’s work influenced later artists like Junji Ito, this is an excellent starting point to acquaint yourself with his wonderful contributions to the genre.

Occult Detective Club: Graveyard of Death Dolls is available to purchase from Star Fruit Books’ website here. [Now defunct]

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