Asian Culture
In the early 2000s, anime experienced a surge in popularity among Western audiences, marking a peculiar time for anime fans. However, as this unique form of animation gained mainstream attention, it also found itself under the scrutiny of moral panic enthusiasts. One particular target of this concern was the popular card game Yu-Gi-Oh. In 2003,
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
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
When we picture samurai warriors, images of honor, discipline, and fierce sword battles come to mind. However, there is a hidden and often overlooked aspect of samurai culture that was both peculiar and, at times, downright vulgar. Prepare to delve into the obscure world of ancient samurai fart battles, where warriors engaged in bizarre contests
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
At Grimoire of Horror, we want to celebrate both Women in Horror Month and International Women’s Day by celebrating female trailblazers within horror who are paving the way for women to have autonomy, both as creatives within the industry, and as characters within film! The goal of initiatives such as Women in Horror Month and
It is a pleasure to research weird internet mysteries, above all, when they come from Japan. Due to the language barrier and its distinctive online culture, creepy stuff that originated in this country seems unusually eerie even for the most well-versed fans of the uncanny. Since I am a fellow seeker of disturbing content, I
Opening 6 April 2022 and running until 15 May at MERRY ART GALLERY in Yokohama is “Showa Bizarre MANGA Syndrome,” an exhibition organized by manga artist Miyako Cojima. As is well known, Japan is home to some of the world’s most outlandish and shocking horror imagery, much of which dates back centuries. More recently, when