Spring Introduction to Yokai (School Ghost Stories Anime Edition)

Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, elementary, junior high and high schools in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama and other areas designated as "infection spread alert areas" have extended their school closures.

Additionally, some universities have canceled their entrance ceremonies, postponed the start of classes, and are starting the new semester with online classes as the general rule.

In addition, an increasing number of companies are still implementing remote work/telework.

Many people are refraining from going out on weekends, and I think that more and more people, especially students, are spending longer at home.

So, this time, as an introduction to yokai to help you make the most of your time at home, I would like to introduce some anime about school ghost stories that parents and children can enjoy together.

1. School Ghost Stories (2000)

"School Ghost Stories" is a TV anime that aired on Fuji TV on Sunday nights.

The mascot cat Kaya (perverse person)'s voice is Frieza.

Familiar school ghost stories and urban legendsHanako of the Toilet,Statue of Kinjiro Ninomiya,Human-faced dog,Teke tekeSuch monsters appear every time.

Basically, it's a story about children defeating monsters, but it also has an unexpected ending, making it a story that adults can enjoy as well.

It is currently available to watch on Bandai Channel, d Anime Store, ABEMA, etc.

I still see people singing the opening song "Grow Up" (Hysteric Blue) and the ending song "Sexy Sexy" (CASCADE) at karaoke.

Also, looking back at the cast now, the screenplay lineup is impressive: Taiwaya Akira, Yamaguchi Ryota, Hashimoto Yuji, Naka Hiroko, and Togawa Seiji.

By the way, the original story (the source of the ghost story) isToru TsunemitsuIt is a novel. As a folklorist, Toru Tsunemitsu has written many books about oral traditions and urban legends, so I hope this will spark an interest in his other books about monsters.

2. Scary Rumors at School: Hanako-san Has Come!!

"Scary School Rumors: Hanako-san Has Arrived!!" is an anime that was broadcast around 1994 as a segment of "Ponkickies," the familiar show featuring Gachapin and Mukku.

Monster Tonkaratonor,SacchanStories like these were so scary that they traumatized children at the time.

This is a bit of a spoiler, but in most stories, Hanako-san comes to the rescue when the characters are in trouble, but in the above stories of Tonkaraton and Sacchan, she does not come to the rescue (in Sacchan's case, the protagonist was saved for a different reason, but another character was sacrificed), so there is a lack of salvation.

There are occasional discussions about whether this anime is really aimed at elementary school students, so I think it's an anime that can still be enjoyed today.

This time, we have focused on anime about school ghost stories, but for an introduction to yokai,Gegege no Kitaro",Ushio and ToraThere are many anime and manga such as ".

Previously introduced on this site:Fruits Basket"teeth,"Possessive MuscleThis is the perfect material to get you thinking.

http://youkaiya.jp/archives/2189

Additionally, there are often traces of monsters in familiar places other than school.

For example, here are some kappa-related places that have been introduced on this site in the past:Kamakura's Kappa Brush Tomb,Asakusa Kappabashi,The Kappa Legend of JozankeiAnd more.

https://youkaiya.jp/archives/1295

https://youkaiya.jp/archives/1603

https://youkaiya.jp/archives/1818

We don't know how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, but why not take this opportunity to stay at home and immerse yourself in yokai research, or go looking for yokai in secluded places away from the crowds?

Text by Keijiro Watanabe

■ Keishiro Watanabe (Kei-chan)

Born in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Graduated from the School of Human Sciences at Waseda University. An independent researcher of yokai. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

He currently works as a management and IT consultant, residing in Sapporo, Hokkaido, and traveling throughout the prefecture and Tokyo. However, he studied folklore and cultural anthropology at university, and continues to research yokai as his life's work.

I am currently writing articles about monsters associated with Hokkaido, where I currently live, as well as current news about business and economics.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/keishiro_w

Blog:http://blog.livedoor.jp/meda3594/