Tag: horror

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Book (Manga): The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 3 by Mokumokuren

Cover of The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 3 by Mokumokuren

The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 3
by Mokumokuren
published by Yen Press
2024

The village where dear friends Yoshiki and Hikaru live has a traditional festival to the god of the mountain. A mountain where Yoshiki’s father warned him never to explore. A mountain where, the boys don’t realize, Hikaru’s family used to keep <things> in their rightful places…

There are people in the village who can hear <things> from the Other Side. Others can see <things>. But engaging with <the things>, talking to them, or in any way acknowledging them can make the people who respond more attractive to the restless spirits, and that is a problem. A problem Yoshiki’s closeness with Hikaru, including their physical closeness, may soon reveal. Not just in the cold, unhealed bruise on Yoshiki’s arm…

Classmate Asako is sensitive to these <things>, and has seen a <thing> save the friend she loves most, so her questions for Hikaru are well-meaning – alarming, but innocent. Her innocence doesn’t mean she is safe, however.

Volume 3 is the smooth continuation of the spooky story of Yoshiki and the being occupying his beloved friend Hikaru’s body. The tension is superb. The body horror is impressive. The traumas are real. And the ethics and attitudes of <things> are highly uncomfortable…

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Book (Manga): The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 2 by Mokumokuren

Cover of The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 2 by Mokumokuren

The Summer Hikaru Died, Volume 2
by Mokumokuren
published by Yen Press
2023

This horror story of a loving friendship between two boys, one of whom is no longer human, is SO GOOD. And SO CREEPY.

Yoshiki was already warned that it is dangerous for him to stay close to his not-quite-the-same friend, Hikaru. That being near <things like him> attracts <other things>. The woman who told him knows from experience. But that doesn’t prepare Yoshiki or his sister for <the thing> that turns up in the bathroom. Hikaru thinks he can handle it, but… can he?

Hikaru is determined to stay near and protect Yoshiki, and did so once before, but can he really protect him? Or is his affection just putting Yoshiki deeper into danger?

In this volume, we see original Hikaru’s dying wish, and know how much he cared for his best friend.

Volume 2 is another sweet, creepy, wonderful volume.

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Book (Manga): The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren

English language cover of The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren

The Summer Hikaru Died volume 1
by Mokumokuren
published in English by Yen Press
2023

Hikaru went missing in the mountains. And then… Hikaru came back.

But the Hikaru that came back is not the same lifelong friend that Yoshiki has always had at his side. This Hikaru admits that he is… something else, something that has never been human before. It has Hikaru’s memories, but is feeling everything in Hikaru’s body for the first time. And in a moment of stress, he/it loses some of Hikaru’s form, and Yoshiki can see things he should not be able to see.

But Yoshiki has missed his dear friend so badly, that maybe this other Hikaru is enough. Maybe.

The cicadas chirps fill the air, the summer heat makes the boys sweat on their walks to school, and Yoshiki gets warnings that something dark is taking over the town, from others who have seen the forms the darkness can take…

This is broad-daylight-spooky. I can’t wait to read the next two volumes!

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Film: Kingdom, Seasons 1 & 2

Kingdom
by Kim Eun-hee
available in the US on Netflix
2019 – present

A nice distraction from a devastating real life plague is… A story about a much gorier and even more devastating FAST ZOMBIE plague with gorgeous sets and costumes, political drama, and a dreamy lead actor!

Set in a mythical, historical version of South Korea, Kingdom follows attempts to take the (alternate history) Joseon throne through political intrigue during a concurrent zombie plague crisis. While medical professionals are initially ignored (so relatable and familiar), and class concerns override action for the public’s well-being (same), all the key characters are soon navigating a dangerous political situation while struggling with a fast-spreading zombie plague that sounds too outrageous to be believed… which means people have to learn about it the hard way.

Fast spreading in this case means the infection spreads within minutes, resulting in fast zombies – the worst kind. Especially if you are trying to flee from large groups of them in a very elaborate period costume!

I enjoy the fast pace of the story, especially Season 2. I also appreciate the handsomeness of the put-upon crown prince character, played by model-turned-actor Ju Ji-Hoon. (There are some great photos of him in lovely clothes on the Internet… *sigh*)

My father got Netflix and asked what to watch, and was immediately addicted to this story, so I’ve been quite pleased with myself for recommending it.

Highlights: Hostile royal families, rivalries, murders, pretty gowns, hilarious hats (historically accurate), sharp swords, horses, spikes, blood, battles, bureaucrats, executions, self-absorbed rich people, GORGEOUS palaces (including the historic palaces that I had a chance to visit in Seoul!), sensible anti-zombie precautions, teamwork, bravery, good intentions, strategic planning, bad odds… It’s all so well done!

This series is highly recommended if you like fast zombies, political scheming, Korean historical buildings and costumes, and a fast narrative pace.

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Film: Dystopian Anime: Iczer 1

Iczer 1
based on manga by Aran Rei
directed by Toshiki Hirano
1985

Admittedly, this is a sci-fi horror story, not merely a dystopia. But… have you watched the news lately?

Overview: Humanoid aliens looking for a new home get mixed up with some creepier aliens, and by the time their ship arrives at earth, these alien “Cthulhu” immediately cause humans to have weird mask faces, become murderous, or explode in gory, bloody ways as they turn into an army of monsters. This approach allows the Cthulhu to take control of earth without having to have a destructive, conventional war (which humans still think they have a chance at!). A blonde alien with enormous hair and an even more enormous giant robot takes the humans’ side of this fight. All she needs is a sympathetic human girl to [take a deep breath here] get naked and use her emotions to power the giant robot, so she can succeed in battle. (I probably had you until that last sentence.). The Cthulhu also have a giant robot or two, and they fight back!

This embedded video is a link to a gorgeous, clean, fan-subtitled version of the film (via Reflex Studios)(YouTube):

Why I like it: It has everything – alien invasions, secret earth spaceships hidden near Mt. Fuji, light sabers, big hair, energy weapons, giant robots, fights that throw people into walls that they make craters in, parents that burst and turn into monsters, tentacle attacks, and a nearly all-female cast! (This particular version is CLASSY, so the tentacle scenes are brief! ) The timing and use of music is brilliant in several scenes, which I don’t want to spoil for you.

You’ll notice the summaries elsewhere describe the “body horror” elements quite a bit, and I’ll just say: it is definitely in the sci-fi horror genre, and the body horror is much like that of the film Aliens. So, while it isn’t realistic, just the same, the idea of parents exploding and becoming monsters isn’t exactly child-friendly, so don’t share this with little ones.

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