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Ever since they were little, twins Itsuka and Rika could see what others could not. At first, they believed that they were seeing ghosts and spirits, but when they turned 14 they realized everything. They realized that what they saw was the depiction of regret and self-disgust in people who know that they did something wrong. They see these disturbing images whether they wanted to or not, so in many cases their curiosity leads them into trouble. In every case, these two try to bring peace to the person who holds the dark secrets.
When a crime involves the use of "magic," apprehending the perpetrator becomes a challenging task. One fateful day, Anne - an investigator serving the royal palace - crosses paths with a remarkable boy, capable of consuming supernatural energy to assist in cases related to sorcery.
When humanity dwindles to a minuscule size, Alice and her trusty companion, Poco, must confront the daunting task of adapting to their new reality. Amidst bizarre, yet familiar landscapes, they strive to build a new life for themselves. But navigating a world that is now larger and more treacherous than ever proves to be a challenging feat.
A story about a possessor in a book who would even commit murder to achieve their goals. Brinny, who lived in compliance with her stepfather, thought it was something that had nothing to do with her—until she got entangled in an incident with the sickly 2nd Prince, Lucian. In a moment of crisis, Brinny uses her immense strength to save Lucian and feels relieved when she sees that the possessor ‘Aridna’ has been captured, believing everything has been resolved. But somehow, her beloved sister and the 1st Prince die in a carriage accident, and afterwards, even her now-fiancé Lucian starts acting strangely. Wasn’t the possessor executed in the past? Could ‘Aridna’ still be alive? Determined to fill the void left by her lost loved ones, Brinny makes up her mind. She will fight against the possessor.
Yoshio, a 30-year old NEET, received an anonymous package containing a game disk called "The Village of Fate," a breathtaking CG game with real-life visuals. In the game, Yoshio is designated as the god of destiny who has the power to guide high-functioning AIs - the villagers - that behave astonishingly like real humans. However, Yoshio's sole capability in the game is to provide a daily message or prophecy. The villagers dutifully follow his instructions and their gratitude fuels the god of destiny's power to perform miracles. Despite living as a recluse, Yoshio is revered as God in the game. Ultimately, the villagers teach him the joys of life, while he, in turn, saves them from peril.
Presented in this book are nine of Junji Ito's top short stories, handpicked by the author himself and given insightful notes and comments. The featured stories are: 1. Secondhand Record (Chuuko Record, 中古レコード) 2. Chills (Samuke, 寒気) 3. Model Look (ファッションモデル) 4. Hung Balloons (Kubitsuri Kikyuu, 首吊り気球) 5. Puppet Mansion (Ayatsuri Yashiki, あやつり屋敷) 6. Artist (Gaka, 画家) 7. The Never-Ending Dream (Nagai Yume, 長い夢) 8. Venerated Ancestors (Gosenzo-sama, ご先祖様) 9. Slathered (グリセリド) 10. Model Look: Cursed Frame (Fashion Model: Norowareta Framing, ファッションモデル・呪われたフレーミング) [new]
From just beyond your field of vision— The gem of horror anthologies, “Comic Shikaku (Blind Spot),” returns with an all-new lineup! Nine brand-new stories that explore the thin boundary where love and madness meet.
A young man named Ewan Juno awakens in a disoriented state, confined within an unfamiliar location surrounded by impenetrable stonework and endless passageways. He is uncertain of his whereabouts until he discovers that he is among eight youthful contenders selected for the enigmatic Thousands Years Labyrinth. Each candidate aspires to become the next emperor; however, only one can possess the authority to make the final decision. In a fight for survival, Ewan endeavors to skillfully navigate through the labyrinth's treacherous landscape, confronting an array of obstacles to uncover the sinister mysteries within and seek a way out.
The Ushiromiya family makes an annual pilgrimage to Rokkenjima, the island where they gather for a reunion hosted by the odd patriarch, Kinzou, who is in poor health. The family members are preoccupied with feuding over the inheritance and the coveted title of Kinzou's successor. A typhoon outside matches the turmoil brewing in their hearts as they argue. Battler, Kinzou's grandson, returns after a long absence expecting a smooth reunion. But Kinzou has different plans; he introduces a peculiar game which involves finding his hidden treasure. The victor will become the family leader. However, the game turns grim as participants are used as "sacrifices" to bring back the Millennial Witch of Rokkenjima, Beatrice. Murders and violence ensue, casting doubt on whether the work of magic or the acts of one of the family members. Despite the ensuing disasters, Battler remains skeptical of the occult, questioning what truly happened to those closest to him.
Kenzou Tenma, a renowned Japanese neurosurgeon working in post-war Germany, faces a difficult choice: to operate on Johan Liebert, an orphan boy on the verge of death, or on the mayor of Düsseldorf. In the end, Tenma decides to gamble his reputation by saving Johan, effectively leaving the mayor for dead. As a consequence of his actions, hospital director Heinemann strips Tenma of his position, and Heinemann's daughter Eva breaks off their engagement. Disgraced and shunned by his colleagues, Tenma loses all hope of a successful career—that is, until the mysterious killing of Heinemann gives him another chance. Nine years later, Tenma is the head of the surgical department and close to becoming the director himself. Although all seems well for him at first, he soon becomes entangled in a chain of gruesome murders that have taken place throughout Germany. The culprit is a monster—the same one that Tenma saved on that fateful day nine years ago.
Witness the profound connection between young vampire Misaki and her human companion, Kurose Kuroe, a former vampire hunter turned investigative writer. Misaki holds Kuroe's life in higher esteem than her own and is determined to shield him from any harm. Her personal transformation to vampirism revealed the adverse impact it can pose to a person's mental and physical health, which led her to dismiss the idea of turning Kuroe into a vampire to safeguard him from his dangerous pursuits. Nevertheless, Kuroe becomes a prime target for not just vampires, but other lurking creatures as well, leaving vampirism as the sole recourse to keep him alive - much to Misaki's apprehension.
