Horror Film 'Otogirisou' Free on YouTube Until September 4
The free streaming window revives a film that sources say sparked the horror boom, offering a direct look at how a 1992 sound novel's core premise was adapted into a live-action psychological horror, and it is timed around a two-week period that ends September 4.
Key Facts
- The film 'Otogirisou' is free on the Kadokawa Cinema Collection YouTube channel from August 21 at 8:00 PM to September 4 at 7:59 PM.
- The original 'Otogirisou' game was released by Chunsoft for the Super Famicom in March 1992.
- The film was released in theaters in January 2001.
- Kae Okunuki plays the dual roles of Nami and Naomi in the film.
- A PlayStation remake titled 'Otogirisou: Sosei-hen' was released in March 1999.
Reporting from 2 sources: Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.
KADOKAWA is streaming the 2001 live-action horror film 'Otogirisou' for free on its YouTube channel Kadokawa Cinema Collection from August 21 at 8:00 PM to September 4 at 7:59 PM. The film adapts Chunsoft's classic sound novel of the same name, a Super Famicom title released in March 1992 that established the sound novel genre. Directed by Ten Shimoyama, known for the Netflix live-action 'ERASED' and 'SHINOBI,' with scripts by Goro Nakajima and Takenori Sento, the film stars Megumi Okina as Nami. In the story, Nami learns of her biological father's death and visits his mansion deep in the mountains with her former lover, game creator Kohei, to uncover the secret of her birth. There she confronts shocking truths, including her father's true identity and the existence of her twin sister. Actress Kae Okunuki plays the dual roles of Nami and Naomi, a character deeply connected to her birth. The original game, released by Chunsoft in 1992, was the first publishing title from the company and the first entry in its sound novel series, with a scenario by Hideyoshi Nagasaka, a writer who won the Edogawa Rampo Prize. The film version inherits the game's setting and motifs while reconstructing the story with original elements.
The film 'Otogirisou' premiered in theaters in January 2001 and is described by sources as a work that sparked a J-horror boom. The YouTube channel Kadokawa Cinema Collection announced the free release with a post that notes the otogirisou flowers blooming in the mansion and their flower language: revenge.
The original game, released for the Super Famicom in March 1992, was Chunsoft's first publishing title and the first entry in its sound novel series, which lets players enjoy a novel through visuals and BGM. The game's story progresses based on player choices, with development and endings changing accordingly, and it reveals legends tied to the real plant St. John's wort as well as major secrets about the protagonist. A remake for the PlayStation, titled 'Otogirisou: Sosei-hen,' was released in March 1999.
The film version keeps the game's setting and motifs but rebuilds the story with original elements. Alongside Megumi Okina as Nami, Kae Okunuki takes on the dual roles of Nami and Naomi. The film is available free on the Kadokawa Cinema Collection YouTube channel until 7:59 PM on September 4.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 2 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.