The serial killer and rapist from 'Memories of a Murder' was most horrifying to me because the killer was never even a suspect. They were flawless and described as "plain and ordinary," not sticking out like Hollywood movie serial killers. The fact that they could blend in, making it possible for anyone to be the culprit, is an idea that horrifies me.

In Better Call Saul, i LOVED how they showed Walter from Sauls POV. When u watch breaking bad, walter is a cool, calculated cool guy. When u see him from Sauls POV, hes weird, uptight, annoying, u kinda wonder how he even got married to begin with. Showing how the west depicts criminals vs japan made me think of this.

Japan's high conviction rate has a lot more to do with the fact you can be held for up to 23 days without being charged with a crime and can also be questioned by police without a lawyer present than it does with any particular competence of their prosecutors.

Fun fact: Each movie on this video shares the same actor in different roles (the yakuza in Himizu, Mitsuko's father in Forest of Love, Yukio in Cold Fish, the police officer in Cure).

Huh, so they treat serial killers in media as awkward lame people instead of the west where they are cold, cool and calculating

I think a pitfall western storytelling falls into is that because the unknown is scary, the known must not be scary. Knowing and understanding and still being afraid of serial killers seems pretty powerful

I didn't think I could cry at the DESCRIPTION of a movie. But Himizu... The small bits you showed already were so heartfelt, I did actually tear up. I wish someone would love and support me like the small community Sumida has.

The depiction of serial killers as masterminds who masterfully outwit the police is a form of copaganda. The vast majority of serial killers have below average IQ and are very sloppy, the fact that police have trouble catching them is far more often due to police incompetence and a lack of care for the victims, who are usually people who society does not care about, such as prostitutes and drug addicts. Look up the cases of the Yorkshire ripper and the Grindr killer. In the latter case, it was blatantly obvious to everyone that there was a serial killer at large, but he got away with it for a long time because the police didn't bother to investigate because all the victims were gay men who had drugs in their system.

I think the difference between Japanese and Western crime films is partly a reflection of how the societies fear different things. In Japan, an at least traditionally collectivist society, the fear of the common man failing to maintain a sense of responsibility to the broader society runs deep. So, you see films like Cure, in which, with a little hypnotic nudging, the otherwise normal detective in the story kills his wife because he wants to be free of being responsible for a mentally ill person, not because he relishes killing. Whereas, in the West, we often have a narrative of Stranger Danger, so we have films that otherize the killers and make them seem more exotic, skilled, and with harder to relate to motives for most people, and not necessarily being a reflection on the broader society in themselves. Of course, neither of these approaches is a perfect reflection of reality. Regarding the Japanese approach, while it's true that some killers are affected by their upbringing and environment, some are a lot harder to explain as a result of society or a reflection of it. The real life BTK killer mentioned having violent fantasies, and killing small animals, even in early childhood, despite having a normal and healthy upbringing. Sometimes, they really are just built different. Yet the Japanese films often depict a cycle of violence theme, and crimes with profit motives that are easier to understand or even relate to for ordinary folks. But per the Western stories, actual killers are often clumsy and not great planners. Many of the famous 1970's killers got away with stuff more because the analog world of that time wasn't prepared for them, and DNA evidence was not a thing until a bit later in the 80's. Yet our killers are super competent master minds in the movies, instead of the impulsive people that actual psychopaths often are. Also, despite our mysterious stranger danger character narratives, one is statistically more likely to be harmed by someone they know.

the og writers and directors for The Ring said something like this when the first The Ring portraition was happening in USA. That they feel like english media over explains and over shows things which ends up ruining the tension

Man, I've never heard of Himizu. But damn, never expected a serial killer-esque story to make me cry. That really sounds like an amazing story. I'll see if I can find a sub somewhere.

Its sad how overlooked is modern japanese cinema, with most youtubers whove only seen some live action anime adaptation with purposely comical acting, label it as bad acting and ignore the scene as a whole, label it as cringe, you are doing a great work showing the brilliant part of japanese long history of cinema

This is so fucking well edited. I sincerely hope you one day become famous/popular. KZfaq isn't recommending your videos much but please don't let that stop you from continuing to upload.

Highly recommend The vanishing 1988. It tells the story of a guy preparing to be a serial killer. Some of the best editing Ive ever seen in a movie.

Japanese cinema generally feels quite a bit more introspective than Western(though obviously there are many exceptions),thus I`m not surprised this is the way they present so many serial killers. I wish Japanese dramas in particular were more popular among general audiences,because they also flex those curious muscles over there. For example,Saka no Tochu no Ie(House Atop a Slope) is a 4 episode short drama dealing with postpartum depression,expectations put on new mothers,as well as lack of support from everyone around,leading to an infanticide,observed by the main character. It`s a fantastic show. Kenja no Ai is also 4 episodes long and details one of the most messed up stories and revenges I`ve ever seen and it`s not bloody at all.

ORIGIN sorta reminds me of Crime and Punisment tbh • both main characters have a plan they fail to go through with • both's motive for murder is to rid the world of evil • both struggle with love and acceptance • both have a love interest that tells them to go confess • both end on an optimistic note (after showing the suffering of the protagonist)

This was such a good essay-well articulated, well paced, well edited, and genuinely captivating!

This is an incredibly well written and presented essay. The contrast between Japanese film culture's humanistic presentation of serial killers, as people who were driven to such points by both the world around them and themselves. Versus American film culture's paragonic presentation of the subject, as the end all be all of irreconcilable evil which comes about as a matter of evil and personal failure is an interesting conversation I have always wanted to see in conversation more.

Thank you so much for the triggerwarning! With a partner who experienced incest pedophelia as a child, and seeing him extremely dissociate by as little as sexual assault jokes in comedy movies, it really makes a difference!! Thank you ❤

What I'm somewhat interested in is why these live action movies about series killers seems to contrast so greatly with that usually found in anime storylines. Series like Deathnote, which is overtly stylised and portrays Kira as a genius, or Psycho-Pass, in which Shougo is literally so distanced from the stuff he's doing that a literal brain scanner that traces people according to their feelings of guilt don't detect anything wrong with him. It feels so much more... Western. Maybe I'm missing an important detail though about these stories though given I'm not super familiar with Deathnote's overall plot given I hear that stuff in the ending arc radically changes the perception of Light as a character, but it feels like anime is so much more flamboyant about these kinds of characters. Maybe I'm also missing the point of the video as well IDK.

i remember watching cold fish on letmewatchthis around the time it came out, it left an impression on me, ultimately its a really fucking sad film, i love it tho. this is one of the most interesting video essays ive come across, ive only seen a few of the films covered but im desperate to see the rest now. theres a strange, almost alluring sensitivity japanese cinema of this kind has to violence and the human capacity for it thats so emotive to me, something us cinema just never comes close to.

Jesus Christ the editing is SMOOTH. Great content, thanks man

I would add monster as another piece of Japanese media about a serial killer. Monster centers around a Czech born German raised serial killer but its protagonist is a Japanese doctor. I think it brings in a lot of the themes you mention in this video while having a distinctly European aesthetic. The undercurrent of white supremacy, Cold War fallout, and gender politics helps form one of my personal favorite stories.

Just discovered your channel! I hope you've had a good two years, your work deserves more attention

this video is so goddamn good, i hope you get the recognition you deserve dude

I note that in the Himizu manga, the protagonist does indeed kill himself in the end.

Now I'm legitimately interested in seeing these thought provoking films because of how much they aren't like the typical slop you see in Hollywood. Thanks, Ozzy II 👍

ive thoroughly enjoyed the way you edited and presented the topics of all your videos whether it be smth im familiar with (higurashi and twelve minutes critique) or one i dont have much knowledge on like this one! definitely gonna be eagerly awaiting for anything you release next. keep it up 💪

"The police are effectively worthless." Well that's just redundant.

Binge watched your whole channel, incredible videos every one, I hope you get some more recognition

Really like yout content so far, good luck with the channel!

"Himizu" plot when Sumida tries to become the serial killer felt like something from "Crime and Punishment", even with the hopeful ending. Good video.

Part about Sumida is legit just a Japanese variant of crime and punishment, this is awesome I have to watch this film. Thank you.

Commenting for engagement because your channel is fantastic and more people should see it!

I found your channel via you video on the 7 sins of Higurashi:Sotsu and stuck around for more. Glad i did. This video is genuinely amazing, insightful analysis. Such good work! I'm hoping the algorithm picks up your channel and it goes very, very far :)

Bro. Seriously awesome stuff you're doing here. Thank you. A midnight dream.

SUMIDA means alot to me I myself was a victim of child abuse And in media unlike all other victim s of different abuse i feel western culture demonises those victims To the point of offense Im glad Japan has a better view We don't become psychos we become depressed and filled with anxiety

Cure is one of my favorite movies. Thanks for this analysis! Can’t wait to check out some of the others on the list.

I’ve been binge watching your videos and I think your way of speaking and the content you cover is just wonderful

In consideration of this video's line of thought, I would recommend looking into the Japanese concept of Fukeiron - especially highlighted in the film A.K.A. Serial Killer (1969), where notorious serial killer Norio Nagayama's life is recounted through plotless examination of the physical locations he travelled through in his life. This neutral aesthetic stance came from the filmmakers' will to portray the story without sensationalism which the media at the time could not help but implying.

fantastic work you’ve done here. I want to watch all of these movies now.

Great song choice and well blended. I spent nearly ten minutes looking for that song at minute 11:00 by Nosaj thing because it sounded familiar and it turns out you've listed the music in a link in the description. Check them out yall

Excellent, absolutely fantastic work. Instant sub.

first content creator that doesn't make me hunt down for every single film they talked about in a video and just show them all in one screen at the end. Love it, thanks

I've been binging your content and holy cow, you do not disappoint.

Sono's Cold Fish is one of my favourites! Gorgeous plot, brilliant directing and camera work.

Cure was gorgeous. Wonderfully shot, leaves you wondering and feels like you’ve been hypnotized, floating through a dream.

Wow, for only having 37k subs, the production quality is incredible! The care and attention you put in really shows. I hope you really take off!

I really like the Himizu manga. Never watched the movie but from what I can see here, the changes they made from the manga are done really well.

"they scattered the ashes" *they start throwing bones*

LETS GO NEW OZZY VIDEO

your channel is seriously underrated! commenting to continue the yt algorithm luck 👍👍

Not a serial killer movie, but I think I'd love to hear your thoughts on The World of Kanako. A detective father investigated the disappearance of his daughter and it gets WILD.

If only Japan’s criminal system was as realistic and fair as their media portrayal of serial killers

I have a feeling you just wanted to talk about Cure. It doesn’t really fit the theme but it’s so good and one of my favorite films anyway.

the cinematography in cure alone has me ITCHING to watch it

I remember reading the manga to Himizu a few years back during covid. I didn't know there was a movie based on it so I can't wait to watch it all and compare it to the manga.

Your editing is amazing! Especially in the introduction. Really pulls in the comparison betwee Japan and the others, you remind the audience about these depictions before going into the Japan side. Nicely done!

I've never seen someone touch on The Forest Of Love, is such a great movie and gets rarely talked about omg

I Saw The Devil is probably the best serial killer movie out there i wish u would’ve mentioned it

The only movie I've seen that's mentioned here is Battle Royale, and that's campy and schlocky enough to not need any motive for its serial killer - he's just evil because having an over-the-top douchy killer spices things up.

Amazing video thank you so much for making it!

Cure was my introduction to serial killer media in other cultures - I enjoyed this video throughly and can’t wait to watch more of these films.

this video is beautiful especially with the story of Sumida

Great video, and if you wrote the narration as well, excellent job!

**TL;DR At Bottom** Himizu is not based after an original screenplay, but is actually an adaptation of a manga of the same name written in 2001. The source material has the same premise but differs wildly in the way things end up for all characters involved. Having not seen the film myself, I'm just going off of what you mention in the video in terms of the plot and tone of the film. Major spoilers for the manga, obviously. In the manga, Sumida has two friends alongside Keiko, one of which is responsible for the break and enter that clears his yakuza debts, and another who, if I recall right, doesn't have much bearing on the story. The homeless people in the movie and man that Sumida meets that ends up being a murderer are kind of the same guy, a man who is hired by Sumida and Keiko to manage the boathouse in Sumida's absence that ends up r****g Keiko and almost killing her. (Nobody else ever finds out about this, it's not ever really important to the plot in a way that justifies how messed up the whole thing is and I fully understand why this was cut in the film.) Sumida's friend that does the breaking and entering ends up accidentally killing the person whose house they're breaking into, giving a parallel between him and Sumida. There are a lot of characters and moments that the movie cuts for time that pull the tone of the manga a lot darker than what I assume the movie runs at. The largest departure from the manga that the film takes, however, is the ending. Everything is similar up until the point where Keiko asks Sumida to turn himself into the police. He promises to do so, they fall asleep, then Sumida goes outside and k***s himself. The ironic twist being that he did end up killing a murderer. This change completely flips the way you look at the rest of the story and while I don't think it would fit in with the other changes the film made, it's so drastic that it feels like whoever made that call was either dissatisfied with the manga's ending or intervened to make the script a little less bleak for general audiences. The movie is the story of someone being redeemed through found family while the manga is about an isolated youth who spirals into ending it all despite his friends attempts at reaching him. The manga gets a little tiring with how bleak everything is and the ending is just more of that. The film opts for a classic redemption arc that kind of takes all of the teeth out of the story. Tl;DR: Himizu is an adaptation and not an original script and is way darker than the film, to the point where it flips the tone of the whole movie completely. The manga is really grimdark and edgy while the film's ending is very hopeful. The manga is almost annoyingly dark and definitely gets exploitative at points.

I think it’s interesting because being familiar with Japan’s most infamous crimes, I would argue the weight of the actions taken against victims is lost, moreso than it is in North American media (where this is already a serious problem). As the audience, we’re focused on the “tragedy” and the “sadness” of the killers. How much better their lives could be if they weren’t so “pathetic”. They are, essentially “forced” to do it, because they have no other “outlet”. I think that misses, quite severely, the actual context around real serial killers for the same purpose as Western cinema: to dramatize it. And I would quite strenuously disagree with the commenters (and the implication of the video itself) that the movies “successfully grapple with the banality of evil” since that’s not their intent in the first place. The crimes themselves aren’t scary or horrifying, not because they’re awkward, but because the victims are completely decentered. The killer’s’ viewpoint, universally, are tacitly agreed with. The life they took meant nothing. Must be time to take another. It’s actually terrifying to me that people would lionize these sensational (if introspective) movies to replace another kind of sensational movie as “better”, “more moral”, “more pure”. What it tells me is that everyone here is very comfortable dehumanizing others. You’re all just bored with the method. Genuinely… I hope this ages like mozzarella balls left in the sun.

The premise of Cure reminds me of the anime ID:INVADED, which is a sci-fi detective story also about a serial killer who goes around inducing people to become serial killers in and of themselves. It will be interesting to rewatch it with more of a mind of how the show portrays its characters, including the main character, who is a victim of the antagonist's meddeling. It's also funny I got recommended this video less than a day after rewatchong Pulse, another Kyoshi Kurosawa film. I’ve been meaning to check out his work for some time - guess I know which film I'm watching next!

ill definitely watch these films now, especially cure. it really peaked my interest

Holy shit…. The KZfaq algorithm has genuinely fucked you over. How are you not more popular?! Your content is better made than a lot of the big creators on yt currently, and some how your sub count is that low… P.S. I can’t wait to watch origin

kazuo kiriyama mentioned, im NOW LOCKED IN

Cure is like one of the last movies you want to be falling asleep during and not paying attention but I did. It seemed interesting and I was trying to fight sleep but man, I couldn’t. But it’s nice to get it covered and I can finally understand what’s going on in it.

As someone who hasn't watched the movie, the part where the friend paid off the mcs debt and explained why he did it was so impactful I almost shed a tear...

Me: I wonder how serial killers would be different in Japanese movies. I mean what would make it uniquely Japanese? Narrator: He pisses on his own hands. Me: Ah, yes. There it is. Such refinement.

Enlightening video , Rewatched this time and time again whenever I stumbled a new documentary about these sort of things

8:58 That dialogue is just so authentic. The whole scene (beside the awkward shaking and pushing) is very well made in my opinion.

Such a cool, thoughtful video. Thank you!

I know they were murderers... But as a malamute mama, Hiroko and Gen bred absolutely lovely mals.

I think an area hollywood and japanese cinema fails at is the victims. Whether you think showing pathetic or human they are or how cold and calculating they are is better. I think for both it doesnt really show full on the victims perceptive in a way. Or atleast the empty aftermath.

woww why am i getting this video recommended now? amazing

CURE is my favorite film. It changed my ideas of storytelling.

thanks for the video dude i really enjoyed it

The thing about depicting serial killers in true-to-life form is that it is deeply unsettling to people. Serial killers inhabit a set of fears that have been present in the human psyche for as long as we've told stories about murder. Even before we had a name for them; that fear of 'the outsider' who kills for reasons you cannot know, that fear of the shadow, of that other human who stalks you in the night: these are primal fears and we know them intimately and innately. We know them well enough that the outside of the margins of accuracy is uncanny valley. That sort of discomfort which serial killers elicit when they are found in your own city, that is that same feeling you get when you see a genuinely realistic depiction of a serial killer. You feel the closeness of it and you feel the threat. It is a media killer. It is never a good idea. Genuinely realistic depictions of t*rture and SA are very similar situations as well. Those movies do exist and sometimes they have a cult following, but they are not favored at any rate by the vast majority. They tap into something so primally aversive that any audience rejects it.

Amazing video!

Beautifully well made

22:08 I read about those guys, that code is kinda just bunk. Considering most of their murders seem to revolve either around money or to avoid paying debts, they seem to me like con artist who were too inept at everything but killing.why outwit rivals when you can kill them, why pay debt collectors when you can erase them and the debt. The only reason they weren't caught is a extremely appathetic police force. I feel that still says something about society though, the murderers being a minor wound that was allowed to get infected due to neglagence. Something that could have been nipped at the bud but everyone just underestimated how bad it would get.

I read a manga that I think it's based on that one kid with the boat house. Only by the end the kid dies.

Wow, I’d never heard of “Vengeance is Mine” until yesterday night when I decided on a whim to go to a viewing hosted by my university. It was so disturbing! How odd to wake up and have this be the first video on my recommended feed, lol.

Angel Dust (1994) its another japanese serial killer movie that just like "Cure" works the psychological side.

Sometimes japan does glamorize serial killers. Take the show Smoking for example.

In South Africa we barely make media about our serial killers even tho we have just as many of them as the US I think its because we dont want to give them the attention or the satisfaction they enjoy from it. When we do make movies or shows about them we tend to do it from the police perspective mainly because we get most of our info about them from profilers

Great video, but I would really love you to add a list of discussed films in description or pinned comment.

in addition, there's that foreign stuff being more alienating. immersive when i watch a movie w/o knowing who was playin the role.

that intro was fire my friend

A more recent story I expected to see what the movie Character, a really interesting film about a serial killer and an author. An older one being Lessons of Evil which still sits with me after all this time

Wonderfull video, glad i found this little gem. Hope it functions as a foundation of your channel, and i hope you'll gain a lot of subs. Keep it up! (Also for the future it would be great to include the source material you talk about, the movies in this case, clearly in the comments, description of video itself. Thank you!)

The conviction rate is high but its difficult to truly be arrested for a crime from what I can tell.

Was expecting Ichi the Killer to pop up the whole time I was watching lol

being from the US I never understood this odd obsession with almost romanticizing these despicable animals. The Jefferey Dahmer show comes to mind

FANTASTIC VIDEO.