Recommended for foreigners too! 10 Japanese horror novels and differences in horror culture

Hello! This is Sabu from Kawaraban JAPAN.😊
In horror novels、It strongly reflects the country's culture and values.。and、Japanese horror novels、It is characterized by its unique ``slowly approaching fear'' and ``creepyness lurking in everyday life.''。The themes of ghosts and curses unique to Japan deepen the story.、Draws the reader into a vortex of anxiety and tension。

This time、A detailed introduction to 10 Japanese horror novels that can be enjoyed by readers overseas! moreover、We will also explain the differences between Japanese and foreign horror cultures in an easy-to-understand manner.。Refer to this list、Enjoy a new scary experience。

table of contents

1 🎥 Recommended for foreigners too! 10 Japanese Horror Novels
2 日本と外国のホラー文化の違い
3 締めのメッセージ

🎥 Recommended for foreigners too! 10 Japanese Horror Novels

1. リング（鈴木光司）

“Cursed Video” brings、invisible fear。
Journalist Kazuyuki Asakawa、While investigating the mysterious death of a friend、We take a closer look at the mysterious death incident that started with the "cursed video"。Behind the terrifying legend that anyone who watches the video will die after 7 days、The existence of Sadako, a woman with a tragic past...。
Recommended points:
It is a world-famous work that has been made into a movie.、The novel version has a more detailed psychological depiction.、Solving mysteries using a scientific approach is appealing.。You can fully enjoy the "extraordinary horror that creeps into modern society"。

2. バトル・ロワイアル（高見広春）

「友達を殺せるか？」人間の極限状態を描くサバイバルホラー。
Junior high school students gathered on a deserted island、Shocking story of people being forced to kill each other according to the government's "program"。Human nature revealed in extreme conditions、It's heart-wrenching to see friendships and love falling apart one after another.。
Recommended points:
social distortions and、The psychological horror that violence causes is beautifully depicted.。A book that is both entertaining and thematic.。

3. 悪の教典（貴志祐介）

「完璧な教師」の裏に潜む、cold madness。
Popular teacher Seiji Hasumi、Contrary to his outward appearance as an honor student、A story that turns a school into a stage of horror.。Manipulate students skillfully、His abnormality as he carries out premeditated murders is revealed little by little.。
Recommended points:
The fear of “everyday life being repainted into madness” is real。Hasumi's cold psychological depiction will send chills down your spine.。

4. 深泥丘奇談（綾辻行人）

Japan's legendary fear creeps up quietly。
The main character stays in an old folk house in Kyoto called Fukadooka.、A collection of short stories that get caught up in creepy events and people's secrets.。1Each story depicts a different fear.、The mystery that connects throughout is also a highlight.。
Recommended points:
The background lies in Japanese folk beliefs and ghost story culture.、It leaves a somewhat sad aftertaste after reading it.。The readability of short stories is also appealing.。

5. シライサン（乙一）

“If you know that name, you’ll die” - the fear of the curse。
Mizuki is a university student.、Inspired by the sudden death of a friend immediately after speaking the mysterious name "Shiraisan"、Caught in a chain of fear。The true identity of the being with that name、A story that reveals the background of the curse。
Recommended points:
Impressive horror that takes advantage of a theme unique to Japanese culture called names。The depiction of the gradual creeping fear is excellent.。

6. 残穢（小野不由美）

A ghost story-like horror story that depicts the chain of terror that lurks in the places you live.。
“I” as a writer、We received a complaint from a reader who complained that he was hearing strange noises in his room.、While investigating the past of that room、We arrive at a chain of terrifying history and curses.。
Recommended points:
The uniquely Japanese theme of ``curses dwelling in land and houses'' is realistically depicted.。After reading、It's so immersive that you start to notice your own home environment.。

7. Another （綾辻行人）

Happens in a cursed class、A series of terrifying and mysterious deaths。
Transfer student Koichi Sakakibara、We will get to the bottom of the mysterious death incidents that occur one after another in a new class.。His relationship with the creepy girl Mei Misaki holds the key to the story.。
Recommended points:
Creepy events that occur in the everyday setting of school。A clever foreshadowing and an unpredictable ending shine.。

8. 黒い家（貴志祐介）

保険金殺人の裏に隠された、人間の欲望と狂気。
生命保険会社に勤める主人公が、ある家族の背後に隠された異常な事実を知る物語。金銭欲に取り憑かれた人間の闇が浮き彫りになります。
Recommended points:
人間心理に深く迫る描写が恐ろしく、読後も心に残る一冊。社会派サスペンスの要素もあります。

9. 夜市（恒川光太郎）

幻想的で不気味な市場が織りなす異世界の恐怖。
夜にだけ現れる市場では、「何でも手に入る」と言われていますが、その代償はあまりにも大きい…。主人公がその市場で繰り広げる不思議な体験が描かれます。
Recommended points:
美しくも不気味な異世界が舞台。現実と夢の狭間を漂うような読後感が楽しめます。

10. リカ（五十嵐貴久）

愛が狂気に変わる瞬間を描く衝撃作。
異常な愛情を持つ女性・リカが、執着の対象となった人々を次々と破滅させるサイコホラー。彼女の狂気がどこまでもリアルに描かれています。
Recommended points:
現代的な恐怖をリアルに感じさせる作品。ストーカーの恐怖が身近に迫ってくる感覚が怖い！