Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 12 - Whispering Woman/Soichi's Beloved Pet - full transcript
Right? Or left?
This way? Or that?
How do I choose which way to go?
What if I end up regretting what I pick?
Should I walk? No, should I run?
Should I sit? Or should I stand?
Should I laugh about this?
Or should I scream? Should I cry?
Should I stay awake? Should I go to sleep?
Wait, should I blink? Should I breathe?
How am I supposed
to make a decision?
I saw the job listing posted
and came for an interview.
My name is Mitsu Uchida.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
"WHISPERING WOMAN"
Are you sure you understand everything
this job would entail you to do?
Yes...
I ask because the attendants we've hired
thus far haven't lasted very long.
They can't keep up
with all of Mayumi's questions.
In any case,
it's best if you meet her yourself.
Mmm.
I don't know what I'm supposed
to do anymore!
Should I be standing?
Or should I be sitting?
Maybe I should I be lying down.
But on my chest? Or on my back?
- Please, sit down, Mayumi.
- How should I sit?
On one of our chairs?
Or over on the floor?
Do I sit on my legs or cross-legged?
What do I do?
This is her normal.
Still think you can manage it?
Um... sure.
Please, tell me
what I should be doing right now!
Yes, miss.
Let's start by sitting on the bed.
The bed? Okay, but how should I sit?
Cross-legged?
Just lower yourself onto it.
The same way you'd sit in a chair.
Now, take your hands off the wall.
Walk towards the bed...
Uh-huh.
And slowly take a seat. Good.
I'm... I'm sitting down...
Now what?
What is it that I should do next?
Oh. Um...
Keep going!
Okay, let's take a few deep breaths.
It'll calm you down.
Now what do I do?
Is that woman
Mayumi's newest attendant?
Yes.
Despite it being her first day,
she's handling Mayumi quite well.
She hasn't stopped giving Mayumi orders
since she started. It's remarkable.
Then I hope she decides
to keep this job a long time.
Yeah.
Now what?
What do I do after lying down?
Close your eyes...
And breathe in slowly...
Miss Uchida,
you have my utmost gratitude.
Thanks to you,
Mayumi was able to function all day.
Are you able to come to work every day?
Yes. I'll be back tomorrow at eight.
Good night.
It's already been a month.
None of the assistants
have lasted this long.
She's not slacking off, either,
because Mayumi's mental condition
has been stable this whole time.
Seems like you found someone
truly special, Mr. President.
All of her orders
are detailed and precise.
And thanks to that, Mayumi's been able to
do things she's never been able to before.
- Mitsu must stay by her the whole time.
- One is fine.
I'm in awe that her mental state
is able to withstand this kind of work.
- I mean, she's so unfazed it's creepy.
- Huh?
The fact that she can put up with Mayumi's
abnormal personality at all
is a bit strange on its own.
One can never be too safe. Especially when
we know so little about her background.
That said, I want you to investigate her.
Straightaway, Mr. President.
Great job again today.
I'm sure you must be exhausted.
I'm fine. I'll see you tomorrow.
I think you should
take a break tomorrow.
If we keep going,
I'm worried about your health.
Please, sir, I promise I'm fine.
I feel doing this work with her
is finally giving me the chance
to regain my original self.
Let me work for your daughter's happiness.
Please, sir.
So be it. But please,
don't overexert yourself too much.
Sorry if this is intrusive,
but what caused that bruise on your face?
Oh, this? It's nothing, really.
Good night, sir.
How's Miss Mitsu been
since we talked?
Well, I think it's safe to say
she's abnormal.
It's been two months now. Her dedication
is far past being a daily workaholic.
Just watching her
gives me the chills sometimes.
I don't understand. What do you mean, sir?
Despite being fatigued,
she performs all work duties perfectly.
On top of that, I think she provides
good fortune to Mayumi.
Good fortune?
That's right.
The most trivial choices in everyday life.
such as whether to put jam or butter
on her bread for breakfast,
or whether to put two or three flowers
from the yard into a vase.
The results of all these decisions seem to
be having a positive impact on Mayumi.
Pick up the knife and fork.
Thanks to her,
Mayumi looks much happier.
Interesting.
So it's all about perspective.
No, I truly believe
she's bringing in good fortune.
For instance,
that runaway truck incident the other day.
Mayumi used to walk on the side
of the road the accident happened on.
That really made me shiver.
Mitsu is a goddess of good fortune
for our family!
Right.
I figured you wouldn't believe me.
Once you see Mitsu, you'll understand.
Hmm?
Daddy, can I come in?
Come in! We were just talking about you.
Enter the room with confidence
and head to face your father.
Now hand him this flower.
Daddy look, I saw this blooming.
I picked it for you.
Thank you, dear.
I'm certain this flower
will bring our family good fortune.
Say goodbye to your father so we can
go back to your room for some tea.
Hey, that tickles!
- See you later, Daddy.
- Yes.
Now head to the door.
There. Keep going straight.
Uh...
What do you think?
I think... it's nice.
Mr. President,
the results of the background check
you wanted for Mitsu Uchida have arrived.
I feel guilty now for asking.
- But let's hear it.
- Yes, sir.
While Mitsu Uchida is single, she appears
to be living together with a man.
Ryoichi Aga. Unemployed.
In other words, a freeloader.
Huh?
Her work
as attendant for your daughter
seems to have been forced on her by Aga
after he saw how good the pay was.
I see...
That explains why she's been working
so tirelessly for the last two months.
Strange. She gives clearheaded,
precise orders to Mayumi while working,
yet is at the beck and call
of someone else in her private life.
In any case, sir, I'm afraid
this is an issue we can't overlook.
Is interfering with her private life
really the right thing to do?
Think about it. If we were
to drive that man away from her,
if Mitsu became free,
would she still devote herself to Mayumi
the way she does now?
I think it's best
if we just leave things the way they are.
What do you think, Yamaoka?
Hey, Miss Mitsu, I have a question
I don't know if I should ask.
Ask me anything.
It's about me and whether you think
I'll be able to live by myself someday.
You'll be fine living on your own.
Really? But is it something to celebrate?
Or something to be melancholy about?
You don't have to be sad, my dear,
because I have good news...
What was that?
Miss Mitsu suffered wounds
that seem to have been
the direct cause of her death.
Morticians are saying her health
condition wasn't the main cause.
It likely would've been eventually,
had this incident not happened.
Her roommate Aga has been put
on the national wanted list
for suspicion of assault and murder.
He's yet to be apprehended.
With Mitsu gone...
what will happen to Mayumi?
Hey, that tickles...
And then?
Then what do I do from there?
Like this?
Or like this?
A little bit harder? Sure!
SAFETY FIRST
M- Mayumi...?
Sorry, Daddy. I'm home now.
Mayumi, why are you covered in blood?
I went and did... what Mitsu...
what she asked me to do!
I killed Aga!
I will always
be at your side, Mayumi.
Huh?
Aw, how cute! A stray kitten.
What are you doing out here all alone?
I'm home.
Welcome home, Dad.
Where'd that cat come from?
Sayuri brought it home today.
I couldn't leave him.
Can we please keep it here, Dad?
He is cute, isn't he?
Yeah, we can keep him.
As long as you take care of him!
- All right!
- Hooray!
What's its name?
I already picked one for him.
Coron.
"SOICHI'S BELOVED PET"
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty...
Now, now, come over here, Garon.
Ugh!
Do you surrender? Let this be a lesson
as to what happens when you disobey me!
Soichi!
Hmm?
DISINFECTS WOUNDS
BENZETHONIUM
That's quite a nasty scratch
you got there.
A scratch that he deserved!
Yeah, no kidding. That was animal cruelty!
She's right. Aren't you worried about him?
It's a well-known fact
that people who hurt animals like this
go on to commit
more severe, violent crimes.
The kid is disturbed, Mom!
I don't think we need to worry
about anything like that.
One of the reasons he acts up like this
is because you're always too easy on him!
If Soichi were an adult right now,
and he did something stupid,
what would happen to us?
Our name would be ruined!
If we don't fix his crooked brain now,
he's gonna be behind bars
with our family in shambles!
Fact is, someone who can't love animals
is a good-for-nothing
that can't love humans!
Just the thought
of Soichi getting his evil little hands
on something as cute as Coron
makes me want to crush him!
Aww!
Did you get shocked just now?
Hmm? Oh, that's just
a bit of static electricity.
I actually got shocked earlier.
Hmm...
Those fools
thought it was static electricity,
when it was actually my curse manifesting!
They'll know soon enough,
because that little curse
is nothing more
than the tip of the iceberg.
Mmm. Mmm!
May you be cursed... May you be cursed!
Sayuri, where's Coron?
Huh? He was here earlier.
Here, kitty-boo!
Coron?
Coron?
Coron? What in the world are you doing?
He's so precious!
Oh, he's with you, Soichi.
- Wait, big brother, look at that thing!
- Hmm?
That cat toy he has
is a dead snake!
That's right.
The stray cat can't help
but be captivated by this snake.
You idiot.
Go throw that thing away!
I swear, you're gonna get cursed
by that snake if you keep playing with it!
If it can curse me,
I'd love for it to!
Soichi!
Coron, stop!
You shouldn't eat stuff like that.
Hurry and do something, big brother!
Coron!
Oh my goodness!
What's wrong?
Ugh!
Where did it find a centipede that big
around here?
Coron's been weird lately. What happened?
We just have to accept
it's in its natural form now.
It's a feral cat.
I guess.
Coron, stop!
Don't scratch that, please!
Coron!
Ugh, there's nothing we can do.
The entire house has been shredded.
We have to repaper
the screen doors.
He wasn't acting out like this
until just recently.
Coron has
something weird in his mouth again!
What's wrong, Sayuri!?
See for yourself, big brother...
What in the world is that creature?
Oh no! You don't eat stuff like that!
No way! Good boy, Garon.
This creature you brought us
must actually be an insect from hell!
Oh, Garon.
I have a better opinion of you now.
Can you do your buddy Soichi a favor
and bring back an insect from hell
alive next time?
Will you stop spouting nonsense?
It's probably just from another country
or something.
And his name isn't Garon. It's Coron.
Aww! Good Garon!
Come here, Coron!
My curse seems to be
manifesting itself
more and more with each passing day!
Koichi, why did you seal off
the entire house like this?
I'm trying to keep Coron from leaving,
so it doesn't bring something weird
back in its mouth again.
Is it just me,
or is it stuffy in here today?
And something smells.
Oh, that's Coron's urine and feces.
I haven't cleaned the litter box yet.
What is that?
It's like something's
fluttering in the air.
It looks like it's Coron's fur.
Ugh!
I can't take it anymore!
Honey, open up the rain shutters.
All right!
Where did Coron even go?
Maybe Soichi's room?
Soichi, are you in there?
You two were right.
Animals are just the cutest!
And if this cat's getting attached to me,
it must mean I'm a pretty nice human!
Coron, what's gotten into you?
You've been acting so strange lately.
Come here. Let me get you down.
What did I do?
Soichi! What did you do to Coron?
Hand him over!
- Why would I wanna do that?
- Because I said so!
What is all this, Garon?
Huh?
Everybody run!
Run for it!
Help me!
Please!
He bit me!
Kitty-boo-boo-boo!
Looks like Coron is back to normal!
It's all thanks to that electric shock.
Soichi. Does it still hurt?
Sh-Shut up...
May you be cursed... May you be cursed...
May you be cursed...
And so the warden read
the bloodstained letters on the wall.
The squiggly letters resembling insects
filled the entire space.
It was quite difficult to decipher,
most likely because the letters
were written by none other than the man
who drilled through the wall
with the bones of his fingers
in an attempt to escape.
The first sentence reads as follows.
"I finally felt something was strange."
This way? Or that?
How do I choose which way to go?
What if I end up regretting what I pick?
Should I walk? No, should I run?
Should I sit? Or should I stand?
Should I laugh about this?
Or should I scream? Should I cry?
Should I stay awake? Should I go to sleep?
Wait, should I blink? Should I breathe?
How am I supposed
to make a decision?
I saw the job listing posted
and came for an interview.
My name is Mitsu Uchida.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
"WHISPERING WOMAN"
Are you sure you understand everything
this job would entail you to do?
Yes...
I ask because the attendants we've hired
thus far haven't lasted very long.
They can't keep up
with all of Mayumi's questions.
In any case,
it's best if you meet her yourself.
Mmm.
I don't know what I'm supposed
to do anymore!
Should I be standing?
Or should I be sitting?
Maybe I should I be lying down.
But on my chest? Or on my back?
- Please, sit down, Mayumi.
- How should I sit?
On one of our chairs?
Or over on the floor?
Do I sit on my legs or cross-legged?
What do I do?
This is her normal.
Still think you can manage it?
Um... sure.
Please, tell me
what I should be doing right now!
Yes, miss.
Let's start by sitting on the bed.
The bed? Okay, but how should I sit?
Cross-legged?
Just lower yourself onto it.
The same way you'd sit in a chair.
Now, take your hands off the wall.
Walk towards the bed...
Uh-huh.
And slowly take a seat. Good.
I'm... I'm sitting down...
Now what?
What is it that I should do next?
Oh. Um...
Keep going!
Okay, let's take a few deep breaths.
It'll calm you down.
Now what do I do?
Is that woman
Mayumi's newest attendant?
Yes.
Despite it being her first day,
she's handling Mayumi quite well.
She hasn't stopped giving Mayumi orders
since she started. It's remarkable.
Then I hope she decides
to keep this job a long time.
Yeah.
Now what?
What do I do after lying down?
Close your eyes...
And breathe in slowly...
Miss Uchida,
you have my utmost gratitude.
Thanks to you,
Mayumi was able to function all day.
Are you able to come to work every day?
Yes. I'll be back tomorrow at eight.
Good night.
It's already been a month.
None of the assistants
have lasted this long.
She's not slacking off, either,
because Mayumi's mental condition
has been stable this whole time.
Seems like you found someone
truly special, Mr. President.
All of her orders
are detailed and precise.
And thanks to that, Mayumi's been able to
do things she's never been able to before.
- Mitsu must stay by her the whole time.
- One is fine.
I'm in awe that her mental state
is able to withstand this kind of work.
- I mean, she's so unfazed it's creepy.
- Huh?
The fact that she can put up with Mayumi's
abnormal personality at all
is a bit strange on its own.
One can never be too safe. Especially when
we know so little about her background.
That said, I want you to investigate her.
Straightaway, Mr. President.
Great job again today.
I'm sure you must be exhausted.
I'm fine. I'll see you tomorrow.
I think you should
take a break tomorrow.
If we keep going,
I'm worried about your health.
Please, sir, I promise I'm fine.
I feel doing this work with her
is finally giving me the chance
to regain my original self.
Let me work for your daughter's happiness.
Please, sir.
So be it. But please,
don't overexert yourself too much.
Sorry if this is intrusive,
but what caused that bruise on your face?
Oh, this? It's nothing, really.
Good night, sir.
How's Miss Mitsu been
since we talked?
Well, I think it's safe to say
she's abnormal.
It's been two months now. Her dedication
is far past being a daily workaholic.
Just watching her
gives me the chills sometimes.
I don't understand. What do you mean, sir?
Despite being fatigued,
she performs all work duties perfectly.
On top of that, I think she provides
good fortune to Mayumi.
Good fortune?
That's right.
The most trivial choices in everyday life.
such as whether to put jam or butter
on her bread for breakfast,
or whether to put two or three flowers
from the yard into a vase.
The results of all these decisions seem to
be having a positive impact on Mayumi.
Pick up the knife and fork.
Thanks to her,
Mayumi looks much happier.
Interesting.
So it's all about perspective.
No, I truly believe
she's bringing in good fortune.
For instance,
that runaway truck incident the other day.
Mayumi used to walk on the side
of the road the accident happened on.
That really made me shiver.
Mitsu is a goddess of good fortune
for our family!
Right.
I figured you wouldn't believe me.
Once you see Mitsu, you'll understand.
Hmm?
Daddy, can I come in?
Come in! We were just talking about you.
Enter the room with confidence
and head to face your father.
Now hand him this flower.
Daddy look, I saw this blooming.
I picked it for you.
Thank you, dear.
I'm certain this flower
will bring our family good fortune.
Say goodbye to your father so we can
go back to your room for some tea.
Hey, that tickles!
- See you later, Daddy.
- Yes.
Now head to the door.
There. Keep going straight.
Uh...
What do you think?
I think... it's nice.
Mr. President,
the results of the background check
you wanted for Mitsu Uchida have arrived.
I feel guilty now for asking.
- But let's hear it.
- Yes, sir.
While Mitsu Uchida is single, she appears
to be living together with a man.
Ryoichi Aga. Unemployed.
In other words, a freeloader.
Huh?
Her work
as attendant for your daughter
seems to have been forced on her by Aga
after he saw how good the pay was.
I see...
That explains why she's been working
so tirelessly for the last two months.
Strange. She gives clearheaded,
precise orders to Mayumi while working,
yet is at the beck and call
of someone else in her private life.
In any case, sir, I'm afraid
this is an issue we can't overlook.
Is interfering with her private life
really the right thing to do?
Think about it. If we were
to drive that man away from her,
if Mitsu became free,
would she still devote herself to Mayumi
the way she does now?
I think it's best
if we just leave things the way they are.
What do you think, Yamaoka?
Hey, Miss Mitsu, I have a question
I don't know if I should ask.
Ask me anything.
It's about me and whether you think
I'll be able to live by myself someday.
You'll be fine living on your own.
Really? But is it something to celebrate?
Or something to be melancholy about?
You don't have to be sad, my dear,
because I have good news...
What was that?
Miss Mitsu suffered wounds
that seem to have been
the direct cause of her death.
Morticians are saying her health
condition wasn't the main cause.
It likely would've been eventually,
had this incident not happened.
Her roommate Aga has been put
on the national wanted list
for suspicion of assault and murder.
He's yet to be apprehended.
With Mitsu gone...
what will happen to Mayumi?
Hey, that tickles...
And then?
Then what do I do from there?
Like this?
Or like this?
A little bit harder? Sure!
SAFETY FIRST
M- Mayumi...?
Sorry, Daddy. I'm home now.
Mayumi, why are you covered in blood?
I went and did... what Mitsu...
what she asked me to do!
I killed Aga!
I will always
be at your side, Mayumi.
Huh?
Aw, how cute! A stray kitten.
What are you doing out here all alone?
I'm home.
Welcome home, Dad.
Where'd that cat come from?
Sayuri brought it home today.
I couldn't leave him.
Can we please keep it here, Dad?
He is cute, isn't he?
Yeah, we can keep him.
As long as you take care of him!
- All right!
- Hooray!
What's its name?
I already picked one for him.
Coron.
"SOICHI'S BELOVED PET"
Here, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty...
Now, now, come over here, Garon.
Ugh!
Do you surrender? Let this be a lesson
as to what happens when you disobey me!
Soichi!
Hmm?
DISINFECTS WOUNDS
BENZETHONIUM
That's quite a nasty scratch
you got there.
A scratch that he deserved!
Yeah, no kidding. That was animal cruelty!
She's right. Aren't you worried about him?
It's a well-known fact
that people who hurt animals like this
go on to commit
more severe, violent crimes.
The kid is disturbed, Mom!
I don't think we need to worry
about anything like that.
One of the reasons he acts up like this
is because you're always too easy on him!
If Soichi were an adult right now,
and he did something stupid,
what would happen to us?
Our name would be ruined!
If we don't fix his crooked brain now,
he's gonna be behind bars
with our family in shambles!
Fact is, someone who can't love animals
is a good-for-nothing
that can't love humans!
Just the thought
of Soichi getting his evil little hands
on something as cute as Coron
makes me want to crush him!
Aww!
Did you get shocked just now?
Hmm? Oh, that's just
a bit of static electricity.
I actually got shocked earlier.
Hmm...
Those fools
thought it was static electricity,
when it was actually my curse manifesting!
They'll know soon enough,
because that little curse
is nothing more
than the tip of the iceberg.
Mmm. Mmm!
May you be cursed... May you be cursed!
Sayuri, where's Coron?
Huh? He was here earlier.
Here, kitty-boo!
Coron?
Coron?
Coron? What in the world are you doing?
He's so precious!
Oh, he's with you, Soichi.
- Wait, big brother, look at that thing!
- Hmm?
That cat toy he has
is a dead snake!
That's right.
The stray cat can't help
but be captivated by this snake.
You idiot.
Go throw that thing away!
I swear, you're gonna get cursed
by that snake if you keep playing with it!
If it can curse me,
I'd love for it to!
Soichi!
Coron, stop!
You shouldn't eat stuff like that.
Hurry and do something, big brother!
Coron!
Oh my goodness!
What's wrong?
Ugh!
Where did it find a centipede that big
around here?
Coron's been weird lately. What happened?
We just have to accept
it's in its natural form now.
It's a feral cat.
I guess.
Coron, stop!
Don't scratch that, please!
Coron!
Ugh, there's nothing we can do.
The entire house has been shredded.
We have to repaper
the screen doors.
He wasn't acting out like this
until just recently.
Coron has
something weird in his mouth again!
What's wrong, Sayuri!?
See for yourself, big brother...
What in the world is that creature?
Oh no! You don't eat stuff like that!
No way! Good boy, Garon.
This creature you brought us
must actually be an insect from hell!
Oh, Garon.
I have a better opinion of you now.
Can you do your buddy Soichi a favor
and bring back an insect from hell
alive next time?
Will you stop spouting nonsense?
It's probably just from another country
or something.
And his name isn't Garon. It's Coron.
Aww! Good Garon!
Come here, Coron!
My curse seems to be
manifesting itself
more and more with each passing day!
Koichi, why did you seal off
the entire house like this?
I'm trying to keep Coron from leaving,
so it doesn't bring something weird
back in its mouth again.
Is it just me,
or is it stuffy in here today?
And something smells.
Oh, that's Coron's urine and feces.
I haven't cleaned the litter box yet.
What is that?
It's like something's
fluttering in the air.
It looks like it's Coron's fur.
Ugh!
I can't take it anymore!
Honey, open up the rain shutters.
All right!
Where did Coron even go?
Maybe Soichi's room?
Soichi, are you in there?
You two were right.
Animals are just the cutest!
And if this cat's getting attached to me,
it must mean I'm a pretty nice human!
Coron, what's gotten into you?
You've been acting so strange lately.
Come here. Let me get you down.
What did I do?
Soichi! What did you do to Coron?
Hand him over!
- Why would I wanna do that?
- Because I said so!
What is all this, Garon?
Huh?
Everybody run!
Run for it!
Help me!
Please!
He bit me!
Kitty-boo-boo-boo!
Looks like Coron is back to normal!
It's all thanks to that electric shock.
Soichi. Does it still hurt?
Sh-Shut up...
May you be cursed... May you be cursed...
May you be cursed...
And so the warden read
the bloodstained letters on the wall.
The squiggly letters resembling insects
filled the entire space.
It was quite difficult to decipher,
most likely because the letters
were written by none other than the man
who drilled through the wall
with the bones of his fingers
in an attempt to escape.
The first sentence reads as follows.
"I finally felt something was strange."