A thorough review of Inuki Kanako's scream collection, "I'm Scared of School!"

Kanako Inuki's Scream Collection: I'm scared of school!

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

August 6, 1999

■Frequencies

40 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Kanako Inuki

■ Director

Yukio Kaizawa

■Works

©1999 Inuki Kanako/Kadokawa Shoten, Toei Animation, Toei Video

■ Story

■Explanation

■Detailed review

Kanako Inuki's "Scream Collection: School is Scary!" was released as an OVA in 1999 as an animated adaptation of her unique perspective and storytelling in the horror genre. The work faithfully recreates the worldview of her original manga while providing a terrifying experience that takes advantage of the expressive power of anime.

The main character, Kida Fumio, commonly known as "Fukida", is despised by his classmates, yet he is portrayed as a man who genuinely seeks "true love". His obsession and twisted expression of love leave a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, the scene in which Fukida is resurrected after dying in a traffic accident and continues to obsess over Matsuko creates not only visual horror, but also psychological horror.

Director Yukio Kaizawa has succeeded in keeping the atmosphere of the original work intact in his animation. In particular, in the scene where Fukida is resurrected and the scene where Matsuko escapes, he skillfully uses color and sound effects to maximize the sense of fear in the viewer. In addition, the terrifying expression using clay dolls effectively incorporates traditional Japanese horror elements and has a strong visual impact.

The appeal of this work is not just horror, but the way it depicts the depths of human psychology. Fukida's search for "true love" evokes sympathy from the viewer, but its distorted form heightens the horror. Matsuko's fear and despair also encourages strong empathy from the viewer. This ingenious psychological portrayal is a defining feature of Inuki Kanako's work, and its appeal is fully brought out in the anime adaptation.

■Production Background

"Scream Collection: School is Scary!" is known as one of the popular manga series "Scream Collection" by Kanako Inuki. This series is a collection of horror stories set in schools, and is supported by many fans. When it was made into an OVA, there were high expectations from fans of the original work, and it was produced in a way that lived up to those expectations.

The production team was led by Toei Animation and Toei Video, with the cooperation of Kadokawa Shoten. In particular, they focused on character design and background art in order to recreate the sense of horror from the original work in an anime. Sound effects and music also played an important role, and were carefully designed to deepen the viewer's experience of fear.

■Character Analysis

Fumio Kida (Fukida)
Fukida is called "Fukida" by his classmates and is hated by them. However, inside he has a pure heart that seeks "true love". His obsession and twisted expression of love leave a strong impression on the viewer. In particular, the way he comes back to life after dying in a traffic accident and continues to obsess over Matsuko creates not only visual horror but also psychological horror. Fukida's character symbolizes the themes of "love" and "fear" in Inuki Kanako's works.

Matsuko Matsuko is the object of Fukida's obsession and a female student who tries to escape from his twisted love. Her fear and despair invite strong empathy from the viewer. In particular, in the escape scene after Fukida's resurrection, Matsuko's fear is portrayed realistically, shaking the viewer's heart. Matsuko's character serves to emphasize the contrast between Fukida's "love" and "fear."

■ Visual expression and horror

In this work, the visual expression of horror plays a very important role. In particular, the scene where Fukida is resurrected and the terrifying scene using clay dolls have a strong visual impact. Director Kaizawa Yukio skillfully uses color and sound effects to maximize the viewer's sense of fear. The background art also plays an important role, turning an everyday place like a school into a stage for horror, heightening the viewer's sense of anxiety.

Sound effects also play an important role, and in the scene where Fukida is resurrected and Matsuko escapes, the sound effects and music emphasize the sense of horror. In particular, in the scene where the clay doll moves, the sound effects further enhance the visual horror. This combination of visual expression and sound effects makes this film a success in creating horror.

■ Social impact and evaluation

"Scream Collection: School is Scary!" has been highly praised as an animated adaptation of Kanako Inuki's unique perspective and storytelling in the horror genre. In particular, fans of the original work praised the film for its ingenious portrayal of fear and psychological state. It has also been supported by many viewers as a work that stands out among horror anime.

This work succeeds in depicting the depths of human psychology through the theme of a horror story set in a school. Therefore, it was widely accepted not only by horror but also by viewers who are interested in psychological depictions and human dramas. It was also a rare opportunity for fans of Kanako Inuki's work to experience her worldview through anime.

■ Recommendations and related works

For viewers who enjoyed "Scream Collection: School is Scary!", we also recommend Inuki Kanako's other "Scream Collection" series. In particular, "Scream Collection: Night of Terror" and "Scream Collection: House of Mystery" also depict horror stories set in schools, and are not to be missed by fans. Also, for viewers who like horror anime, we recommend "Higurashi When They Cry" and "Another". These works also depict horror stories set in schools, and they enhance not only visual horror but also psychological horror.

Additionally, viewers who are interested in Kanako Inuki's work should also check out her other manga works. In addition to the "Scream Collection" series, she has worked on many horror works such as "House of Fear" and "Mysterious Night", and you can enjoy her unique perspective and storytelling. Also, for readers who like horror manga, we recommend "Hell Teacher Nube" and "Cursed House". These works also depict horror stories set in schools, and they bring out not only visual horror but also psychological horror.

Conclusion

Inuki Kanako's "Scream Collection: School is Scary!" was highly praised as an animated adaptation of her unique perspective and storytelling in the horror genre. In particular, fans of the original work praised the sense of fear and the clever psychological portrayal. It was also supported by many viewers as a work that stands out among horror anime. Through the theme of a horror story set in a school, this work succeeds in depicting the depths of human psychology, and has been widely accepted by viewers who are interested not only in horror but also in psychological portrayals and human dramas. For fans of Inuki Kanako's work, it was a rare opportunity to experience her worldview in an anime. We hope you enjoy this work.