Ju-on is the first in a series of novels based on the Ju-on film series, written by Kei Ohishi and released in 2003. The novel elaborates on the background of Kayako Saeki, Takeo Saeki, and the Saeki murders, also elaborating on the events & characters of Ju-on: The Curse, Ju-on: The Curse 2, and Ju-on: The Grudge.
The novel was translated by Joe Swift[1] and published by Dark Horse Manga in the United States in September 06, 2006. [2]
Synopsis[]
Original cover by Kadokawa.
In Japan, ju-on is a deadly curse that takes on a life of its own. Always seeking new victims, it's a grudge that doesn't stop - it can't be stopped. Anyone unfortunate enough to meet up with a ghost killed by the grudge is then killed-and so it spreads... When a senior citizen outreach volunteer goes to work in a house in a quiet residential area, she soon starts to hear odd noises. As the strange events get more and more ominous, she discovers that some acts of violence can attach themselves to a house and that some evils can reach out and touch you - even after death.
Characters[]
Kayako Saeki- The former wife and first occupant of the Saeki house. One day her husband, Takeo, found the diary she kept on Toshio's school teacher. In response, Takeo angrily stabbed her several times, and crushed her throat. Now her spirit is restless, hunting down any who enter the house, no matter the age.
Takeo Saeki- Thirty year old illustrator and former husband of Kayako. After finding him wife's journal professing love for their son's school teacher, he became obsessed with the idea that Kayako was cheating on him, or that Toshio was not his child, but another man's. When his wife got home, he killed her first, and then murdered Kobayashi's pregnant wife with a knife, including the fetus (which he cut out). Fortunately, he was stabbed by his late wife, Kayako. Now he is also a spirit residing in the house, killing any that enter.
Differences between the film and Novel[]
- In the film, we get everything told in a non linear order around what happened to the Saeki family, however in the novelization, it is told in order.
- There is some more background leading up to the murders. We are also given more information on the characters of Kayako, Takeo, and Toshio.
- Toshio is Kayako's first victim, essentially being taken rather than leaving it ambiguous.
- Kayako's diary plays a more prominent role than in the films. It is first found by Kazumi after the murders five years prior and we are given exactly what Kayako was thinking when people moved into her house in Ju On: The Curse, and Ju On: The Curse 2.
- Kanna's dad is confirmed dead in the novel, whereas we don't know what exactly happened to him in the film.
- In the novel, the events leading up to Hitomi's death are different. In the background, Kayako is present instead of Toshio like in the film. Furthermore, she is called by Kazumi instead of Katsuya. It is also Kazumi who she sees through the peephole.
- In the novel we are given more insight on what Kayako's plans are for Rika, as it is revealed that Kayako essentially wants to turn Rika into an almost carbon copy of her. In the film, we only get a few brief scenes of foreshadowing about Rika's fate.
- Kayako talks somewhat in the novel, but it doesn't happen very much and sometimes is telepathically.
- A lot more background on the characters than there is in the film.
References[]
External links[]
- Profile and preview at Dark Horse Comics