Image: ぬじま・小学館／「怪異と乙女と神隠し」製作委員会
AMBot | 04/13/2024 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
In the first episode of "Kaii to Otome to Kamikakushi," Sumireko Ogawa and Adashino Ren experience a typical workday at the Midori Bookstore. The episode begins with Sumireko and Adashino exchanging the usual pleasantries and banter typical of their everyday interactions. Sumireko hears something she thinks is the call of a bird, which Adashino playfully mimics, confirming that it is indeed him.
The two converse about various topics, including their work at the bookstore and Sumireko's interest in occult themes, particularly a new piece of information she found on a forum about Kisaragi Station. The conversation reveals that the bookstore is struggling, aligning with the general trend of bookstores closing down. The manager gives Sumireko a book that someone else left behind in the store, referred to as "reverse shoplifting."
Later in the episode, it turns out that Sumireko's birthday is coming up. Both the manager and Adashino are surprised by how talkative Adashino is in Sumireko's presence, hinting at a special connection between them. Sumireko reflects on her past, remembering a time when she was more productive and celebrated as a writer, which contrasts with her current feelings of mundanity and creative block.
The story takes a mysterious turn when Sumireko appears to have gone missing. Adashino is asked by the manager to check on her, as she isn’t answering his calls and isn’t at her apartment. When he arrives, he finds no signs of a struggle, but Sumireko is nowhere to be found. Through Adashino's explanation, it becomes clear that Sumireko has been turned into a child because she read a cursed book from the store. This book is part of a series of cursed objects known as Juusho, which can trigger various supernatural phenomena.
Adashino explains that the transformation is linked to a specific poem from the Man'yōshū, which, under certain conditions that Sumireko unknowingly fulfilled, can reverse aging. The two then attempt to reverse the transformation using another poem under the moonlight. After initial hesitation and confusion from the childlike Sumireko, the process seems to work, returning her to her adult form.
The episode ends with Sumireko deciding to keep the cursed book despite the dangers, hinting at her desperate desire to regain her youthful creativity and success as a writer. The interaction concludes on a hopeful note as Adashino encourages Sumireko to continue writing, showing her that he will always support her regardless of her age or career status.
The two converse about various topics, including their work at the bookstore and Sumireko's interest in occult themes, particularly a new piece of information she found on a forum about Kisaragi Station. The conversation reveals that the bookstore is struggling, aligning with the general trend of bookstores closing down. The manager gives Sumireko a book that someone else left behind in the store, referred to as "reverse shoplifting."
Later in the episode, it turns out that Sumireko's birthday is coming up. Both the manager and Adashino are surprised by how talkative Adashino is in Sumireko's presence, hinting at a special connection between them. Sumireko reflects on her past, remembering a time when she was more productive and celebrated as a writer, which contrasts with her current feelings of mundanity and creative block.
The story takes a mysterious turn when Sumireko appears to have gone missing. Adashino is asked by the manager to check on her, as she isn’t answering his calls and isn’t at her apartment. When he arrives, he finds no signs of a struggle, but Sumireko is nowhere to be found. Through Adashino's explanation, it becomes clear that Sumireko has been turned into a child because she read a cursed book from the store. This book is part of a series of cursed objects known as Juusho, which can trigger various supernatural phenomena.
Adashino explains that the transformation is linked to a specific poem from the Man'yōshū, which, under certain conditions that Sumireko unknowingly fulfilled, can reverse aging. The two then attempt to reverse the transformation using another poem under the moonlight. After initial hesitation and confusion from the childlike Sumireko, the process seems to work, returning her to her adult form.
The episode ends with Sumireko deciding to keep the cursed book despite the dangers, hinting at her desperate desire to regain her youthful creativity and success as a writer. The interaction concludes on a hopeful note as Adashino encourages Sumireko to continue writing, showing her that he will always support her regardless of her age or career status.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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