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OtapediaJigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi

Background

The dark supernatural anime series Jigoku Shoujo (or Hell Girl ) first aired in Oct. 2005. It was directed by Takahiro Omori with an original story by Hiroshi Watanabe and animation by Studio DEEN.

The series consists of mostly self-contained episodes following a particular character as they deal with some kind of suffering that makes them want revenge on their tormentor. They eventually contact Ai Enma (the “Hell Girl”) through the Hell Correspondence, a site (and later cellphone-accessible version) where they can put the name of someone they want to have killed.

Ai then presents them with a doll with a red string around its neck. If they pull the string, their tormentor will then be tormented by Ai and her companions before the tormentor is given a chance to repent. If the person doesn’t repent, they’re then ferried to Hell. The cost of this is that in pulling the string, the person who made the contract with Ai agrees to go to Hell after they die, as well. The contract can be made and carried out regardless of guilt, and Ai and her partners complete it without fail.

Through each story, viewers also get to learn about Ai and her companions including Wanyuudou, Ren Ichimoku, and Hone Onna. Ai herself is usually cold, although she does occasionally show a bit more attention towards innocent clients and victims. It’s revealed later in the series that she has been ordered by the Master of Hell to close her emotions off, although she does defy this occasionally.

Taking the appearance of an old man, Wanyuudou was previously a tsukumogami, a type of spirit that exists in objects that have existed more than 100 years. In his case, he was the wheel of a carriage and is at least 400 years old. He’s a calm and cool-headed character who’s very obedient to Ai.

Similar to Wanyuudou, Ren Ichimoku was also a tsukumogami (a katana) and, as a non-human, has difficulty understanding humans. He listens closely to Ai but becomes more attached and sympathetic towards innocent clients than Wanyuudou.

Lastly, Hone Onna is an elegant woman who dresses in classic Japanese clothes and seems to have been a geisha in the past but became a yokai. She’s generally calm but does have an angry streak. She’s also able to travel between the normal world and the Realm of Eternal Twilight like Ai, Kikuri, the other companions, and the Master of Hell.

Following a successful first season, Jigoku Shoujo then had two sequels: Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori (Oct. 2006) and Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae (Oct. 2008).

Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi

The newest story, Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi, will dive into the background of a mysterious girl who has appeared before Ai. Voiced by Michiru Misaki, the girl’s name is Michiru and she has no memory of who she is or why she’s there, and Ai takes it upon herself to find out about her. The season will include six brand-new episodes, and six “reminiscence” episodes chosen from past seasons will also be aired.

Voice actors from previous seasons will be making their return including Mamiko Noto as Ai Enma, Takayuki Sugo as Wanyuudou, Takako Honda as Hone Onna, Masaya Matsukaze Shiina as Yamawaro, and Sakai Kanako as Kikuri.

The main staff is returning, as well, including Takahiro Omori ( Jigoku Shoujo, Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, Durarara!! ) making his return as director and Studio DEEN working on animation. The story is written by Hiroshi Watanabe (who also proposed the story for season three and directed it) with character design by Mariko Oka ( Jigoku Shoujo seasons 1-3, First Love Monster ), series composition by Kenichi Kanemaki ( Jigoku Shoujo, Ai Yori Aoshi, Natsume’s Book of Friends ), and music by Yasuharu Takanashi ( Fairy Tail, Sailor Moon Crystal ).

The series will be airing in July 2017 on MBS, Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11, and it will feature an opening named “Noise” by Mio Yamazaki and ending theme named “Irogami” by Mamiko Noto (Enma).

Cast

  • Ai Enma: Mamiko Noto
  • Wanyuudou: Takayuki Sugo
  • Hone Onna: Takako Honda
  • Ren Ichimoku: Masaya Matsukaze
  • Yamawaro: Hekiru Shiina
  • Kikuri: Kanako Sakai
  • Michiru: Misaki Watada

Staff

  • Director: Takahiro Omori
  • Original Concept: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Character Design: Mariko Oka
  • Series Composition: Kenichi Kanemaki
  • Music: Yasuharu Takanashi
  • Studio: Studio DEEN

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