"Do not toy with the supernatural."
Two stories of the consequences that descend upon humans who venture beyond the safe confines of their ordinary worlds.
When a gorgeous girl named Rima transfers into Masami's class, she's not only jealous, but also deathly frightened of her. While the boys in class are tripping all over themselves to get to Rima, Masami's having nightmares of a ghastly visitor and finding scars on her body come morning. She asks a friend to help her get evidence to confirm her suspicions about the new girl. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth far more. The truth can set you free, but it can also be more terrifying than anything you can imagine.
Shy Miko and her more outgoing friend Nanako are enjoying their summer vacation, trying to make the most of their youth. But when horror-movie marathons just aren't thrilling enough, Nanako sets her eyes on a new target: an abandoned mansion at the edge of town, said to be haunted. With two other friends in tow, a reluctant Miko and a gung-ho Nanako enter the mansion. Soon, everything that can go wrong starts going wrong. Only luck or a miracle will allow them manage to escape the mansion with their lives, their sanity, and even their sense of reality.
(Source: Hanako)
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Alpharon
Esta review también está en español. Forgotten Horror, Chapter 2: Umezu Kazuo no Noroi Greetings, and welcome to a new edition of what I hope will be a long cycle in which we could rediscover old movies, series and OVA that nobody saw. Today, I'll bring you a little gem lost in time, called The Curse of Kazuo Umezu. This OVA is composed of two short stories with all that generic horror (but clean, and full of personality) that we, the fans, love so much :D. The first story focuses on Masami, a normal high school girl. One day, a new student comes to her class: it's calledRima, and is popular and beautiful beyond reason. But beauty is not the only thing she brings: with her arrival, Masami begins to experience a series of nightmares that leave her on the edge of madness, which lead her to believe that there's something supernatural linked to that girl...
The second story's about how after a marathon of horror movies (one of which was, of course, The Curse of Kazuo Umezu xD), Miko and Nanako, two normal high school girls, decide to investigate an abandoned house supposedly haunted (where apparently happened homicides, suicides, fire, and God knows what else) to see if that could scare them. You know, if they watched all those horror movies, they should know that this kind of enterprise never ends well...
So, neither of the stories are brilliant, or hiper original, and the plot twist can be predictable for the veterans of the genre... but damn it, both stories are fun and very well done (with a few issues here and there, but nothing two big). All we need is there: blood, dismemberment, monsters, and characters not very smart (which make them perfect victims... specially in the second ep :D).
For the visuals... you know, I had ready a great paragraph in which I basically say that even if this look primitive, it was justificable due its antiquity, and it had all the charm of those early 80's animes... sadly, some info checking later, I learned that this was created in the early 90's... If you don't understand what I'm saying, I'll be more direct: this OVA look way worse than it should. The character desings is average for the main characters (except during the screaming... God, they look beyond weird when they scream...), and plain awful for the side ones. The work is not better in the sceneries, all of them show little detail, and the sharpness is not that good either (sometimes there's too much brightness, sometimes there's too little). The animation is meh, and the movement of the character is sometimes weird, with the frame rate failing a few times: it looks like they jump between pictures xD (not at the level of Speed Racer, but still).
With all that it may look like I hate the aesthetic of this OVA. Nothing further from reality: as I said, I found the retro vibe pretty cool, and I like the old animation (if the quality is acceptable... not like, sorry to bring it up again, Speed Racer), but I'm supposed to be moderately neutral, and say things in the most objective way.
Sound's fine. The voices are correct, the seiyuus don't overact (except for a few screamings... although, that's more the animation fault xD) and sound good. The music also meets the expectation, giving a good ambientation, especially in the tension parts.
So, despite the visual defects, Mr. Umezu gives us two entertaining stories. To give you an idea, this OVA remind me a lot to the Tales from the Crypt (wich is a relatively old series, but I'm sure many of you remember it n_n). Good, classic horror with lot of charisma (and a few plot nonsense here and there), that entertain in ways that not many anime can. There's even a supernatural host, who comment about the characters, the stories, and even give a few twisted aesops! (just like the good ol' Crypt Keeper).
I highly recommend this OVA for those who like classic horror, and for those looking for frightening anime (which is pretty hard to find). I not only loved this, I ended wanting more (I really believe this could make a great 26 ep series), though, of course, after 22 years, waiting for a sequel is kind of ridiculous xD. So, don't be superficial and give The Curse of Kazuo Umezu a try!
Well, that's all for today. See ya in chapter 3! (btw, chapter 1 is Hell Target, a sci-fi/horror OVA. Just check the proper review to see if it attract you :D).
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Terror olvidado, capitulo 2: Umezu Kazuo no Noroi
Buenos días. En esta nueva edición de lo que espero sea un largo ciclo de OVAS/películas/series paleolíticas que nadie vio, hoy les traigo una pequeña joya llamada La maldición de Kazuo Umezu. Esta OVA de menos de una hora de duración nos trae dos historias cortas con todo ese terror genérico (pero lleno de personalidad) que a los fanáticos del genero nos gusta tanto :D.
La primera historia se enfoca en Masami, una chica común de secundaria. Un día, una nueva estudiante llega a su clase: se llama Rima, y es hermosa y popular más allá de lo razonable. Pero belleza no es lo único que trae: con su llegada, Masami empieza a experimentar una serie de pesadillas que la dejan al borde de la locura, y que la convencen de que hay algo sobrenatural relacionado con esa chica...
La segunda historia es sobre cómo después de un maratón de películas de terror (una de las cuales era, justamente, La maldición de Kazuo Umezu xD), Miko y Nanako, dos chicas de secundaria comunes y corrientes, deciden ir a investigar una casa abandonada supuestamente embrujada (donde, según parece hubo homicidios, suicidios, incendios, y anda saber cuántas cosas mas), para ver si eso realmente las asusta. Para haber visto tantas películas, deberían saber que ese tipo de aventuras nunca termina bien...
Así que, ninguna de las dos historias son brillantes, o hiper originales, y sus giros pueden ser bastante predecibles para aquellos que tengan un poco de experiencia en el genero... pero mierda, son muy entretenidas, y bien típicas. Todo lo que necesitamos está ahí: sangre, desmembramiento, monstruos, y protagonistas no muy inteligentes (o sea, las victimas perfectas... especialmente en la segunda historia :D).
Para la animación... saben? Tenía listo un párrafo genial, en la que decía que aunque esto se veía bastante primitivo, era justificable debido a su antigüedad, y contaba con todo el encanto de principios de los 80... Tristemente, cuando me fije cuando había sido hecho, note que era un producto de los 90... Si no entienden a lo que apunto, voy a ser más directo: esta OVA se ve mucho peor de lo que debería. El diseño de personajes cumple en cuanto a los protagonistas (la mayoría del tiempo... cuando, por ejemplo, gritan, se ven raros...), pero los demás son mísero relleno. En los escenarios tampoco pusieron mucho esfuerzo, tienen poco detalle, y la nitidez hace que a veces sea difícil distinguir algo (a veces hay poco brillo, otras hay mucho brillo). La animación es meh, y el movimiento de los personajes a veces parece, como si se saltaran cuadros xD.
Con todo lo dicho parece que odio a esta OVA a nivel estético. Nada más lejos de la realidad, como ya dije, me pareció que tenía una onda retro genial, y a mí me gusta la animación vieja (siempre y cuando se deje ver... no como Meteoro, que era un dolor en los bajos), pero se supone que tengo que ser moderadamente neutral, y decir las cosas de la forma más objetiva posible.
El sonido cumple. Las voces son correctas, los seiyuus no sobreactúan (excepto cuando gritan... aunque la animación tampoco ayuda mucho en eso xD) y suenan bien. La música también cumple su cometido, especialmente en los momentos de tensión máxima.
Entonces, pese a sus defectos visuales, el señor Umezu nos regala dos historias entretenidas con las que matar el tiempo. Para que se hagan una idea, esta OVA me recuerda mucho a los Cuentos de la Cripta (se que es una serie un tanto vieja, pero estoy seguro de que muchos de ustedes la conocen n_n). Horror del bueno, aunque un poco genérico, y con algún que otro detallito argumental que queda en el aire, pero que entretiene de formas que no muchos otros animes hacen. Hasta hay un presentador sobrenatural, que hace comentarios sobre los protagonistas, las historias, y de cómo uno nunca debería jugar con lo sobrenatural!
Recomiendo ampliamente esta OVA para aquellos a los que les guste el terror clásico, y para aquellos que busquen anime de horror (que es bastante difícil de encontrar). No solo me encanto, si no que termine con ganas de mucho mas (me parece que hubiera sido una serie de 26 capítulos excelente), aunque claro, después de 12 años, como que esperar una secuela es medio ridículo xD. Así que, no sean superficiales, y denle a La maldición de Kazuo Umezu una oportunidad!
Bueno, eso es todo por hoy. Nos vemos en un futuro no muy lejano n_n
...y por cierto, el capitulo 1 es Hell Target, una OVA de horror/ciencia ficción. Chequeen mi review para ver si les atrae :D
GatesOfOblivion
Sound Sound Sound Sound Sound. 50% why this OVA works so well was because of effective usage of sound. They did something rare. They gave room to build an atmosphere with it at the helm. Environmental ambience and the soundtrack brought these stories to life. It wasn't anything groundbreaking storywise, but for what it is, it was great. I didn't think i would ever say this.. You should watch this for Halloween. It's just about the perfect anime for that time of year. And how timely of me, i got to write this review just in time for this year's Samhain.. Edit: Okay. So i noticed an unfaircriticism towards The Curse of Kazuo Umezu. And i feel the need to elaborate. We.. have to rate this in accordance with it's time. This is not a recent work to which you can apply the same modern logic to.
It knows what it is. A simple scarefest. Let's leave it at that.. You were never going to get more, i wasn't expecting to get more personally. And left the viewing satisfied.
WILDskf
Two fun little ghost stories to watch on a rainy night .... The first story tells about Masami and the pretty new girl Rima that transfers to her school. After her arrival, Masami has terrible dreams and feelings regarding her... believing Rima to be a vampire.... but what will the video camera reveal? The second story is about two high-school aged friends Miko and Nanako who decide to investigate an old mansion on the edge of town for ghosts .... what will they find? The stories themselves are pretty stereotypical, and honestly, the animation and music are not that great. (The music is 80s synthesizer-tastic) I still foundthis fun to watch; although we knew something terrible was going to happen, it kept me guessing exactly what it was going to be. Also, try to see how many times you can find "Kazuo Umezu" throughout both stories... the name makes plenty of cameos ;)
If you are looking for a cheap scare, this is a good little OVA to turn to.
KamuiX1999
Wow, this was something completely different! Why isn't there more horror anime like this? It's basically a great '80s/'90s type horror anthology, just in an animated form, that tells two genuinely creepy tales. It doesn't have any of the usual anime tropes of the time whatsoever, it just wants to tell some great horror stories in the most authentic way possible. The animation literally looks like Umezu's artwork come to life, which is a beautiful thing to see. The soundtrack is incredibly effective as well. The more I see (and read) of Kazuo Umezu's work, the more it saddens me that his stuff isn't aswell known or held in as high regard outside of Japan as Junji Ito's work. The dude knows how to tell some twisted, freaky stuff, and this is one of the finest examples outside of his original manga stuff. Even if you have zero interest in older anime, if you like horror, this is well worth tracking down and spending 45 minutes with.
tomateunmate
Si leés castellano este ova está en youtube. The only Umezu manga I've read is Fourteen, but for what I've seen this OVA adapts his style really well. You can see how it bleeds into other horror artists influenced by him like Junji Ito. The strongest point of this OVA has to be the character art, mainly face expressions. The animation is a bit lacking but still great for a small 1990 OVA. Very few static shots or cheap slides but nothing impressive either. The key moments of gore have a lot of work put on them making them great gifs if you want to section them. Thestories are original enough, I think most people will laugh a bit. Which realistically is the best outcome for a horror anime.If anyone can explain to me why the singer of The Cure had to present and exit the OVA I'd love to know.
ThisSilenceIs
Any horror fan knows that sometimes, you just want to wrap yourself in a blanket and watch a 6/10, low-budget, cliche horror. This is the epitome of the "6/10 cliche horror movie" This is not terrifying, but definitely unnerving enough, especially the second story, and is no doubt help by the VHS compression. As for the visuals, the artstyle does a good job at copying Umezu's style and, while the animation is stilted, its jankiness suits well Umezu's work Also, kinda sad that this is the only horror anime by Umezu and this is FAR from his best work, but I still highly recommend watching this oneas a cheap thrill if you're bored one evening
LuxuriousHeart
This is an OVA that's spliced into two stories. The first is about a beautiful transfer student and weird things happening because of it. The second is about a group of girls exploring a mansion. Pretty standard stories. If you're into horror, then you've seen similar plots. What makes this good is the creepy vibes and expressions. Some of the expressions are unsettling, as are the designs. It makes for an enjoyable experience, and there's even a few plot twists. Some people would complain that some of the stories are cliche, but do remember. The mangathat these stories are likely based on, were written in the 60s. Kazuo Umezu basically published the very first horror manga, which was in the 60s, so do keep that in mind.
I think it was a nice and quick watch. For the spooky season, I'm watching and reading a bunch of Shoujo and Josei animanga, and this was actually good. The only criticism is that the animation is a bit stilted. A few awkward pauses. Though other than that, I liked it. The music, expression, and the background art made it creepy. The art is very Shoujo, which makes sense because Kazuo Umezu is a Shoujo mangaka. I recommend this OVA.
HaGriDoS
Tbh,im completely surprised.I thought this will be a pile of trash but it was actually fine,well besides the first story which was bad,very bad,but the second creeped me out which not happens often. The second story reminded me of old Scooby Doo movies,it basically was one but for adults. The sound is very good,it makes half of work in setting up the mood which modern horror animes unfortunately lack. I dont have much to say about the first story besides it was weird and not good kind of weird. The only bad thing i have to say about the whole anime is its look, i couldntfind version that isnt a blurry mess.
