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Sex: Male Occupation: Office Worker Curse Echo: The Whispering Canal Shogo is an unremarkable young man entering his third year of working in the planning department at Hihaku Soaps, a chemicals comp... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Office Worker Curse Echo: The Whispering Canal Shogo is an unremarkable young man entering his third year of working in the planning department at Hihaku Soaps, a chemicals company headquartered in Sumida. * * * Born in western Tokyo to an ordinary family around the same time as the birth of color TV, he grew up amidst the boom of special effects-heavy action films, anime, variety shows, professional baseball, and pop music. Shogo graduated from a famous private university in Tokyo, and has since settled into an apolitical mindset —common among those of his generation— with no strong ideas and no particular dissatisfaction with the world as it develops around him. He is content to just go with the flow, having stumbled into his current position by pure chance, and it is safe to assume he will follow the stereotypical path of working his way up the ladder, starting a family, and remaining at the same company until retirement. He plays folk guitar as a hobby and is currently looking for a girlfriend.

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Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: The Fool's Procession Yakko is a student in Class 2C at Komagata High School. Unable to comprehend why her childhood friend and classmate, ... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: The Fool's Procession Yakko is a student in Class 2C at Komagata High School. Unable to comprehend why her childhood friend and classmate, Michiyo Shiraishi, committed suicide, she attempted to investigate the incident herself. However, she was unable to make any progress and, feeling desperate, invited transfer student Mio Kurosuzu to join her in performing a spirit board ritual. * * * Born and raised in Honjo, Sumida City, Yakko's family has owned and operated the beloved Candy Shop Sennoya since its establishment in the early Showa era. Despite her modest appearance, Yakko is a cheerful and vivacious young woman with a sense of duty and compassion so strong that she is easily moved to tears. She is also a bit quick-tempered and quarrelsome, always prepared to stand up against those who harm her family or friends. It is possible, however, that this readiness to fight is more driven by an innate love of chaos. Yakko's winning streak against arrogant boys in scraps since she was a child remains unbroken, and is the source of considerable stress for her mother.

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Sex: Female Occupation: Housewife Curse Echo: The Haunting Clappers Harue is a housewife who resides in a manor near Shumoku Bridge. Her eleven-year-old son, Shuichi, was kidnapped and murder... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: Housewife Curse Echo: The Haunting Clappers Harue is a housewife who resides in a manor near Shumoku Bridge. Her eleven-year-old son, Shuichi, was kidnapped and murdered about a year ago. The death was the result of a mistake on the part of the detective assigned to the case — a mistake which enraged the kidnapper and had him cut off all contact with the police, leaving no room for negotiation. The incident was covered up and Shuichi's killer remains at large, leading the aggrieved Harue to call on the services of private investigator Richter Kai to uncover the truth. * * * The Shigima family came from a line of samurai who built their residence in Honjo during the Edo period. They assumed important positions in the police force following the Meiji Revolution, thereby protecting their family's elevated status. Even today, many in the Shigima line work as police bureaucrats and senior police officers. Harue's father sits in the upper echelons of the National Police Agency, and her husband, adopted into the Shigima clan through an arranged marriage, is also a highly respected Agency official. However, as her family prioritizes work above all else, it wasn't long before Harue's marriage grew cold. Though she wants for nothing, she is isolated from her neighbors and withdrawn from society. Seeing her son grow into a young man gave Harue a purpose in life, but it was cut short by the kidnapping incident. Following the incident, Harue spent many days in a deep depression, breaking into sudden fits of shouting and wandering around in the middle of the night. Her cheerful, loving disposition faded away, and she took to making snide remarks at her husband, which only further soured their relationship. A few months ago, Harue's husband was transferred to another area for work and now rarely returns home, with Harue left to live in the large, empty mansion alone. As a housekeeper who has been with the family for a long time comes in to take care of all the housework, Harue has nothing but time on her hands.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Chief Inspector Curse Echo: The Evergreen Beech The gruff police detective that Shogo Okiie met at Midoricho Park. Tetsuo is a veteran detective with the Tokyo Metropoli... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Chief Inspector Curse Echo: The Evergreen Beech The gruff police detective that Shogo Okiie met at Midoricho Park. Tetsuo is a veteran detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, First Investigative Division. He was possessed by the Evergreen Beech curse echo while investigating the Former Yasuda Gardens. Previously a member of the secret Paranormal Affairs Bureau within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Security Division, he makes use of this experience to investigate the ongoing large-scale curse incident with his partner, Jun Erio. * * * Rather than sitting behind a desk, Chief Inspector Tsutsumi always worked in the field as he moved his way up the police force. Behind his stern face lies a compassionate man ever prepared to help his fellow officers. That same attentiveness to his work and colleagues, however, cost Tetsuo his marriage several years ago. Tetsuo has a penchant for candy and desserts, which he tries (but fails) to conceal from other officers at the risk of of appearing soft. He delights in buying local sweets wherever he is sent to investigate a case and would often volunteer to be dispatched to distant locations to acquire them while he was with the Paranormal Affairs Bureau. He is also surprisingly knowledgeable about current trends, a trait he puts down to investigation related research, but which is actually spurred by his with to have something to discuss with his daughter.

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Sex: Female Occupation: Beautician Curse Echo: Mayu is a beautician and the fiancée of Hajime Yoshimi, a police officer with the Sumida Police Department. read more

Sex: Female Occupation: Beautician Curse Echo: Mayu is a beautician and the fiancée of Hajime Yoshimi, a police officer with the Sumida Police Department.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Detective Curse Echo: The fresh-faced police detective that Shogo Okiie met at Midoricho Park. Jun is a young detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, First Inve... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Detective Curse Echo: The fresh-faced police detective that Shogo Okiie met at Midoricho Park. Jun is a young detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, First Investigation Division with the rank of sergeant. Jun encountered a curse echo while investigating the mysterious death of his colleague, Hajime Yoshimi, in the Former Yasuda Gardens with Tetsuo Tsutsumi. When Tetsuo explained to him that the supernatural is real, he accepted this fact without a moment's hesitation, and vowed to help his partner to solve the case. * * * Born to a relatively well-off household, Jun developed a healthy sense of self-esteem and an optimistic outlook on life. Although watching action movies and detective series as a child instilled in him a desire to help those in need, it was the sight of Tetsuo Tsutsumi —who was in charge of investigating a case Jun was involved in as a student— that truly inspired him to become a police officer. While Jun still maintains a strong respect for Tetsuo, he also gets much enjoyment out of making casual cracks to get a rise out of the veteran officer. As an adult, Jun continues to hold on to the faint hope that the world is as he pictured in his youth — a thrilling place in which superhuman heroes do battle against secret evil organizations. He attended the police academy with Richter Kai, who is now a private investigator. The two initially became friendly when Jun found Richter holed up alone in the reference room scouring over old crime data, and invited him to go bowling, a popular pastime during this era.

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Sex: Female Occupation: Housekeeper Curse Echo: After obtaining a junior college degree, Yoko started working as a housekeeper. Due to her ability to see things others cannot, she has received strange looks from a young age. This ability spurred an inte... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: Housekeeper Curse Echo: After obtaining a junior college degree, Yoko started working as a housekeeper. Due to her ability to see things others cannot, she has received strange looks from a young age. This ability spurred an interest in the paranormal which she continues to pursue to this day. * * * Following graduation, Yoko worked a desk job at a trading company, but butted heads with her supervisor —who was skeptical of the supernatural— and quit within a year. Now, while working as a housekeeper, she spends her days devouring mystery magazines and visiting haunted spots. As she vowed to live life true to herself and never change for the sake of others, Yoko has no regrets about the path she has taken. Yoko has a dog — a Shiba Ino named Ogopogo who has been by her side since she was a student.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Private Investigator Curse Echo: The eccentric man that Shogo Okiie ran into at Ho'onji Bridge. Richter is actually a private investigator with an office in Ota City, Tokyo. Aft... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Private Investigator Curse Echo: The eccentric man that Shogo Okiie ran into at Ho'onji Bridge. Richter is actually a private investigator with an office in Ota City, Tokyo. After taking on a request from Harue Shigima to investigate the unsolved kidnapping and murder of her son, he gets caught up in the events surrounding the Rite of Resurrection. * * * Once a police officer, Richter was wracked with guilt over the police's inability to help all those in need, and quit the force to start his won private investigation firm. However, his softhearted nature leads him to take on too many cases and has put his office in dire financial straits. How he is still in business is a mystery, with some whispering that a wealthy patron is keeping him afloat. Richter studied alongside detective Jun Erio at the police academy. Somewhat surprisingly —given his outlandish clothing and mannerisms— Richter excels at covert investigations and tailing his targets. He proudly refers to himself as an investigator extraordinaire, though that only ever succeeds at impressing himself. Richter's biggest source of happiness is nuzzling his pet female albino parakeet —Ernestine— which he keeps in his office. He also enjoys collecting Mocking Bird stickers, a popular line of merchandise featuring birds inexplicably dressed like delinquents, and can be frequently sighted searching around town for them. While out and about, Richter typically leaves the office (and, more importantly, Ernestine) in the care of Amamori, a junior high schooler who volunteered to assist Richter after being involved in a previous case.

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Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Mio transferred to Class 2C at Komagata High School about two months ago. Although she is an extremely mild-mannered young woman, she exudes a somewhat off-putting dark aura which makes it difficul... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Mio transferred to Class 2C at Komagata High School about two months ago. Although she is an extremely mild-mannered young woman, she exudes a somewhat off-putting dark aura which makes it difficult for her to form friendships. Mio has, however, found a friend in her classmate Yakko Sakazaki, and has begun opening up to her little by little. * * * The truth of the matter is that Mio is the apprentice of a famous psychic. Possessing exceptional spirit sense, she takes on the troublesome task of surreptitiously handling spiritual disturbances that break out in schools across Tokyo before they become a problem. She transfers schools frequently as a result, and thus has trouble making human friends. Mio has already solved an incident at Komagata High School involving a female student possessed by a spirit. Although she takes effort to hide her spirit sense, many develop an impression that Mio has a deep knowledge of the occult and the paranormal upon first meeting her — leading her to be anxious that her secrets have been exposed. The most common comment she receives is that she seems tonged along well with crows and black cats.

Sex: ? Occupation: ??? The Storyteller guides those who visit PARANORMASIGHT. Everything else about him remains a mystery.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Local History Researcher Curse Echo: Hideki is a historian who works part-time as a curator at the local folk museum and as a teacher at Komagata High School. His recent publication on the Rite of Resurrection has caused a stir in ... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Local History Researcher Curse Echo: Hideki is a historian who works part-time as a curator at the local folk museum and as a teacher at Komagata High School. His recent publication on the Rite of Resurrection has caused a stir in occult circles. * * * Hideki is the quintessential obsessive teacher. Despite being entirely unsuited for teaching, he had no choice but to take a position at Komagata High School in order to make ends meet. While having a captive audience in his classes goes some way to satisfy his need for respect and recognition, his conceited nature makes him unpopular among the students. Lately, he is concerned that articles he contributed for purely monetary reasons have earned him a reputation as a researcher of the occult, but the surge of interest in the topic and the resulting volume of article requests he is receiving are undeniably tempting. Hideki is a regular at the Kurokiyo Cafe on Hokusai Street, where he can be found outside his work hours writing essays and manuscripts. His published books include "A Study of the Unknown" and "An Introduction to Bando History."

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The curse echo of The Foot-Washing Mansion. Curse: Kills by crushing one who hears the command, "Wash!" Its curse bearer is Yutaro Namigaki. Resentful Memory: read more

The curse echo of The Foot-Washing Mansion. Curse: Kills by crushing one who hears the command, "Wash!" Its curse bearer is Yutaro Namigaki. Resentful Memory:

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Sex: Male Occupation: High School Janitor Curse Echo: Makoto is the janitor at Komagata High School. His predecessor was nearing retirement, so he began working as his replacement about six months ago. * * *... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: High School Janitor Curse Echo: Makoto is the janitor at Komagata High School. His predecessor was nearing retirement, so he began working as his replacement about six months ago. * * * Makoto is popular among the students for his friendly and caring nature, going so far as to remember the names and faces of all those attending the school. He is affectionally known as Old Man Ashimiya. Although he appears to be a simple, amiable man, Makoto's occasional shrewd remarks have led to speculation among students that he may have led a far more interesting life than it seems. Whatever the truth may be, he will be remembered as one of the Seven Mysteries of Komagata High School for some time to come.

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Sex: Male Occupation: High School Teacher Curse Echo: Kohei is an English teacher and the homeroom teacher for Class 2C at Komagata High School. He was seen alone with Hitomi Okuda in a classroom lat... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: High School Teacher Curse Echo: Kohei is an English teacher and the homeroom teacher for Class 2C at Komagata High School. He was seen alone with Hitomi Okuda in a classroom late at night by Yakko and Mio. * * * Kohei was an honor student and top of his class back in his high school days. The apple of his parents' eyes, he was placed under immense pressure to attend a first-rate university. The family's plans came to naught, however, when the pressure caused Kohei to sink into a deep depression and fail his entrance exam. Even at the university he was able to enter, Kohei struggled to keep up with his classes, leaving him a vain but wounded young man. Kohei never aspired to be a teacher, but figured it was the least he could do with his talents. He considers his students to be beneath him, and largely looks down on them all.

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Sex: Male Occupation: University Student Curse Echo: The Foot-Washing Mansion The young man encountered at Ryogoku Bridge. He didn't hide the fact that he was a curse bearer. * * * Yutaro is an elite... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: University Student Curse Echo: The Foot-Washing Mansion The young man encountered at Ryogoku Bridge. He didn't hide the fact that he was a curse bearer. * * * Yutaro is an elite student at a prestigious university. He lives off the generous allowance he receives from his parents, who are both prominent local figures. Although Yutaro has lived a charmed material life, emotional neglect at home has caused him to developed a spoiled, egotistical streak. The only kindness he knew growing up was from his family's maid, and he still fondly thinks of the plain rice with butter they used to enjoy together.

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The curse echo of The Whispering Canal. Curse: Kills by drowning one who leaves the curse bearer behind. Its curse bearer is Shogo Okiie. Resentful Memory: Toki loved fishing with her father Jinkichi... read more

The curse echo of The Whispering Canal. Curse: Kills by drowning one who leaves the curse bearer behind. Its curse bearer is Shogo Okiie. Resentful Memory: Toki loved fishing with her father Jinkichi more than anything. With her wicker baskets on their backs, they would leave for the canal every morning and fish till the evening. The miso soup her mother Koma made using the carp they caught was to die for. Her parents loved her dearly. One day, however, her father disappeared. Toki's mother went to look for him and never came back either. Those who came to express their concern eventually stopped visiting her out of fear. Toki continued to wait, all alone. "Mother, Father, where did you go? Don't leave me behind..." Unable to bear the loneliness, she left home and trudged along the roads until night fell. Neither her mother nor father were anywhere to be found. Tears stung her eyes. Suddenly, the sound of fish splashing in the water cut through the silence. She found herself standing before the canal where they used to fish together. The taste of carp and the memory of her father's smile flashed across her mind. Without thinking, Toki walked into the moat. The sound of water splashing echoed throughout the night air. Passerby thought go it only as the fish in the canal. The splashing faded, and silence returned to the lonely night.

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Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Hitomi is a rebellion student in Class 2A at Komagata High School. On the rare occasion when she does show up to school, she skips all her classes and spends her time hanging out on the rooftop wit... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Hitomi is a rebellion student in Class 2A at Komagata High School. On the rare occasion when she does show up to school, she skips all her classes and spends her time hanging out on the rooftop with her fellow troublemakers. Hitomi is regarded by the teachers as one of the worst offenders among the delinquent students attending Komagata High School. * * * Hitomi was a fairly ordinary student when she started high school, however, trouble at home in her first year had her take a turn for the worse. She began associating with a group of delinquents from other schools, with whom she'd wander around town at night to avoid returning home. Warnings from teachers about dress code and conduct violations have fallen on deaf ears, with Hitomi going on reactionary rampages around school with her friends, breaking windows and disrupting classes. Recently, some teachers have taken to using harsher measures and even corporal punishment to correct Hitomi's behavior, but this has only served to exacerbate the animosity between Hitomi and the school. Hitomi is widely regarded as the leader of the troublemakers at Komagata High School, but the title does not mean much to her.

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Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Michiyo was a second-year student at Komagata High School. She was found deceased one week ago in a back alley off South Warigesui Street, her entire body broken and severely contorted. Police dete... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: High School Student Curse Echo: Michiyo was a second-year student at Komagata High School. She was found deceased one week ago in a back alley off South Warigesui Street, her entire body broken and severely contorted. Police determined that Michiyo committed suicide by jumping from a nearby apartment building. As there was no suicide note, the police based their conclusion on interviews with Michiyo's peers. * * * Michiyo was an honor student with a good head on her shoulders and consistently excellent grades, making her a favorite among the teachers. Although she appeared somewhat reserved, she had a positive outlook on life and a courageous spirit. Michiyo and Yakko formed a long-lasting friendship during childhood, with Yakko's unbending, uncompromising attitude deeply influencing Michiyo. However, beneath her strong exterior, Michiyo had been pushing herself too hard and keeping her emotions bottled up to the point that they risked overflowing. Following her father's death three years ago and moving to a new house, Michiyo began avoiding Yakko. Although the two remained in the same area of town and attended the same high school, they gradually grew further apart. Yakko herself worried for her childhood friend, but, incapable of wading into complexities of Michiyo's life, kept her distance. The days passed, and though Michiyo longed to confess everything to Yakko, the moment to do so never came. Michiyo carried an old talisman —a memento of her father— with her at all times.

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Sex: Female Occupation: University Student Curse Echo: Ayame is a young woman working with Yutaro Namigaki. Her love of Katsushika Hokusai's ukiy... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: University Student Curse Echo: Ayame is a young woman working with Yutaro Namigaki. Her love of Katsushika Hokusai's ukiyo-e is so great that she wishes to resurrect him with the Rite of Resurrection. * * * Ayame is a clever but calculating university student who only has time for her own interests. She is making the best of a recent boom in popularity of female university students incited by their appearance across TV commercials and radio programs. Ayame is content to ride this trend so long as it allows her to get her hands on whatever she needs and wants in life. Recently, Ayame has figured out that older men will fall for her if she acts a little bit stupid. She was approached by Yutaro Namigaki in town and, although she was not attracted to him, agreed to date him because his family seemed rich. However, she does not think much of him as a human being and is beginning to grow bored of their relationship.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Community Safety Officer Curse Echo: Hajime was a police officer with the Sumida City Community Safety Bureau, and was primarily responsible for juvenile and education cases. He held the rank of Head Patrol Officer, and entered the... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Community Safety Officer Curse Echo: Hajime was a police officer with the Sumida City Community Safety Bureau, and was primarily responsible for juvenile and education cases. He held the rank of Head Patrol Officer, and entered the force at the same time as Jun Erio. Hajime was found dead under mysterious circumstances at the Former Yasuda Gardens early in the morning yesterday. * * * Once a rebellious gang member himself, Yoshimi turned his life around and used his own experiences to connect with troubled youth as a police officer. While his appearance and demeanor suggested a man who was rough around the edges, he was passionate, loyal and caring man at heart, looked up to as a big brother by his peers. Yoshimi achieved stellar results in his work with juvenile cases, but his consistently sloppy paperwork and less than formal attitude essentially doomed his career and had him writing formal apologies on the regular. He left behind a fiancée whom he had been dating since high school.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Secretary to the Chairwoman of Hihaku Soaps Curse Echo: The man who was covertly watching Shogo Okiie at Kinshibori Park. Takumi is the secretary to the chairwoman of Hihaku Soa... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Secretary to the Chairwoman of Hihaku Soaps Curse Echo: The man who was covertly watching Shogo Okiie at Kinshibori Park. Takumi is the secretary to the chairwoman of Hihaku Soaps, a chemicals company headquartered in Sumida City. * * * Takumi worships the company chairwoman, Natsue Yamamori, and demonstrates his unwavering loyalty through his swift and exact execution of every task given to him. Just as Natsue Yamamori continues to exert tremendous influence over the company since her retirement from the presidency, so too does Takumi continue to support her behind the scenes. Acting as Natsue's mouthpiece in this capacity has earned him the ire of the current president and the board of directors. Takumi knows the names and faces of not only all the employees at the head office, but also the temporary workers in their factories and warehouses, and even their main suppliers.

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The curse echo of The Everburning Lantern. Curse: Kills by disembowelment one who finds themselves trapped in the darkness of the curse echo. Its curse bearer is Resentful Memory: read more

The curse echo of The Everburning Lantern. Curse: Kills by disembowelment one who finds themselves trapped in the darkness of the curse echo. Its curse bearer is Resentful Memory:

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A junior high schooler who volunteers at Azure Heron Agency as an assistant to private investigator Richter Kai. When Richter is working out of the office, he is left in charge of taking care of the office and Richter's pet albino parakeet.

Sex: ? Occupation: Sorcerer Age: ? years old A mysterious sorcerer. Although said to possess exceptional supernatural abilities, they have revealed nothing of their true identity. Both their age and gender are unknown. * * * The Seven Mysteries of Honjo] Suigen Gamyodo was p... read more

Sex: ? Occupation: Sorcerer Age: ? years old A mysterious sorcerer. Although said to possess exceptional supernatural abilities, they have revealed nothing of their true identity. Both their age and gender are unknown. * * * The Seven Mysteries of Honjo] Suigen Gamyodo was previously most known for their prominent media presence, with numerous appearances both on television and in magazines. Wearing an unusual outfit that covered their face, they would demonstrate a variety of psychic abilities, including exorcism of possessed individuals, assessment of submitted ghost photographs, identification of guiding spirits, and conduction of telepathic readings at haunted locations. Their unique sense of presence and high rate of accuracy garnered them a sizable following, particularly among occult enthusiasts, and they were known to accept consultations from the general public as well as media outlets. The Mermaid's Curse] The Mermaid's Curse]

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An officer worker living by herself in Kamezawa, Sumida City. She's the first victim in the competition for the Rite of Resurrection, killed by Yutaro Namigake as soon as he obtained his curse.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Unemployed Curse Echo: The common law husband of Michiyo Shiraishi's mother, Toshiko Shiraishi. Kankichiro started coming a... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Unemployed Curse Echo: The common law husband of Michiyo Shiraishi's mother, Toshiko Shiraishi. Kankichiro started coming and going from the Shiraishi household a little over a year ago. It seems he has served some time in prison, but the details are unknown.

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The curse echo of The One-Sided Reed. Curse: Its curse bearer is Fumichika Nejima. Resentful Memory: read more

The curse echo of The One-Sided Reed. Curse: Its curse bearer is Fumichika Nejima. Resentful Memory:

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A master ukiyo-e artist. 1760-1849. Hokusai was active during the late Edo period, considered to be the golden age of ukiyo-e in Japan. Born in Honjo, Hokusai spent most of his life in the area now known as Sumida City. Among his most famous works are the "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" and the "Ho... read more

A master ukiyo-e artist. 1760-1849. Hokusai was active during the late Edo period, considered to be the golden age of ukiyo-e in Japan. Born in Honjo, Hokusai spent most of his life in the area now known as Sumida City. Among his most famous works are the "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" and the "Hokusai Manga." * * * Hokusai was a prolific artist from a young age and has left behind a wide variety of works, producing an estimated 30,000 pieces during his lifetime. Though the general popularity of ukiyo-e declined during the Meiji period, Hokusai remained a core figure at the center of the Japonisme movement, providing inspiration for countless artists around the globe. Despite his fame, Hokusai himself was said to be rather indifferent to money or decorum, and lived a life that quite appropriately resembled that of the whimsical and otherworldly scenes often depicted in ukiyo-e. Though he went by many names, in his later years he took on the title of "Gakyo Rojin Manji," or "the Old Mad Painter." Hokusai lived to be ninety years old, and never lost his passion for art.

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The current chief of Paranormal Affairs is a man named Kuiru Nakagoshi. He was born to a family of psychics who have been involved in keeping the world safe from paranormal phenomena for generations, and has served as Mio Kurosuzu's mentor since ... read more

The current chief of Paranormal Affairs is a man named Kuiru Nakagoshi. He was born to a family of psychics who have been involved in keeping the world safe from paranormal phenomena for generations, and has served as Mio Kurosuzu's mentor since discovering her. Kuiru is an elusive figure — very few have met him in person, and he is rarely seen in his office. It is said that this is because he has oft been the target of curses, however some theorize that it is in fact because Kuiru is not actually of flesh and blood at all. His seat in his office is usually occupied by a nue, a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. The nue resembles an ordinary White's thrush and acts as Kuiru's messenger, leading to bizarre scenes of police officers earnestly reporting their findings to a bird. The term "Nakagoshi case" serves as a code name used to refer to cases under investigation by Paranormal Affairs.

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Sex: Male Occupation: Self-employed Curse Echo: None The man who made headlines over two decades ago as the perpetrator of the brutal killings known as the Nejima Murders. * * *

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The curse echo of The Evergreen Beech. Curse: Kills by hanging one who tries to mislead the curse bearer with false statements. Its curse bearer is Tetsuo Tsutsumi. Resentful Memory: "He deceived us with his so-called Rite of Resurrection." The ... read more

The curse echo of The Evergreen Beech. Curse: Kills by hanging one who tries to mislead the curse bearer with false statements. Its curse bearer is Tetsuo Tsutsumi. Resentful Memory: "He deceived us with his so-called Rite of Resurrection." The man who tricked the people with his false dark arts swings from a rope. They'd thought the man had escaped the previous night, but oddly enough, he was found hanging in the garden of the daimyo's mansion that morning. The man, a local named Jinkichi, was known for his kind temperament and skill in crafting netsuke clasps. While his life wasn't always easy, he was optimistic, the type to smile through whatever life threw at him. He was the kind of man who would take care of those who didn't have anyone else to rely on. The prosperity that the ukiyo-e boom brought must have been what fanned the flames of his greed. The old craftsman was found in a miserable state, as if sentenced to some cruel fate. Perhaps he'd ended his own life, unable to bear the weight of his crime. But dead men tell no tales, and the people thought of him as a bad man even in his death. He hung there for days, till his neck stretched horrifically, a visage of pain still etched on his face. It was clear he must've struggled greatly as he died, his flesh marked with dark scars where the rope wrapped around his whole body. The beech tree's leaves do not fall. And neither did the man's body hanging from it, as the mansion's owner was not at home — another unfortunate event. The people held their tongues, fearing divine punishment, but the rumors persisted nonetheless.

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The curse echo of The Haunting Clappers. Curse: Kills by burning one who is in possession of fire or a fire-starting device. Its curse bearer is Harue Shigima. Resentful Memory: Red. Red. Red. Everyt... read more

The curse echo of The Haunting Clappers. Curse: Kills by burning one who is in possession of fire or a fire-starting device. Its curse bearer is Harue Shigima. Resentful Memory: Red. Red. Red. Everything is dyed crimson. My home is burning to the ground. It's hot, so, so hot. I must call for help... but I cannot speak. My throat must be burned up from the smoke. No, I think I'm already on fire. That's right, I'll just use the clappers. Clack clack. Is anybody there? Clack clack. Why is no one coming? I'm going to burn to death. How did it come to this? Oh, right. Her. It must be the work of that vixen who appeared suddenly and enchanted my lord. That witch! Those hauntingly cold eyes had my lord dancing in the palm of her hand. Perhaps I was also taken in by her. How many innocent people did I lure in under orders? This must be karma. The sound of a heavy bell. It feels like my head will split open. Ah right, the evening bell... That must be why nobody can hear the sound of my clappers. I've got to do it louder. Clack clack...

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Sex: Male Occupation: Elementary School Student Curse Echo: None The only son of Harue Shigima. He was kidnapped and murdered one year ago. His body was discovered floating in the Sumida River. * * * Shuichi was a conscientious, brave young boy who was ... read more

Sex: Male Occupation: Elementary School Student Curse Echo: None The only son of Harue Shigima. He was kidnapped and murdered one year ago. His body was discovered floating in the Sumida River. * * * Shuichi was a conscientious, brave young boy who was determined to protect his mother, Harue, amid his father's frequent absences. He dreamed of becoming a police officer and displayed diligence and an impressive sense of responsibility from a young age, likely due to being raised in an extremely strict environment. Born in the early 70s, he spent his days immersed in various activities and studies, including playing piano, learning the abacus, taking English lessons, and training in kendo. Shuichi's tendency to put other people's needs over his own meant he died without ever telling his classmates how much eh longed for them all to go out on a hunt for Mocking Birds stickers.

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The mother of Michiyo Shiraishi and the common-law husband of Kinkichiro Iwai. Her previous husband, Michiyo's father, had passed away three years ago. <... read more

The mother of Michiyo Shiraishi and the common-law husband of Kinkichiro Iwai. Her previous husband, Michiyo's father, had passed away three years ago.

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The curse echo of The Fool's Procession. Curse: Kills by fatal fall one who hears its music for thirty seconds without seeing the curse bearer. Its curse bearer is Yakko Sakazaki Resentful Memory: Omi... read more

The curse echo of The Fool's Procession. Curse: Kills by fatal fall one who hears its music for thirty seconds without seeing the curse bearer. Its curse bearer is Yakko Sakazaki Resentful Memory: Omiyo stood atop the tall festival tower. It was her time to shine and she was ecstatic. It had been years since she joined the troupe, but she had yet to enjoy her day in the spotlight. She wasn't particularly pretty, nor was she all that talented. As a gossip and a loudmouth, she wasn't well-liked by her peers. Some of the other girls thought of her as a teacher's pet and bullied her. "I don't care about them," she thought, "I'll use this chance to make something of myself." Everything was perfect. She wore a beautiful kimono and an okame mask over her face. The stage was set. The accompaniment began. She danced with everything she had. Applause rained down upon her from the crowd. Her breathing hastened with excitement. "I've got to catch my breath." "...That's strange. I can't take my mask off." The smell of glue assaulted her nostrils. "So that's how it is. I knew it was too good to be true." Her screams were drowned out by the music as she squirmed and struggled. "Omiyo is giving it her all today! We have to keep up!" The crowd livened even more. "No! No, please, someone help me!" She fell from the tower, writhing in pain, as she begged those around her for help. The music stopped in time with Omiyo's heart.

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The Shigima Mansion housekeeper, who cleans and prepares food for the only remaining resident at the mansion, Shigima Harue.

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The curse echo of The Taiko of Tsugaru. Curse: Its curse bearer is Resentful Memory:

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Sex: Female Occupation: Company Chairwoman Curse Echo: Natsue is the former president of Hihaku Soaps, a large chemicals company. Though she retired from her position two years ago, she still wields great influence over the company from her position of ... read more

Sex: Female Occupation: Company Chairwoman Curse Echo: Natsue is the former president of Hihaku Soaps, a large chemicals company. Though she retired from her position two years ago, she still wields great influence over the company from her position of chairwoman. Recently there have been rumors about her possessing strange and powerful magical abilities, earning her the nickname "the Witch of Hihaku." * * * Prior to the war, Natsue enjoyed working her dream job at a textile factory. She was forced to face the bitter reality of the world, however, when the factory was destroyed by a fire during the war, and she was ordered to rework the fabrics she had painstakingly crafter into something more suitable for blue collar work. Witnessing the rise in popularity of Western-style clothing in the postwar period, Natsue left the textile industry. However, a nod to her past can be seen in her company's name, with "hihaku" being another name for kasuri, a type of fabric featuring patterns and images woven with dyed fibers. Having long been dissatisfied with the soap supplied at the textile factory, Natsue saw a business opportunity and set up her own small soap factory. Taking inspiration from imported soap brands, she developed new products which quickly gained a good reputation. Ever the shrewd businesswoman, Nature ran an aggressive promotional campaign on TV featuring a popular Japanese singer, rapidly turning Hihaku Soaps into a household name.

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Tetsuo Tsutsumi's ex-wife. They married more than 20 years ago, not long before the Nejima Murders occurred. They divorced 4 years ago due to Tetsuo's workaholic nature, with Yasuko taking custody of their daughter. read more

Tetsuo Tsutsumi's ex-wife. They married more than 20 years ago, not long before the Nejima Murders occurred. They divorced 4 years ago due to Tetsuo's workaholic nature, with Yasuko taking custody of their daughter.