Kaidan Restaurant
Kaidan Restaurant (怪談レストラン, Kaidan Resutoran) is a Japanese children's storybook series. The books take the form of horror anthologies, edited by Miyoko Matsutani and illustrated by Yoshikazu Takai and Kumiko Katō. As of 2007, there were 50 volumes published by Doshinsha.[1] Over 8 million copies of the books have published so far.[2]
Kaidan Restaurant | |
怪談レストラン (Kaidan Resutoran) | |
---|---|
Genre | Horror, mystery, supernatural |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Yoko Ikeda |
Produced by | Tomomi Imagawa (eps 1-11) Tomoharu Matsuhisa (eps 11-23) Takashi Washio Yosuke Asama (eps 1-11) |
Written by | Shoji Yonemura |
Music by | Hiroshi Takaki |
Studio | Toei Animation |
Original network | TV Asahi |
Original run | October 13, 2009 – June 8, 2010 |
Episodes | 23 |
Live-action film | |
Directed by | Masayuki Ochiai |
Produced by | Ten Washio Tomoharu Matsuhisa |
Written by | Shōji Yonemura |
Studio | Toei |
Released | August 21, 2010 |
Runtime | 100 minutes |
The books were adapted into a TV anime series by Toei Animation, which began airing in 2009.[1] It derives its name from "kaidan", which loosely translates to "thriller" (from "kai", meaning strange, mysterious, rare or bewitching apparition, and "dan", meaning talk or recited narrative; a more direct translation would be a ghost or horror story). Rather than forming a linear plot, the anime follows the anthology format of the book and tells a collection of ghost stories similar to what would be traditionally told around a campfire. The anime was frequently among the 10 highest rated anime shows of the week in Japan.[2]
The series was adapted into a hybrid live-action and anime feature film in 2010 starring Ayano Kudo.[2]
Plot
There is a loose theme throughout the series of the "Thriller Restaurant", which is introduced in the first episode. The remainder of the series is a collection of ghost stories reminiscent of the Scary Stories anthology and Kwaidan.
Each episode is broken up into three "dishes", namely the Appetizer, the Main Dish, and the Dessert. The "Appetizer" is a short story featuring something supernatural, such as ghosts, spirits, or similar. The "Main Dish" is a longer ghost story similar to the Appetizer, usually with a twist. The "Dessert" is a ghost story told by one of the main characters while playing Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai (百物語怪談会, Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai). These involve characters not related to the series and end with some sort of a moral lesson. From the thirteenth episode onwards, a fourth story is told while the ending score plays, replacing the original animation; these stories have a scary picture shown when the music ends.
Characters
Main characters
- Ako Ozora (大空 アコ, Ōzora Ako)
Voiced by: Ryoko Shiraishi
- Ako is a grade schooler currently attending Yamazakura Elementary School. She is a bright and cheerful girl, who wants to write novels when she'll grow up. She doesn't have a fascination about ghost stories in general, but her will to always find out the truth doesn't let her walk away from a mystery.
- She is the first of her classmates to make friends with Sho after his transfer to Yamazakura.
- Sho Komoto (甲本 ショウ, Kōmoto Shō)
Voiced by: Hiro Yuki
- Sho is a new transfer student at Yamazakura, who has recently moved back to Japan. He is handsome and is popular with the girls, although he likes being alone and doesn't have many friends. He loves ghost stories and has a whole room full of scary stories, he collects them from all around the world. He can also read rōmaji.
- Reiko Sakuma (佐久間 レイコ, Sakuma Reiko)
Voiced by: Masumi Asano
- Reiko is the class representative for Ako's class. She has a strong defiance towards everything even seemingly supernatural, but still tags along every time it is concerned. Her reasons are revealed as the story progresses.
- Ghastly Garçon (おばけギャルソン, Obake Garuson)
Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata
- The ghost garçon (waiter) is the manager of the Restaurant. He introduces every meal. He typically appears during the opening credits, and after the main course, to wrap up the show.
Supporting characters
- Yuma Misakubo (水窪 ユウマ, Misakubo Yūma)
Voiced by: Yoshihisa Kawahara
- Takuma (たくま, Takuma)
Voiced by: Hisayoshi Suganuma
- Michiko Ishimoto (石本 みちこ, Ishimoto Michiko)
Voiced by: Machiko Toyoshima
One of Ako's classmates.
- Mari Kowada (小和田 まり, Kowada Mari)
Voiced by: Yuko Yajima
One of Ako's friends.
- Kazuyo Ozora (大空 カズヨ, Ozora Kazuyo)
Voiced by: Ai Maeda
Ako's mother.
- Koji Ozora (大空 コウジ, Ozora Kouji)
Voiced by: Kentaro Ito
Ako's father.
- Bunta Ozora (大空 ブンタ, Ōzora Bunta)
Voiced by: Fuyuka Oura
Ako's younger brother.
- Kicchom (きっちょむ, Kicchomu)
Episode list
Anime
# | Episode title | Original air date | |
---|---|---|---|
01 | "Thriller Restaurant : The Kikimora's Puppet : She's Gone Forever..." Transcription: "Kaidan Resutoran : Kikiimora Ningyou : Itte Shimatta Onnanoko..." (Japanese: 怪談レストラン : キキーモラ人形 : 行ってしまった女の子...) | October 13, 2009 | |
The meal in this episode is introduced by Garçon himself. Thriller Restaurant The Kikimora Puppet She's Gone Forever... | |||
02 | "The Cat Goes To School : The Path To The Bottomless Pond : Become A Flounder" Transcription: "Neko, Gakkou he Iku : Ike no Fuchi no Michi : Hirame ni Nare" (Japanese: 猫、学校へいく : 池のふちの道 : ひらめになれ) | October 20, 2009 | |
The meal in this episode is introduced by Bakeneko. The Cat Goes To School The Path To The Bottomless Pond Become A Flounder | |||
03 | "Goodbye : The Midnight Princess : Passenger On A Rainy Night" Transcription: "Ja, Baai : Mayonaka no Oujo : U no Yoru no Kyaku" (Japanese: じゃ、バーイ : 真夜中の王女 : 雨の夜の客) | October 27, 2009 | |
The meal in this episode is introduced by the Ghastly Widow. Goodbye The Midnight Princess Passenger On A Rainy Night | |||
04 | "Spirited Away : The Elder At Well's End : The White Muffler" Transcription: "Kami Kakushi : Ido no Soko Nobaasama : Shiroi Mafuraa" (Japanese: 神かくし : 井戸の底のばあさま : 白いマフラー) | November 10, 2009 | |
The meals in this episode are introduced by Kappa. Spirited Away The Elder At Well's End The White Muffler | |||
05 | "The Wolf's Gaze : Grim Reaper Killer : You're Next" Transcription: "Ookami No Hikaru Me : Shinigami Kiraa : Tsugi wa Omae da" (Japanese: オオカミのひかる目 : 死神キラー : つぎはおまえだ) | November 17, 2009 | |
The meals in this episode are introduced by the Grim Reaper. The Wolf's Gaze Grim Reaper Killer You're Next | |||
06 | "Spooky School : The House On The Ridge : Princess Of The Pot" Transcription: "Kowai Gakkou : Tougeno Ichi Ken Ie : Tsubo Himesama" (Japanese: こわーい学校 : とうげの一けん家 : つぼひめさま) | November 24, 2009 | |
The meals in this episode are introduced by Mecha-Kinjiro. Spooky School The House On the Ridge Princess Of The Pot | |||
07 | "Lady Car : Tatty : Bells From The After-Life" Transcription: "Kaa Obasan : Taachan : Ano Yo Karano Suzu No Oto" (Japanese: カーおばさん : たあちゃん : あの世からの鈴の音) | December 1, 2009 | |
The meals in this episode are introduced by an Okiku doll. Lady Car Tatty Bells From The After-Life | |||
08 | "Room 31 : Don't Turn Around : The Broken Photocopier" Transcription: "31 Goushitsu : Furimukuna : Kopii Ki Kara Gikogikogikogiko" (Japanese: 31号室 : ふりむくな : コピー機からギコギコギコギコ) | December 8, 2009 | |
The meals are introduced by the Wind-up Old lady. Room 31 Don't Turn Around The Broken Photocopier | |||
09 | "I Saw My Funeral : Gift from the Water Fairy : My Wife Vanished in Morocco" Transcription: "Jibun no Soushiki wo Mita : Mizu no Sei no Okurimono : Morokko de Kieta Niizuma" (Japanese: 自分の葬式をみた : 水の精のおくりもの : モロッコで消えた新妻) | January 19, 2010 | |
The meal is introduced by FlameBoy, a will-o-wisp. I Saw My Funeral Gift From The Water Fairy My Wife Vanished In Morocco | |||
10 | "The Mansion of Blue Flames : Her Little White House : The Ringtone from Beyond" Transcription: "Aoi Honoo no Yakata : Shiroi Ie no Shōjo : Ano Yo kara no Chaku Mero" (Japanese: 青い炎の館 : 白い家の少女 : あの世からの着メロ) | January 26, 2010 | |
The meals are introduced by Baku. The Mansion of Blue Flames Her Little White House The Ringtone from Beyond | |||
11 | "Whose Coat is This? : Monster Mansion : You've Got a Hand on Your Back" Transcription: "Dare no Kooto? : Yuurei Yashiki : Senaka ni Te no Ato ga" (Japanese: 誰のコート? : 幽霊屋敷 : 背中に手のあとが) | February 2, 2010 | |
In this episode the meals are presented by the Grim Reaper. Whose Coat is This? Monster Mansion You've got a Hand on your Back | |||
12 | "The Changeling : Let's Go Together : Eye Spy a Heated Table" Transcription: "Torikaerareta Akachan : Isshou ni Ikou : Shokudou no Kotatsu" (Japanese: とりかえられた赤ちゃん : いっしょにいこう : 食堂のこたつ) | February 9, 2010 | |
In this episode the meals are presented by a Cyclops. The Changeling Let's go together Eye Spy a Heated Table | |||
13 | "Path of the Dead : Mirror from the Sea : Nailed Down at Night : Cake" Transcription: "Mouja Michi : Umi ni Tadayotteita Kagami : Ushi no Kokumairi : Keeki" (Japanese: 亡者道 : 海にただよっていた鏡 : 丑の刻まいり : ケーキ) | February 16, 2010 | |
In this episode the meals are presented by the Gastly Widow. Path of the Dead Mirror from the Sea Nailed Down at Night Ending: Cake | |||
14 | "Return My Body : Replay" Transcription: "Watashi wo Kaeshite : Ripurei" (Japanese: わたしをかえして : リプレイ) | March 2, 2010 | |
In this episode the meals are presented by Noro-chan and Wara-chan. Return my body Replay Ending: The carpenter's wife | |||
15 | "It was you : I Can't Dance Without You : Empty Seat" Transcription: "Omaeda : Hitori de wa Odorenai no : Kuuseki" (Japanese: おまえだ : ひとりではおどれないの : 空席) | March 9, 2010 | |
In this episode the meals are presented by Baku. It was you I can't dance without you Empty seat Ending: The Ruins The odd sounds were headed towards the ruins. He then remembered an old battle that was fought there, and that they said it was still fought by the dead.
| |||
16 | "Your Beloved's Lock of Hair : Spooky Tunnel : School Spirit" Transcription: "Sukina Hito no Kami no Ke wo… : Yuurei Tonneru : Gakkou Warashi" (Japanese: すきな人の髪の毛を… : 幽霊トンネル : 学校わらし) | April 13, 2010 | |
17 | "Test of Courage : Welcome Home : Beautiful Palm" Transcription: "Kimodameshi : Okaeri, Anata! : Sugoi Tesou" (Japanese: きもだめし : おかえり、あなた! : すごい手相) | April 20, 2010 | |
18 | "Possessed : Rebirth : Loving Ghost" Transcription: "Tsukimono : Umarekawari : Kosodate Yuurei" (Japanese: 憑き物 : 生まれ変わり : 子育て幽霊) | April 27, 2010 | |
19 | "Guide to the Afterlife : The Demon's Window : Weeping Bell" Transcription: "Ano Yo no Tabi no Goannai : Akuma no Mado : Naku Tsurigane" (Japanese: あの世の旅のご案内 : 悪魔の窓 : 泣くつり鐘) | May 4, 2010 | |
20 | "The Television from Space : A Nightmare in Yamazakura" Transcription: "Yogen Terebi no Kai: Akumu no Tsuzuki" (Japanese: 予言テレビの怪 : 悪夢の続き) | May 11, 2010 | |
21 | "That Arm : One Stormy Night" Transcription: "Ude : Arashi no Yoru" (Japanese: うで : あらしの夜) | May 25, 2010 | |
22 | "The Doppelganger Returns : Cursed Goods" Transcription: "Mou Hitori no Sensei : Kombini no Noroi Guzzu" (Japanese: もうひとりの先生 : コンビニののろいグッズ) | June 1, 2010 | |
23 | "Thriller Restaurant's First Guest" Transcription: "Kaidan Resutoran Saisho no Kyaku" (Japanese: 怪談レストラン最初の客) | June 8, 2010 |
Music
Anime series
The ending theme is "Lost Boy", performed by SEAMO.
References to mythology and modern culture
- In episode three, "Passenger on a Rainy Night" is about a girl getting a taxi ride to her house, where she is revealed to already be dead. This is a version of an urban legend, where a person (usually a young woman) gets a ride from the place of her death to an address, usually the house of a relative or close friend.[3]
References
- "Kaidan Restaurant Horror Anthology to Air in October". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
- "Thriller Restaurant Gets Hyrbid Live-Action/Anime Film". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- "The Vanishing Hitchhiker". Snopes.com. 1999-09-18. Retrieved 2009-11-16.
External links
- Kaidan Restaurant's Official Anime Website (in Japanese)
- DailyRadar's AnimeBlip Page on Kaidan Restaurant
- Kaidan Restaurant (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia