In the crowded market of genre film restoration, Arrow Films has once again solidified its place as a go-to distributor for collectors with its latest release, J-Horror Rising. This limited edition Blu-ray set is an impressive collection, offering a deep dive into the eerie, unsettling world of Japanese horror that captivated audiences at the turn of the millennium. Fans of the genre, from casual horror enthusiasts to ardent collectors, will find this release a treasure trove of remastered classics and rare extras.
The set encompasses seven films that epitomize the hallmarks of "J-Horror": ghostly apparitions, psychic phenomena, folklore steeped in ancient evil, and an overarching dread of technology's encroachment on modern life. Titles like Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, and Noroi: The Curse sit at the core of this collection, each representing a facet of Japan's rich horror tradition. Whether it's the pastoral spookiness of Shikoku, where childhood friendships meet the supernatural or the chilling pseudo-documentary style of Noroi, the films collectively present a chilling meditation on fear, loss, and alienation.
Arrow Films delivers on both form and substance. The high-definition remasters breathe new life into each film, ensuring even the most seasoned J-horror fans will find something fresh in these classics. The inclusion of original 5.1 and stereo sound options allows viewers to experience the films as they were intended, immersing them fully in the auditory landscapes of creeping dread and unsettling silences.
But it’s not just about the films themselves. Arrow's trademark attention to detail is evident in the wealth of supplemental content spread across four discs. With insightful commentaries from critics and experts like Tom Mes, Jasper Sharp, and Amber T., viewers are treated to a masterclass in Japanese horror cinema. Exclusive new interviews, archival footage, and original trailers only enhance the appeal of the set, making it a must-own for serious collectors.
The limited edition packaging is itself a work of art. Featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Conlon, the sleek, eerie visuals perfectly encapsulate the mood of the films inside. The inclusion of a double-sided poster and an illustrated collector’s booklet rounds out the set, offering both style and substance for those who prize the tactile experience of physical media.
Particularly noteworthy is the care taken in curating the set’s extras. Video essays like "Weapon of Choice," dissecting Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, and "Ectoplasmic Worms," which delves into Noroi and Japanese cosmic horror, provide fresh critical perspectives that elevate the viewer’s understanding of the genre. Meanwhile, director interviews—such as Noroi's Koji Shiraishi—offer valuable behind-the-scenes insights that flesh out the filmmaking process.
SHIKOKU
In Shikoku, director Shunichi Nagasaki weaves a haunting tale of supernatural intrigue set against the eerie beauty of rural Japan. The film follows a young woman, Hinako, who returns to her hometown only to uncover the mysterious death of her childhood friend, Sayori. As Hinako delves deeper into the town's Shintoist rituals and spiritual lore, the line between the living and the dead blurs in unsettling ways. With its atmospheric cinematography and slow-burning tension, Shikoku captures a uniquely melancholic brand of horror, exploring themes of loss, isolation, and the haunting pull of the past. Though the pacing is deliberate, the film’s rich cultural undercurrents and chilling visuals make it a standout entry in the J-horror genre.
ISOLA: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY GIRL
Isola: Multiple Personality Girl blends psychological horror with supernatural elements to create an unsettling narrative rooted in trauma and mystery. Set in the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the film follows Yukari, a volunteer with psychic abilities, as she encounters a disturbed high school girl suffering from multiple personalities. One of these personalities harbors a dark, malevolent force that Yukari must confront. Director Toshiyuki Mizutani crafts an eerie atmosphere, using fractured identities to explore themes of grief and mental fragmentation. While the plot can feel disjointed at times, Isola stands out for its psychological depth and unique take on the J-horror formula
INUGAMI
Inugami, directed by Masato Harada, is a haunting exploration of ancient folklore and rural superstition. The film follows a Tokyo teacher who arrives in a remote village and becomes entangled with a mysterious papermaker, played by Yuki Amami, whose family is believed to be cursed by the spirits of ancient dog deities, or "Inugami." The film's atmospheric tension builds slowly, intertwining romantic drama with dark supernatural elements. Harada’s direction draws on the eerie isolation of the village, crafting a story rich in mood and symbolism. While the pacing may be slow for some, Inugami excels in its visual storytelling and its eerie portrayal of generational curses and untamed nature.
ST. JOHN'S WORT
St. John’s Wort offers a unique blend of psychological horror and video game aesthetics, directed by Ten Shimoyama. The story follows Nami, an art designer for a horror-themed game, who explores an eerie mansion she inherited from her estranged father, uncovering disturbing truths about her past. With its blend of gothic atmosphere and digital intrigue, the film reflects the early 2000s fascination with technology in horror. While the plot can feel convoluted at times, the film's haunting visuals and suspenseful pacing keep viewers on edge. St. John’s Wort is a chilling, if uneven, J-horror entry, notable for its innovative use of virtual horror and trauma.
CARVED: THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN
Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, directed by Koji Shiraishi, breathes life into one of Japan's most infamous urban legends. The film follows a small town terrorized by the vengeful spirit of a disfigured woman, who preys on children, asking her iconic question, "Am I pretty?" before unleashing gruesome attacks. Shiraishi skillfully blends folklore with psychological horror, creating a chilling atmosphere where fear of the unknown seeps into daily life. While the film leans on jump scares and gore, it also explores deeper themes of parental abuse and societal pressure. Though not without its flaws, Carved remains a disturbing and effective take on one of Japan's most haunting myths.
PERSONA
Persona, directed by Takashi Komatsu, offers a tense psychological thriller wrapped in the high school drama genre. The film follows a bizarre trend sweeping a school where students don ceramic masks, leading to a wave of anonymous delinquency and eerie consequences. As the masked students descend into chaos, the film explores themes of identity, societal pressure, and the fragility of human nature. Though it occasionally stumbles with pacing and character development, Persona shines through its unnerving atmosphere and sharp commentary on conformity. Early performances from Battle Royale stars Tatsuya Fujiwara and Chiaki Kuriyama add an extra layer of intrigue to this chilling J-horror entry.
NOROI: THE CURSE
Noroi: The Curse, directed by Koji Shiraishi, is a masterclass in found-footage horror, blending folklore and investigative suspense to create an unsettling experience. The film follows a paranormal investigator as he uncovers a series of terrifying events linked to an ancient demon known as Kagutaba. Using a documentary format, Noroi builds its tension slowly, weaving a complex web of disturbing interviews, grainy footage, and eerie coincidences. The pseudo-realism heightens the sense of dread, as the film unravels a haunting narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. Atmospheric, chilling, and relentless in its creeping terror, Noroi is a standout in the J-horror genre and one of the finest found-footage films ever made.
Special Features:
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all seven films
- Original lossless 5.1 and lossless stereo sound options for Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, Inugami, St. John's Wort, Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman and Noroi: The Curse, and original lossless stereo audio for Persona
- Optional English subtitles for each film
- Illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing by Eugene Thacker, Jasper Sharp, Anton Bitel, Amber T., Mark Player, Jim Harper and Sarah Appleton
- Double-sided foldout poster featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Conlon
- Limited Edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by John Conlon
DISC ONE: SHIKOKU / ISOLA: MULTIPLE PERSONALITY GIRL
- Brand new audio commentary on Shikoku by Japanese cinema expert Tom Mes
- Brand new audio commentary on Isola: Multiple Personality Girl by critics and Japanese cinema experts Jasper Sharp and Amber T.
- The Aftermath, Tom Mes discusses J-Horror at the turn of the millennium
- Something in the Water, a brand new interview with Shikoku director Shunichi Nagasaki
- Archive interviews with director Shunichi Nagasaki and actors Chiaki Kuriyama and Yui Natsukawa on Shikoku
- Archive interview with actors Yoshino Kimura and Yu Kurosawa on Isola: Multiple Personality Girl
- On-set footage of the filming of Shikoku
- Original trailers and TV spots for both films
- Image galleries
DISC TWO: INUGAMI / ST. JOHN'S WORT
- Brand new audio commentary on Inugami by Japanese cinema expert Jonathan Clements
- Brand new audio commentary on St. John's Wort by Japanese cinema expert Amber T.
- Dog Days, brand new video interview with Inugami director Masato Harada
- The Making of St. John's Wort, archival featurette
- Archive interviews with St. John's Wort actors Megumi Okina, Koichiro Saito, Reiko Matsuo and Koji Okura
- On-set behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of St. John's Wort
- Original trailers and TV spots for St. John's Wort
- Image galleries for both films
DISC THREE: CARVED: THE SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN / PERSONA
- Brand new audio commentary on Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman by Japanese folklore expert Zack Davisson
- Why So Serious?, a brand new interview with Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman director Koji Shiraishi
- Weapon of Choice, a brand new video essay on Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman by Japanese horror specialist Lindsay Nelson
- Confessions of a Mask, a brand new interview with Persona director Takashi Komatsu
- Image galleries for both films
DISC FOUR: NOROI: THE CURSE
- Brand new audio commentary by film critic Julian Singleton
- Director's POV, a brand new video interview with Noroi: The Curse director Koji Shiraishi
- The Man in the Shadows, a brand new interview with Noroi: The Curse producer Taka Ichise
- Changing Perspective, a brand new video essay on Noroi: The Curse by Japanese horror specialist Lindsay Nelson
- Ectoplasmic Worms, a brand new video essay on Noroi: The Curse and Japanese cosmic horror by Japanese cinema expert Amber T.
- How to Protect Yourself Against Curses
- Urgent report! Pursuing the Truth about Kagutaba!! TV Special
- Over half an hour of deleted scenes
- Trailers and TV spots
- Image gallery
In an era where streaming platforms often dominate, Arrow’s J-Horror Rising is a testament to the enduring appeal of physical media done right. It’s more than just a collection of films; it’s a comprehensive celebration of an era that redefined horror and left a lasting legacy on the genre worldwide. For fans of Japanese horror, this is an essential release that captures the essence of what made J-horror both terrifying and profound.
If you pre-order your copy of J-HORROR RISING from MVD you can save 15% off the retail price.