Jigoku Shoujo Live Action ep.01

November 5, 2006 | 38 Comments

I think this is a decent adaptation of the anime series. It's not as good as Nodame Cantabile live action, which takes the crown for the best live-action adaptation this season. I think this is because unlike that series, the actors in Jigoku Shoujo are not as talented. Iwata Sayuri herself is not that convincing in her role as Enma Ai. Most of the time she looks wooden and appears as if she's a deer caught in a headlight. The casts who play Ichimoku Ren, Hone-Onna, and Wanyuudou are decent in their role but they are not outstanding either. Speaking of actors, the actress who plays the victim of the week, Odaka Anna, reminds me a bit of Hayashibara Megumi for some reason. Overall, the series is a faithful reproduction of the anime but it doesn't add anything to it. It's not even scary at all, which is a bit disappointing since Japanese live-action horror usually are quite good when it comes to providing a good scare.

The episode begins with Miyazaki Yuu (Odaka Anna) being congratulated by her mother, Kayo, for receiving a letter of recommendation to go to the university. To celebrate the occasion, Yuu's mother gives her daughter an old wristwatch that her deceased husband once gave her when they were still newlywed. Yuu's mother always treasures the watch but she wants her daughter to wear it from now on. The watch is a symbol of happiness for her so she hopes Yuu will also get the happiness that she wishes for. Unfortunately for Yuu, she's constantly bullied at school by a girl called Endo Rina and her two friends, Junko and Satomi. At first the girls try to extort money from her but when they find out she doesn't have much, they simply torture her. They even taunt her by saying that if she's in pain, she should consider calling Jigoku Shoujo. That night, Yuu tries to use Jigoku Tsuushin but she chickens out at the last minute.

The next day, Rina and the others take Yuu to a department store and force her to steal some cosmetics. Unknown to her, her behaviour has been observes by Hone-Onna. While stealing the cosmetics, the shopkeeper catches her in the act so Yuu runs away after dropping the items that she meant to steal for the girls. Because of this, the girls end up bullying Yuu again. They restrained her on a ledge of the department store's rooftop and tell her that a useless person like her should just die. The girls don't realise that their actions have been observed from a far by Ichimoku Ren's large eye. Yuu is eventually fed up with the bullying and submits Rina's name into Jigoku Tsuushin. The next day, the principal tells the students inside Yuu's class to report to him if they think the shoplifter suspect is in the class. Upon hearing this, Rina threatens to spill the detail of Yuu's shoplifting unless she steals her mother's PTA money.

Because of this, Yuu has no choice but to steal the PTA money. She, however, changes her mind when her mother tells her that her father surely is proud with her now. Since Yuu fails to bring the PTA money, the girls force her to prostitute herself. Ichimoku Ren, however, decides to stop this by purposedly bumping himself against the horny loser who tries to pick up Yuu. This gives Yuu a chance to run away. Unfortunately for her, Rina and the other girls managed to take a snapshot of her in the arms of the lecher. From their hiding, Hone-Onna points out to Ichimoku Ren that his effort was in vain since interference is forbidden. Meanwhile, a frustrated and sad Yuu ends up breaking her leg in the middle of a street. Just as she's about to get hit by a truck, however, Ai appears and whisks her away to her sunset world. Ai immediately introduces herself as "Enma Ai" (no "Yonda, desho?" T_T). This Ai is no fun since the actress can barely emote.

Anyway, Ai gives Yuu the doll and the drill before showing Yuu the pain of Hell fires if she chooses to use the doll. When Yuu opens her eyes again, she's back in the middle of the street. The next day, Yuu is summoned by the principal, who has received a letter from an anonymous person, informing him that the shoplifter is Yuu. Yuu tries to explain that she's being forced but then the principal shows her a picture of her in the arm of the sleazebag, asking her if she was forced into that as well. He then decides to withdraw her letter of recommendation much to Yuu's dismay. The principal also does not believe her when Yuu tells him that Rina was the one who forced her to do all of these things. To make things worse, her mother then begs the principal not to take the letter of recommendation away. Despite this, Yuu's letter of recommendation is still revoked. A sad Yuu escapes to the rooftop of her school and overhears Rina's conversation.

As it turns out Rina has been doing this because she wants to be the one who gets the letter of recommendation and the next in line to get it is her. Yuu becomes angry at Rina and asks the b*tch to return her letter of recommendation but she gets pushed down by Rina and her friends. In the process, her father's watch fell off her hand and Rina who sees this decides to crush it with her legs. This is the final straw for Yuu, who can't bear the thought that the watch that her mother treasured has been destroyed by Rina. Cue in music as Yuu takes out the jackstraw doll from her bag and pulls out the red string. Wanyuudou is suddenly heard telling her grudge has been accepted. Inside her world, Ai is informed by her grandma about the request so she prepares herself by wearing the kimono. Unfortunately, there is no rickshaw scene. While walking in the corridor with her friends, Rina suddenly hears them saying that she's a useless person.

Wanyuudou's headless head then floats towards Rina, freaking her out. Her friends' head then got cut off and they start laughing at her. A scared Rina escapes to the rooftop but is immediately confronted by Ichimoku Ren and Hone-Onna, who push her towards the ledge, forcing her to admit her sins. When she refuses to do so, Enma Ai "Ippen Shinde Miru" her. Rina then awakes inside the boat that takes her to Hell. In the aftermath, Yuu is happy again especially since she can fix the watch at a local watch repair shop. On her way out of the shop, however, she notices that she now has the Hell mark on her chest. She's clearly shaken by this knowledge but decides to ignore it. When Yuu meets her mother again, she tells her that she promises she'll try hard to get into a good university again. The episode then ends with Enma Ai whispering that Yuu's grudge has been dispelled. Cue in Olivia and her ED theme, Dream Catcher.

Impression:

This is not a bad episode but it pretty much follows the plot of the very first Jigoku Shoujo. The circumstances have been changed a little bit but basically it's all about a girl getting bullied by her peers. Like I said back then, I think the girl should have fight her bully a lot sooner. Maybe before she was forced to steal something from the department store. If she had done that, she wouldn't have to suffer like she is now. Overall, the series is still not scary at all. The head decapitation effect is so bad that I failed to get even a jolt out of it. I was hoping something more darker and scarier like The Ring. I guess the FX department uses all of the budget on Ai's flower Kimono, which admittedly is very beautiful. Anyway, the interesting thing about this episode is that Ichimoku Ren tried to help Yuu but Hone-Onna reminds him that the effort is useless since interfering with the client's decision is forbidden.

Ending theme:

「Dream Catcher」by OLIVIA
Download: AVI version (22.5MB) | PSP version (13.5MB)

The ending theme is quite nice and sung by OLIVIA, who performed the OP and ED theme for NANA TV series. Personally, however, I prefer Noto Mamiko's song in the anime series. They are a lot more haunting and appropriate for the series. I especially like the ED theme for the second season, Aizome.

Posted by Garten

Comments

November 5, 2006 | kacpy wrote:

You know, you're first impressions of this episode pretty much sum up what I think about the anime. xD

*Enma Ai. Most of the time she looks wooden and appears as if she's a deer caught in a headlight.*

*It's not even scary at all*

I guess it's a faithful adaptation indeed.

November 5, 2006 | Tania wrote:

looks nice, but i'm not sure if i want to watch it since the anime disappointed me, BTW Garten, i read rumors about making a live action of OHSHC, is this true?

November 5, 2006 | Keiichi wrote:

I'm not sure if they're angling for "horror"; I personally found that this series is more contemplative (okay, not Oscar category but..) than horror.
Sure, its not deep, but the episodic nature allows us to drive home the message that there are alternates to cursing oneself by exacting revenge.
Just my thoughts..

November 5, 2006 | theacefrehley wrote:

I liked the "live-action" Enma Ai. It's almost the same of the anime.

The only problem is that I think that japanese actors/actresses, in general, are not that good. To me they don't look natural, specially in anime adaptations. And it's not only in this show. Lots of japanese movies and some dramas I saw did not please me regarding the acting. This one is no exception, and a little bit weaker in this aspect, but since I like the main idea of Jigoku Shoujo it helps me to not bother so much with the actors/actress.

About the effects, it wasn't any "Lord of the Rings" or "Titanic", but it wasn't that bad either hehehe

The ending song I agree with Garten. It's good, but Noto Mamiko's are way better. And points to the producers for keeping the anime background music, that kick ass (I noticed a bit of remastering here and there).

Ah
And they kept grandma's voice of the anime hehee

November 5, 2006 | Garten wrote:

looks nice, but i'm not sure if i want to watch it since the anime disappointed me, BTW Garten, i read rumors about making a live action of OHSHC, is this true?

I thought that's just a rumour. I personally don't like the cast list that was spread around the net. Anyone else can clarify this?

November 5, 2006 | frozen wrote:

Thanks so much for the summary!

November 5, 2006 | Hyourinmaru wrote:

Her kimono is the best part....I dont like the girl they chose for Ai tho she looks too old is suppost to be a young girl....the string on the doll also bothers me it looks too big and like it could easily come apart it looks more like a shoelace than a string...thanks for the update but yea like u said i would of expected the series to look darker..

November 5, 2006 | Beowulf Lee wrote:

Sigh. The loliliciousness was completely lost in the transition. Why oh why...

November 6, 2006 | Yukina wrote:

It would be difficult to find someone who looks just like Ai anyways. I think Iwata Sayuri is a good choice, she also played the innocent-yet-creepy school girl in her last drama Kisshoh Tennyo.

November 6, 2006 | WristBandMan wrote:

didn't like the anime -- didn't even continue pass ep 13... wondering should i pick this up -- guess i will try an episode to see at least

November 6, 2006 | Lil wrote:

for some reason...I expect Emma Ai to be prettier and scarier in the live version, ...the main characters seem a little empty

November 6, 2006 | Rilicious wrote:

I think the music was the only thing that gave the Live Action a little creepiness. LOL @ the bad effects when the straw doll blows away in the wind. xD

Hone-Onna is WAY TOO OLD. T_T Ren is so hot though. Yum. Ai's voice is perfect.

November 6, 2006 | Suigintou wrote:

Yeah, I also agree on the point that Hone-Onna is really old. same with Ai haha.

anyway, i downloaded RAQ and i decide to look forward the other episode see if it do much more better than this

*i wonder, if there's this rickshaw scene in this live action?

November 6, 2006 | x wrote:

Ugh. Ai looks seriously weird o_0 I personally don't really like Live Action of Animes -_-

November 6, 2006 | kanzaki wrote:

do u know if there is a subbed version of this?

November 6, 2006 | muhi_kira wrote:

i think the first episode from live action is the same of jogoku shoujo first episode too
at first i think enma ai will be little girl but a teenager ^_^
about ren is a same a little bit with the anime
about wanyuudo made me funny because they didn't forget to put muffler in wanyuudo neck

November 7, 2006 | Karin wrote:

It seems like a bad adaptation of the first episode of the first season. The story from the first episode would have been more dramatic and scarry. But I guess it could be good. Although the girl playing Ai should have had really blood shot eyes. Maybe darker contact lenses.

November 7, 2006 | WristBandMan wrote:

I agree with the eyes should be red...

anyway, i downloaded the episode & just scanned through a few scenes -- namely the scene where she goes to work & the ippen shinde miru scene -- for some reason I laughed out loud =P

November 8, 2006 | Lenneth wrote:

Man the Ai actress was REALLY BAD. Her movements are stiff, her face looks as though she's about to throw out a laugh anytime and her tone while saying Ai's best lines was... just wrong. She couldn't achieve the feeling the Ai in the anime, give off. If Mamiko Noto acts, I'm sure it'll be better.

Also, I agree with the songs part.. It is not that bad, but if they put in the songs from the anime, it would be much better.

Yes I do agree that it was strange seeing that her eyes weren't red but yet again, not everyone can take coloured contact lenses so that may be the case for her?

I just hope the next few episodes will be better

November 8, 2006 | uri wrote:

oh crap, I didn't know the series would be adapted to live action...and that kimono scene really does look pretty sweet. And yeah, I kinda wish they used a younger looking girl for Ai.

November 9, 2006 | Chuck wrote:

I was kind of disappointed. Iwata Sayuri just doesn't have the same vibe as Ai from the anime. She looks too human, her voice isn't anywhere near as creepy, and her take on the whole deadpan aspect of Ai feels really forced. Ai in the anime seems thoughtful and quiet, like maybe she's been through a lot, whereas Aiwata seems like someone who's just trying to appear glum.

Oh, but for those who didn't notice: She did have red eyes. That's why they had the light shine in her eyes when she was doing the "Ippen shindemiru" bit — so you could see the red reflecting from her irises. I actually thought that scene was pretty well done.

November 9, 2006 | lucifer_666_ wrote:

I didnt like it too much though.
I still prefer to watch its anime version.
And i think it would have been better if the actress for Ai was a little girl since its suppose to be a little girl.

November 10, 2006 | Chuck wrote:

If I recall correctly from the anime, Ai isn't exactly supposed to be a *little* girl. Ai would have been about 13

when she died

Show Spoiler

, while Iwata is 16. A significant difference, but not ridiculously old. I reckon a more youthful 16-year-old would have been fine. Then again, they've cast 13-year-old F-cup Irie Saaya as Tsugumi (who seemed, like, 8 in the anime), so maybe everybody is getting an age boost.

November 13, 2006 | Kaion wrote:

Anime ... is WAY better ...
Wanyyuudo looks creepy >_> , and Enma Ai looks way better in the anime with the scary but so attractive eyes

November 15, 2006 | Brianna-Baka wrote:

UGH! Just gross.

I'm EXTREAMLY dissapointed with this. The Kimono is pretty, but everything in here is just............... A giant let down, I hate it! I absolutely HATE the Enma Ai they have in here, Her face not anything close to Enma Ai, And ontop of that, She looks way too old. Ai is more.......... Young and cute, Like a little middle schooler kindof. ][Young and cute in a creepy mysterious way, ofcourse.

November 24, 2006 | okobo_fan wrote:

I loathe the girl who plays Enma Ai! She's too old, quite chubby and a bit dark : the original Ai is very pale and delicate. She also does not know how to say Ai's line properly. "Ipen shinde miru" is Ai's trademark! ugh!

December 12, 2006 | linkinmark wrote:

Enma Ai looks cuter (and prettier) in the anime version...

they should have used like a 12-year-old girl...

..i dont like it...

December 13, 2006 | Maki wrote:

It so surprising that jigoku shoujo has a Live Action series...Ican't see it on you tube..

August 2, 2007 | leafwingstar wrote:

I'm annoyed at how Jigoku Shoujo NEVER closes her mouth after talking. Ewww, she just leaves her lips open. And then a few seconds later she finally closes them. Also, the cheap-ass special effects totally ruined the intensity of the anime. Bottom-line: Anime=Good. Live-action=SuckAss.

August 15, 2007 | Kevine wrote:

all i can say is...

DISGUSTING! EWE! i mean, how did she even become an actress??? did you really conduct a good audition?! CHIQUI's way, way, way, better than Iwata! she doesn't even resemble AI a bit. she's FREAKY! FREAKIN FREAKIN UGLY! and her voice is freakin freakin freaking ugly! hate her in short.

August 16, 2007 | Aoi wrote:

*T_T* ugh, disgusting!

the anime version's way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way way BETTER! i didn't recognize that the show was actually JIGOKU SHOUJO! oh please! change the Ai character! make another audition. GIVES ME THE SHIVERS! and also GOOSEBUMPS!

September 10, 2007 | Leon wrote:

hey where can I dl this? i watch all 52 episodes of jigoku shoujo plz someone give me a complete torrent for this

November 23, 2007 | Vivian wrote:

thank you for the ep!there is someone i hate and just .....AARGH!I can't stand it anymore!i m jz going to contact her!NO ONE IS GONNA STOP ME!!!SOMEONE I HATE HAS BEEN HERE FOR FOUR YEARS!I HV HAD IT!I will contact her during midnight!!!Thats the way to DO IT!!!!I don't care(except geting to jail or scolding from my mom)HAHAHA!!!I'M GONNA CONTACT HER!!I don't care if i go to hell!I WILL DO IT!!!!!!

January 6, 2008 | linda wrote:

ok...so the live action wasn't scary, and the acting wasn't great, but I still liked it...i thought the actress who played Ai was ok, she's pretty though her acting was abit wooden...i don't think she was a particularly 'good' choice, but she's a good actress overall, I've seen some of the other dramas she appeared in and she was good in them...I guess she probably just doesn't suit the character of Ai...but it doesn't mean she is a "bad" actress, so people should really just stop b*tching about her...I doubt any of you can do any better.

January 6, 2008 | linda wrote:

February 17, 2008 | Mel wrote:

(Sorry if my english is not perfect xD But I wanted put my comment ^^')

Yes, maybe it's a little different from the anime version, but I think it's not too bad. And I have view the four first episodes, and the others stories are differents, it's not like the first episode. So I am a little bit disappointed... The effects and the concept are ok, but for Ai and Tsugumi, they are too old!

Tsugumi seems have twelve-year-old T_T for eight-year-old in the anime!

Show Spoiler

It's funny to watch, but the anime is more good, sure.

(I'm not sure if you have understood me, but I dont speak english ^^'' )

April 22, 2008 | varms wrote:

OOooohhh, Makoto from Hotaru no Hikari is in it!! The Jigoku Shoujo doesn't look scary at all! Why is she even smiling in that pic?! And she's so chubbyish, it's cute. *sigh* Horikita Maki can pull off scary waay better than this Hell Girl.

August 8, 2008 | msaul wrote:

It´s a good anime and the live action version have enought elements to be good.