Who is Uketsu? This mysterious Japanese creator hides his identity after a White maskand Black suit that covers his entire body and a acute electronically modulated voice. Without revealing his real name or other personal data, Uketsu has become a global literary phenomenon: his novel has already been translated into more than 30 languages, confirming its world impact. This year has also reached our bookstores strange Picturespublished in Catalan with translation of Albert Nolla Cabelos, by column; In Spanish by Sandra Ruiz Morilla to reserve books.
Based on seemingly innocent images, some published in a blog, Strange Pictures Weave a series of horror and mystery stories that end up connecting in a disturbing mosaic of murders
Although it has never specified its gender – a possible ambiguity thanks to the fact that the Japanese usually omit personal pronouns – is usually mentioned in masculine in international media. In this article we follow that convention. Based on seemingly innocent images, some published in a blog, Strange Pictures Weave a series of horror and mystery stories that end up connecting in a disturbing mosaic of murders. With more than 90 images distributed throughout the story, the book is full of track that invite the reader to put into the skin of a detective y resolver he enigma.
In addition to his book, Uketsu has built a transmedia universe through its activity on YouTubewhere he has 1.7 million followers. There not only directs the contents, but also composes and touches music, dance and create their own daring. Although he has no physical presence, his work is almost a concept in itself: it is not limited to the text, but incorporates drawings, videos, music and web pages. All this contributes to a sensory experience that transcends the traditional format of the novel, building a world as disturbing as a house of virtual terror. To fully enjoy its elements, we will immerse ourselves in the ingredients that make up their particular universe. We contact the email with the enigmatic author, who confesses that in the future he would like to dare to create an authentic “House of Terror”.
Deciphering the uketsu mystery
The strength of anonymity
UKETSU maintains its identity completely secret; even its name, which literally means “Hole and rain”, Does not give any clue to who he is. He chose it, as he explained, because he likes rainy days and dark and humid places. This anonymity is an essential part of his personal brand, to the point that Not even your editor knows your face. According to an article from Asahi Shimbun Published in 2022, even editorial meetings are always held with the camera off. Consulted by ElNacional.catyour editor in Futabasha (The Japanese publisher that has published Strange Pictures) He refused to comment on the way they communicate. On the reasons that led him to build this anonymous image, Uketsu explained in an interview that, at the beginning of his career, He worked in a supermarket and wanted to hide his identity. In addition, he added a deeper motive: “He wanted to represent an existence that eliminated visible humanity, such as kurogo (attendees dressed in black at the Kabuki Theater), “he said in an interview with a Japanese newspaper. image not only power he mysterybut it combines strangely concern, humor and true tendernessfurther deepening your enigma. It is undoubtedly an ideal figure to act as “master of ceremonies” in its particular house of terror.
A format that breaks borders
One of the biggest surprises when you have in your hands Strange Pictures It is the deep immersion which offers your experience of reading. Although illustrations and diagrams are distributed throughout the book, they are arranged in such a way that it is not necessary to go back or forward in the pages to search for clues, as often happens in conventional mystery novels. About this structure, which is called “Sketch Myystery”, Uketsu acknowledges having taken inspiration both of the webmedia as of manga. Uketsu debuted as editor in 2018 in the digital media Bycrouknown in Japan for its light and humorous contents, where photographs, illustrations and texts are combined to create a distinctive visual style. There he wrote horror stories as Parasite Matryoshkaas well as collaborative comic content, such as A humorous guide on how to hide books or sleeves for your parents adultswhere he already showed his peculiar touch of restlessness even in humorous contexts.
From one of those experiments, based on the plans of a house, the germ of Henna Ie (The Strange House)which later adapted in a video for YouTube. The video went viral and gave rise to his first book, later transformed into manga and film. Uketsu also recognizes that The manga has had a great influence on its way of narrating. One of the most careful aspects is the “arrangement of the pages”, an inherited manga technique. “In the manga language, the concept of ‘visual induction’ is widely used, that is, to control how the reader’s look moves by the page. I also try to apply this idea to the structure of my novels,” he explains answering the questions D ‘ElNacional.cat.
Since childhood I have been familiar with the expressions of horror characteristics of what was called ‘J-Horror’: the gloom, the feeling of not being able to escape, the appearances that invade normality in a silent way
The fear that stalks in everyday life
It is in this unique format where Uketsu pours the ingredients of your particular vision of terror. However, it is not fierce monsters or supernatural creatures. The horror he proposes refers to J-Horror that triumphed worldwide in the 2000s: a fear that hides in everyday life, a silent darkness that stalks without escape. “Since childhood I have been familiar with the expressions of horror characteristics of what was called ‘J-Horror’: the gloom, the feeling of not being able to escape, the appearances that invade normality silently. I am sure that those sensations have been impregnated in my sensitivity, even to an unconscious level,” Uketsu explains. Now, that everyday es deeply Japanese. How is it possible that you have conquered readers around the world? The author himself is surprised: “My stories are very Japanese (Or, in any case, Asians), so I never imagined that they could be so well received in other countries, “he acknowledges. On the unexpected international success, Uketsu offers his own reflection:” For decades, in Japan there is talk of the social problems related to the ‘children unable to become independent’ or the ‘parents who do not know how to let their children go.’ Strange Pictures It reflects precisely those extreme dependence relationships between parents and children. For the Japanese it is a close, familiar fear; while for foreign readers a strange and exotic fear is perhaps. “
Multigenero and Spirit of Service
Close a UKETSU book does not mean abandoning your world of terror. On the same day of the Japanese launch of Strange Picturesin autumn of 2022, Uketsu published on social networks a link to a fictional blog, supposedly written by one of the characters in the novel, where readers could consult the newspapers and key illustrations to solve the mystery. In addition, in YouTube Uploaded a video entitled Suite: Strange Picturesin which he interprets composite songs y writings by himselfplaying guitar and piano. Listening to these pieces after reading the novel enriches the experience of the story.
Why add so many contents to an already complete novel? Uketsu explains it simply: “I like books, music, cinema. So I thought: if I like everything, why not do everything?” He adds that working alone allows you to unify the style and reinforce your artistic identity. Beyond the multi -man, his genuine spirit of service stands out. In January of this year, Uketsu celebrated its first press conference in Tokyo – yes, using a voice modulator. What caught the attention was not only his appearance, but his extreme courtesy to journalists: he responded in a formal Japanese and with a surprisingly friendly tone (although his voice was still disturbing). Even worried that their serious answers did not fit with their peculiar appearance, improvised a strange dance.
I really value the spirit of service. If someone buys something for 1,000 yen (about 6.15 euros) and feels that they have enjoyed the equivalent of 10,000 yen (about 61.5 euros), there will have won 9,000 yen (about 55.34 euros) of happiness. I want my followers to feel that they have won as much as possible, even if it is only a yen
Asked about this attitude, UKETSU replied: “I value the spirit of service a lot. If someone buys something for 1,000 yen (about 6.15 euros) and feels that the equivalent of 10,000 yen (about 61.5 euros) has enjoyed, there will have won 9,000 yen (about 55.34 euros) of happiness. I want my followers to feel that they have won as much as possible, even if it is only one. Uketsu has also revealed that, when he began publishing in Bycrou And on YouTube almost simultaneously, he did so for fear that, in an era saturated with visual information, text and images alone were not enough to capture attention. However, after consolidating as an international success author, he no doubt that his texts and images find his own audience. Even so, he insists on the importance of remains active on YouTube: “YouTube is still my basis for operationsand I want to continue using it. Creating entertainment only with images and text is fun, but I also feel that the impact of using audios and videos is enormous. “
Influence of artists (from Catalonia too?)
Among the artists who have influenced UKETSU most, are names like Edogawa Ranpo, Japanese Master of the Mystery, and the popular musical group Southern All Stars. As for the Catalan artists who have influenced him, Uketsu is clear: “I love Salvador Dalí’s work. Especially Soft construction with boiled beansa painting that causes unique sensations, impossible to experiment in another way. “And he says goodbye to a message for his followers in Catalonia:” I am very grateful for support. And those who still do not know me, I would love to take in their hands Strange Pictures“.
