Junji Ito: Souichi's Beloved Pet

Sayuri, Souichi's sister, discovers a stray kitten and brings it home, giving it the name Coron. However, Souichi, harboring a deep resentment towards animals and seeking attention, resents the newfound focus on Coron. In his anger, he casts a curse, its origins unclear, that begins to manifest as an eerie crackle of static energy.

Sayuri becomes suspicious of Souichi's intentions when she catches him using a dead snake as a toy for Coron. She and Koichi, another member of the family, warn Souichi of the potential curse brought upon by the snake's ghost. However, their concerns are overshadowed by a startling discovery - Coron chewing on the very snake itself.

As the curse takes hold, Coron's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. She hunts and devours snakes and insects, leaving a trail of destruction in the house.

Even more chilling, she consumes an abomination with eyes adorning its body. Souichi, viewing this as a gift from the depths of hell, revels in the chaos. The once-harmonious home transforms into a realm of fear, with only Souichi daring to approach Coron.

The curse, whether born from Souichi's own malevolence or the vengeful spirit of the snake, reaches its apex. Coron becomes a conduit of immense power, releasing a surge of electricity that strikes Souichi as he attempts to harm her.

The rest of the family is forced to flee, with the neighbors assuming the incident to be a lightning strike upon the house. Coron, once again returning to her lovable demeanor, stands amidst the aftermath, while Souichi lies gravely injured, unable to move.

*The cat's name is Netflix is Coron and Colin in the manga

*Cat's fur can create static electricity when it rubs against objects, causing an electrical charge buildup. This can result in small shocks or sparks, but it's a common and harmless occurrence due to electron transfer during friction. It's not associated with anything supernatural and is generally harmless.

My Interpretative Reflection

Souichi's mistreatment of animals, using a dead snake as a toy and attempting to harm Coron is obviously an issue of animal cruelty. His deep-seated resentment towards animals and his desire for attention reflect the consequences of unchecked negative emotions. Harboring unresolved feelings of anger, jealousy, or resentment can be harmful.

As Coron's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and destructive, the once-harmonious home transforms into a house of fear. This can be interpreted as actions and emotions of one family member can disrupt the peace and security of an entire household. It underscores the importance of communication and empathy within families.

The curse that affects Souichi and the transformation of Coron into a conduit of immense power can be seen as a commentary on the consequences of malevolent actions. When one seeks to harm or manipulate others, it can result in unintended and catastrophic repercussions.

Souichi's desire for power and control over Coron is evident throughout the story. This could also represent the dynamics of power and control in relationships, emphasizing that the abuse of power can lead to chaos and destruction.

I'm just a humble fan who loves all things Japanese and hopes to bring a little bit of that love to you. Arigatou gozaimasu!

Source

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Previously published on Medium