This time, I’ll be introducing the horror manga “Zashiki Onna,” which is the type that some people will really find hard to handle. If you live alone or are afraid of walking alone at night, proceed with caution…
【Zashiki Onna】Discussion of Sachiko’s true identity with spoilers!【What are you saying?】
| Title | Zashiki Onna |
| Author | Minetarou Mochizuki |
| Genre | Horror, Suspense |
| Serialized in | Weekly Young Magazine |
| Publication Year | Around 1993 |
| Story | The story follows Hiroshi, a university student, who is stalked by a strange woman named Sachiko, leading to the breakdown of his life. |
| Main Characters | Hiroshi (the protagonist), Sachiko (Zashiki Onna) |
| Features | Sachiko possesses an eerie appearance and extraordinary physical abilities, preying on the consciences of others. Her true identity remains a mystery until the end. |
It was just a small trigger. The doorbell, the phone, the spare key… that woman was definitely getting closer to me. An inescapable fear—what will happen next?
Citation: Kodansha Comic Plus
When I was young, this manga instilled quite a significant trauma in me. At the same time, it became the gateway for me to dive deep into urban legends and the world of the occult. The horror manga I’m introducing today is “Zashiki Onna” (“The Zashiki Woman”). While the title might sound catchy, similar to “Zashiki Warashi” (a lucky spirit), don’t be fooled. Unlike the Zashiki Warashi, which brings fortune to those who encounter it, the Zashiki Onna is characterized by only bringing misfortune to those she meets.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
The Plot of “Zashiki Onna”
Hiroshi, a university student, wakes up one night to the persistent sound of knocking on the door of the room next to his. When he opens the front door, he is confronted by a tall, eerie woman with long hair and a long coat. The woman introduces herself as “Sachiko” and rudely enters Hiroshi’s room, claiming she needs to borrow the phone. This strange and surreal encounter marks the beginning of the unraveling of Hiroshi’s peaceful and quiet life…
A Theory on the True Identity of Sachiko, the Zashiki Woman
From here on, I would like to share my thoughts on the mysteries left in the story of Zashiki Onna. As a premise, please note that the answers to these mysteries are not explicitly revealed in the work, so these are purely my speculations.
Who is the model for the Zashiki Onna (Sachiko)?
Probably, the model for Sachiko is the Japanese urban legend “Kuchisake-onna” (Slit-Mouthed Woman), which became widely known during the Showa to Heisei era and terrified elementary school children at the time.
The features such as:
- Disheveled, long black hair
- Tall stature
- Trench coat
seem to match.。
Is Sachiko, the Zashiki-onna, a ghost or a pervert?
Given that the negative influence Sachiko has on the men results in tangible phenomena, it seems highly likely that Sachiko is a real, physical human being and a pervert.
However, from a more occult perspective, even if we consider the possibility that Sachiko is a ghost, the theory that she could be an evil spirit causing physical paranormal phenomena could also be an interesting idea.
What is inside the syringe of Sachiko, the Zashiki-onna?
In the scene just before the ending, the protagonist is captured by Sachiko during a chase in the hospital and is injected with a mysterious substance. While this is purely speculative, there aren’t many possibilities for what the injection could contain, considering the context. Based on the reactions of Hiroshi’s friends in the epilogue, it seems likely that the injection contained a lethal substance.
Summary
The story leaves many mysteries unresolved as it reaches its conclusion, but paradoxically, one could say that this also leaves room for imagination and speculation, allowing for further analysis. In the end, only the author, Minetaro Mochizuki, knows the truth, but personally, I enjoy stories that end with unresolved mysteries. For those who don’t mind such open endings, I would highly recommend this as a high-quality horror manga that leaves a lasting impression.
If you enjoy urban legends like the Kuchisake-onna or the Hachishakusama, you’ll probably be hooked. While writing this, I realized that, considering the era of the manga, it could have potentially influenced the creation of the Hachishakusama legend?
