What could be scarier than looking in a mirror and seeing a demon staring back at you? How about being too engrossed in your smartphone to even notice…
“You’ll get square eyes, you know,” my mother used to tell me whenever she found me glued to our enormous 1980s TV set instead of playing outside on a sunny day. My eyes never did change shape, but the tiny screens I give so much attention to today put me in a very real kind of danger as I walk down the street tweeting about video games, cats, and my contempt for Donald Trump (in that order) instead of looking where I’m going.
Japanese YouTubers and horror fans Prank Pirates recently shared a video of a prank they pulled on fellow videographers who attended an event at YouTube Space Tokyo, wherein they sat them in front of a two-way mirror under the pretence of giving them a horror movie makeover, only to suddenly kill the lights and have their victims come face to face with a sickle-wielding Japanese demon.
It’s a fun video in its own right, but the reaction—or rather lack thereof—they got from one victim in particular speaks reams about us as a society.
▼ Um? Hello? I’m here to murder you…
▼ …Hello?
Demons walk among us every day, boys and girls. We’re just too busy texting to notice.
Oh, hey, another post about cats!
Source/screenshots: YouTube/PRANK PIRATES
Spooky cosplayer dressed as Japanese urban legend ghost plays pranks on passersby in Akihabara
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Burger King offers every fast food franchisee in Japan 40M yen to jump ship and join them
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Studio Ghibli announces first new short anime film in 8 years, exclusive to Ghibli Park
The dream of riding Final Fantasy Chocobos is coming to Tokyo VR centers
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Uniqlo’s new Dragon Ball T-shirts and hoodies modeled for the first time【Photos】
Beautiful Starbucks in Kyoto blends into its traditional landscape in more ways than one
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says