
Having seen through the eyes of Sadako, we can now definitively say: Yes, the hair is a huge nuisance.
The video demo comes from Twitter user @tatsunoru who makes a variety of unique smartphone and VR games along with other digital artistry.
▼ “I got into the Sadako vs Kayako movie, so I made a Sadako VR prototype. It’s a game to experience the toils from Sadako’s side of things. Parting through the long hair, phoning people who watched the cursed video tape, and then coming out of the TV to kill the cursed person.”
映画「貞子vs伽椰子」が面白かったので、つい「貞子VR」を試作してしました。貞子側の苦労体験ゲームです。長い髪をかき分け、呪いのビデオを見た人が現れたら電話をかけて、テレビから飛び出して呪い殺します。 pic.twitter.com/qVoycSsJvN
— tatsunoru@DOFI (@tatsunoru) June 21, 2016
Indeed Tatsunoru’s take on the Ring franchise is very eye-opening. Sure we’ve all assumed it wasn’t great to be Sadako since she was a murderous and moldy rotting corpse, but she was also magic and immortal – and those are some really big pluses.
In her downtime, I always figured Sadako could kick it on a beach or finally finish that novel she’s been working on, but no. Being her simply sucks 24-7 and even comes with a set of rules. Upon starting Sadako VR you are presented with a list of them.
Sadako Rules
1 People who watch the cursed video appear and then the connecting TV lights up.
2 Creep up to the place where the TV is.
Argh…this hair can f**k right off already!
3 Call the cursed person on the telephone.
4 Enter the TV.
And that pretty much sums up what it’s like to be Sadako…day in and day out…forever. Sure you got your magically postmodern well equipped with supernatural rotary phones and CRT television sets but I imagine that gets old real quick.
Off to work we go! Climbing up the well allows gravity to give us a brief respite from the hair. Then it’s time to make a phone call and enter the TV portal.
Immediately you’re face-to-hair with your victim who is experiencing a terror unlike any they have ever felt. Meanwhile you, as Sadako, couldn’t be more bored by the tedious endeavor. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition of emotions.
After the job is done, it’s right back in the TV we go. No raiding the victim’s fridge or using their phone to make calls to psychic hotlines; being Sadako is all business.
It’s unlikely we’ll be seeing a final release of Sadako VR for obvious reasons, but conceptually it is an awesome game and as rough as it is, it was very nicely executed by the off-beat genius of Tatsunoru.
Tatsunoru has been getting attention from some of his other VR projects as well, such as his game aptly titled VR Futile Effort, which is more eerily similar to my dreams than I’d care to admit.
▼ “I made VR Futile Effort in a rush. You have to stack stones in a dry riverbed at a constant height, but you also have to fend off demons coming to knock over your stones by throwing the stones at them. I wonder if it’s OK to apply for the Unity VR Expo Akiba.”
突貫で「VR賽の河原」作った。河原に転がってる石を積み重ねて一定の高さにしないといけないんだけど、鬼が崩しにやってくるから石を投げて撃退するゲーム。Unity VR EXPO AKIBAに応募しても大丈夫ですかな… pic.twitter.com/oTJLXlqer1
— tatsunoru@DOFI (@tatsunoru) June 17, 2016
And then there’s the game in which you spin kimono-clad women like tops by yanking on their obi belts. It’s exactly as bizarre as you might imagine.
Again, these games all merely concepts, but if there are more creative minds like Tatsunoru out there providing unique and intriguing content, then VR may enjoy a long and prosperous future in the home entertainment market.
Source: Twitter/@tatsunoru, Kai-you (Japanese)
Images: Twitter/@tatsunoru






Horror icon Sadako gets update in new movie! See the creepy first trailer【Video】
Ready to be scared? It’s the clash of the curses in Sadako vs Kayako!【Review】
Virtual reality game will let you turn kimono-clad girls into spinning, battling tops【Video】
YouTuber takes horror to the next level by recreating Sadako’s spooky TV screen exit in AR【Video】
Experience Doraemon’s Anywhere Door in virtual reality【 Video】
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan now has “edible cat fur” for people who really love felines
7-Eleven’s new green tea rice ball and sweets are only available in Japan’s top tea-growing area
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
300-tonne hose washes up on Japanese shore
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
When is miso ramen not miso ramen? When it’s the new ramen at one of Japan’s top beef bowl chains
Japanese university welcomes birth of baby deer on campus, president waives entrance exam[Videos]
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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
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】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Bandai Namco announces plans to open virtual reality experience center
Trying Virtual Reality for the first time at Bandai Namco’s VR Experience in Odaiba, Tokyo
Evangelion virtual reality game in Tokyo will let fans live the dream of piloting an Eva Unit
Remember: virtual reality will make horror games way, way scarier【Video】
Virtual girlfriend adult game developer switches gears with super-customizable VR boyfriend game