
Forget proving you’re not a robot, these CAPTCHAs need to prove they’re not ghosts!
CAPTCHAs are a part of modern life on the Internet. Whenever you sign up for something or even sometimes when you just want to log in, you get a series of random, oddly-skewed numbers and letters that you have to read to prove you’re not a robot mass-creating accounts.
Usually the CAPTCHAs themselves are little more than an annoyance; the worst they can do is make you squint hard to see if a certain character is a “P” or an “F.” But, as the Japanese Internet is proving on Twitter, sometimes CAPTCHAs can turn into quite the bone-chilling experience.
Here’s the tweet that started it, and with over 60,000 retweets, it’s touched the spine of many others: (explanation below)
▼ “I’ve never seen a CAPTCHA this scary before….”
こんな怖い文字認証見たことねえよ… pic.twitter.com/E4TiDYrVcI
— くずきりりんご (@kuzukiri_apple) April 15, 2017
The four characters in this person’s CAPTCHA spell out mi-tsu-ke-te, or just mitsukete when read together, meaning “find me.” Combined with the creepily long font that looks like it was scrawled with blood, I’d probably refresh for a new CAPTCHA if that one came up for me.
Several other Twitter users chimed in with their own creepy CAPTCHA experiences:
▼ This CAPTCHA is shi-n-de, shinde, meaning “die.”
Now that’s an Internet ghost who gets right to the point.
誓って申しますがヤラセではありません。https://t.co/jyXIJlDd3K pic.twitter.com/UBWYaw4r2i
— 初期型貴族 (@Tango_jp) April 16, 2017
▼ Next is ni-ge-te, nigete, meaning “run” as in,
“you’d better run away before the thing hiding in your home gets you.”
▼ This one is u-shi-ro-wo-mi-te, ushiro wo mite, “look behind you.”
I don’t know which would be worse, looking or not looking.
▼ And possibly the creepiest one of all: ta-su-ke-te, tasukete, “help me.”
Nope! Sorry Internet ghost, but you’re gonna have to possess someone else!
怖すぎィ! pic.twitter.com/5JvzHEqz57
— taiki (@_Electric_car_) April 15, 2017
Whether Internet ghosts are real or not, I’ll never be mad about having to do another CAPTCHA again, so long as it’s just the usual assortment of random numbers and letters and not a creepy message from beyond the grave.
Although, if these Internet ghosts really want to get their message through, then maybe they should learn a thing or two about how small details can make all the difference between scary and suave.

A Finger-lickin’ Phantom? Terrifying statue haunts Japanese Twitter user biking home
Red, white… Beige? Twitter user overhears a children’s song with creepy implications
Japanese Twitter user accidentally summons demon by making toast【Pic】
Japanese idol’s attempt at taking a “cute” photo backfires in terrifying way
Paranormal activity sensed at a Twitter user’s local arcade…and Kirby is the cause?!
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Over four billion yen in lost cash was found in Tokyo last year, setting new record
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Buildings transform into giant robots in Japanese real estate company’s anime commercial【Video】
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service notebook and ceramic cake case to stores in Japan
Taste-testing Japan’s real-world Dragon Balls and Senzu Beans at Marugame Seimen
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Three friends go into a pitch-black “haunted” tunnel in Japan, freaky terror ensues【Video】
Japanese ghosts are real! Terrifying face appears in curtains, shocks Japanese Twitter【Pics】
Crafty and creative Twitter user shares how-to videos for dazzling autumn leaf origami
Japanese Twitter user documents month-long crusade to buy a drink from a vending machine
Twitter user plays God with unholy cat and Roomba fusion
Japanese Internet users amused by CIA Twitter feed, led there by United States Forces
Proof that Japanese Twitter users have Dragon Quest on the brain 【Pictures】
Japanese Twitter users go crazy for exotic curries in cute packaging
Japanese Twitter user shares ingenious idea of what to do when you get way too much snow【Pics】
Japanese Twitter user inspires horror stories with freaky apartment photo
Japanese Twitter users make Osaka Metro’s English translation mistakes into running joke, memes
Japanese Twitter user’s dream of having a pet hamster is a roller-wheel of emotions
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 creepiest Japanese animals 【Weird Top Five】
Japanese Twitter users answer: Are you a Coca Cola, Pepsi or Dr Pepper fanatic?
Japanese Twitter user wows Internet with hologram wristwatch, cat tank, and steampunk creations
Japanese Twitter user’s chart shows 12 levels of art skill based on how you draw a giraffe