Often, they are rich in atmosphere. For example, they use detailed descriptions of the haunted house environment, like the creaking floors, cold drafts, and shadowy corners. This makes the reader feel as if they are actually in the spooky place.
Many Japanese haunted house novels draw on traditional Japanese horror elements. Such as vengeful spirits which are a big part of Japanese folklore. These elements add a cultural depth to the horror. They also tend to play with psychological horror, getting into the minds of the characters and making the reader question what is real and what is not.
They usually have complex characters. The protagonists are often ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary and terrifying situations. Their reactions and inner thoughts are explored deeply, which makes the horror more relatable. And the plot often has unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the story.
Many of them incorporate elements of Japanese folklore. This could be things like vengeful spirits or cursed objects. In 'Dark Water', the idea of a spirit being attached to a particular place, like the apartment, is a common trope in Japanese supernatural beliefs.
Often, they incorporate elements of Korean folklore. For example, spirits like the dokkaebi might be part of the hauntings in the story. The settings are usually old, traditional Korean houses which add to the eerie atmosphere.
Typically, they have a spooky setting, like an old, dilapidated house. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the old mansion is full of creaky floors and shadowy corners.
A good haunted house novel often has a vivid description of the house itself. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', Shirley Jackson describes the architecture and the dark corners in great detail, which makes the house seem like a character itself. It also has an element of mystery. The readers should be kept guessing about what is really going on in the house, whether it's ghosts or some other supernatural forces.
Typically, they often have a very old and dilapidated house as the central setting. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the house is described as having a very eerie and foreboding architecture. Another characteristic is the presence of unexplained noises, like creaking floors and howling winds. In 'The Woman in Black', these noises add to the overall sense of dread. There's also usually a sense of a past tragedy or mystery associated with the house, which haunts the present inhabitants or visitors.
One well - known Japanese haunted house novel is 'The Ring' by Suzuki Koji. It tells a terrifying story centered around a cursed videotape. Viewers of the tape receive a phone call predicting their death in exactly one week.
Another great one is 'Dark Water' by Koji Suzuki as well. It involves a haunted apartment building, where strange and terrifying things start to happen to the protagonist and her daughter. The sense of dread and the haunted nature of the building are really well - portrayed in the novel.
The main traits of haunted house mangas are the presence of a haunted building, eerie sounds and sights, and a sense of danger lurking around every corner. They can also explore the backstories of the ghosts or the history of the house to add depth to the story.
A haunted house caricature often features exaggerated and spooky elements like creepy windows, a crooked roof, and maybe some ghostly figures.
Often, they have a really well - described setting. The haunted house itself is detailed, like its creaky floors and shadowy corners. There's a sense of mystery, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House' where you don't know what's really causing the hauntings at first.