What are the characteristics of the stories in the list of popular horror stories?

Many of them might have a spooky setting, like an old mansion or a dark alley. These settings create an immediate sense of unease.

The settings are also an important characteristic. Usually, they are set in old houses, abandoned places, or forests. These locations give a sense of isolation and unease. In addition, Japanese horror stories sometimes incorporate cultural elements such as traditional beliefs and superstitions, which make them more unique and terrifying.

Often, they create a sense of unease and fear quickly. For example, they might start with a strange or disturbing setting like a haunted house or a desolate graveyard.

One of the most popular ones has to be 'Rosemary's Baby'. It's about a woman who suspects that her neighbors are part of a Satanic cult and that her unborn baby is involved in some sort of evil plan. The story builds up the horror slowly and effectively. There are also stories like 'Pet Sematary' which is also very well - known. It has the idea of a place where dead things can come back to life, but not in a good way at all.

They often contain positive values. 'Snow White' in the list promotes kindness and the victory of good over evil. These positive elements are good for children's mental development as they fall asleep thinking about good things.

A lot of these stories play with psychological horror. Take 'The Black Cat' by Edgar Allan Poe. The narrator's own guilty conscience and his deteriorating mental state are the main sources of horror. It shows how a person's inner demons can be as terrifying as any external monster.

Popular Japanese horror stories often feature elements of the supernatural. In 'Tomie', Tomie's regenerative powers are beyond the realm of normal human abilities. Also, they usually create a sense of isolation. In many of these stories, the characters are alone or in a small group, which heightens the fear. For instance, in 'Dark Water', it's mainly the mother and daughter facing the horror alone in their apartment.

His vivid descriptions are also a key feature. In stories like 'The Damned Thing', he describes the strange and unexplainable events in such detail that it feels like you're right there in the middle of the horror. He doesn't shy away from the grotesque either, which adds to the horror factor.

A common characteristic is the use of the supernatural. In 'The Black Stone', the presence of an ancient and evil force gives the story a spine - chilling feel. His characters also face extreme and often terrifying situations that test their sanity and survival instincts. In many of his stories like 'The Children of the Night', the unknown is a huge factor in creating horror as the characters struggle to understand what is really going on.