Top 1０ Ranking of Truly Scary Japanese Anime Urban Legends

Prologue

Do you know many Japanese anime? Popular anime often have unknown urban legends associated with them.

This time, we have carefully selected 10 truly scary urban legends related to anime and will introduce them in a ranking format

This article has been translated using ChatGPT. Please be aware there may be some awkward phrasing.

Ranking at number 10　　Pocket Monsters (Pokémon)

Pocket Monsters (Pokémon)” is an anime based on the immensely popular game that has been beloved worldwide since its release in 1995. It depicts the adventures of Pokémon Trainers who have mysterious creatures called Pokémon as their partners and engage in battles with them.

The true identity of Mimikyu is said to be the Pokémon that was socially erased.

Mimikyu is a Pokémon that disguises itself as the immensely popular Pokémon, Pikachu. It is said that those who see its true form hidden beneath the cloth fall victim to a mysterious illness. However, there is an urban legend that claims its true identity is actually Polygon.

In the anime episode of “Pokémon Sun & Moon” that aired in 2016, it was revealed that Mimikyu had been holding a grudge against Pikachu for 20 years. The incident that occurred there is known as the “Polygon Shock” or “Pokémon Shock,” which was a broadcasting accident.

The accident was caused by Pikachu’s Flash attack, and Polygon, which was also the title of that episode, never appeared in the anime again since then. Polygon took the blame for Pikachu and disappeared from the anime. It seems that Mimikyu carries the grudge on its behalf.

Ranking at number 9　　ONE PIECE

Based on the manga of the same name, the anime ‘One Piece’ has gained national popularity. It is a fantasy action series that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy aspiring to become the Pirate King. The story features a plethora of fascinating characters, both allies and enemies. One notable aspect is the introduction of various Devil Fruits, which grant unique abilities to those who consume them

Did Blackbeard eat multiple Devil Fruits?

Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, can be considered as the most formidable and ultimate enemy for Luffy. There is an urban legend surrounding him that states he possesses the ability to consume multiple Devil Fruits, although many mysteries still surround him

There are several theories regarding the reason why Blackbeard can possess multiple abilities, but the most compelling one is that he consumed the “Yami Yami no Mi” Devil Fruit, which is said to enable him to nullify the powers of other Devil Fruits and claim them for himself.

As for the theory that Blackbeard ate the Inu Inu no Mi Model: Cerberus, which is based on the mythical three-headed dog, Cerberus, it remains a subject of speculation. Cerberus is known to have three heads and three hearts, and it has a fondness for sweet treats and never sleeps at night. Blackbeard’s Jolly Roger flag features three skulls, further emphasizing the potential connection. If Blackbeard can indeed consume up to three Devil Fruits, it leaves us wondering about the identity and capabilities of his final fruit acquisition.

Ranking at number 8　　Lupin the Third

Lupin the Third” is an action anime that depicts the adventures of the master thief Lupin III and his gang. The series is based on the original work by Monkey Punch

It’s all Inspector Zenigata’s delusion

There is an urban legend that states that Lupin and his gang die early on in the first season of the anime. So, who are the Lupin characters that appear afterwards?

According to the legend, the Lupin characters who continue to appear after their supposed deaths are actually the delusions of Inspector Zenigata. In reality, Lupin and his gang were imprisoned and sentenced to death. However, Zenigata, whose purpose in life was to chase after them, couldn’t accept this truth. Instead, he continues to have a “dream” where Lupin and his gang are still alive, and it is the contents of this dream that viewers come to know as “Lupin the Third.

Indeed, in the original story and anime, Inspector Zenigata is portrayed as Lupin’s rival and is constantly on the pursuit to capture him. However, it is also true that in certain iterations, Zenigata is depicted as Lupin’s university junior, adding an interesting dynamic to their relationship.

The idea that everything is just Zenigata’s dream is indeed a sad and somewhat ambiguous urban legend. It introduces a layer of melancholy to the story, suggesting that Zenigata’s relentless pursuit of Lupin is ultimately driven by a longing for their past connection as fellow students. It adds a bittersweet twist to the narrative, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of their relationship and the nature of dreams.

Ranking at number ７　Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball GT” is an anime series that serves as a sequel to the anime “Dragon Ball Z.” It aired from 1996 to 1997 and features an original story. The series takes place after the final battle with Majin Buu and consists of a total of 64 episodes

What does ‘GT’ mean in ‘Dragon Ball GT’?

In “Dragon Ball GT,” “GT” is believed to have four possible meanings: “Grand Tour,” “Galaxy Tour,” “Galaxy Travel,” and “Great Tour.” However, there is another theory that is considered quite plausible.

It is believed that one possible meaning of ‘GT’ in ‘Dragon Ball GT’ is an abbreviation for ‘Gomen nasai Toriyama-sensei,’ which translates to ‘Sorry, Toriyama-sensei.’ This theory became a topic of discussion when it was speculated that the production team apologized for taking the story in a direction different from the intentions of Akira Toriyama, the creator of ‘Dragon Ball.’ However, Toriyama himself has made statements regarding the meaning of ‘GT,’ and this ‘Sorry, Toriyama-sensei’ theory appears to be nothing more than an urban legend

Ranking at number ６　　My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro” is a film that was released in 1988. It is a Studio Ghibli production directed by Hayao Miyazaki and is set in Japan during the early 1950s. The story revolves around the sisters Satsuki and Mei, who encounter the magical creature Totoro. It is a fantasy film that captures the imagination of the audience.

Is Mei and Satsuki dead?

The main aspect of this urban legend suggests that Mei, the younger sister, drowns and dies in a pond, while her older sister Satsuki wanders in the forest, searching for her sister’s spirit in the afterlife. Additionally, it is said that their mother, who was afflicted with tuberculosis, also passes away, leaving only their father behind. According to this urban legend, Totoro is interpreted as a death god who appears only before those nearing their end. The fact that only Satsuki and Mei can see Totoro is attributed to the possibility that their deaths were imminent.

Ranking at number ５　　Detective Conan

Detective Conan” is a detective manga series where high school detective Shinichi Kudo is transformed into a young boy named Conan Edogawa by the Black Organization. As Conan, he solves numerous cases while trying to uncover the whereabouts of the organization. The series is known for its thrilling detective stories and intricate mysteries.

Is the mastermind of the Black Organization someone close to Conan?

All the members of the Black Organization that Conan is chasing after are named after alcoholic beverages or cocktails. Some of the members introduced so far include Gin, Vodka, and Vermouth. And as an urban legend, it has been suggested that the mastermind of the Black Organization is Dr. Agasa.

In reality, there is a cocktail named “Agatha” as well. Furthermore, it is also one of the reasons why Agasa is considered as a candidate for the mastermind of the Black Organization that he rarely appears when fighting against them.

It is said that the two real-life authors, Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, were rivals, which makes it fitting for the conflict between Conan and Agasa. There is a sense of fear in being betrayed by someone you trust the most.

Ranking at number ４　　　Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon” is a popular manga series that became a social phenomenon. With its anime adaptation, its popularity skyrocketed. This series is considered one of the pioneers of the genre where cute girls become heroines and fight against villains.

Do the Sailor Guardians die in the final episode?

The ending of the first season of the anime series originally depicted a story where the four Sailor Guardians, other than the protagonist Sailor Moon (Usagi Tsukino), were killed by the enemy. Usagi then received their powers, allowing her to defeat the enemy and emerge victorious in the end.

However, at the time, the main viewership of “Sailor Moon” was composed of elementary school students. The shocking ending where all the Sailor Guardians were killed had a significant impact, and many children were shocked and disturbed by it. This led to a wave of complaints, and there were even reports of children becoming emotionally affected, with some even experiencing school refusal as a result.

In response to the backlash and concerns from viewers, the production staff of “Sailor Moon” reportedly aired a hastily added story that claimed “the four characters were actually alive.” This was done in an attempt to address the shock and discomfort caused by the original ending. The added storyline aimed to provide a more reassuring and happier outcome for the characters, ensuring that viewers could continue enjoying the series without lingering negative effects.

Ranking at number ３　　　Doraemon

Doraemon” is a beloved anime that enjoys widespread popularity, especially among children. It is based on the manga of the same name by Fujiko F. Fujio. The series follows the adventures of Doraemon, a robotic cat from the future who uses his magical gadgets to help Nobita and his friends. It is a science fiction series filled with heartwarming stories and life lessons. “Doraemon” is also a long-running anime that many people have likely seen and enjoyed.

Nobita is in a plant-like state.

One day, Nobita got into a traffic accident and, unfortunately, ended up in a plant-like state. From that point on, his daily life with Doraemon was all part of Nobita’s dream as a person in a plant-like state, and it was not an actual occurrence.

Indeed, it is what is commonly referred to as a “dream ending.” This dream ending for “Doraemon” became a popular rumor among children around 1986.

There were numerous inquiries about the final episode of “Doraemon,” which led to a commotion until the series’ creator, Fujiko F. Fujio, made a comment stating that “Doraemon would not have such a sudden and unhappy ending.

Ranking at number ２　　Spirited Away”

Spirited Away” is Studio Ghibli’s most successful film. The story revolves around the protagonist, a young girl named Chihiro, who finds herself trapped in a mysterious world. Through her encounters with various characters, particularly the inhabitants of a bathhouse for spirits, Chihiro undergoes personal growth and transformation. The film explores themes of identity, courage, and the importance of maintaining one’s true self in the face of adversity.

The establishment where Chihiro worked, the “yuya” (油屋), is a brothel.

According to an urban legend, the “yuya” (油屋) where Chihiro was forced to work is believed to be based on a brothel. In this legend, the establishment is said to be visited by countless male gods who come to relax and relieve their fatigue. However, female gods are not depicted in this context.

According to speculation, the name given to the character Yubaba in “Spirited Away” is believed to be a play on the term “Genji name,” which refers to the names given to courtesans during the Edo period. Additionally, the term “yuna” (湯女) used in the film can be interpreted as a reference to “yūjo” (遊女), meaning a female entertainer or prostitute during the Edo period.

Regarding the pig transformation of Chihiro’s parents, some interpretations suggest that it is a metaphor representing the moral decline of parents who would sell their children.

Ranking at number １　　Crayon Shin-chan

Crayon Shin-chan,” known as a long-running anime series, revolves around the mischievous and comical adventures of Shinnosuke Nohara, also known as Shin-chan. While the anime is known for its strong comedic elements and silly humor, there are indeed some chilling urban legends associated with it.

Is Shin-chan already dead?

Shin-chan died in a traffic accident while protecting his younger sister, Himawari. Unable to bear the shock, his mother, Misae, started experiencing hallucinations of Shin-chan. According to the urban legend, those around her intentionally go along with her story.

Another behind-the-scenes explanation suggests that the title “Crayon Shin-chan” originated from the idea that Misae, unable to forget her unforgettable memories with Shin-chan, wrote a diary using his crayons found among his belongings. This backstory provides an interesting interpretation of the title’s origin. However, it is important to note that this is not an official explanation and falls within the realm of fan speculation or urban legends.

In conclusion

Lastly, in this article, we introduced some urban legends related to popular anime series. These urban legends are born out of love and interest for the works, and they have been discussed and created among fans. However, it’s important to remember that urban legends are purely fictional and may differ from official stories or information. The world of anime and manga is full of imagination, allowing for various interpretations and analysis, and everyone has their own way of enjoying it. That concludes our introduction to urban legends.