Artist's commentary
Hands… Feet…and Neck...
...Give them to me...
Kotowari-san is a Yokai in the game Yomawari: Midnight Shadows. It’s actually a sequel to Yomawari: Night Alone. The monster designs in the game are mystifying. It has a charm like they belong in a children’s, book yet horrifying enough to induce nightmares. I loved the first game, and I’m delighted to know it got a sequel. The gameplay revolves around exploration, puzzles, stealth, and the beautifully illustrated setting. I highly recommend these games, and just a head up, it deals with some slightly sensitive subjects regarding loss so, read the rating? Sorry, if my insight is a little informal, a game reviewer I’m not /_\
Anyway, back to Kotowari-san, it’s a ruthless spirit that stalks people and cuts off their limbs with HUGE RED SCISSORS… Warning Major Spoilers ahead:
In some legends, there are spirits that are bound to particular lands, people living there would worship them, in turn the spirit would bless them. The more faith people have the more powerful the spirits get. In time the spirit becomes a deity or Kami. However, if they were to lose the faith of their worshippers, they would either disappear, or transform into evil spirits. I’m rather interested in the aspect of a fallen Kami turned monster. Yes, Kotowari-san is such a case. You see, his shrine was found to be submerged in the town’s dam later in the game. Ema found in his shrine, had wishes that involve separation, and CUTTING-off. Calling out to him would summon him. Maybe in his current state, he still remembers his old ways, and tries to help in a twisted gory way until…ugh this part is just too good to spoil :U