Book/Livro: Strange Pictures | Imagens Estranhas [EN/PT]
My wife recently borrowed this book from the Sesc library (a famous social project in Brazil financed by commerce companies), and I decided to read it. What I found interesting is that the suspense, horror, and mystery stories are described with maps, drawings, and infographics, revealing psychological interpretations and intriguing technical details. The Japanese author is a successful writer and YouTuber, with his channel where he always appears masked and with his voice altered by computer effects:
https://www.youtube.com/@uketsu
I haven't yet discovered if the stories appear first on YouTube or in books, since previous works like "Strange House Vol. 1" are also successful and have been translated into Portuguese, English, and other languages. Although Japan is famous for manga (comic books), in this book the visual elements are treated in a simplistic way, appearing to be laid out in an amateurish and personal style. This is quite different from the style of comics, which feature elaborate graphics and stylish typography (use of letters).
Coincidence or not, months ago I started the Challenge: Drawing (almost) every day on iPad here on the Hive blockchain. Looking at the videos on YouTube, I found it interesting how drawing and narration (even in Japanese, which makes it difficult to understand) manage to attract and hold the viewer's attention. I found it almost like a "react" to drawings, of course with a well-developed script and creative and impactful revelations.
I don't know about the episodes in YouTube videos, but in the book the stories fit together, forming a universe where everything is connected, another talent of the author, who manages to weave everything together in a believable and surprising way.
Perhaps it will serve as inspiration to improve the drawings I'm publishing here almost daily, if not using a mask and distorted voice, at least with AI, which is making this part of video, animation, and sound easier every day.
Many thanks! Keep safe and good luck again!!
[VERSÃO EM PORTUGUÊS]
Esses dias minha mulher pegou este livro da biblioteca do Sesc e resolvi ler. O que achei interessante é que as histórias de suspense, terror e mistério são descritas com plantas, desenhos e infográficos, revelando interpretações psicológicas e detalhes técnicos intrigantes. O autor japonês é escritor e youtuber de sucesso, com seu canal onde aparece sempre de máscara e com a voz alterada por efeitos de computador:
https://www.youtube.com/@uketsu
Ainda não descobri se as histórias aparecem primeiro no YouTube ou nos livros, já que obras anteriores como "Casa Estranha Vol 1" fazem sucesso e foram traduzidos em português, inglês e outras línguas. Apesar do Japão ser famoso pelos mangás (histórias em quadrinhos), no livro os elementos visuais são tratados de forma simplória, parecendo diagramados de maneira amadora e pessoal. Bem diferentes do estilo dos quadrinhos com grafismos elaborados e tipologia (uso das letras) estilosa.
Coincidência ou não, meses atrás comecei aqui na Hive blockchain o Desafio: Desenhando (quase) todo dia no iPad, dando uma olhada nos videos no YouTube achei interessante como desenho e narração (mesmo em japonês, que deixa difícil de entender) conseguem atrair e prender a atenção do espectador. Achei quase como um "react" de desenhos, claro que com um roteiro bem elaborado e revelações criativas e de impacto.
Não sei quanto aos episódio em videos no YouTube mas no livro as histórias se encaixam, formando um universo onde tudo está conectado, outro talento do autor, que consegue costurar tudo de forma verossímel e surpreendente.
Quem sabe sirva de inspiração para evoluir os desenhos que estou publicando quase que diariamente aqui, se não usando máscara e voz distorcida, pelo menos com IA, que cada dia que passa facilita cada vez mais esta parte de video, animação e som.
Valeu! Saúde, sucesso e boa sorte mais uma vez!!
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Wow, what an interesting find! I wasn't familiar with the author or the book, but you've piqued my curiosity. I'm really drawn to that mix of horror with infographics and architectural plans; it sounds like it adds a touch of "real investigation" that must make the story feel much more unsettling. Sometimes, that more "amateur" or simple visual style you mentioned is scarier than a perfectly drawn picture because it feels both more intimate and strange at the same time. Best of luck with those lines!
I'm glad you liked! I finished "Imagens Estranhas" and I think we will borrow the "Casas Estranhas" from the same library. If so I'll post here again and share with us you read some of Uketsu books too.
Japanese YouTubers usually have to hide their identity because they cannot earn a double income, i.e. from YouTube and their regular job, and there are other (less cosmopolitan) areas where working with social media is even frowned upon. I find the book interesting. Asians usually use analogue horror, which is the only type of horror that scares me when reading a book, comic, manga, manhwa, or watching a film or series. I would like to buy it and read it.
Thanks for commenting and info about Japan social media environment. Share with us if you read some of Uketsu books too. Thanks in advance, keep safe and good luck again!!