I haven't run across anyone who hasn't played some version of "Hide And Seek", or "Hide And Go Seek".  I remember playing it quite a bit when I was a kid.  But in the section of town.... where the lights are dim, there's a street where no one lives... and kids go there to play Hide and Seek ("The game of Otokoyo") after dark are said to be kidnapped by demons.  Of course, trying to prove it is the hardest part, but this 25 minute animated short can sure deliver the mood!

There is an area of town that is desolate, abandoned and has a legend of housing demons that snatch the players of Otokoyo up, never to be heard from again. Our short feature starts with 8 children waiting at the center of the deteriorating neighborhood. All of them are wearing fox masks, and waiting for the doors to the center of town to open up. Once inside, the game begins. We learn that some are here to just see if the legend of the demons is true... others however, are in search of lost family. As the game winds on, some of them will get their wish...

Hikora is looking for his sister Sorincha, who was last seen heading towards the town to play Otokoyo a few nights ago.  His friend, Yaimao has heard that quite a few kids from the surrounding towns have been missing, and he hopes to find out the answer to the mystery of why they are never heard from again. A female participant (shown below) crosses their path, whom to Hikora somewhat resembles his sister. Hikora and Yaimao follow her and come across an eerie poster, discussing the demons. It turns out, that each has a specific method of pain and suffering..  Hikora and Yaimao come across a demon outside the building where they discover the poster.  As it turns out, Sorincha is hinding there too!  The three band together to try and reach home base...  little do they know what exactly awaits them there....

This is excellent proof that Anime does NOT have to be a series to be interesting, moving, or suspenseful.  I was glued to my seat for all TWENTY-FIVE minutes of this rare piece of animation.  Speaking of which, if you pay close attention, you'll notice that this is NOT hand-drawn Anime.  The characters, the scenes, everything was done by computer.  Another notable note in my book.  The music was spectacular, and the audio is extrememely spot-on.  When you reach the end of the film, you'll be amazed at the ending. What was interesting about it was that the visual aspect told volumes more than the verbal.  The ending must be seen to be understood.  

– Brian K. James