While not as scary as the first one, Fushigi Senno plays a more prominent part here.
The Horror Collector 2: The Cursed Game of Tag brings more frights in its assortment of tales as Fushigi Senno visits various towns. While not a harbinger of danger, his visits mean supernatural danger is afoot. While some stories are more terrifying than others, each has aspects that give a “what would you do” chill. However, the stakes feel lessened to a degree for the kids in each town caught in a paranormal snare. Nevertheless, The Horror Collector 2: The Cursed Game of Tag continues with its urban legend town horrors while propelling the story of Fushigi—the boy with the red hood.
With the story by Midori Sato and Norio Tsuruta, art by Yon, and translated by Jan Cash, the second volume covers six towns and afterwords written by both writers. The Yen Press light novel‘s stories might have varying degrees of familiarity to readers. Whether it’s the dog with a human face, a special payphone, or a challenge, fans of urban legends will enjoy it. But it also builds upon Fushigi Senno’s story while keeping him elusive.
The Horror Collector 2 First Three Stories Start Chilling
Of the entire volume, the first story, “The Charlie-Charlie Challenge,” is the most terrifying. A well-known challenge online, it’s easy to find several videos of kids playing the challenge. Some even claim supernatural occurrences caught on video. But here, a trio of friends decide to play the game. In this story, Charlie harms disbelievers. Actually, the story feels like a condensed version of an aspect of the horror film Host. Overall, what elevates this story’s terror is how it unfolds and familiarity with the game.
The second story in The Horror Collector 2, “Ms. Hikiko,” has a more pronounced cautionary element. Sometimes, minor arguments or disagreements get blown out of proportion for siblings. But there’s a tale of a woman in town who snatches vulnerable children and drags them with her. While not as scary as the first one, Fushigi Senno plays a more prominent part here. “Death Blog” is the third story and town. Here, when someone mentions someone in a blog, tragedy befalls them. Although scares are scarce, it has mystery.
More Lessons and Some Smiles to Come
“Cursed Clouds” is the fourth tale, and while Fushigi is heading to the town of note, the siblings involved accidentally pass through on the way to their grandmother’s. There’s tension and some terror here because it’s easy to recall seeing odd chemtrails in the sky. “The Running Man” is strange and funny by the end, opening the door for a companion for Fushigi that adds comedy. The final story, “The Golden Pay Phone,” is a version of wish-granting and the unforeseen consequences that come with wishes. Of the stories within The Horror Collector 2, this might be the weakest because of how many others exist that are far scarier, like the horror film Wishing Stairs.
The Horror Collector 2: The Cursed Game of Tag is a solid follow-up to the first volume. While there are frights, it is less scary. But it also makes sense. Fushigi may be searching for his sister, but as he interacts with more residents in danger, he opts to help them. If he chooses not to help, focusing solely on tracking his sister, who alters urban legends, the line between protagonist and antagonist blurs. The Horror Collector 2: The Cursed Game of Tag manages to blend a variety of tense, even slightly comedic tales, all while moving the main story forward. But given its title, they need to ratchet up the terror.
