Kouno

Adaptation so bad the creator calls it "Garbage"

I’m not a horror fan in fact, I usually avoid jump scares but I was drawn to this story because it approaches horror from a unique angle. It’s disappointed to see what they did to the source material. Even the creator, Uketsu, reportedly dismissed the film with a single word: “Gomi” (Garbage).

What started as a viral YouTube video and evolved into a successful novel and manga has been completely squandered. Uketsu goal was to create "horror for people who don't like horror," focusing on psychological unease rather than cheap thrills. Having watched the original videos and read the manga, I was genuinely captivated by Amemiya and Kurihara deductions. The mystery behind those strange floor plans was supposed to be unsettling because of its logic.

The movie should have been a slow-burn. A slower pace would have allowed the audience's own imagination to build the tension. Instead, while watching this adaptation, I found myself questioning if this was even Hen na Ie (The Floor Plan) at all. It felt more like a bizarre, misplaced version of Gannibal.

To make matters worse, the ending was left wide open, clearly baiting a sequel. It’s honestly frustrating. I feel truly sorry for Uketsu; he crafted such a brilliant, atmospheric story, only to see it dismantled like this.

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Brilliant Mystery, but Elusive Characters

Story and Vibe
The mystery elements and plot twists in this series are exceptionally well-crafted. I got a strong Galileo vibe from the storytelling—the script is incredibly tight with virtually no plot holes. From the initial setup to the eventual payoff, the narrative journey is compelling and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The God Character
My main struggle was with character comprehension. About halfway through the series, it is revealed that the characters are actually ancient Japanese deities. As a non-Japanese viewer, I found it difficult to fully grasp the weight of these characterizations because I wasn't familiar with the specific lore of those gods.

The series would have benefited greatly from:
- A more thorough introduction to the specific deities involved.
- Flashback sequences showing their "previous lives" or origins to help the audience bridge the gap between their human personas and their divine identities.

Out of nowhere romance
I found the romantic development between Okitama Miyabi and Amano Koyume somewhat confusing. It felt as though the romance was written purely to give Okitama a reason to be deathly protective of Amano.

Their dynamic initially felt like a solid friendship, but it shifted into a romantic interest without a clear "why." Without seeing the specific moments or reasons that caused Okitama to fall for Amano, their character motivations felt a bit hollow in the latter half of the story.

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