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Hiroshima is Bombed
The first nuclear attack from the United States hits Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands of innocent people -
Nagasaki is Bombed
The second and final nuclear bomb detonates in Nagasaki. Which leads to the Japanese surrender and the end of the Second World War. -
Rashomon opens up Western Markets
Due to the overwhelming success of the 1950 japanese Film "Rashomon", Japanese films become more recognizable and present in the West. This is credited by film historians as "The Start of the international New Wave cinema movement" -
Godzilla is Born*
Ever since the bombs, the Japanese were under constant fear of such an event happening again. Their entire country destroyed in an instant. Godzilla was born from this fear by Director Ishiro Honda, a giant reptile mutated by nuclear radiation, terrorizing Tokyo.
Godzilla would become one of, if not the, most recognizable and popular monster in pop culture history. From Godzilla, the "Monster Movie" formula would be born, as many would take inspiration from this original monster -
Godzilla comes to America
In 1956, just two years later, Godzilla would premier to American audiences. The film and story itself had been changed to make it more "American". It became a commercial Success and would make Godzilla into the pop culture monster we know today in the west. -
Akira Releases*
Akira, an anime film made in Japan about a psychic who's powers become too strong, and his friend who attempts to save him from a government experiment in a then fictional 2019.
This anime film became extremely popular in the west, and once again redefined pop culture in the west, making Anime more prominent and popular. This film does count as J-Horror, as it has several disturbing aspects of Body Horror, reminiscent of old David Cronenberg films -
Playstation Launches
The Playstation console launches, making itself stand out from Nintendo by offering more "mature" game experiences, with more story based/action based adventures and 3D Graphics.
While not an exclusive "J-Horror" influence, Sony is a Japanese company, and the Playstation consoles are where many Japanese Horror Videogames got popular. -
Biohazard Releases*
Capcom Releases Biohazard (Known as Resident Evil in North America), a survival horror game where you play as a special task force member attempting to escape the horrors of a zombie infested mansion.
Biohazard would go on to kickoff the "Survival Horror" Genre in gaming, and would become a hit in North America, boosting the popularity of the Playstation.
It would also revive the then dormant "Zombie" Genre, bringing new life to the concept that had grown stale in America -
リング (Ringu) Releases*
Based on the book "Ring" by Koji Suzuki, and
Not to be confused with "The Ring", this Horror Film about a cursed videotape that killed the viewer in seven days become a smash success in Japan, and would go on to make J-Horror popular in the West.
Ringu would also go on to spawn multiple sequels, Tv shows, videogames, and crossovers with other J-Horror icons like "The Grudge" -
Silent Hill Releases*
On the toes of Capcom's "Resident Evil", Japanese company Konami releases "Silent Hill" which takes a more darker approach to horror, relying more on survival aspects, character building, and story/world building. The game follows Harry Mason after a car crash, searching for his missing daughter in the abandoned and seemingly impossibly foggy Silent Hill. This series proved to American Audiences that horror in games can be done without the need for blood and jumpscares -
Silent Hill gets a Sequel
In 2001, Silent Hill 2 releases. Choosing to almost abandon the story of 1, Silent Hill 2 tells a darker story, about an ordinary man named James Sunderland looking for his long dead wife in Silent Hill after receiving a letter from her, beckoning him to come. Silent Hill 2 is not only praised for it's unique storytelling, but it was also important for breaking the boundaries for this kind of horror.
Tackling Rape, Abuse, Suicide, Grief, and Guilt.
It is regarded as the best Survival Horror -
Resident Evil gets an American Movie*
The Resident Evil series went on to become so popular in America, that it was picked up to have a movie adaptation made from it. While this movie does NOT count as J-horror, the movie and it's following sequels went on to make Resident Evil, and the zombie genre more popular in the United States.
Later on, a Silent Hill movie would also be made to be an American Flim
Both movies, however, aren't very good. But they still had a lasting impact, showing a J-Horror game become a Western horror movie -
Ringu Remade for Western Audiences
Due to it's spike in popularity, The Ring was adapted into an "Americanized" version of the original film.
While some aspects remained the same, a lot had been changed. Such as changing Sadako's name to Samara, aging her down, and adding the "Seven Days" telephone call.
This would be the first of many American Remakes of Japanese Films -
Ju-On: The Grudge releases*
Similar to what Ringu did in the west, another film that heavily paved the way to making J-horror popular in Western pop culture was Ju-On: The Grudge.
It follows a detective and a young mother investigating an old murder case, only to find that the house that the murder took place in is being haunted by the very same vengeful spirit. The Grudge would go on to get several sequels, an American remake, and a Ringu crossover. Defining its place in J-Horror culture. -
Chila's Art games Explode in Popularity*
Indie game Developer Chila's Art, begins to have their games featured by famous youtube "lets-players".
Their horror games are usually short Psychological horror experiences, that focus heavily on an old 1990s feeling. Incorporating the graphics one might see in an old PS2 game.
This would be another spark that would ignite a new sub-genre in horror games here in America, known as "Analog" or "VHS" horror.
Horror games that try to emulate the feeling of old ps2 playstyles. -
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Strangely, before they even remade SH1, a remake was made by Bloober Team studios with Konami of Silent Hill 2.
The story remains the same, with some slight changes, new added endings, new voice acting, and a whole new engine.
While not important for the J-Horror timeline, this was the game I played that made me want to choose J-Horror as a topic for this assignment.
Silent Hill 2 holds a very special place in my heart