KADOKAWA: MYSTERY & HORROR TALES (Vol. 1)

Kadokawa Mystery & Horror Tales: Volume 1 is a 2005 Japanese horror short films anthology. This is the first in a series of three collections released by Kadokawa Films. Each collection contains three tales by three different directors.

* Mei Nichi [Death Anniversary] (directed by Akaishi Tomoyuki).

This first short stars Mizukami Asami.
The story follows family that moves into their new strange house. Soon after they move, the weakest member of the family, one of the two girls living there with their parents, proves to be very vulnerable to the spiritual forces inhabiting the house. Although mysterious signs slowly emerge, no one in the house realizes the real nature of the malevolence until its strange cycle of curse soon devours the entire family.

* Cruel Kidnapping (directed by Akaishi Tomoyuki).

The story tells about Kamijo, a father whose infant is suddenly kidnapped  and for whom a 3 million yen ransom is asked. At first, he is completely devastated because of his unsuccessful schemes; but, he soon embarks on a foolish and ultimately tragic plot which discards any common sense that is left on him.

* Desire to Kill (directed by Nakanishi Kenji).

All alone in her house, a mother comes face-to-face with a cold-blooded murderer. Determined to protect her only son, she makes a lot of desperate attempts to convince the man to leave them alone. However, the crook has some plans of his own.