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This article is written in Hong Kong English. |
| This version has its own spelling conventions (colour, realise, travelled) and some terms that are used in it may be different or absent from other varieties of English. This should not be changed without broad consensus. |
Shadows of Shibuya (Cantonese: 澀谷嘅陰影 Jyutping: sik1 guk1 ge3 jam1 jing2) is a 2008 Hong Kong short live-action/animated comedy horror film written, produced, edited and directed by Marvin Hui and Ronald Kung. Serving as the sequel of 2007's Shadows in the Suburbs and based on GeGeGe no Kitarō by Shigeru Mizuki, the film follows Hong Kong filmmaking brothers Jack and Leo Chan (Hui and Kung) as they are invited to Tokyo to collaborate on a horror film festival. Inspired by the eerie atmosphere of Japanese urban legends, Jack pitches a sequel to their Buenos Aires project: this time, the protagonist wakes up in a 5-story abandoned apartment building in Shibuya and must collect nine DVDs of his favorite Hong Kong movies while evading a mysterious malevolent force.
Plot[]
Following the unexpected success of their first short, Hong Kong filmmaking brothers Jack and Leo Chan are invited to Tokyo to collaborate on a horror film festival. Inspired by the eerie atmosphere of Japanese urban legends, Jack pitches a sequel to their Buenos Aires project: this time, the protagonist wakes up in a 5-story abandoned apartment building in Shibuya and must collect nine DVDs of his favorite Hong Kong movies while evading a mysterious malevolent force.
While scouting for locations, the brothers stumble upon an abandoned apartment complex nestled in a quiet Shibuya backstreet. They decide it’s perfect for their film, unaware that it’s a gathering spot for yokai, including Kitarō and Nezumi Otoko. Intrigued by the brothers’ filmmaking antics, Kitarō and Nezumi Otoko decide to join in—casting themselves as the “malevolent entities” without informing the brothers.
The film kicks off with Jack-as-the-protagonist waking up on a dingy futon in the middle of the apartment’s fifth floor. Leo, stationed outside with his camera and drone, directs via walkie-talkie. Jack finds the first DVD inside a broken microwave. As he celebrates, a shadowy figure (Kitarō) appears in the hallway, his single glowing eye visible. Jack freezes, assuming it’s Leo pulling a prank. However, Kitarō begins to glide toward him, making low, guttural growls. Panicking, Jack runs down to the fourth floor. Leo, watching through his camera, mutters, “Since when do glowing eyes count as practical effects?”
On the fourth floor, Jack discovers two DVDs—one hidden in a bathtub filled with green sludge, and another stuck to the ceiling with what appears to be spider webs. As Jack struggles to retrieve them, Nezumi Otoko appears, his foul stench causing Jack to gag. Nezumi Otoko, eager to spook Jack, makes exaggerated lunges toward him but trips over a pile of old newspapers, sending them flying everywhere. Leo's drone captures the slapstick moment, and Leo snickers, assuming this is Jack's doing.
As Jack descends further, the hauntings become more chaotic: Kitarō uses his hair as strings to manipulate objects in the environment, like chairs sliding to block doors or DVD cases floating just out of reach. Nezumi Otoko accidentally triggers a karaoke machine, blasting an off-key version of a Hong Kong action movie theme song, leading to a comically tense moment where Jack hides in a closet to avoid detection. Leo begins to suspect something is off when he reviews footage and sees Kitarō staring directly into the camera. “Jack, did you hire a kid with one eye for this? Because he’s really committed.”
By the time Jack reaches the first floor, he’s collected eight DVDs. The final one is in the lobby, suspended inside a glowing vending machine. However, both Kitarō and Nezumi Otoko appear to block his path. The two yokai, fully enjoying their roles as villains, begin chasing Jack in a sequence blending tension and comedy. Nezumi Otoko’s clumsy antics (such as slipping on spilled noodles) contrast with Kitarō’s eerie, silent pursuit.
Jack finally reaches the vending machine and frantically punches buttons to retrieve the last DVD. Just as the yokai close in, Leo, still outside, accidentally triggers a building-wide power surge with his drone. The lights flicker, confusing the yokai long enough for Louis to grab the DVD and sprint outside.
As Jack bursts out of the building, Leo congratulates him on his “amazing performance.” Meanwhile, Kitarō and Nezumi Otoko reveal themselves in full animated form, stepping out of the shadows. Kitarō, amused, offers them a cryptic warning: “You know, not all yokai are this playful. Be careful where you film next.” Both Jack and Leo respond “Understood” before sprinting away.
The brothers return to Kowloon and release Shadows of Shibuya as a sequel to their Buenos Aires short. Audiences are blown away by the seamless blend of live-action and animation, praising the “brilliantly creepy yokai effects.” Back in Tokyo, Kitarō and Nezumi Otoko watch the premiere through a magic mirror. Nezumi Otoko, stuffing his face with noodles, says, “Think we should charge them for our acting?” Kitarō smirks. “Next time, we should direct.”
Cast[]
- Marvin Hui as Jack Chan
- Ronald Kung as Leo Chan
Voice cast[]
| Character | Cantonese | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kitarō | Xenia Wong | Julian Swanson |
| Nezumi Otoko | Peter Lam | Terrance McPherson |