Ep 4. E 4

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories is a horror anime series that tells tales of Japanese ghosts and supernatural beings. The episodes are short and sweet, averaging around five minutes in length. Each episode is presented in the form of a traditional Japanese picture-story show called "Kamishibai," with the characters and settings being paper cutouts. In season 1 episode 4, titled "E 4," viewers are treated to a story that revolves around a mysterious woman called E.

The episode begins with a group of college friends who have returned from a trip and are sitting around a table discussing their experiences. One of the friends, a young man named Masao, tells the group about a beautiful woman he met on the train. Masao describes the woman as being "otherworldly" and says she had a strange aura about her. He even took a photograph of her, which he shows to his friends.

The next day, while walking to school, Masao encounters the same woman again. He is surprised to see her and strikes up a conversation. The woman introduces herself as E and tells Masao that she is new to the area and looking for a place to stay. Masao invites her to stay at his family's nearby cottage.

Over the next few days, Masao and E become close. Masao shows her around town, and they spend time together. However, Masao's friends notice that he seems to be changing. He becomes increasingly distant from them and obsessed with E. They begin to suspect that E is not who she seems.

Things come to a head one night when Masao's friends follow him to the cottage. They are shocked to see E in her true form, a demonic creature with long, snake-like fingers. Masao is under her spell, and he is entranced by her beauty. E reveals that she is a supernatural being who feeds on human emotions, and she has been using Masao for her own purposes.

The rest of the episode focuses on Masao's friends' attempts to save him from E's grasp. They try various tactics to break the spell, but nothing seems to work. Ultimately, it is revealed that E has been manipulating Masao since their first encounter on the train. She targeted him because of his kind nature and was using him as a vessel to experience human emotions.

The episode ends with Masao's friends engaging in a final showdown with E. They manage to weaken her by using masks Masao had given them from his trip, which had the power to repel spirits. Masao's friends eventually are able to break E's spell on him, and he is reunited with his family. However, the experience has left him scarred, and he is forever changed by his relationship with E.

Overall, Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories season 1 episode 4 is a chilling and engrossing tale of love, betrayal, and the supernatural world. The episode expertly weaves together elements of traditional Japanese folklore and modern horror tropes to create a unique and terrifying story that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. With its beautifully crafted animation and atmospheric vibe, "E 4" is a standout episode in an already impressive series.