Background

The dark supernatural anime series Jigoku Shoujo (or Hell Girl ) first aired in October 2005. It was directed by Takahiro Omori with an original story by Hiroshi Watanabe and animation by Studio DEEN.

The series consists primarily of standalone episodes that follow a particular character as he deals with some sort of suffering that drives him to seek revenge on his tormentor. He eventually contacts Ai Enma (the "Hell Girl") via Hell Correspondence, a website (and later a mobile version) where he can enter the name of the person he wants killed.

Ai then presents them with a doll with a red string around its neck. If they pull the string, their tormentor will be tormented by Ai and his companions before the tormentor has a chance to repent. If the person does not repent, they are sent to hell. The price is that by pulling the string, the person who made the contract with Ai also agrees to go to hell after their death. The contract can be made and fulfilled regardless of guilt, and Ai and his partners honor it without fail.

Throughout each story, viewers are also introduced to Ai and her companions, including Wanyuudou, Ren Ichimoku, and Hone Onna. Ai herself is generally cold, though she sometimes shows a little more care for her innocent clients and victims. It is revealed later in the series that she has been ordered by the Master of Hell to shut down her emotions, though she sometimes defies this rule.

Under the guise of an old man, Wanyuudou was formerly a tsukumogami, a type of spirit that exists in objects that have existed for over 100 years. In his case, it was a wagon wheel and was at least 400 years old. He is a calm and composed character who is very obedient to Ai.

Much like Wanyuudou, Ren Ichimoku was also a tsukumogami (a katana) and, as a non-human, had difficulty understanding humans. He listens attentively to Ai but becomes more attached and sympathetic to innocent customers than Wanyuudou.

Finally, Hone Onna is an elegant woman who wears classic Japanese clothing and appears to have been a geisha in the past but became a yokai. She is generally calm but has a short temper. She is also able to travel between the normal world and the Realm of Eternal Twilight like Ai, Kikuri, the other companions, and the Master of Hell.

After a successful first season, Jigoku Shoujo then had two sequels: Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori (Oct. 2006) and Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae (Oct. 2008).

Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi

The most recent story, Jigoku Shoujo: Yoi no Togi , will delve into the past of a mysterious girl who appeared before Ai. Voiced by Michiru Misaki, the girl's name is Michiru and has no memory of who she is or why she is there, and Ai takes it upon herself to learn more about her. The season will feature six new episodes, and six "reminiscence" episodes chosen from past seasons will also air.

Voice actors from previous seasons will be returning, including Mamiko Noto as Ai Enma, Takayuki Sugo as Wanyuudou, Takako Honda as Hone Onna, Masaya Matsukaze Shiina as Yamawaro, and Sakai Kanako as Kikuri.

The main staff are also returning, including Takahiro Omori ( Jigoku Shoujo, Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, Durarara!! ) returning as director, and Studio DEEN working on the animation. The story is written by Hiroshi Watanabe (who also proposed the story for season three and directed it) with character design by Mariko Oka ( Jigoku Shoujo seasons 1-3, Monster of First Love ), series composition by Kenichi Kanemaki ( Jigoku Shoujo, Ai Yori Aoshi, Natsume's Book of Friends ), and music by Yasuharu Takanashi ( Fairy Tale, Sailor Moon Crystal None

The series will air in July 2017 on MBS, Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, and BS11, and will feature an opening theme song titled "Noise" by Mio Yamazaki and an ending theme song titled "Irogami" by Mamiko Noto (Enma).