Uketsu, Japan’s latest YouTube sensation and bestselling mystery author, has become famous for his eerie style. Wearing a black bodysuit, a white mask, and speaking with a squeaky, electronically altered voice, he has made unsettling art his trademark.
The name Uketsu, meaning “rain hole,” reflects his love for both words. He is now ready to expand his presence on the global stage.
Uketsu attributes his success to his ability to make people “feel uneasy.” In an interview with foreign journalists in Tokyo, he explained that this unsettling approach has resonated with audiences.
His debut book, Strange Pictures, is being released in 30 countries, including in English in the U.S. this week. The book has already sold 1.5 million copies worldwide, according to the publisher.
The storytelling in Strange Pictures blends text with images and diagrams, drawing readers into a terrifying puzzle. The pictures act as clues, gradually revealing a chilling, gruesome mystery.
Uketsu’s unique style has particularly appealed to younger audiences, who are more familiar with manga, video games, and social media than traditional literature. In fact, some children in Japan even dressed up as him for Halloween.
Drawing inspiration from the renowned Japanese mystery writer Ranpo Edogawa, Uketsu expressed that his primary goal is to make his work accessible to a broad audience, including those who may not typically enjoy reading.
Uketsu has effectively used his online presence to build a large following. With 1.7 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and over 190 million views, he has captured the attention of many.
His first viral YouTube video, “The Strange House,” tells the story of a house with a bizarre floor plan, including a prison-like room. This story was turned into a movie last year, which grossed more than 5 billion yen ($32 million) at the Japanese box office.
“My stories are just really scary,” Uketsu said modestly, despite his peculiar appearance.
He insists that he looks quite ordinary without the mask, and no one would recognize him if he removed it. However, he does admit that featuring his image on his books helps boost sales, though he stops short of calling it a mere marketing gimmick.
Uketsu is currently working on his next book and has also released a song, as shared by Takuji Watanabe, the vice director at Futabasha Publishers, the company that publishes Uketsu’s works.
Watanabe refrained from revealing Uketsu’s earnings but emphasized that Uketsu is a “once-in-a-century star” in the world of Japanese horror.
