Kairo and Lain

[KUMIKO SATO]

This is a response to Giacomo's question about Kairo and Lain.  Konaka Chiaki and Kurosawa Kiyoshi have exchanged lots of ideas for the popular TV series "Gakko no kaidan" (1994?), somewhat continuing from the success of "Honto ni atta kowai hanashi", and since then, Kurosawa has frequently mentioned and consciously used the so-called "Konaka riron" (Konaka theory?) which indicates Konaka's techniques of expressing horror, especially by use of screens (from sheets and translucent windows to computer displays and TV screens) and shadows (improper use of light).  Konaka riron has been a popular concept among horror/anime lovers, but I don't know exactly how film critics and academics have theorized it.  So I'll at least paste links to interviews with Kurosawa and essays by Konaka that include their references to their horror techniques.  I am myself interested in what better informed people would say about Konaka and contemporary popular horror in Japan.  Thanks much!

http://www.taiyonet.or.jp/cinema/K_KUROSAWA/
http://ammo.jp/weekly/

Kumiko Sato