_____________________________________________ F O R B I D D E N S I R E N A R C H I V E & P L O T G U I D E _____________________________________________ Forbidden Siren 2 Plot Guide by RaccoonCityPD (c). All text copyright Jason Beks, 31 August 2006 (c). Email questions to: jbeks@hotmail.com (ensure 'Siren 2' is in the subject line). ____________________________________________ A R C H I V E I T E M S ____________________________________________ The list below features additional information about each archive item in relation to the story: 1. Shintokumaru Magazine Takeaki Misawa - 04:00/Gold Ming Co. Housing (Mission 2) This article relates how Harumi Yomoda (Forbidden Siren 1) was rescued from the Hanuda Village earthquake by Takeaki Misawa. 2. Ryuko's Diary Soji Abe - 12:00/Yamijima Island/Shinari Mountain Trail (Mission 1) Ryuko Tagawa shares her thoughts about her vague past, her friends and an impending sense of doom. 3. News Paradox Akiko Kiyota - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Houya (Mission 2) Recounts Ryuko Tagawa's murder. 4. National Times Akiko Kiyota - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Houya (Mission 2) Recounts the latest news about Ryuko Tagawa's murder. 5. Radio News Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 2) Recounts the latest news about Ryuko Tagawa's murder. 6. Voice Recorder Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) Recording of Mamoru's conversation with the Sanzu Harbour boat crew. Shu, Ikuko, Akiko and Soji can be heard in the background. 7. Mamoru's Company I.D. Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) One of the first documents you find reminds you that you are entering strange territory. Mamoru's wallet contains an article about the division and multiplication of infinite space and the wonder of multiple worlds. 8. Akiko's Pendulum & Map Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) Akiko's map is marked with an X prior to arriving on Yamijima Island. Although Akiko and Soji fled to Sanzu Harbour to escape the police, Akiko was always drawn to the island by Mother's presence. 9. Shikai News Shigeru Fujita - 05:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 (Mission 2) Recounts how the undersea cable supplying Yamijima Island was severed, despite the fact that the cable was 310 metres below sea level. The article also recounts how all of the island reisdents disappeared after the power failure. 10. Shikai News Shigeru Fujita - -05:00/Yamijima Gold Dredge (Mission 2) Recounts the disappearance of the ferry 'Bright Win' and the last vague transmission mentioning something about 'the girl' (possibly Yuri or Kanae, bringing to ferry aground). 11. Ohta Family Picture Shu Mikami - -03:00/Aonoku Settlement/Mikami's House, 2nd Floor (Mission 2) A photo of village head Tsuneo Ohta and his daughter Tomoe. 12. Missing Person Poster Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 2) Missing poster featuring Yuri Kishida, last seen at Sanzu Harbour. 13. Yamigame Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 2) The image on the Yamigame's back resembles a mask of rage, spawning the myth that these turtles were inhabited by the vengeful spirits of those lost at sea. 14. Turtle Jelly Noodles Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) This local delicacy caused consumers to want to return to the sea (Yamigame turtles were believed to be cursed. See archive #13). The advertising campaign features Naoko Mihama (Forbidden Siren 1). 15. Kastori Weekly Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) A sensationalist magazine about the supernatural, specifically detailing strange phenomena on Yamijima Island. 16. Exposition Medal Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 2) The amusement park sight was once home to the Earthernware and Peace Exposition, a failed tourist attraction that was symbolised by the Jomon Tower, a tower made from earthernware. This tower no doubt is a shade of the Spider's Thread. 17. Mermaid Princess Story Shu Mikami - -03:00/Aonoku Settlement/Mikami's House, 2nd Floor (Mission 1) This tale, which Shu reads as a child, tells the story of a young mermaid who falls in love with a human prince and thus regains her humanity. 18. Fisherman's Note Shu Mikami - -03:00/Aonoku Settlement/Mikami's House, 2nd Floor (Mission 2) Recounts the atmosphere of fear surrounding Kanae's presence on the island. 19. Robo Beast Shu Mikami - -03:00/Aonoku Settlement/Mikami's House, 2nd Floor (Mission 2) Despite resembling a panda bear, Robo Beast makes a sound more like a sea creature. Did the sound emitted by Robo Beast have any connection with the sound of the Siren? 20. Helicopter Transmitter Mamoru Itsuki - -03:00/Yamijima Harbour/Dolphin Pier (Mission 1) Recounts how the self-defence force soldiers arrived on the island. 21. Mermaid's Tear Shu Mikami - -02:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku Settlement (Mission 1) Shu Mikami contributes to Yamijima folklore by writing two romantic novels under the title 'Mermaid's Tear', no doubt inspired by his relationship with Kanae who appeared from the sea like a mermaid. 22. Shu's Drawing Shu Mikami - -02:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku Settlement (Mission 2) Shu's bright drawing depicts Kanae under some ominous clouds. Note the absence of the sun. 23. Shu's Cassette Shu Mikami - -02:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku Settlement (Mission 1) Recording of Kanae's song. Note how Ryuhei is arrested by the mysterious tune. 24. Letter to Ryuhei Shu Mikami - -02:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku Settlement (Mission 1) A letter of condolence from Omihito Takeuchi, the father of Tamon Takeuchi (Forbidden Siren 1). 25. Takeaki's I.D. Yorito Nagai - -01:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Custodian's Shack (Mission 2) 26. Signboard Graffiti Yorito Nagai - -01:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Custodian's Shack (Mission 1) The signboard graffiti reads 'Seven Gates' (the original Forbidden Siren game featured a 26-symbol code that corresponded with the letters in the English alphabet. Siren 2 however features a symbolic code that only translates into Japanese). 27. Portable Radio Kanae - -01:00/Yamijima Harbour/Old Road (Mission 2) Reports of heavy rain and flooding are broadcast over the radio. A tsunami? 28. Employee's Journal Kanae - -01:00/Yamijima Harbour/Old Road (Mission 2) Details the closure of the mine and the resistance of the Yamijima anti- development group. 29. Protest Sign Kanae - -01:00/Yamijima Harbour/Old Road (Mission 2) The sign indicates that the Yamijima islanders were concerned about protecting the environment, but realistically they were probably more concerned about intruders tainting the sanctity of the island. 30. Shikai News Yorito Nagai - 14:00/Gold Mining Co. Housing/C-102 (Mission 2) Recounts the recovery of Noriko Kifune, sole survivor of the Bright Win. 31. Old Scroll - Chapter 1 Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 1) Poses a theory behind the phenomena of sightjacking. The creatures who dwell below gaze at the world above through the eyes of those they wish to corrupt. 32. Police Notebook Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 1) Shigeru's notes regarding the island's strange history. Strange how he is investigating a rumour that is 20 years old. For some reason this obscure objective brings Shigeru back to his birthplace. 33. Stone Ball Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 2) The ebony ball supposedly pre-dates civilisation. What function it play is a mystery. Perhaps a symbol of the eclipse, or of the time when the earth was covered in darkness? Or maybe a map of the earth showing how certain realities intersect? 34. UMA Encyclopaedia Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 2) Recounts how the Yamipikaria Cat is fond of bright objects, explaining why it was preoccupied with Tomoe's hair ornament in the ventilation duct (see archive #51). 35. Hair Ornament Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 2) A powerful symbol representing Tomoe's attachment to her father and her vanity. 36. Akiko's Driver's Lisense Akiko Kiyota - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Houya (Mission 1) 37. Robo Zoo Akiko Kiyota - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Houya (Mission 2) Despite resembling a panda bear, Robo Zoo makes a sound more like a sea creature. Did the sound emitted by Robo Zoo have any connection with the sound of the Siren? 38. Yami Akebi Akiko Kiyota - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Houya (Mission 2) Yami Akebi is a hallucinoghenic laxative fruit that is indigenous to Yamijima Island. This local fruit no doubt enabled the villagers to experience alternate realities and states of mind. 39. Ichiko's Student I.D. Ichiko Yagura - 01:00/Bright Win/Freight Room (Mission 1) 40. Origami Letter Ichiko Yagura - 01:00/Bright Win/Freight Room (Mission 1) Recounts Ichiko's concerns about her friend, Noriko, and introduces the idea that Noriko may have been pregnant (see archive #45 & #87). 41. Riko's Record Ichiko Yagura - 01:00/Bright Win/Freight Room (Mission 1) Riko's vinyl record contains strange messages about killing. 42. Trophy Ichiko Yagura - 01:00/Bright Win/Freight Room (Mission 2) The tournament trophy on the Bright Win was reportedly cursed for having killed a student. 43. Tomoe's Diary Mamoru Itsuki - 00:00/Yamijima Island/Uryuga Forest (Mission 2) Recounts Tsuneo's preoccupation with Kanae and the Ohta family's obligation to protect the island. 44. Ikuko's Lisense Ikuko Kifune - 08:00/Underworld (Mission 1) It is interesting to note that Ikuko was once a marine radio operator. Did Ikuko adopt this role in an effort to gather information about Mother? 45. Heart-shaped Letter Yorito Nagai - 02:00/Bright Win/Portside Corridor (Mission 1) Noriko's letter to Ichiro implies that she may be pregnant with his child (see archives #40 & #87). 46. Tournament Announcement Yorito Nagai - 02:00/Bright Win/Portside Corridor (Mission 1) The reason Ichiko's school mates were aboard the Bright Win was to compete in the Prefectural Tennis Tournament. 47. Passenger's Videotape Yorito Nagai - 02:00/Bright Win/Portside Corridor (Mission 1) The tape shows Yuri Kishida's body being plucked from the sea. Strangely, the tape belongs to Tomoko Maeda (Forbidden Siren 1). 48. Shikai News Yorito Nagai - 02:00/Bright Win/Portside Corridor (Mission 1) A young vagabond is accused of arson when the Yamijima Grade/Middle school is burned down. The suspect says he was warding off a strange creature with his lighter. 49. Shigeru's Apology Letter Ichiko Yagura - 01:00/Bright Win/Freight Room - (Mission 2) Explains why Shigeru has returned to the island, in the hope of redeeming himself for past mistakes. 50. Scrap of History Book Mamoru Itsuki - 03:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Coffee Cup Ride (Mission 1) The lyrics (or seven keys) to Yuri's song that unlock the seven gates. 51. Kastori Special DVD Mamoru Itsuki - 03:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Coff Cup Ride - Maze (Mission 1) The Yamipikaria Cat, a mythological bipedal feline native to Yamijima Island may be the cat hiding in the ventilation duct when Mamoru sends the Stone Ball down the chute (you can sightjack this cat and look at Tomoe's hair ornament lodged in the chute). Several other mysterious felines appear at certain locations in the game, but most are too swift to study. 52. Mother's Scale Mamoru Itsuki - 03:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Coff Cup Ride - Maze (Mission 2) Mother's scale emits a soft light, an advantageous feature for a being who resides in the deep, dark ocean. 53. Yorito's I.D. Yorito Nagai - 02:00/Bright Win/Portside Corridor - Discord (Mission 2) Contains a letter from Yorito's mother acknowledging his friendship with Sergeant Okita. 54. Afternoon Prince Soji Abe - 03:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Stand-in (Mission 1) Provides an insight into the scale of Shu's fame as an author. 55. Da Gama Magazine Soji Abe - 03:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Stand-in (Mission 1) Provides an insight into Shu's personal history and acknowleges his disability. 56. UMA Fossil Soji Abe - 03:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Stand-in (Mission 2) Upon gazing at the fossilised remains, Shu recalls Kanae's words: 'The ruler died. My Mommy was born. Lots of them were born'. There are many ways to interpret this obscure passage. 57. Military P.R. Magazine Takeaki Misawa - 04:00/Gold Ming Co. Housing - Apparition (Mission 1) This magazine reveals that Takeaki was unstable and preoccupied with ominous visions before arriving on Yamijima Island. His brush with Harumi Yomoda and the Hanuda incident may have been the catalyst for his madness. 58. Yaminabe Takeaki Misawa - 04:00/Gold Ming Co. Housing - Apparition (Mission 2) Yaminabe is a local delicacy that is best enjoyed under the moonlight (or in the absence of sunlight, the preferred conditions of the Yamibito). The dish features the hallucinoghenic laxative fruit, Yami Akebi (see archive #38). 59. Soji's Cigarettes Soji Abe - 03:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Stand-in (Mission 2) The cigarettes contain a business card, possibly Akiko's. 60. Tsukasa's Dog Collar Shigeru Fujita - 05:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Reunion (Mission 1) 61. Letter to Shigeru Yorito Nagai - 14:00/Gold Mining Co. Housing/C-102 - Rescue (Mission 1) Recounts how Shigeru's son, Asako, is disappointed with his father and wishes to distance himself. 62. Old Scroll - Chapter 2 Mamoru Itsuki - 03:00/Yamijima Amusement Park/Coff Cup Ride - Maze (Mission 2) Provides a description of life on earth before light and order existed. Creatures roamed the surface until God created light, and then they were forced to seek shelter in the depths where they merged with the darkness. To regain their former place in reality the creatures sent one of their own in the form of a young girl to prepare conditions for their return. 63. Amusement Park Pamphlet Ikuko Kifune - 08:00/Underworld - Escape (Mission 1) 64. Mbembe Cola Bottle Cap Ikuko Kifune - 08:00/Underworld - Escape (Mission 1) 65. Space Cold War Poster Ikuko Kifune - 08:00/Underworld - Escape (Mission 1) This bizarre promotion is no doubt taking the piss out of the Star Wars series, as it is also heavily laden with tedious, convoluted, political sub-plots. A doll head shoved on a dildo? Go figure... 66. Yamijima History Book Ichiko Yagura - 08:00/Yamijima Island/Shiofurihama - Lone Shadow (Mission 1) Recounts the origins of the name 'Yamijima' and presents a brief overview of the island. 67. Student's Picture Diary Ichiko Yagura - 08:00/Yamijima Island/Shiofurihama - Lone Shadow (Mission 2) The charred student's diary reveals that Yamijima corpses were buried with a stick, or Mekkoju branch, imbedded in their bodies to prevent possession by evil spirits (see archive #81). 68. Ikuko's Yearbook Ikuko Kifune - 08:00/Underworld - Escape (Mission 2) Ikuko is clearly ostracised by the other students. 69. Photo of Soji and Ryuko Soji Abe - 12:00/Yamijima Island/Shinari Mountain Trail - Dread (Mission 1) This photograph changes after Soji's ENDING #3. In the final photograph, only Soji is visible. Ryuko no longer exists. 70. Message Bottle Soji Abe - 12:00/Yamijima Island/Shinari Mountain Trail - Dread (Mission 2) Recounts the abduction of Yuri Kishida by a doppelganger. 71. Ke-uke-gen Takeaki Misawa - 13:00/Yamijima Island/Fort Ruins #1 - Nothingness (Mission 2) The Ke-uke-gen, a ghastly apparition covered in long hair, dwells in dark humid places (like the weapons storage facility under the fort ruins). Takeaki has a close encounter with this creature but it is never actually seen. 72. Golden Ohsho Soji Abe - 12:00/Yamijima Island/Shinari Mountain Trail - Dread (Mission 2) The Golden Ohsho, the cheap good luck pendant Soji presents to Akiko, is rumoured to have origins in Atlantis. Perhaps the reason why Soji survives. 73. Fortune-telling File Soji Abe - 12:00/Yamijima Island/Shinari Mountain Trail - Dread (Mission 2) Akiko's fortune telling cards predict her unlikely partnership with Soji. 74. Jasper Bracelet Yorito Nagai - 14:00/Gold Mining Co. Housing/C-102 - Rescue (Mission 2) The bracelet Ichiko tore from Noriko's wrist when she fell overboard. 75. The Story Treasure Chest Yorito Nagai - 14:00/Gold Mining Co. Housing/C-102 - Rescue (Mission 1) The story of the Stolen Girl has echoes in Kanae's life and justifies the villagers' fear of her. The story features a sea monster who can steal the appearance of the dead. 76. Time Capsule Map Yorito Nagai - 14:00/Gold Mining Co. Housing/C-102 - Rescue (Mission 1) 77. Vermillion Bracelet Mamoru Itsuki - 15:00/Bright Win/Forward Deck - Hate (Mission 2) The bracelet worn by Ichiko. 78. Security Monitor Mamoru Itsuki - 15:00/Bright Win/Forward Deck - Hate (Mission 2) The two characters in the footage are Ichiro Nakajima and Noriko Kifune, Ichiko's friends on board the Bright Win. Noriko's note to Ichiko suggests that Noriko may have been pregnant with Ichiro's child. Noriko's was the only survivor of the Bright Win disaster, but having fallen into the sea as a pregnant woman, may have compromised the baby's fate (see archives #40, #45 & #87). 79. SN-AG1999 AGE MANIAC Mamoru Itsuki - 15:00/Bright Win/Forward Deck - Hate (Mission 1) The console that plays the Top Menu mini-game, Kunitoris. 80. Ryuhei's Notebook Akiko Kiyota - 15:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku - Wandering (Mission 1) Recounts details about the Annunaki Remains (Claw), Ryuhei's apprehensions about Kanae and her uncanny resemblance to his late wife. 81. Ryuhei's Research Notes Akiko Kiyota - 15:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku - Wandering (Mission 1) Recounts how Yamijima corpses are buried with a stick, or Mekkoju branch, imbedded in their bodies to prevent possession by evil spirits (see archive #67). Legend has it that each Yamijima Islander is presented with a sacred Mekkoju branch at birth, so they may be buried with it to keep evil spirits at bay. The Mekkoju tree itself is not said to exist, yet it's fallen limbs may found by the head of the Ohta family when the Mekkoju Walk ritual is performed. The body of a possessed soul liberated by the Mekkoju branch transforms them into a Mekkoju tree. 82. Photo of Father and Son Akiko Kiyota - 15:00/Yamijima Island/Aonoku - Wandering (Mission 1) 83. Atlantis Special Issue Yorito Nagai - 18:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 - Joint Struggle (Mission 1) Poses the idea of a parallel universe. 84. Pylon Drawings Yorito Nagai - 18:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 - Joint Struggle (Mission 1) The crew who originally constructed Pylon #4 were haunted by an image of a dark towering monolith that extended to the heavens. 85. Dog Whistle Soji Abe - 19:00/Yamijima Gold Dredge - Agony (Mission 2) If you study Soji's sightjack views in this level, you will observe Shu's ghost providing you with clues as to the whereabouts of the whistle. Shu wishes for Tsukasa to be with Soji. 86. Soji's Lighter Soji Abe - 19:00/Yamijima Gold Dredge - Agony (Mission 2) The fiery character on the lighter symbolises light, enemy of the Yamirei. 87. Yamijima Folklore Ikuko Kifune - 20:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 - Yambito (Mission 1) The islanders believed that it was unlucky for a pregnant woman to step into the sea, or her child would be marked at birth (see archive #78). Mamoru has an ex-girlfriend with a similar blemish, which explains how he became drawn into the mystery (see archive #89). 88. Mamoru's Digital Camera Ikuko Kifune - 20:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 2) Yuri can observed in the background, meaning that she was present at Sanzu Harbour when the others boarded the boat to Yamijima Island. But is this the real Yuri before being kidnapped or Mother posing as Yuri? 89. Mamoru's Notebook Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 1) Recounts Mamoru's nightmares and break-up with his girlfriend (see archive #87). 90. The Ohta Family Code Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 2) Recounts the traditional duties of the Ohta family as the island's guardians. 91. Time Capsule Yorito Nagai - 22:00/Grade/Middle School (Mission 1) 92. Annaki Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 1) The sword used to defeat Mother, supposedly the remains of a big heavenly fish. Mother's natural enemy? 93. Photo of Shu and Kanae Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 1) 94. National Sports Yorito Nagai - 23:00/Yamijima Island/Shiofurihama (Mission 1) Yamijima Island is a hotspot for missing sea vessels, similar to the Bermuda Triangle. The rotting hull lying in the vacant lot beside the Grade/Middle school is the 'National Sports', another vessel lost at sea. 95. Old Scroll - Chapter 3 Yorito Nagai - 22:00/Grade/Middle School (Mission 2) Recounts how Otoshigo was separated from Mother when light came into being. Otoshigo may have been the form seen briefly through the cabin window during the opening tsunami scene. 96. Letter to Ikuko Mamoru Itsuki - 22:00/Shinari Mountain/Pylon #4 (Mission 1) Recounts how Ikuko and Ryuko are not only sisters, but estranged twins. 97. Yamibito's Picture Diary Yorito Nagai - 23:00/Yamijima Island/Shiofurihama (Mission 2) The text reads reads 'A Scary Monster Fell From The Sky', referring to Yorito falling into the Yambito dimension in ENDING #1 (the original Forbidden Siren game featured a 26-symbol code that corresponded with the letters in the English alphabet. Siren 2 however features a symbolic code that only translates into Japanese). This document ends speculation about whether or not Yorito was projecting paranoid delusions onto reality. The drawing clearly shows a permanently-eclisped sun like the one in the Yamibito dimension. 98. National Times Soji Abe - 24:00/Yamijima Lighthouse (Movie Stage) Watch this movie stage to unlock this item. In the wake of Mother's death a new reality is imposed in which Soji is not connected with Ryuko's death, nor does Ryuko even exist. Instead, Ichiko's best friend Noriko is the new murderer and Ichiro the new victim. 99. Missing Person Poster Kyoya Suda - 33.00/Yamijima Island - Mini-game Once the final boss battle with Mother is complete, return to the Link Navigator and check the column to the left of Otoshigo's. Open the uncleared mission stage. Kyoya Suda has been missing since embarking on his vengeful mission to elimiate the evil in Forbidden Siren 1. 100. Portable Stereo Player Kyoya Suda - 33.00/Yamijima Island - Mini-game Once the final boss battle with Mother is complete, return to the Link Navigator and check the column to the left of Otoshigo's. Open the uncleared mission stage. The portable stereo player features Kyoya Suda's soundtrack, the music played during the final movie in Forbidden Siren 1 and Kyoya's Annihilation stage in Forbidden Siren 2. _____________________________________________ P L O T G U I D E _____________________________________________ Chronological time is warped in the Siren universe and it is often difficult to logically comprehend how two characters, who are the same person, yet of different ages, can coexist in the same time and place. Likewise, it is difficult to keep track of the motivations and back stories of the many avatars (possessed human beings) who are controlled by the supernatural deities in Siren. As the game is deliberatly obscure in parts, there will always be debate and conjecture about the storyline. For this reason I will only present the facts, with brevity, as they are presented in the game. _____________________________________________ THE PAST (1976) Yamijima Island - Young Shu Mikami lives alone with his father, Ryuhei, a widowed archeologist. Shu's mother was lost at sea shortly after the Mikami's settled on Yamijima Island. One day while Shu and Ryuhei are exploring the island coastline, Shu discovers the body of an unconscious young girl named Kanae. Kanae recovers and is invited to live with the Mikamis. Shu and Kanae become inseparable playmates. Ryuhei himself cannot deny Kanae's uncanny resemblence to his dead wife, and so despite his reservations, allows Kanae to remain. The Yamijima residents instinctively fear Kanae and are suspicious of her aversion to sunlight. The Ohta's (Yamijima's oldest family) are especially concerned, as traditionally they are responsible for keeping the island safe from harm. Kanae (an avatar of Mother, an ancient water deity) secretly needs Shu to help her open the seven gates on Yamijima Island that keep Mother imprisoned. Kanae confides in Shu that once, long ago, 'the ruler died, her mommy was born, lots of them were born'. Mother has sent Kanae to Shu to enlist his help (it seems that only a true mortal human may open the seven gates, and no one is easier to manipulate than a trusting child). Tsuneo Ohta, the village Amimoto (fishermen's boss and village elder) and his vain daughter, Tomoe, plot Kanae's capture at a town meeting. Tomoe tells the villagers that she has seen Kanae down by the sea 'driving back something horrible and nasty'. One night Shu is awoken by the island villagers who have caught Kanae in the act of killing his father (Kanae needed Ryuhei out of the way to have complete control of Shu). Shu discovers the body of his father lying in the hallway of the family home, but is interrupted when his older self, now blind, appears in the doorway of the Mikami house - time has folded. Kanae manages to escape the villagers and reunites with Shu, but when the two become cornered by the angry mob, the stone balcony that supports them gives way and sends them into the sea. Shu manages to find safety in a small boat but Kanae slowly sinks below the water, returning to the bottom of the sea. The experience is so traumatic for young Shu that he loses his sight. Foiled, Mother becomes infuriated and sends a tsunami to destroy the villagers. Local authorities are at a loss as to explain how Yamijima's undersea power cable was severed, or how the entire population of the island disappeared. When the villagers recover (now inhabiting a parallel dimension where the events of 29 years ago are repeated), Shiryos (dark smokey spirits) have infested the island and the dead return to life as Shibito. Tomoe Ohta runs for her life, only to die in a horrific fall - her body is ripe for possession by the Shiryos. Tsuneo Ohta returns to the Mikami house to investigate the body of Ryuhei, but is pursued by Ryuhei, now himself a ravenous Shibto. _____________________________________________ PRESENT DAY Ryuko Tagawa (Soji Abe's co-worker/flatmate and Ikuko Kifune's sister) has been sent to earth to make preparations for the return of Mother. Ryuko finds the human condition so comfortable that she neglects her mission and continues on with life as a mortal. Yuri Kishida, an innocent young girl, has been kidnapped by Mother and hidden in a warehouse in Sanzu Harbour. Mother assumes Yuri's identity and sets out to punish Ryuko. Ryuko receives an unexpected visit from her doppelganger, Yuri, and although startled by the resemblence, recognises Yuri as one of her kind. Yuri asks Ryuko why she didn't return. Ryuko apologises, but Yuri assures her that she will not be forgiven for abandoning Mother. Yuri kills Ryuko and returns to Sanzu Harbour to watch her disparate collection of victims board the vessel to Yamijima Island. Soji Abe, Shu Mikami, Mamoru Itsuki, Ikuko Kifune and Akiko Kiyota are bound for Yamijima Island, (the 'Island of Hate' or 'Island of the Dead'). Mamoru (a magazine editor) wants to investigate the island for his magazine. Shu (now a famous blind novelist) grew up on the island and wishes to return to the place of his birth to retrieve his lost memories. Soji (a temp worker) and Akiko (the heavily-disguised clairvoyant) are on the run together, trying to escape the police who have mistakenly charged Soji with the murder of Ryuko Tagawa. Ikuko (a psychic factory worker and former marine radio operator) is drawn to the island by instinct. The weather grows dark and a large mass passes by the cabin window (something 'horrible and nasty'?). A tsunami capsizes the vessel but the passengers arrive safely on the shores of the island. Time folds as the tsunami announces a shift in reality. Mamoru washes up on the pier and explores the island. Mamoru discovers Yuri hiding in a building, fearful for her life. Mamoru and Yuri are pursued by a Shibito but Mamoru manages to incapacitate the creature. Yuri requests Mamoru's help to find her mother, who she says is being confined on the island. Mamoru and Yuri are discovered by lost soldiers, Takeaki Misawa and Yorito Nagai. Strangely, Yuri has an inexplicable aversion to Misawa's flashlight. As Mamoru and Yuri proceed, they are accosted by Tomoe Ohta, daughter of Tsuneo Ohta, the island Amimoto. Tomoe believes that Yuri is Kanae and attempts to apprehend her again. Yuri leads Mamoru to the amusement park where the seven gates are located. Yuri explains that the current reality they participate in tries desperately to maintain it's form (the broken glass bird instantly becomes whole again), but inevitably will soon collapse into the chaos of nothingness. Yuri's song and dance provide Mamoru with the clues to unlock the seven gates. Mamoru complies, believing he will avoid a catastrophe by doing so. Yuri leads Mamoru into the Underworld and reveals her true monstrous form, Mother. Mamoru has been used. A helicopter carrying Private Yorito Nagai, Captain Takeaki Misawa and Sergeant Hiroshi Okita crashes on Yamijima Island. After death Hiroshi transforms into a Shibito and Takeaki and Yorito attempt to escape the island. Takeaki is haunted by strange visions of Harumi Yomoda, a young girl he rescued on a previous mission in the village of Hanuda. The two soldiers board the ferry Bright Win and Yorito saves Yuri from Tomoe Ohta, now transformed into a Yamibito. Takeaki, becoming paranoid and unstable, manages to frighten Yuri away as she attempts to exert psychic control over Yorito. Takeaki consumes some hallucinogenic medication and becomes homicidal, intent on killing anyone he regards as suspicious. Shigeru Fujita, a down-on-his-luck police officer who grew up on Yamijima Island, returns to investigate rumours about the sighting of a young woman on the supposedly desolate island. When Shigeru is leading lost school girl Ichiko to safety, he stumbles upon Tsuneo Ohta, the village Amimoto from 29 years ago. Shigeru is dumbfounded that Tsuneo is still on the island after so many years. Tsuneo transforms into a Shibito before his eyes and attacks Shigeru. Shigeru and Ichiko manage to avoid Tsuneo for a while, but eventually Tsuneo corners them in the fort ruins. Just as Tsuneo moves in for the kill, he unexpectedly panics and runs away. Shu Mikami returns to his family home on the island, and much to his surprise, discovers his younger self grieving over the body of his dead father - Shu has been transported back to the night of his father's murder. Tsuneo Ohta appears but fails to recognise Shu in adult form. The body of Shu's father is reanimated by a Shiryo and proceeds to chase Tsuneo. Shu manages to escape the villagers, now Shibitos, who are cursed to search the island forever for the murderous Kanae. Soji loses Akiko but manages to reunite with Shu. The two explorers discover the fossilised remains of a mysterious creature, possibly a Yamirei (Mother's slug-like albino offspring). The two men end up at the amusement park where Shu remembers Kanae and her plan to open the seven gates. Ichiko Yagura (a young school girl) regains consciousness on board the Bright Win, a ferry that has run aground on Yamijima Island. The Bright Win was lost at sea during a tsunami and the last transmission included a vague report about 'a girl' (possibly Yuri or Kanae) causing the ship to run aground. Ichiko and her best friend and schoolmate Noriko share matching bracelets symbolising their friendship, but Noriko is nowhere to be found. Ichiko, disoriented and lost, stumbles upon Yuri and goes into shock. Yuri's dead body was plucked from the sea during Ichiko's school excursion - somehow Yuri is still alive. Shigeru rescues Ichiko and takes her to Mikami's house, but Ichiko believes that something is still hunting her. Shigeru and Ichiko escape through the fort ruins but are pursued by Tsuneo Ohta. Tsuneo closes in on Ichiko but is reluctant to attack. Ichiko laughs in his face and Tsuneo flees in fear. Ichiko is possessed by Otoshigo, Mother's nemesis and father of the Shiryos. _____________________________________________ THE SIREN - THE SEVEN GATES ARE OPEN Eventually the entire group of mismatched venturers arrive at the amusement park and descend into the pit - the seven gates are open. A giant tree, the Mekkoju, stands proudly in the centre of the bottom of the pit. Mother appears and reveals her true form. Mamoru falls victim to Mother's hypnotic power, but Ikuko saves him by using her own psychic abilities to resist Mother's hold. Soji sees Mother as his murdered flatmate, Ryuko. Shu sees Mother as his lost childhood friend, Kanae, and is lost forever in Mother's grip. Only Akiko and Ikuko can see Mother for what she is - a monster. Yorito and Takeaki are fortunately beyond Mother's reach, but the Siren threatens to overwhelm them. Ichiko hovers over the lifeless body of Shigeru, dazed and covered in blood - was she capable of his murder? Mother, now free, gives birth to hundreds of Yamirei - ravenous albino slugs who pursue the helpless party back up to the surface. Just as Ikuko and Mamoru are about to perish, the Shiryos (spirits that animate the Shibito) come pouring down into the abyss and clash violently with the Yamirei. The natural enemies fight to the death, providing the humans with an opportunity to escape. Mamoru and Ikuko manage to evade the warring Yamirei and Shiryo factions. The amusement park is now overrun with Yamireis and Shiryos, the light-sensitive Yamirei now bound in protective shrouds. Ikuko successfully destroys the seven gates, preventing the Underworld from spewing forth any more Yamirei. As Mamoru and Ikuko escape through the amusement park they becomes surrounded by Yamirei. All hope seems lost until a crimson light (the dawn?) bathes the scene and the Yamirei are vanquished. Ikuko, plagued by painful memories of being taunted and ostracised for being 'different' (psychic), abandons Mamoru in favour of a solitary path. When the Siren sounds, Ichiko turns on Shigeru and stabs him to death. After Shigeru's death, Ichiko stumbles around, lost and disoriented. Ichiko recalls falling overboard on the Bright Win, her hand sliding Noriko's bracelet from her wrist as she loses her grip and falls into the sea. Ichiko sinks to the bottom of the sea, dead. But she is soon resurrected in a new state and returns to the surface as Otoshigo, Mother's mate and father of the Shiryos. Ichiko has a sudden yearning to return to the sea, to Mother. As Ichiko escapes through the school yard she becomes surrounded by Yamirei. All hope seems lost until a crimson light (the dawn?) bathes the scene and the Yamirei are vanquished. Shigeru reawakens and becomes a Yamibito. Takeaki, exhausted, regards the sky and catches a glimpse of his former reality through the clouds. Yamibito appear - humans fused with Yamirei, clad in black robes to shield them from light. Takeaki leads Ichiko safely through the fort ruins, but detects something strange about her. As Takeaki demands answers, Yorito appears, and fearing for Ichiko's life, shoots Takeaki dead. Yorito conceals Inchiko in the safety of the Gold Mining Company Housing but they are set upon by a dog Yambito. Ichiko flees, but when Yorito finally finds her again she has become possessed by Otoshigo and embarks on a mindless killing spree. Yorito finds Ichiko's bracelet and uses it to bring Ichiko back to her senses. Ichiko wrestles with the demons inside her, but eventually recovers her own will (albeit temporarily). Mamoru boards the Bright Win in an attempt to defeat the Yamirei and the Yamibito. Tomoe Ohta has transformed into a dog Yamibito and terrorises the ship. Soji and Akiko escape through the mining settlement, but are arrested by the crimson light and the sudden appearance of a giant tower of scaffolding that pierces the sky. Akiko follows a psychic trail that leads her to the place where Shu and Kanae plummeted into the sea. Shu contacts Akiko from beyond the grave and asks her to save his father, Ryuhei, who has transformed into a Kou- Yamibito, a grotesque human/Yamirei abomination. Shu leads Akiko to the shrine where the Mekkoju branch is kept (legend has it that each Yamijima Islander is presented with a sacred Mekkoju branch at birth, so they may be buried with it to keep evil spirits at bay. The Mekkoju tree itself is not said to exist, yet it's fallen limbs may found by the head of the Ohta family when the Mekkoju Walk ritual is performed). Akiko also finds a mysterious artifact, the Anunnaki Remains (claw). Akiko destroys Ryuhei and plunges the Mekkoju branch into his face, freeing his soul and transforming him into the mystical Mekkoju tree. Akiko receives a final psychic impression, the night Kanae murdered Ryuhei. In the vision, Kanae flees covered in Ryuhei's blood, but she notices Akiko's reflection in the mirror instead of her own - the two are one. Akiko, no longer able to resist Mother's power, transforms into Kanae. Soji runs into Ikuko and recognises her face - not from the boat, but from elsewhere - Ryuko's older sister? Soji reunites with Tsukasa, Shu's dog, and Tsukasa demonstrates her loyalty by retrieving his lost lighter. Soji looks to the tower on the horizon and a series of explosions erupt around the base. Ikuko realises that the Yamirei and the Shiryos have been waiting in the dark for millenia, hating humans and waiting to return to the earth plane. An anonymous being presents Ikuko with the Mekkoju branch reserved for Shigeru Fujita, now also a Kou-Yamibito. Ikuko discovers Anunnaki Remains (claw) lodged into the Mekkoju tree, now itself entwined in the tower. Ikuko destroys Shigeru and liberates his soul. Mamoru and Yorito join forces and attempt to scale the Spider's Thread, the pinnacle of the tower. Mamoru believes that the pinnacle of the tower is the point where the artificial world intersects with the real world. Mamoru believes that their current reality is simply a copy of the real world from 29 years ago. The two men ascend the tower and obtain the Mekkoju branch reserved for Tsuneo Ohta, now himself a Kou-Yamibito. Tsuneo knocks Yorito off the tower but Mamoru manages to destroy Tsuneo and liberates his soul with the Mekkoju branch. Yorito, now totally unhinged and enraged, vows to destroy the Yamirei and Yamibito once and for all. Yorito discovers a lair of Yamirei in the Grade/Middle school and dipserses them with a flare gun. Yorito also learns that his former Sergeant, Hiroshi Okita, is now a souless Yambito too, so Yorito saves his soul by ending his life. Yorito is then confronted by Takeaki Misawa, now a blood-thirsty Kou-Yamibito. Yorito takes delight in bringing down his former Captain with a barrage of gunfire. In the distance, the tower crumbles as reality loses form. Yorito believes the worst is over when Ichiko suddenly appears, her face swollen into a grotesque eye. Ichiko transforms into Otoshigo and attacks. Yorito uses every tool at his disposal to defeat Otoshigo, and the nightmare is over. Noriko Kifune (the sole survivor of the Bright Win and Ikuko's sister) is found off the coast of Yamijima. Ikuko and Mamuro are reunited on the pinnacle of the tower. Ikuko tries to resist Mother's psychic control but is losing the battle. The Ohta House, now out of sync with reality, sits atop the Mekkoju tree. Tomoe Ohta waits inside but Ikuko manages to save her Tomoe's soul by plunging a Mekkoju branch into her side. Mother scales the tower in an attempt to reach the other reality. The tower crumbles as reality begins to fracture and revert back into the chaos of nothingness. Ichiko plummets into the ocean and Mamoru and Ikuko are sucked into Mother's plane of existence, an aquatic, crimson dimension. Akiko/Kanae's spirit appears and implores for Shu's forgiveness. Akiko/Kanae suicides by plunging the Annunaki remains (claw) into her stomach, which simultaneously injures Mother. Each member of the party is then inspired to use the Annunaki Remains (Claw) which in turn transform into mystical swords, Annaki Remains (Horn). The humans manage to defeat Mother and a final tsunami cleanses the island. Shu and Kanae are together forever, and reality is restored. Mamoru and Ikuko are bathed in sunlight as normality is restored to Yamijima Island. Ikuko however looks eerily preoccupied... Yorito wakes on a sunlit boulevarde but all is not right. Yamibito stroll past like tourists, smouldering in the haze, and regard the new intruder with fear. Yorito loses his mind and goes on a killing spree. Is he delusional? Is he mistaking innocent humans for Yamibito? Has he become trapped in the Yamibito dimension? Soji Abe is joined by Tsukasa, and the lonely pair contemplate a new day. The National Times reports that a man named Ichiro Nakajima was beaten to death by his flatmate Noriko Kifune. In the wake of Mother's death, Ryuko Tagawa never died. The archive photograph of Soji and Ryuko now features Soji only. Mother and her avatars have been erased from existence. _____________________________________________ MOTHER & OTOSHIGO Mother is an ancient water deity who was imprisoned below, by whom we do not know (this is possibly metaphoric, meaning the light kept Mother imprisoned in the darkness. The ritual of the seven gates may have allowed Mother to unleash darkness on earth so that conditions would be more favourable for her kind). The old scrolls reveal that before there was light on Earth strange creatures roamed the surface. When light appeared the creatures fled into the oceans and waited for millenia in the darkness for a chance to return to the surface. Eventually they sent one of their own in the form of a young girl to prepare conditions for their arrival (it is interesting to note that when Yorito appears in the Yamibito dimension, a solar eclipse prevents the Yamibito from combusting completely. Perhaps Mother had the power to influence planetary movement and was planning to permanently eclipse earth's sun). Otoshigo was Mother's mate but was separated from her when they fled into the sea to escape the light. Otoshigo searched the earth for millenia trying to find Mother but was unsuccessful. Otoshigo answers the call of the Siren (Mother) and returns to earth in the form of Ichiko. Mother uses avatars (human beings whose minds are possessed by a splintered part of her consciousness) to do her bidding. Mother gives the humans the gift of sightjack so that she may monitor situations on earth and pollute human minds with dark thoughts. Mother sends Ryuko to earth to prepare conditions for her return, but finding the human condition so comfortable, Ryuko neglects her mission and pays with her life. Yuri is sent in her stead. Mother kidnaps and possesses Yuri's body to hatch her plan. Mother uses Yuri to reveal to Mamoru that she is lonely and has waited a long time for company Mother was separated from her mate Otoshigo when light appeared). Mother sent out 'doves' (avatars) to get help, but none were ever successful. Twenty-nine years ago Mother sent Kanae (her 'dove') to the Mikami's so that she could enlist the help of Shu to open the seven gates that imprisoned her. In that attempt, Mother was foiled by the Yamijima residents who killed Kanae. In her second attempt, her 'dove', Ryuko, became so preoccupied with human life that she neglected her mission. In Mother's final attempt, she is defeated by the Annaki Remains (Horn), a substance fatal to Mother, possibly from the remains of Mother's nemesis. In this instance, Mother's 'dove', Akiko, resists her power and suicides, injuring Mother herself. _____________________________________________ THE END? Yorito is trapped in the Yamibito dimension. Ikuko looks eerily preoccupied at the end of the adventure. Noriko Kifune, now on the run, may be pregnant with a cursed child. Mamoru's ex-girlfriend sports a strange blemish - a mark of evil? _____________________________________________ SIREN 1 REFERENCES - Pop idol Naoko Mihama appears in the Turtle Jelly Noodles advertisement. - The ghost of Harumi Yomoda haunts Takeaki Misawa (Takeaki saved Harumi from the Hanuda Village landslide two years earlier). - Ryuhei receives letters of condolence from Omihito Takeuchi, his dear friend and father of Tamon Takeuchi, the college professor. - Kyoya Suda returns again to embark on his crusade against evil. - Tomoko Maeda (who may have attended the same school as Ichiko) leaves a videotape on board the Bright Win. _____________________________________________ WEBSITES The archives contain the adresses of several websites: www.shu-mikami.com (archive #55) www.shibito.com (archive #15) www.yumemi-salon.com (archive #59) _____________________________________________ Forbidden Siren 2 Plot Guide by RaccoonCityPD (c). All text copyright Jason Beks, 31 August 2006 (c). Email questions to: jbeks@hotmail.com (ensure 'Siren 2' is in the subject line).