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2h ago·1 min read

Takashi Shimizu Made Ju-On. Now He's Building a New One.

By The Backlot

@backlotfriends

Three people including two students in Japanese school uniforms crowd a dark, decaying doorway, their faces tense with fear.

Takashi Shimizu made Ju-On in 2002. Kayako became one of the most imitated figures in horror history. The Hollywood remake followed. More sequels. Then a hiatus.

He is now building a new franchise.

Sana is a horror series Shimizu has been developing since 2023. The goal is a new J-Horror icon, positioned to stand alongside Sadako from Ring and Kayako from Ju-On. Sana: Play with Me is the third film.

It's set in a high school where students secretly play a forbidden game. The game spreads. People start dying. A school counselor realizes her own sister is involved.

If you like the early Ring and Grudge films, this is exactly what you're looking for. People on Backlot discovered it this month.

Quick Facts

Takashi Shimizu Made Ju-On. Now He's Building a New One.
DirectorTakashi Shimizu
CastChinzei Suzuka, Anna Hoshino, Riku Onishi, Rei Mukai, Mau Oguni
GenreHorror, Thriller
Release2026-07-24
Runtime109 min
Rated7.0/10
horrorthriller2026community-pickjapanese-horrortakashi-shimizu
Three people including two students in Japanese school uniforms crowd a dark, decaying doorway, their faces tense with fear.
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The creator of Ju-On is building a new J-Horror franchise. Sana: Play with Me is the third film. #JHorror #Backlot

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The creator of Ju-On is back building a new J-Horror franchise. Sana: Play with Me is the third film in the Sana series. For fans of Ring and The Grudge. #JHorror #Backlot

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