Hello and welcome to my blog on the 1st day of the 2016 AtoZChallenge. Today I have two rather nasty spooks for you in my Fictional Phantoms theme. You definitely wouldn't want to meet either of these on a dark night, or any other time for that matter.
Annabelle (Higgins) (The Conjuring/Annabelle)
In the spin-off film Annabelle we find out she was once a normal doll, but became possessed when she was clutched in the arms of the murderous Annabelle Higgins as she died.
This is one doll you do not want to play will.
The film version of Annabelle is based on a real doll - you can read all about her here.
Aka Manto
 |
| Aka Manto from Ghost Stories (anime) |
A voice will ask if you want:
- blue paper or
- red paper.
BEWARE!
- If you answer red you will be sliced into pieces until your clothes are stained red.
- If you answer blue you will be strangled, your face turning blue as you die of lack of air.
There are other versions too involving a cape or vest which are just as nasty and can be read at wikipedia.
So haunted dolls, better or worse than clowns? What would you think if a disembodied voice suddenly started asking you about toilet paper in the public loos?
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My Other Blogs
I am sharing blogging duties with my sister, Sophie, on two other blogs for the AtoZ as well :And Sophie also has her own blog in the AtoZ too:
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Other People's Blogs
Don't forget to check out the other participant in this years AtoZChallenge. Click on the image to visit the main site and see the full list.
Annabelle is downright scary looking! I would never consider playing with her :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Me either :) I sometimes wonder about collectable dolls though - a lot of them would creep me out :)
DeleteThat's a good piece of haunted characters.
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteCool Post ....
ReplyDeleteDid not eve know of this year's "A-Z" posts... we will do so as well, dear Lady Tasha....
Thank you and a pleasant weekend to you and yours...
Thank you :) I have been having a lot of fun coming up with ghosties for this year's posts. A good weekend to you too.
DeleteWell, those are really nasty spooks.
ReplyDeleteThe dool is really creepy. Whoever had that idea?
Nice start to the challenge :-)
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz
She's based on a real life story, but that doll was a Ragetty Anne one, so not as creepy looking.
DeleteThank you :)
Definitely worse than clown. The prospect of a disembodied voice challenging me to choose the colour of loo paper - on pain of certain death either way. Much worse than a custard pie in the face... -- Paul @ theironpact.com
ReplyDeleteJapan seems to have a lot of ghosts associated with public loos - it's most odd :)
DeleteToo funny...Annabelle was my pick for "A" last year. :) It's a great story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me to the Japanese toilet paper demon. I wonder if that's where the Matrix writers got their "two pills" idea from?
LOL - I think there was less death in the Matrix decision, unless you ran into an Agent :)
DeleteGreat start to the challenge! Spooky dolls eeek lol Great post!
ReplyDeleteHeather
http://heathersstitchingstory.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/a-is-for-atozchallenge.html#comment-form
@xstitchchick
Thank you :) I wanted to make sure A had some serious contenders ;)
DeleteThat is one spooky doll and now you'll have me thinking every time I step into a public restroom. :)
ReplyDeleteMason
Ninja Minion
Just remember the answer is 'no paper' ;)
DeleteToilet demon - not one to tell my kids! It's always spooky being alone in a public convenience. Best policy, keep tissues in your pocket.
ReplyDeleteGreat start.
Yep - especially for the really busy restrooms :) Best not to take the risk of meeting a loo roll phantom ::g::
DeleteSpooky dolls indeed! :D I find them more funny than scary! :P
ReplyDelete- Chicky @ www.mysteriouskaddu.com
I am glad someone does :D - the expression on her face is just freaky ;)
DeleteI've never seen The Conjuring, but dolls are so creepy to begin with! And I had to laugh at the Japanese ghost--sounds like someone is drunk in the next stall! :D
ReplyDeleteIf you're lucky it is someone drunk in the next stall ;)
DeleteI have always found dolls creepy - I was always a teddy bear girl when it came to toys.
I'm definitely only reading your posts when it's daylight...
ReplyDeleteI'm easily scared though so not sure I'm average in that regard, I occasionally hear a voice when I'm in our bathroom, but it's usually someone saying my name, so I think it's my husband so I answer, then wonder why there's no answer... but no-one is there.
Glad it's just my name, think I would freak out if it was a question :)
Mars xx
@TrollbeadBlog from
Curling Stones for Lego People
Now someone saying my name in the bathroom with no one there would freak me out! I agree, a question would be worse. Thank you for visiting :).
DeleteYeah it's happened a few times recently, we live in a terraced house though so I often wonder if it's someone next door saying something similar, and I am just hearing my name, or I'm hearing voices, or we have a ghost... but although it startles me... saying my name feels more natural that a question, I definitely don't want to start hearing sentences! ;)
DeleteMars xx
HAPPY A to Z BLOGGING CHALLENGE START DAY!!
ReplyDeleteHere is why I love doing this every year; finding fantastic blogs like yours.
I love coming here each year and reading all your great supernatural posts and then sticking around all year.
This year is no different. I love reading about ghosts and I Am sure there is going to be a tone of great things posted this month.
So very excited!
Happy AtoZ Start to you too :)
DeleteThat's why I love the challenge too - so many wonderful blogs to read.
Like your last comment, glad I saw this in the afternoon while it was still light. Even the pictures are scary. Have to brace myself for the next visit to your blog!
ReplyDeleteFran
@FranClarkAuthor
Writing Women’s Fiction
Not all of them are scary, promise :) I just wanted to start off the AtoZ with a bang!
DeleteTasha, haunted dolls are great (shhh, don't tell my shrink). My favorite is Talking Tina from The Twilight Zone.
ReplyDeleteI’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings during the #AtoZChallenge at Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs
I have not heard of Talking Tina - I shall have to go and look her up :)
DeleteWow. I'll have nightmares for days.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what else you come up with.
Nightmares was not my intention :) , just a little scare. Tomorrows are more interesting rather than terrifying :)
Deleteoh gosh!! that's scary... didn't know about Aka Manto. One more reason to be afraid of the dark :P
ReplyDeleteVisiting from A to Z Challenge
Pam's Unconventional Alliance Team
A Whimsical Medley
Twinkle Eyed Traveller
I discovered while look up some ghosts for the AtoZ that there are many weird ones out there :) Thank you for visiting.
DeleteOkay, I've got chills now. I remember enjoying The Conjuring, but I've never heard of Aka Manto. I think Aka scares me more. There's something sort of vulnerable about that moment in a restroom.
ReplyDeleteThe Conjuring is a brilliantly creepy film :) I think it's a bit of a toss up as to who is worse!
DeleteOkay, I've got chills now. I remember enjoying The Conjuring, but I've never heard of Aka Manto. I think Aka scares me more. There's something sort of vulnerable about that moment in a restroom.
ReplyDeleteI love creepy dolls, especially the ones with Venetian masks. :)
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of Aka Manto specifically, but I am not surprised by his legend. There are so many of them in Japan, and they're all so fascinating(in a morbid way). One I find particularly creepy is the old woman spirit/ghost who sits on people in the forest, in effect crushing them while they sleep. I can't remember her name, but she reminds me of the ancient version of the incubus/succubus and the old concepts of the nightmare demon. (Maybe you came across her during your research). Nice start for A-Z! I'll be back to see what else you've exhumed. :)
The Immarcescible Word
Creepy dolls get to me :). I didn't come across her specifically, but there are lots of fascinating Japanese ghosts - there are a few coming up.
DeleteDolls have always been a bit scary to me, so now I have Annabelle to nightmare about. This is going to be a great theme.
ReplyDeleteThanks. She is rather horrendous, isn't she :)
DeleteDolls never scared me. I mean, they're so vulnerable to fire :). I'm way more worried about Aka Manto.
ReplyDeleteAh, but what happens if the fire just frees the vengeful spirit? ;)
DeleteDo not like scary looking dolls, although those sweet ones can be deceiving too. No paper in the loo, okay, I can do that. I always carry tissues for that reason. LOL Happy A to Z ing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting for the A to Z!
Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
Defending The Pen
Parallels
Murderous Imaginings
Thank you :) The Aka Manto one is very odd and the paper is only one variant.
DeleteI've heard of the first one. The second one is CRAZY!!
ReplyDeleteRomance Author Piper Presley
A is for Anthology: Blogging for A to Z Challenge
It is isn't it - that's why I picked it :)
DeleteOh, love the theme. And while Annabelle is scary, the Aka Manto is terrifying! Those tricksters are devious!
ReplyDeleteYou just can't trust demonic ghosts these days ;) Thank you so much for visiting.
DeleteI always wonder when I look at dolls. When I was a child, it didn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog.
Mary Montague Sikes
Notes Along the Way
The Artful Way
AS we grow older more things occur to us :) Thank you for popping by.
Deletea good creepy start. Something about the eyes....
ReplyDeleteIt is often about the eyes - windows to the soul, or lack there of I suspect...
DeleteOh my! Who knew public restrooms were so dangerous! And I was just worried about cleanliness…
ReplyDelete@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
At least now you have something else to think about except the ridiculous advertising on the back of the door ;)
DeleteAnnabelle completely freaks me out! I'm worried that she's going to haunt my dreams tonight. I think I'd much rather be visited by Aka Manto :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-is-for-anchor-nancy-drew-investigates.html
I hope she didn't haunt your dreams.
Deletefreaking blipping dolls! They creep me out. that's why all of mine are boxed up and not to be looked at.
ReplyDeletethere are legends that say that they can be used as vessels for spirits.
you would love the anime ghost hunt. Minnie the doll . . . made me jump. stupid episode.
Action figures I can cope will, dolls, not so much :)
DeleteI saw that anime mentioned when I was researching - I shall see if I can find it.
Hello from A to Z. That haunted doll makes me think of those Chucky movies I saw back in the day. And the second one makes me think of those Bloody Mary in the bathroom urban legends I used to hear about when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI have managed to avoid the Chucky movies - Annabelle is bad enough :) I think you are right Aka Manto is exactly like those legends - designed to scare children stiff :)
DeleteHello from A to Z. That haunted doll makes me think of those Chucky movies I saw back in the day. And the second one makes me think of those Bloody Mary in the bathroom urban legends I used to hear about when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI know my nine year old still comes into bed with me a few times a month because she's had a nightmare about Slappy--a freaky live doll from Stine's Haunting Hour, so I've got to go with the dolls.
ReplyDeleteI've always found certain dolls creepy, but haunted dolls are worse! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteGreat start in the A to Z Blog Challenge. As I read about the doll Annabelle, I thought of the poem Annabelle Lee.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Thank you and thank you for stopping by.
DeleteOuch! Dolls can be really creepy, can't they?
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Annabelle was soooo creepy! Dolls are creepy anyway, in my opinion. Sometimes they just freak me out.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of the toilet paper phantom: great urban legend stuff!
Great start to the A-Z Tasha!
Michele at Angels Bark
Thank you :) Urban legends have some fun phantoms in them :)
DeleteThis scared me stiff!
ReplyDeleteShubhangi @ http://www.titli15081977.blogspot.in/2016/04/a-for-ayurveda.html
Hopefully not for long :) Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteNo, no, no! I don't want to meet, play with or think about this scary creatures. Thanks for the warning about the toilet paper question. ;-)
ReplyDeletewww.claowuepotpourri.wordpress.com
Forewarned is forearmed ;) Thank you for dropping by.
DeleteI've heard of Annabelle before.
ReplyDeleteAs for the disembodied voice... I never heard of it, so now I have a new survival trick in case I land in a horror movie. Along with don't buy strange dolls. ;-)
There should be a list, like how to survive the zombie apocalypse - what not to do in horror movies :) Thank for dropping by.
DeleteOnly in Japan will they have an urban legend about a ghost slaughtering you in a public toilet.
ReplyDeleteI love Japan.
Me too - so many strange urban legends. :)
Deletecreepy dolls vs clowns - hmmm that is one tough choice! I'd have to choose creepy dolls, because I can always get away with dismembering one if I needed to.
ReplyDeleteMary
Twitter: @KnottyMarie
Literary Gold
Jingle Jangle Jungle
LOL - I like your thinking :)
DeleteLove it! Looking forward to more. A plethora of legends.
ReplyDelete@SorchiaDuBois from
Sorchia’s Universe
Thank you - I hope I can keep you entertained :)
DeleteEeek! Not sure that I could choose between haunted dolls and disembodied voices! I guess that I would choose haunted dolls since hopefully you could lock up a physical being (and then lock the locked box in another locked box .. and maybe a third locked box!) But a disembodied voice could follow you anywhere ...
ReplyDeleteYou make good points :) A blessed locked box in another box, in another box and then chained and dumped in the bottom of the ocean doesn't seem too over the top to me. Thank you for visiting :)
DeleteIs Annabelle related to Chucky? ☺ There's something so menacing about dolls - because they look so innocent. Aka Manto would scare anyone away from public bathrooms. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a really good idea that Annabelle and Chucky never meet - it would give him ideas ;)
DeleteI have a feeling that if I was sitting on a toilet and heard a voice asking me what color toilet paper I wanted, I would not stay and engage it in conversation!
ReplyDeleteThis would be a plan, if it would let you out. Just remember - no paper ;)
DeleteI don't do scary dolls. And what the heck!? lol I wish something would start talking to me in the bathroom! lol
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's the problem, maybe no one has tried to actually talk to Aka Manto so he's cranky? ;) Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteHaunted dolls are worse than clown only because of those soulless eyes staring at you............
ReplyDeleteAnd the fixed grins some of them have - those are terrible :)
DeleteI loved The Conjuring, but heard that Annabelle wasn't good, so skipped it. The premise sounds a lot like the old Chuckie movies. That bit about the ghost of the loo is super creepy. Toilet paper is white anyway, at least here in the US.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit Annabelle was not as good as The Conjuring, but it definitely had its moments. :)
Delete