Juri Kunihito's "Urban Legends" is not merely a collection of weird tales; it is a mirror reflecting the psyche of modern urban dwellers. These stories, interwoven with horror and warmth, reveal the forgetfulness, loneliness, and trauma we face in urban life, while also pointing toward possibilities for redemption

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I. Memory: The Struggle Against Forgetting

In modern society, information overload and fast-paced living lead to increasingly fragmented collective memory. The story of repeatedly trying to change the past in "Yesterday's Park" metaphorically represents humanity's chronic illness of "forgetting"

. Kunihito reminds us that actively preserving memory—whether historical or personal—is key to avoiding repeated tragedies and combating spiritual nihilism.

II. Loneliness: The Norm of Urban Life

Many characters in the book are shrouded in loneliness, like those seeking connection and warmth in "Moon Stone"

. This sense of loneliness is becoming more common in modern cities. However, Kunihito does not stop at portraying the despair of isolation; through images like the "gentle ghost" , he suggests that warmth and understanding can also be found in solitude, encouraging modern people to maintain goodwill and perception towards others despite alienation.

III. Trauma: Confrontation and Redemption

Many characters carry the trauma of the past, such as the bizarre and chilling experience of the protagonist in "Ice Man"

. Kunihito seems to tell us that trying to cover up or burn the "fingerprints" of pain only deepens the trauma . The real way out lies in facing the scars, accepting the past, and seeking redemption in the process, providing a metaphorical inspiration for modern people to deal with psychological trauma.

IV. Humanity: Light in the Darkness

Kunihito's writing does not shy away from the dark side of human nature; the distortion in "Love of the Dead" and the fanaticism in "Owl Man" are startling

. But he never ceases to depict light; the warmth and humanity in "Moon Stone" are equally moving . This profound portrayal of human complexity inspires modern people to accept their own and others' imperfections, to recognize the darkness while still believing in and pursuing the light.

Conclusion: Finding Real Answers in Fantasy

Through "Urban Legends," Juri Kunihito invites us to ponder: How can we maintain inner delicacy and tenderness in the noisy city? How do we face the unchangeable past? How do we find strength in loneliness and trauma? His stories suggest that the answer perhaps lies in accepting life's complex contradictions and always retaining the ability to perceive both pain and beauty

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