They Say Nothing Stays the Same 2021

As Toichi, a modest ferryman, maneuvers through the mystical waters of his territory, he stumbles upon an otherworldly being that captures his intrigue—a ghostly silhouette gliding alongside the serene river. One fateful evening, a mysterious figure washes ashore, prompting Toichi, driven by an instinct to care, to bring her into his humble home, where he dutifully tends to her needs. Rumors spread throughout the community regarding a horrific event upstream, where a family has tragically perished, leaving behind whispers about a missing girl. As the shrouded figure remains silent and unresponsive during the day, Toichi’s concern for her welfare deepens.

In the midst of this turmoil, excitement brews within the community with the impending completion of a new bridge, a development that threatens Toichi’s way of life. His young neighbor, Genzo, suggests the drastic option of dismantling the bridge before its finish, which inspires Toichi’s imagination to conjure a dark fantasy—one where he and Genzo take revenge on unsuspecting travelers while the river’s ghost observes with an otherworldly gaze.

As time passes, the mysterious girl by the river makes her presence known once more, her demeanor marked by an unnerving stillness. Toichi tries to learn about her story, but she only shakes her head in silence, answering nothing. During a rare moment without passengers, he invites her into his boat, and as they drift along the river’s surface, she finally discloses her name—Foo—though she remains tight-lipped about her past.

Tragedy strikes one night when Genzo goes upstream, revealing the shocking truth: there was no murder to speak of. Toichi exhales a breath of relief, but his thoughts soon turn to Nihei’s Father who passes away, expressing a final wish to be interred in the forest. Touched by the elder’s selflessness, Toichi seizes the chance to fulfill this noble request under the cloak of darkness.

The completion of the bridge draws near; its wooden framework exhales wisps of smoke as night falls. In this ominous moment, the river ghost reappears, delivering a grave warning: > “That girl should have perished on that fateful night. I claimed her life, and she was destined to depart this world, awaiting her next incarnation. But you intervened, Toichi, saving her from my grasp. She will torment you.”

The weight of the ghost’s words envelops Toichi like a heavy shroud, and he realizes that his choices have initiated a sequence of events that will irrevocably change the course of his life and the lives of those around him. As winter’s icy grip covers the landscape, a somber mood descends upon the once serene riverside, now covered in a blanket of snow. The river, usually a peaceful flow, is tainted by ominous oil slicks floating atop its surface. Amidst this turmoil, Toichi’s spirits plummet, burdened by deepening despair.

Just when he seems to drown in hopelessness, Genzo appears at his doorstep, dressed in elegant attire and exuding an air of arrogance. His patronizing attitude stands in stark contrast to Toichi’s melancholy. Ironically, it is this visit that seals Genzo’s fate.

While Toichi steps out to tend to his health, leaving the hut unguarded, Genzo seizes the moment to bring an unsuspecting young girl into the secluded sanctuary, likely with intentions of exploiting her fragility. However, he remains oblivious to the imminent consequences of his actions.

Upon his return, Toichi is met with a horrifying sight: Genzo lies dead, his throat gruesomely slit in a senseless act of violence. Overcome with rage and sorrow, Toichi ignites the hut in flames, a desperate attempt to rid himself of the encroaching darkness. As the fire erupts, he hastily departs with the young girl, escaping the chaos on their small boat, gliding away down the frigid river, leaving Genzo’s tragic end submerged in the past.