Tomie: Unlimited's trailer exploded.
Or to be more precise—Tomie went viral.
Although Edward was well aware of just how beautiful Tomie was—after all, he had read the original manga and understood perfectly what kind of existence Tomie represented, he still hadn't expected this level of popularity.
Tomie was the embodiment of a super-beauty, capable of driving men insane with obsession; even women, at times, could not help but fall under her spell. Her beauty was lethal—its allure so absolute that it transcended gender.
Yet even Edward hadn't imagined that just the release of a single trailer could send Tomie's fame skyrocketing overnight—instantly crushing the popularity of countless top-tier female celebrities. Some enthusiasts even went so far as to publicly declare that this year's "Miss League" award should go to Tomie, and that giving it to anyone else would be blatant corruption.
[Who is Tomie?]
[Tomie Fan Club Announces Membership Application Requirements]
[Tomie Tops the League's "Most Desired Date" Awards — Both Male and Female Categories]
[Head of Famous League Fashion Brand E-Cloth Reveals Plans to Invite Tomie as Brand Ambassador]
As Edward looked at the trending list where four out of the top ten searches were all about Tomie he immediately knew it: Tomie had completely exploded. Her fame had reached an absurd, almost ridiculous level.
And with her fame came a flood of endorsement and sponsorship offers.
Companies that used to pay a few million at most, acting like they were doing him a favor were now fighting each other, madly raising their bids. The highest offer had already hit ten million per year, a staggering sum. It might not sound astronomical by some standards, but considering that Tomie was still technically an amateur, it was outrageous.
Her only work was the still-unreleased Tomie: Unlimited. Though her name value had risen dramatically, she still wasn't a full-fledged star. For a newcomer to receive seventy million in endorsement fees was already a phenomenal achievement in the Pokémon world.
"This is insane…" Edward muttered, shaking his head. He hadn't even started "harvesting" the public yet, and the "crops" were already throwing themselves into his basket. It was hard not to feel tempted.
Because Edward knew all too well what kind of film Tomie: Unlimited actually was.
As a horror film drenched in grotesque aesthetics, it would inevitably affect Tomie's public image once it hit theaters. That much was certain.
Tomie's current explosion in popularity was built entirely upon her beauty but once that same beauty revealed its darker side, it could just as easily become terrifying.
So, Edward wasn't entirely sure whether Tomie's success would last.
Still, he was confident about one thing—the first day's box office would definitely be impressive.
…
"Just the three of us again, huh?" Corey said, glancing at the middle-aged man and the young woman beside him, half amused and half exasperated.
"I'm actually kind of looking forward to this review," said the middle-aged man cheerfully, cradling his cup of coffee. "After all, it's Tomie's movie we're reviewing this time."
He'd seen the trailer like everyone else—honestly, unless someone had been living completely offline, it was impossible not to know who Tomie was right now. He, too, had been struck by that stunning over-the-shoulder glance in the trailer, and his curiosity was piqued.
"The most outrageous thing," the girl said with stars in her eyes, "is that Tomie is just as beautiful in real life! Her looks are flawless—literally without a single weak point!"
Her expression was filled with adoration. Tomie's beauty was the kind that could survive even the most unforgiving camera lenses—the kind that looked perfect from every possible angle. It was simply divine.
"I'm looking forward to it too," Corey said with a laugh. He'd been reviewing Edward's horror movies so often he was starting to develop PTSD from them. Finally, something different! Though he still had his doubts—after all, the title Tomie: Unlimited appeared at the end of the trailer written in dripping red letters. He doubted Director Edward was the type to use such effects as a prank. That detail probably hinted at something darker within the film.
Which meant this movie was without a doubt—a horror film.
A horror film.
Starring a beautiful girl.
With bright, sunlit editing and youthful cinematography. The more Corey thought about it, the more bizarre it seemed. Yet his curiosity only grew stronger.
So, the review committee entered the private screening room and began watching Tomie: Unlimited.
The film wasn't particularly long but by the time it ended, the room was swallowed in silence. Even the middle-aged man was speechless. Corey just stared blankly up at the ceiling.
"I'm an idiot… really," Corey muttered weakly. "I should've known Director Edward was up to no good…"
His stomach churned. The grotesque imagery, the disturbingly realistic effects that made him wonder if they'd actually filmed it rather than used CGI—it all made him feel sick.
His mental state was in shambles.
"Tomie was gorgeous, that's true," the girl said, baffled. "But I'm starting to think Director Edward has a personal grudge against her or something."
After all, with a face like that, Tomie didn't need to do anything—she could've just stood there like a flower vase and people would still worship her.
Yet Edward had mercilessly turned her into a monster.
In the girl's eyes, that was the only word that fit. A beautiful girl who dies, revives endlessly, whose blood can infect others, whose severed head runs amok, and whose mutated Pokémon form grotesque abominations—centipedes with human heads, twisted balloon-like creatures—it was horrifying beyond words.
This wasn't a ghost story.
It was a monster movie.
A perfectly good beautiful girl had been transformed into a nightmare creature, and even now, the girl's heart was still pounding from the aftershock.
"I can't take it anymore," the middle-aged man finally burst out. "When this movie hits theaters, I'm writing a full review!"
He had to let it out somehow. The trailer had promised one thing—a tragic yet dazzling beauty, her smile capable of toppling nations. But the actual movie? A complete betrayal!
This wasn't some youthful romance—it was a horror monster film!
Corey said nothing. He was too tired. Still, considering the sheer shock value, the review team ultimately rated the movie adults only. The grotesque imagery simply wasn't suitable for younger audiences.
What none of them expected, however, was that the middle-aged man really did write that review later that night—though he didn't post it immediately, since doing so would count as a spoiler.
[Tomie: Unlimited — A Visually Stunning Yet Deeply Divisive Masterpiece]
Hello everyone, I'm just an ordinary middle-aged viewer. This review reflects only my personal thoughts on the film.
From a storytelling perspective, Director Edward continues his signature style of dark, psychological horror. The story revolves around the mysterious and irresistibly alluring Tomie. Without spoiling too much, it's filled with strange and disturbing twists. Tomie seems like an uncontrollable dark force that continually brings tragedy and chaos to those around her.
Many probably went to see this film because of Tomie's breathtaking beauty in the trailer. And though I want to scream "Refund my money!"—Tomie really is too beautiful. Her beauty, intertwined with malice, corrupts everyone around her, driving them to madness and ruin.
In some sense, this film serves as a metaphor for human nature—its darkness, its desires, and its destructive impulses. Though at times the narrative becomes overly obscure, the philosophical depth behind its madness is undeniable.
Visually, this is a masterpiece. The film's dark palette and deliberate cinematography create an atmosphere of suffocating tension. It even reminds me of Edward Stone's earlier work, The Ring, where he mastered psychological horror to perfection. Tomie's design is iconic—her beauty radiates danger, her flowing black hair amplifies her eerie allure.
Every time she appears, the lighting dims, the music tightens, and the terror crescendos. The effects are shockingly well-done it all looks too real. I was completely overwhelmed.
The acting, too, is superb. The actress playing Tomie delivers an almost inhuman performance—capturing both demonic seduction and insanity in one. The rest of the cast holds up well, but this is unmistakably Edward Stone's hallmark—every actor pushed to the edge of madness.
Still, the film isn't without flaws. Its heavy, oppressive tone will definitely crush faint-hearted viewers. And for those who entered the theater expecting a romantic drama because of Tomie's beauty… well, that's a brutal disappointment. She's stunning, yes—but hauntingly so.
Even with its flaws, Tomie: Unlimited is undeniably worth watching. It explores humanity's darkness with elegance and horror, leaving you terrified yet oddly relieved—like purging a nightmare. If you're into dark fantasy and can handle the psychological weight, give it a try. It's a journey you won't forget.
"Yeah, my moral restraint could use a bit more deterioration," the man muttered, scratching his head. He'd wanted to rant even harsher but restrained himself out of decency.
He didn't hate Tomie: Unlimited in fact, he found it interesting, uniquely grotesque, and full of shock value. The only issue was that public expectations had been raised far too high. Yes, Tomie was stunning—breathtaking, even—but the jarring contrast between what audiences expected and what they got was too much for many to handle.
Still, he couldn't suppress his urge to complain.
Edward, meanwhile, was blissfully unaware of what the review team had gone through. When he saw the adults-only rating, he scratched his head. He'd actually thought it might pass as an all-ages film—after all, he had two Medal of Valor!
But thinking about it again, given the disturbing visuals—the human-headed centipedes, the balloon corpses—yeah, all-ages might've been a stretch.
"Well, it's about time for Tomie to hit theaters," Edward murmured. "Once it's out, I can wrap up The Grudge III… though, uh, there's still that runtime problem."
That runtime was indeed troubling him.
The Grudge III was intended to be the final entry, so it needed to fill in missing lore and backstory—especially the addition of Kayako's younger sister. Naturally, that meant it would be on the long side.
"Eh, whatever. Some movies run three hours anyway, and this one's still under that," Edward shrugged. He'd thought about cutting it down—but any edits ruined the flow. So, he decided to keep it as it was.
Still, as he flipped through the script, another issue dawned on him: the number of jump scares. With so much packed in, the horror moments had piled up to an absurd level.
And that scene where Kayako's sister becomes the new Grudge? Utterly terrifying.
Of course, there was also the idiot male character. Edward had complained about that trope countless times—"Why do horror films always need a few idiots? Can't there just be normal people for once?"
Then realization struck him.
Without idiots, how would you advance the plot quickly and easily?
Idiots were the gears that kept horror movies moving forward. Without them, you'd have to spend endless time justifying every character's decision—what a hassle.
(End of Chapter)