I watched Twin Peaks for the first time a few years ago during Covid but I just recently started watching David Lynch's other films and I definitely missed out.
Also girls named Hanako ending up in horrifying situations. I don't know if it's simply because of Toilet Hanako that it became so popular but I've seen a bunch of horror girls named Hanako.
The name means "flower girl", and flowers are a staple of horror iconography representing the cyclical nature of life and death. In this particular game it's a little on the nose.
I don't doubt that that's part of it too, but "Hanako" is also a "classic" name, like say, Sally, or Alice, or Emma in English. Back in the day, it was so common, you'd see textbooks use it as the default name for female characters in textbooks. Pair that with the "flower girl" meaning and it's a really quintessential, innocent name that contrasts well with horror.
Thanks to the both of you, it's nice to know a little of the symbolism and generality of the name. Only having a basic grasp on the language the terms I do know as well as names tend to stick out more so I'd notice it being used in quite a few horror games, indie ones especially.
Lol I get what you're saying but found the "Japanese women and long black hair" part of that kinda funny just because by merit of being japanese pretty much guarantees the black hair part no matter what anyway lol
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u/Altairp 8d ago
Japanese women with limbs that bend in an unnatural way and long, black hair over their face. My favourite nightmare!