Jigoku Tsuushin

Ai has been the Jigoku Shoujo for over 400 years. Therefore, her connection with the world has evolved with technology. When Ai first began her work, she used something called the "Jigoku Ema." Those who wished to send someone to Hell simply wrote the name of that person on the back and hung it in a nearby shrine. Ai would then go to the shrine and then visit the person at midnight. Next, Ai used a classified ad in the paper. It would appear as a blank square unless a person truly desired revenge on someone else. If they did, they would see an address that they could send a letter to. After putting the letter in the mailbox, Ai would appear behind them.

Now in the age of computers, Ai uses a website called "Jigoku Tsuushin" (Hell Correspondence). The website cannot be accessed except by those who truly wish for revenge like the classified ad, but it also must be exactly midnight when they load the website. The page is in all black with a typing box in the middle. Above the box, it says: あなたの怨み、晴らします (roughly translates to "we will dispel your hatred"). Once the person types in the name of the one they wish to send to Hell, Ai will appear in front of them. In most recent times, though, cell phones can also be used to access Jigoku Tsuushin. A lot of people still use the computer, but there is a rise of cell phone usage in Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae. It appears that all they need to do is open the web page in the same fashion as on the computer. They must really want revenge and it has to be accessed at midnight. There have also been a few times where Ai has responded to cell phones by sending a text message back with a bright red screen and just the word "accepted."

In all cases, the person who contacted Ai will be transported to a place with an eternal sunset. They will see Ai and her three (or four depending on what season) companions standing in front of a large tree. Ai asks one of them to become a straw doll (Wanyuudo is black, Ichimokuren is blue, Hone Onna is red and Yamawaro is green) and hands it to the person saying:

If you think that you truly want to dispel your hatred, you may pull the red string.

When you pull the string, you make a contract with me...

The recipient of your revenge will be ferried straightaway to Hell. However, when the revenge has been dealt, you will pay the compensation.

Two holes appear when you curse a person. In exchange, your soul will also fall into Hell. That is after you die, though.

Ai then says that the rest is up to them to decide. They can pull the string and carry out their revenge, or they can refuse and give the doll back to her. Unfortunately, majority of cases end up in the person pulling the string. Once that happens, the recipient of the revenge suddenly disappears from the world and is subject to some sort of torture relating to the case. Afterwards, they find themselves on a boat that is being slowly guided to the gate of Hell by Ai. Depending on the situation, they either are continuing their torture, pleading with Ai to take them back and/or sobbing. Ai very rarely engages in conversation with them.

Lastly, the person who pulled the string is left with a black mark somewhere between their clavicle and chest to remind them of their sin and pending punishment for what they have done. In a cauldron located in Ai's "house," a candle is lit with their name on it. Once the candle burns out, their soul is also taken to Hell as contracted.

b a c k   .   c l e a r   .   f o r w a r d    Heaven's a Lie and its contents are © Samantha, however Ai and Jigoku Shoujo are © Aniplex, Studio Deen and other rightful owners. Heaven's a Lie is a part of AFTER-DEATH.ORG.