Spiders have always held a special place in the imaginations of people. Since ancient times, these 8-legged creatures have represented different symbols according to various cultures. There is Anansi, the trickster god in the Akan and West African mythology who is considered the father of all spiders and keeper of stories and knowledge. In several Native American myths, the spider is also represented as a trickster that is neither good nor evil. In other instances, the spider appears as a powerful teacher or helper. There is even a Hopi myth, whereby a creature known as the spider grandmother weaves our world and all life into existence.
This dualistic nature of the spider allows it to play many roles. In Japanese culture, the Tsuchigomo is a race of spider-like yokai (mischievous/malevolent entities or spirits) that can take various forms from young children to young women. Several plays and stories depict heroes crossing paths (and swords) with such entities. Another figure is the Jorōgumo or prostitute spider. In some stories, the Jorōgumo is depicted as a goddess who saves people from drowning, such as in the myth surrounding Jōren Falls. In most cases though, the typical Jorōgumo story tells of a femme fatale who lures men into sleeping with her, only to devour them later on. Anime has portrayed spiders in several different lights but the eeriest interpretations of them can leave a very distinct mark on its viewers.
4 Spider Demon – Wicked City
What starts out as a pretty nice night between main character Taki and Kanako with some kinky after-dinner action ends in perhaps the worst date in anime history. It turns out that Kanako isn't who she says she is and is instead a spider demon doppelganger from the Black World — an alternate dimension populated by demons and spirits.
The fake Kanako attempts to murder Taki (ala black widow) by crushing his body against hers with her spidery limbs and almost crunching off his private bits. Taki frees himself in the nick of time and demands to know what has become of Kanako. She responds with a “she’s fine” and proceeds to escape out the window. Talk about being rude. Her elongated limbs, nonchalant demeanor, and lithe but eerie movement can send slight ripples down one’s spine.
3 Souichi Tsujii – Junji Ito Collection
Souichi Tsuji is a recurring character in several of master horror manga artist Junji Ito’s short stories. Though not a spider in any way shape or form, Souichi employs them in his ever-so creepy schemes to disturb and scare people. His unsettling appearance, characterized by the nails present in his mouth due to his anemia, and strange mannerisms unsettle viewers right away. He specializes in employing black magic arts such as voodoo and using them on people he dislikes.
Like the spider itself, Souichi carries out sinister actions but at times they are depicted as harmless. This is what makes him disturbing as he can carry out acts that appear very sinister, and yet at other times, they are easily foiled. In one of the episodes, Souichi pokes a needle into the stomach of a voodoo doll, causing a nearby classmate to dash toward the bathroom. Big mistake. Once alone there, Souichi casually places a spider on the boy’s voodoo doll. To the boy’s horror, the spider wraps the kid up in webs as he cries out in fear. The bottom line is to never annoy Souichi.
2 Ohagi/Jorogumo – Dororo
Set in the war-torn and brutal era of the Sengoku period of Japan, Dororo focuses on the tale of Hyakkimaru and Dororo as they roam the country eradicating demons and belligerent humans. In one instance, Hyakkimaru wounds Jorogumo, a spider ghoul that was feasting on a dead man. However, she escapes and decides to disguise herself as a beautiful woman.
Whilst laying low in another village, she befriends Yajiro and decides to make him her next delicious meal. However, she ends up falling in love with her food instead. Turns out that she never really does intend to kill her food. Like any good vampire, she sucks the life force out of people but doesn’t outright kill them as that would be wasteful. Yet, the villagers don’t quite understand that except for good guy Yajiro who decides to run away with her. Though not evil or malignant, Ohagi's ire is provoked when the villagers hunting the pair down manage to hit Yajiro with some arrows prompting her to go into full-on spider-killer mode. Never mess with a spider woman's lover.
1 Rui – Demon Slayer
The primary antagonist in the Mount Natagumo arc of Demon Slayer, Rui is a calm and calculating demon belonging to the 12 Kizuki, the twelve most powerful demons that serve under the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji. His calm demeanor however belies his unstable mind and the void that is in his heart.
A sad tale, Rui was born frail and sickly. Although loved by his family and being financially well-off, Rui desired to become stronger. When Muzan approached Rui and offered him the chance to become strong, Rui delightfully accepted not knowing that he would become a demon (which requires human blood as sustenance). His parents who were horrified at what their son had become tried to take his life. Rui killed them in self-defense, then went on to create a new family, one that he believed would love him for what he was. Rui then began to ‘recruit’ new family members, disposing of them when they didn’t live up to his image of what an ideal family would look like. Talk about trauma and the extreme.