History Manga / TheLaughingTarget

* UnstablePoweredWoman: It's implied Azusa is as much suffering from [[spoiler: her being host to her hungry ghost pets]] as she is protected by it. This is compounded by the fact that most every problem she's faced up until her intended union with Yuzuru [[WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer could be solved by their use]] . Unfortunately for her, it only serves to [[DiggingYourselfDeeper push Yuzuru further away.]]

* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:After being fatally wounded by an arrow, Azusa admits that she could never hurt Yuzuru and dies from her wound [[GoOutWithASmile with a peaceful smile on her face]]]].
** [[AdaptationalVillainy Downplayed in the OVA]], where [[spoiler: Azusa utilizes [[ISurrenderSuckers her last moments]] to try and strangle Yuzuru and Satomi both with PrehensileHair before Satomi plunges an arrow into her forehead.]]

* CharmPerson: [[spoiler: Azusa]] somehow briefly puts Satomi in a trance in order to seclude her in the archery club's locker rooms for target practice.

->'''Yuzuru''': Dear God, Azusa! That was how long ago?? We were only children then!
->'''Azusa''': So? Is there anything wrong with promises made by children? Are they any less sacred?

* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:After Azusa [[KillinginSelfDefense crushed the head of her attempted rapist with a rock]], a group of spirts appear to eat the body away. Azusa thinks of them as friends and under their influence becomes increasinly comfortable with killing anything that inconveniences her. To top it all off, this attitude likely started when Azusa's mother dismisses the (as far as she knows) missing boy as riff raff that's better off gone.]].

* FreudianExcuse: Azusa has good reasons for being a little...eccentric. Between a traditionalist mother warping her values, [[spoiler:almost being raped as a kid and being forced to kill her attacker in self-defense, and ''then'' falling under the influence of evil spirits]], she never had much of a chance at a normal life.

* ISurrenderSuckers: Cornered by delinquents while walking home late, Azusa pretends to comply to their pressure for her own safety and is led into a secluded warehouse. As soon as one hoodlum lays a lewd hand on her, Azusa flashes a SlasherSmile and ''[[NeckLift wrings his neck]] well over her own frame.'' Cue [[GoryDiscretionShot blood curdling screams muffled behind a warehouse shutter.]]

* MoreThanMindControl: It's implied that [[spoiler:while Azusa was influenced into her murderous impulses by the hungry ghosts, they were taking advantage of her somewhat warped values and childhood trauma]].

* YamatoNadeshiko: Gone wrong. Azusa is the product of a strict and traditional household and was expected to fulfill a ChildhoodMarriagePromise with her cousin Yuzuru to keep the family line alive. Azusa unfortunately also had the odds stacked against her almost from the start, all thanks to [[FreudianExcuse experiences from her youth]] as well as [[spoiler: becoming the host to parasitic demons exclusive to her bloodline]].

* UnrequitedTragicMaiden: [[spoiler: Azusa dies in Yuzuru's arms, and tells him she's forever devoted to him.]]

The story goes as follows: Yuzuru Shiga is the last descendant of a branch of the Shiga family. As the family is an ancient clan that is about to disappear, the parents agree that the best course of action for the clan is to get him married with his cousin, Azusa. Yuzuru moves out to Tokyo to study, and years later Asuza's mother dies in mysterious curcumstances.

* DespairEventHorizon: Asuza hits this ''hard'' when it becomes clear that Yuzuru won't sit by and let her [[spoiler:come between him and Satomi by way of murder]]. Cue VillainousBreakdown.

* KickTheDog: Almost literally. [[spoiler:In the backstory, Asuza poisoned a dog that bit her and watched it die with satisfaction; in the present day, she murders Satomi's pet dog, Jun]].
* KidWithTheLeash: [[spoiler:The hungry ghosts attack on Asuza's command]].

* MindOverMatter: A window shatters near Satomi in the school without apparent reason, which freaks her out.[[spoiler:It was Azusa comanding the hungry ghosts]].
* MoreThanMindControl: It's implied that [[spoiler:while Asuza was influenced into her murderous impulses by the hungry ghosts, they were taking advantage of her somewhat warped values and childhood trauma]].

* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:After Azusa [[KillinginSelfDefense crushed the head of her attempted rapist with a rock]], a group of spirts appear to eat the body away. Azua thinks of them as friends and under their influence becomes increasinly comfortable with killing anything that inconveniences her. To top it all off, this attitude likely started when Azusa's mother dismisses the (as far as she knows) missing boy as riff raff that's better off gone.]].

* ISurrenderSuckers: Cornered by delinquents while walking home late, Azusa pretends to comply to their pressure for her own safety and is led into a secluded warehouse. As soon as one hoodlum lays a lewd hand on her, Azusa flashes a SlasherSmile and ''[[NeckLift wrings his neck]] well over her own frame. Cue [[GoryDiscrestionShot blood curdling screams muffled behind a warehouse shutter.]]

Meanwhile, Yuzuru is now living a normal life as the lead of the school's archery team not paying much attention to the arrangement, and also has a girlfriend called Satomi. Unfortunately, Azusa comes to Tokyo to seal the deal, and chaos ensues due to [[spoiler: Azusa having demonic powers out of their clan being cursed, and trying to [[MurderTheHypotenuse murder Satomi with them]]]].

One of the more obscure works from Creator/RumikoTakahashi of ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'' fame, the Laughing Target is a 1983 horror one shot that was later adapted into an OVA in 1987. While using some popular tropes from Takahashi, it takes a darker turn by playing them for drama. It also features one of the first examples of a modern {{Yandere}}.

* YamatoNadeshiko: Gone wrong. Azusa is the product of a strict and traditional household and was expected to fulfill a ChildhoodMarriageProposal with her cousin Yuzuru to keep the family line alive. Azusa unfortunately had the odds stacked against her almost from the start, all thanks to [[FreudianExcuse experiences from her youth]] as well as [[spoiler: becoming the host to parasitic demons exclusive to her bloodline]].

* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:After Azusa [[KillinginSelfDefense crushed the head of her attempted rapist with a rock]], a group of spirts appear to eat the body away. Azua thinks of them as friends and under their influence becomes increasinly comfortable with killing anything that inconveniences her]].

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* ChekovsGun: Yuzuru's skill on the archery team. It ends up becoming instrumental in [[spoiler:saving Satomi's life]] during the climax.

* ClingyJealousGirl: Satomi, playing much like your typical Takahasi female lead. She's not happy when Yuzuru tells her about Azusa.

%% * BreakTheCutie: Azusa tries this by [[spoiler: killing Satomi's dog.]]

* HereditaryCurse: [[spoiler:Turns out the Shiga Clan has one that is inherited by the head of the clan. Which in this case would be Azusa]].

* OffingTheOffspring: [[spoiler: Azusa's mother tries to strangle her daughter to death realizing their clan's curse has to end with the clan itself. The hungry ghosts end up overwhelming Mrs. Shiga instead, killing her]].

* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:Azusa goes ballistic in the final act of either the manga and OVA, even [[IfICantHaveYou lunging at Yuzuru in desperation]]]].

* GameFace: Azusa, to the point that it's the image provided as the OVA's box art.

The story goes as follows: Yuzuru Shiga is the last descendant of a branch of the Shiga family. As the family is an ancient clan that is about to disappear, the parents agree that the best course of action for the clan is to get him married with his cousin, Asuza. Yuzuru moves out to Tokyo to study, and years later Asuza's mother dies in mysterious curcumstances.

Meanwhile, Yuzuru is now living a normal life as the lead of the school's archery team not paying much attention to the arrangement, and also has a girlfriend called Satomi. Unfortunately, Asuza comes to Tokyo to seal the deal, and chaos ensues due to [[spoiler: Asuza having demonic powers out of their clan being cursed, and trying to [[MurderTheHypotenuse murder Satomi with them]]]].

* AlasPoorVillain: [[spoiler:After being fatally wounded by an arrow, Asuza admits that she could never hurt Yuzuru and dies from her wound [[GoOutWithASmile with a peaceful smile on her face]]]].
** [[AdaptationalVillainy Downplayed in the OVA]], where [[spoiler: Asuza utilizes [[ISurrenderSuckers her last moments]] to try and strangle Yuzuru and Satomi both with PrehensileHair before Satomi plunges an arrow into her forehead.]]
* ArrangedMarriage: One of the driving forces of the story. Asuza's and Yuzuru's parents decided to engage them when they were kids. With her mother dead, Asuza wants to honor the engagement while Yuzuru has moved on.
* AttemptedRape: It's revealed that back in her childhood, Asuza killed a boy in self defense after he and others tried to gang-rape her. It turns out [[spoiler:this is where her demonic powers first manifested.]] She ends up killing a group of delinquents that corner her in the present as well.

* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: One of the main reasons even after many years, Asuza is still devoted to Yuzuru. He promised he would always be there for her.
* BerserkerTears: Mixed with BrokenTears. Asuza shows them in the finale while being rejected by Yuzuru, who is horrified by her at that point.
%% * BreakTheCutie: Asuza tries this by [[spoiler: killing Satomi's dog.]]

* ChildhoodMarriagePromise: Between Yuzuru and Asuza, and is what drives the conflict in the present. Yuzuru never quite took said promise seriously and would wind up finding a girlfriend in Satomi a few years into his move to Tokyo. Asuza, however, [[IGaveMyWord took the promise to heart]] and [[{{Yandere}} intends to see it fulfilled.]]
->'''Yuzuru''': Dear God, Asuza! That was how long ago?? We were only children then!
->'''Asuza''': So? Is there anything wrong with promises made by children? Are they any less sacred?
* ClingyJealousGirl: Satomi, playing much like your typical Takahasi female lead. She's not happy when Yuzuru tells her about Asuza.
* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:After Asuza [[KillinginSelfDefense crushed the head of her attempted rapist with a rock]], a group of spirts appear to eat the body away. Azua thinks of them as friends and under their influence becomes increasinly comfortable with killing anything that inconveniences her]].

* GameFace: Asuza, to the point that it's the image provided as the OVA's box art.

* IfICantHaveYou: In the OVA [[spoiler: Asuza tries to murder Yuzuru along with Satomi after being rejected for the last time.]] Played with in the manga, where [[spoiler: it's implied she's facing a SanitySlipage courtesy of the hungry ghosts manipulating her to get human meat]].
* KissingCousins: One-sided. Asuza is committed to her cousin Yuzuu, but he's devoted to Satomi.
* MindOverMatter: A window shatters near Satomi in the school without apparent reason, which freaks her out.[[spoiler:It was Asuza comanding the hungry ghosts]].

* MoodWhiplash: The one-shot starts innocently enough and you could miss it as another romcom out of Takahashi. Then [[spoiler: Asuza reveals her demonic powers and killing intent towards Satomi]].

* MurderTheHypotenuse: [[spoiler:Asuza]] wants to murder [[spoiler:Satomi]] to have [[spoiler:Yuzuru]] to herself.

* OffingTheOffspring: [[spoiler: Asuza's mother tries to strangle her daughter to death realizing their clan's curse has to end with the clan itself. The hungry ghosts end up overwhelming Mrs. Shiga instead, killing her]].

* SecretKeeper: Satomi becomes one, who becomes mortified upon finding out about [[spoiler:Asuza's demonic powers and fearing for her life if she tells Yuzuru about it]].
* SheKnowsTooMuch: Asuza sees Satomi this way, after [[spoiler:she accidentally let out the Hungry Ghosts in front of her]].

* SlashedThroat: This happens to [[spoiler:Satomi's dog]], courtesy of [[spoiler:Asuza]].

* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:Asuza goes ballistic in the final act of either the manga and OVA, even [[IfICantHaveYou lunging at Yuzuru in desperation]]]].

* BerserkerTears: Mixed with BrokenTears.Asuza]] shows them in the finale while being rejected by [[spoiler:Yuzuru]], who is horrified by [[spoiler:her]] at that point.

* DiedInYourArmsTonight: In the manga [[spoiler:Yuzuuru holds Azusa while she's dying [[CradlingYourKill after fatally wounding her with an arrow]]]].

* IfICantHaveYou: In the OVA [[spoiler: Asuza tries to murder Yuuzaru along with Satomi after being rejected for the last time.]] Played with in the manga, where [[spoiler: it's implied she's facing a SanitySlipage courtesy of the hungry ghosts manipulating her to get human meat]].
* KissingCousins: One-sided. Asuza is committed to her cousin Yuusaru, but he's devoted to Satomi.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Yuzuru has a brief moment of regret after trying to [[spoiler:strangle Azusa in desperation, since he knows she trying to kill Satomi after her dog was murdered]].

* BerserkerTears: Mixed with BrokenTears.[[spoiler:Asuza]] shows them in the finale while being rejected by [[spoiler:Yuuzaru]], who is horrified by [[spoiler:her]] at that point.

* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: One of the main reasons even after many years, Asuza is still devoted to Yuuzaru. He promised he would always be there for her.

* AttemptedRape: It's revealed that back in her childhood, Asuza killed a group of boys in self defense after they tried to gang-rape her. It turns out [[spoiler:this is where her demonic powers first manifested.]] She ends up killing a group of delinquents that corner her in the present as well.

* CorruptTheCutie: [[spoiler:After Asuza [[KillinginSelfDefense crushed the head of his attempted rapist with a rock]], a group of spirts appear to eat the body away. Azua thinks of them as friends and under their influence becomes increasinly comfortable with killing anything that inconveniences her]].

* MindOverMatter: A window shatters near Satomi in the school without apparent reason, which freaks her out.[[spoiler:It was Asuza comanding the angry ghosts]].

* TenderTears: Azusa feels genuinely heartbroken after Yuzuru [spoiler:tries to strangle her]].

* HereditaryCurse: [[spoiler:Turns out the Shiga Clan ha sone for the head of the clan. Which in this case would be Azusa]].