The Most Dangerous Games: Satoru-kun

Previously: One Step Ahead. 

Today’s game is a little less elaborate than some of the others we’ve looked at here at TGIMM; all you need to carry off the telephone game known as Satoru-kun is a mobile phone, a payphone, and some spare change. It’s a knowledge-seeking game, by the way, so if you were annoyed that the Telephone Game didn’t actually let you talk to anyone, this one should make you feel better.

Although it’s obvious from its name that Satoru-kun is a Japanese game, it’s unclear exactly when it originates. Most Japanese sources note that it kicked up in the early 2000s; it subsequently made its way into English in the early 2010s, which roughly lines up with the dates of the earliest mentions of it in translation I’ve found. (This story inspired by the legend, for example, was posted to Booksie in May of 2012.)

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

There are also some interesting similarities between Satoru-un and the urban legend of Three-Legged Licca-chan — namely, each entity is said to make a series of phone calls indicating its progression of approach. I’m not sure there’s a solid connection there — this element of announcing one’s approach is present in urban legends all over the world (Tailypo, anyone?) — but I think it’s worth noting all the same. If anything, it highlights how many cultures can often share similar stories.

Satoru is a fairly common masculine Japanese given name. It’s also a verb meaning “to know” or “to understand.” I don’t think this detail is a coincidence. 

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A mobile phone. A burner phone is recommended.
• A payphone.
• Coins or a calling card. Do not attempt to call collect.
• A question. This should be a burning question to which you feel you must discover the answer.

Instructions:

Making The Call:

1. Begin at any time.
2. Go to the payphone. Bring your mobile phone and your coins or calling card with you.
3. Insert the coins or use the calling card according to its instructions. Dial your mobile phone number.
4. Do not answer your mobile phone.
5. While your mobile phone is ringing, speak the following words into the payphone’s mouthpiece: “Satoru, Satoru, please come to me. Satoru, Satoru, please show yourself. Satoru, Satoru, if you are here, please answer me.”
6. Hang up the payphone.
7. Turn off your mobile phone.
8. Go home.

Asking The Question:

1. Continue about your daily life. Keep your mobile phone turned off.
2. If your mobile phone rings, answer it.
   • If you do not receive a phone call within 24 hours: The initial call has failed; try again at a later date.
   • If you receive a phone call within 24 hours: The initial call was successful; you may proceed. You will know it is Satoru-kun, because when you answer, he will tell you where he is in relation to you. Hang up when he has finished telling you where he is.
3. If your mobile phone rings again, answer it. He will tell you where he is in relation to you. His location will be closer to you than it was during the last call.
4. If your mobile phone rings again, answer it. He will tell you where he is in relation to you. His location will be closer to you than it was during the last call.
5. If your mobile phone rings again, answer it. He will tell you where he is in relation to you. His location will be closer to you than it was during the last call.
6. Repeat “Asking The Question” Steps 3 through 5 until, when you answer the phone, Satoru-kun says the words, “I am behind you.” Do NOT turn around.
7. Ask him your question. Be quick, and be succinct. Do NOT turn around.
8. Listen to his answer. Do NOT turn around.
9. Thank him and hang up. Do NOT turn around.

Wrapping Things Up:

1. If you sense that he is still behind you after you hang up, do NOT turn around.
2. Destroy the mobile phone.
3. Do not turn around until you are positive — positive — he is gone.

Additional Notes:

Do not turn your mobile phone on after making the call. If Satoru-kun calls you, it will be while your phone is turned off.

Do not turn around when Satoru-kun is present.

Do not look at Satoru-kun.

Do not touch Satoru-kun.

Do not dally when asking your question.

Do not ask more than one question.

Do not call Satoru-kun if you do not have a question.

Concerning Your Question:

Make sure it’s something you really want to know. Once you’ve learned the answer, you cannot unlearn it.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

Satoru-kun: FAQ.

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[Photo via Pexels/Pixabay]