Kataba Aishi

Born in 1930, Kataba grew up in Imperial Japan, where her childhood was shaped by militaristic propaganda, extreme nationalism, and the devastation of World War II. She was 15 when the war ended, and the post-war years of her life were dominated by poverty, hunger, and disillusionment with her government and nation. In 1948, at the age of 18, Kataba became obsessed with a young man at her high school. She desired a relationship with him but faced competition from ten other girls who were also pursuing him. After using various methods — including lethal ones — to eliminate those ten girls, she confessed to the young man she loved, who accepted her feelings. However, her joy would be short-lived. With the war over, the United States' focus had shifted to their rising tensions with the Soviet Union, marking the beginning of the Cold War. Japan — given its geographic location and economic potential — was seen as a crucial ally in the region. The U.S. sought to ensure stability in the region and prevent hostile influences from gaining ground. For this reason — and many others — the United States maintained a presence in Japan in the post-war years. American intelligence agencies — especially the newly-formed "Central Intelligence Agency" — assisted Japanese police in investigating the mysterious deaths and disappearances of high school girls in Kataba's neighborhood. Their investigation eventually led them to identify Kataba as the serial killer they had been pursuing. However, before facing trial, she was offered a deal.