Fans of horror from the 2000s might cherish memories of the anthology series “Masters of Horror” on Showtime. This series, which spanned only two seasons, offered a unique story in each episode. Each installment was directed by a well-known horror master, such as Joe Dante, Don Coscarelli, John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Dario Argento, Stuart Gordon, Larry Cohen, and others. The hour-long short films created for the series are still notorious, but none stirred up more controversy than “Imprint,” directed by Takashi Miike.
The 13th episode of Season 1 of “Masters of Horror,” titled “Imprint,” had been scheduled for broadcast on January 27, 2006. However, the higher-ups at Showtime opted not to air the episode in the end.
Why Is Masters of Horror’s “Imprint” Episode So Controversial?
Miike’s episode is inspired by the novel “Bokke e, kyotē” written by Shimako Iwai. His film adaptation includes vivid portrayals of aborted fetuses, as well as themes such as incest and other subjects considered highly inappropriate for TV broadcasting, even on premium channels like Showtime.
In a 2022 interview with Dread Central, Showrunner Mick Garris disclosed that Showtime presented him with specific guidelines for each episode, which included avoiding frontal male nudity, scenes of adults killing children, and any depictions of adults engaging in sexual acts with minors. Additionally, there were a couple of other rules not explicitly mentioned by Garris. Despite the fact that Miike’s episode did not breach these taboos, Showtime executives reportedly found it too intense to air due to their unease.
From my perspective as a supporter, although it might appear that prohibiting the broadcast of the episode could harm Miike’s career, many fans argue it had the reverse impact. In instances like this, censorship can stimulate our curiosity, making us yearn for what has been deemed too controversial to view. This is particularly true among horror enthusiasts, as we are often attracted to the genre due to its extremes and subversive art that pushes boundaries. Engaging with thought-provoking themes in a secure environment can even provide catharsis.
After Showtime chose not to air “Imprint”, the episode was finally released on DVD on September 26, 2006, enabling viewers to form their own opinions about the contentious episode. Interestingly, Walmart echoed Showtime’s move by deciding not to sell the DVD version of the episode. This action may have stopped some fans from watching it, but it also likely motivated others to find a copy and decide for themselves what they thought.
Since several restrictions were enacted, the installment “Imprint” has gained popularity among fans, particularly those who appreciate Miike’s distinctive and intense filmmaking style. The contentious episode takes place in the 1800s and narrates the story of Christopher (Billy Drago), an American man who returns to Japan with the intention of reconnecting with Komomo (Michié), a sex worker he fell in love with and had previously vowed to bring back to America. Upon his return to Japan, Christopher learns tragically that Komomo has passed away. To make matters worse, another sex worker informs him that Komomo took her own life upon learning that Christopher did not return as soon as he’d promised.
After taking everything into account, “Imprint” tackles some rather challenging and potentially distressing topics. However, if you have a robust constitution and can handle graphic content, it might be worth watching. At times, unconventional art can leave an impact that mainstream content cannot. If you’re interested, you can purchase the episode physically or stream it on Tubi currently.
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2025-06-10 00:40