Storied

Is the Bake-kujira coming for us next? 💀 Whales have been admired in Japan for centuries — but some return as ominous signs of disaster. Enter the Bake-kujira: a ghostly whale skeleton said to bring famine, plague, and ecological ruin. Was it just a myth… or a warning? With climate change threatening whale populations today, the Bake-kujira might be back — and this time, it could be for us. If you’re interested in learning more about the mysteries and wonders of our planet, see more Earth-Month related episodes from across our network here! to.pbs.org/EarthMonth2025

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 1,503



@8-random258

Something about a giant whale skeleton is alot scarier than anything that horror artist can make about monsters in the deep sea

5 months ago | 12

@Kuwagumo

One of my favorite yokai! Was a bit surprised with how young it was though

5 months ago | 13

@SuperSongbird21

You know that Discworld-esque theory that entities start existing because enough people believe in them? What if the Bake-kujira came to be because enough people felt guilty about whale hunting?

4 months ago | 14

@stuckinaboxhere

"Admired" is an interesting way to say slaughtered

5 months ago | 19

@potroastmutt7915

I love the story and imagery of the bake-kujira! Can't wait

5 months ago | 1

@doodledrew7039

Oh god, that last picture really hit me right in the thalassophobia

4 months ago | 2

@TheKosstImogen

"Admired" must've changed definitions without me knowing. Does it mean "brutalised" now?

5 months ago | 11

@rami_ungar_writer

You know what I would love to see a video on (besides the King in Yellow or mermaids)? Orcs. How did we get from possible goblin-related monsters or spirits to bug, brawny monsters or pig-headed demihumans (depending on the form of media)? It'd be a great episode.

5 months ago | 3

@Indie973

I recommend the Jersey devil, quite the mound of lore behind that cryptozoological specimen

5 months ago | 5

@FireIsTheCIeanser

Whoa!

5 months ago | 1

@zeroarashiuchiha7699

Interesting

5 months ago | 1

@sharpeningtheaxe

Who made these images?

5 months ago | 1

@DemonEyes23

looks like a cuttlefish

5 months ago | 1

@z-zw4qt

Cyberpunk 2077 moment

4 months ago | 0

@Johuri

ts hella cool

4 months ago | 0

@msergejev

Considering the amount of Whales they turned into a soup, they have all the reasons to fear this thing.

5 months ago | 4

@anjalidevi7168

😮

4 months ago | 0

@spectre-8

Admired? They are still hunting them. Even in Australian waters where they’re not allowed to but out our government won’t stop them.

5 months ago | 6

@KJ-of6lf

Thought that was Cthulhu rising!

4 months ago | 0

@UnIimited_Power

Guilty conscience !

5 months ago | 3