noun
random attacker; slasher; street assailant
Refers to a person who attacks strangers at random, often in public places. Commonly used in news reports and crime contexts.
昨夜、駅前で通り魔に刺される事件があった。
Last night there was an incident where someone was stabbed by a random attacker in front of the station.
通り魔的な犯行が増
Random street attacks are increasing.
noun
passing demon; demon that brings misfortune to passersby
Original folkloric meaning: a demon or evil spirit that brings calamity to houses or people it passes. Now largely historical or literary.
通り魔は、もともと道を通りかかった家に災いをもたらす魔物を指した。
Originally, 通り魔 referred to a demon that brought misfortune to houses it passed by.