Guide to Uzumaki & Junji Ito Manga
The Spiral – such a simple and intriguing shape, isn’t it? But what if that shape became something more? What if it started to stalk your every move, weaving itself into the very fabric of your existence? You see it everywhere: in the pages of a book, in the slow crawl of a snail, in the tangled strands of your hair… until finally, it appears in the last place you’d expect – in the human form itself…. This unsettling premise forms the heart of Uzumaki, Adult Swim’s first black-and-white anime, an adaptation of Junji Ito’s chilling masterpiece. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Meet Junji Ito, the unassuming man behind a smile that belies the dark genius within – a storyteller whose nightmarish visions have redefined horror. His twisted world stretches far beyond traditional ghost stories, ghouls, or even deranged serial killers. It’s a place where fear takes on grotesque, unimaginable forms, pulling you into a world where the ordinary warps into the terrifying!
So brace yourself – I’m about to guide you into Junji Ito’s strange kingdom, where reality bends, sanity frays, and true horror is born…
–Behind The Horrific Talent–
While most of us grew up reading ‘Balarama, Balabhumi, or Kalikkudukka‘, Junji Ito’s childhood was shaped by something far darker : “Mummy Teacher“, a horror manga that no child should ever read.
The creator of Mummy Teacher, “Kazuo Umezu“, is revered as the ‘God of Horror Manga’. Ito’s fascination with the genre deepened as he devoured more of Umezu’s chilling works, sparking an unshakable interest in horror that would shape his future. At 21, Junji Ito began his career as a dentist, but even as he worked on perfecting teeth, his passion for horror never faded.
In a fateful turn, Ito paid tribute to his idol by submitting a manga to a competition in Weekly Halloween, a horror magazine where Umezu himself was the judge. Ito’s submission earned a special mention – a recognition that would prove to be the beginning of something far greater. That very story would later evolve into “Tomie”, a manga series that ran for years and spawned eight live-action films.
But the heart of Tomie lies in a chilling idea: what if the girl your class mourned as dead suddenly returned? And what if her death wasn’t natural? This haunting thought, born from Ito’s grief after losing a friend, would eventually blossom into a saga that has become a cornerstone of horror manga.
Let’s get a deep dive into Ito’s most influential works that changed the Manga Industry forever!
–Dissolving Classroom–
An apology is usually meant to soothe the soul, a gesture to mend what’s broken. But what if every time someone says sorry, it triggers the worst imaginable outcome? Dissolving Classroom takes this unsettling concept and twists it into a horrifying tale. Told in just five chapters, this hyperlink story explores the dark consequences of a seemingly innocent act of remorse.
–Gyo–
Imagine fish with mechanical legs emerging from the sea, spreading death and chaos wherever they roam. How did these grotesque creatures come to be, and more importantly, how can they be stopped? Gyo is the quintessential bio-terror manga that pushes the boundaries of fear in 19 gripping chapters, standing as a pinnacle in the subgenre of biological horror.
–Soichi–
Soichi is one of Junji Ito’s most memorable and twisted characters. His tales mix eerie black magic with unsettling humor, making them stand out in the dark humor subgenre. While his stories contain horrifying elements, there’s an undeniable comedic undertone that gives Soichi’s antics a uniquely chilling charm.
–Lovesickness–
Who hasn’t felt the pang of love, whether it’s unrequited or in a relationship? We’re often curious, even desperate, to know what the future holds for our love lives. Lovesickness explores this obsession, centered around a mysterious figure who can predict the future – but knowing the future comes at a grave cost. In just five chapters, this haunting tale unravels the devastating consequences of seeking answers to the unknown.
Lovesickness has earned Junji Ito one of the highest honors in the comic world – the Eisner Award, often regarded as the “Oscars” of the industry. With this win, Ito now boasts four Eisner Awards, solidifying his place as a master of the horror genre. His other Eisner-winning works include his haunting adaptation of “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”, and the spine-chilling “Venus in the Blindspot” and “Remina”.
But this is just a glimpse into the unsettling world of Junji Ito. Beyond his well-known works, he has crafted a multitude of one-shot comics, each a tale of terror, many of which have been compiled into anthology collections, offering readers a journey through his twisted imagination.
–Deserter–
Set against the backdrop of World War II, Deserter is one of my personal favorites. The story delves into themes of fear, guilt, and the darkness of the human psyche during wartime, making it a standout in Ito’s collection.
–The Hikizuri Siblings–
In most horror stories, there’s usually one odd family member that raises suspicions. But what if an entire family: six siblings, in fact, were all disturbingly strange in their own unique ways? This is the premise of The Hikizuri Siblings, a tale that explores the bizarre and eerie dynamics of a thoroughly twisted family.
–The Bully–
Yet, of all Junji Ito’s works, none have haunted me quite like The Bully. What sets this story apart is its stark realism, making it one of Ito’s most grounded and psychologically disturbing pieces. The horror here doesn’t rely on the supernatural but instead on the cruelty and manipulation found in human relationships. It’s no surprise that this chilling tale was adapted into an anime episode, further cementing its impact.
–The Bizarre Secret–
What makes Junji Ito capable of creating such hauntingly brilliant manga? The secret lies in how both his storylines and art vie to outdo each other in creepiness. This dual assault on the senses creates a unique experience, but what truly sets his work apart is the disturbing elements he masterfully incorporates.
“Body Horror“
There’s nothing more unsettling than the grotesque mutilation of the human body. While most horror relies on spirits or the dead to evoke fear, in Junji Ito’s manga, even the living endure unimaginable transformations, making his depictions of body horror profoundly unnerving.
“Cosmic Horror“
In the face of incomprehensible entities – be they alien or supernatural – humans are reduced to mere puppets, powerless against forces that defy understanding. Junji Ito excels in cosmic horror, introducing beings that conquer humanity in ways far more terrifying than we could ever dream.
What intensifies the fear is that these nightmarish concepts are woven into stories with seemingly ordinary settings and characters. The everyday is swiftly corrupted, making the horror all the more jarring.Then, there’s his artwork. The hyper-detailed illustrations, the meticulous black-and-white shading, and the grotesque imagery – each play a crucial role in amplifying the horror. The art doesn’t just accompany the story; it elevates it, dragging the reader deeper into a world where the terrifying feels all too real.
In the end, Junji Ito’s stories achieve a surreal brilliance when beauty and horror collide, creating a nightmarish experience that feels almost otherworldly.
–Junji Ito’s Anime–
For those who might not be inclined to read manga, Junji Ito’s anime adaptations offer an alternative way to experience his chilling stories. While some fans feel that the anime doesn’t quite capture the same intensity as the manga, it’s still a worthwhile entry point into Ito’s eerie universe.
I don’t believe the anime is bad. However, the haunting atmosphere and the visceral impact I feel when reading his manga haven’t fully translated to the screen for me. Perhaps it’s the use of color, which can’t replicate the stark, unsettling contrast of black-and-white art that defines his manga.
–Crunchyroll Series–
“The Junji Ito Collection” anthology series, released in 2018, offers 12 episodes, and additionally a special two-part OVA featuring Tomie, one of Ito’s most iconic characters. This series is available on Crunchyroll for those interested.
–Netflix Series–
In 2023, Netflix released “Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre”, another anthology series consisting of 12 episodes. Among the stories adapted here is The Bully, which I’ve mentioned before as one of Ito’s most realistic and disturbing tales. Another standout episode is Hanging Balloons, a bizarre and unsettling story that is sure to leave an impact.
That said, manga remains the best way to truly immerse yourself in Junji Ito’s world. The depth of his storytelling and the visual artistry are unparalleled. However, for newcomers or those who prefer animated adaptations, the anime serves as a great introduction.
–Uzumaki Anime–
Excitingly, for the first time, a continuous Junji Ito anime will be released in black-and-white: a direct homage to the original aesthetic of his manga. The first episode of “Uzumaki” Anime is now out on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, with further episodes airing weekly. This four-episode series promises to stay true to the manga, though Ito has hinted at a few minor changes, mostly the change in linearity.
With anticipation building since the anime was first announced in 2019, fans now have a faithful adaptation of “Uzumaki”. The first episode is a promising start and finally a Junji Ito Manga is adapted into the way it should be presented.
I’m hoping more of Ito’s stories will be adapted into anime in the future, capturing his signature style in the same chilling, monochromatic fashion.
Further Episodes of Uzumaki will release the next three sundays (IST).
Compiled by Sree Nandan Chengannur