Uzumaki

My friend showed up at school one day wearing a Junji Ito hoodie that genuinely freaked me out. I was considering buying it because of how scary it looked, but I wanted to understand the backstory first. This same friend informed me that this particular work by Ito was considered one of his scariest, and since I'm easily frightened, I braced myself for something truly terrifying. The first chapter drew me in, and when I read the line "Honey, come join me in the spiral," I felt genuinely scared. The artwork is indeed excellent, which is probably Ito's strongest suit.

However, narratively, the story was complete garbage, and my enthusiasm couldn't have been more deflated. It seemed like a series of random events revolving around a spiral until the ending arrived. The character with glasses knew an absurd amount without any proper explanation as to why, and it was ridiculous that he didn’t even attempt to leave when things started going south. The female protagonist was frustratingly unintelligent, only deciding to escape towards the end when it was already too late. This manga had so much potential but ultimately fell flat. Everyone seems to hype it up, but honestly, it’s boring. The artwork was really the only redeeming quality.

I tried reading some of Ito's other works, but they all follow the same formula: A mysterious curse strikes > grotesque body parts ensue > eventually, the main characters uncover some ancient evil as the cause of everything. It gets old pretty quickly.

Warning: This manga isn't for the faint of heart, and I really mean it. I have to admit that I enjoy horror stories. Why? Because I often laugh while reading or watching them. Yes, I am quite sarcastic, and some horrors are just so ridiculous they aren't even scary. Is Uzumaki one of those cases? I must say: "No." I think Uzumaki is one of the best horror stories ever, and Junji Ito is a master of this genre. Story: 10 I love the way the Spiral Curse unfolds. It starts subtly but as the story progresses, madness spreads among the inhabitants of Kurozu-cho. Uzumaki isn't a manga with surprising plot twists; you can kind of guess what happens next. But the charm of this piece lies in the gradual escalation of horror and the knowledge that nobody can escape the horrific curse. You don't know why spirals cursed Kurozu-cho, but that's, in my opinion, really great because it enhances the feeling of horror—you are just like the main characters, wrapped into a strange world without knowing the rules. In one word: awesome. Art: 10 I just fell in love with Junji-sama's art. His work is beautiful, pure... and incredibly detailed in moments of death. He has an unbelievable imagination when it comes to killing. Oh, I almost forgot: the art in Uzumaki is full of spirals. Spirals are everywhere. Characters: 8 I can't say that I loved them, but they were okay. Kirie isn't annoying or whiny, and Shuichi... he is just okay. Character development wasn't that great, but hey, everything else was! Enjoyment: 10 When I started reading, I couldn't stop. This speaks for itself. Overall: 10 Uzumaki is a "must-read" for all horror fans. It has everything: an intriguing storyline, amazing art, and a breath-taking ending. Believe me, you just HAVE to read this.

Recommended to me by @Rory.

This manga was demented, insane, deranged. Junji Ito truly excels at crafting a creepy and unsettling narrative. While it wasn't exactly frightening for me, some of the tales left an uncomfortable feeling lingering.

The visuals were notably grotesque and vivid. The mental states of the characters conveyed obsession and madness far more effectively than the town itself. I appreciated how the curse had its unique way of infiltrating people, branching out in various ways, corrupting, entangling, and twisting everything in its path.

I didn't particularly like the protagonist, Kirie Goshima. Her choices and actions often felt disconnected from the harrowing experiences she was going through. More often than not, she came across as a damsel-in-distress who constantly needed rescuing.

On the other hand, I enjoyed Shuichi Saito's character. As the outcast who sensed or felt the evil lurking around and tried to warn others, even if it meant being labeled a freak, his struggles resonated with me. How do you maintain sanity when everyone around you is losing theirs?

Symbolism and metaphors are things I deeply appreciate. Art has a remarkable ability to reflect the darkest facets of human nature. I'm uncertain whether seeing spirals will trigger me, but I'm certain this manga will stay with me. I'm looking at you, Fibonacci ¬¬

I recently delved into Junji Ito's works, and Uzumaki was at the top of my list. So, I got the 3-in-1 special edition volumes and read it all in one afternoon.

Now, it's near the bottom of my list.

Let's start with the positives. The artwork is top-notch. From the perspective work to the minute details, this must have taken ages to complete. Sometimes, I'd pause just to admire a particular panel because it's so beautiful. On that front, this manga deserves an 11/10.

I often hear people complain about Ito's characters. To me, they resemble those from the Twilight Zone—a vehicle for the story. You get a sense of who and what they are from just one panel, then move on to the actual tale. They work well for a plot-driven story like this.

Now, onto my main issue: the story.

A coastal town is plagued by the curse of the spiral. Things start out normal, a spiral is introduced with some weirdness, then things quickly go haywire!

Not a bad formula, and some ideas can be creepy, but the speed and direction taken are so extreme and bizarre that they're less scary and more... goofy. Honestly, if it weren't for the high-tier artwork, some tales could work as comedy.

It doesn't help that some of the main plotlines here are puns!

"The Storm," for example, is about a girl who catches the eye of a storm. Literally, the storm is in love with her and keeps "its eye" on her no matter where she goes.

"Mosquito" is probably the most famous tale in the collection, and it's beyond silly.

Overall, I think I liked this one the least. It has the best art I've seen in a manga so far, but the story just didn't work for me.

(SPOILERS) Uzumaki met and exceeded all my expectations. Junji Ito is rightly hailed as the king of horror manga, and after reading several horror mangas that fell flat (like Doubt and Ibitsu), my hopes were high. Having already enjoyed Tomie, where the gradual degradation of Tomie's character into a parasitic force driving men insane was captivating, I found Uzumaki even more compelling, despite minor flaws that didn't bother me much given its genre.

What sets Junji Ito apart is his ability to truly disturb, something many horror works fail to achieve. I detest horror that relies solely on jump scares and shock value. With Ito, flipping a page can reveal one of the most unsettling images ever, yet it fits seamlessly within the story, offering a rewarding experience. Instead of cheap thrills, these disturbing visuals linger in my mind for days, both haunting and beautiful.

I adore Uzumaki because, to me, it represents perfect horror. It feels unnervingly surreal but gradually immerses you into its characters' new reality. The tale begins in an ordinary town with one man obsessed with spirals, evolving into a town literally infected by them. Even elements others might deem filler, like the hospital scenes, deepen the twisted nature of this town and its inhabitants' unraveling sanity, echoing Tomie's influence while remaining uniquely distinct.

Regarding the ending and characters, no one in Uzumaki stands out as exceptionally developed. Yet, they serve their roles perfectly within the story. While deeper character development would have been welcome, this is a horror manga meant to unsettle deeply, so it earns a pass. My only preference would have been less frequent new friendships for Kirie, though it makes sense given the town's spiral-induced envelopment. As for the ending, I initially expected a happy escape for Kirie and Shuuichi. However, Ito’s bittersweet conclusion resonated more profoundly. It made me ponder whether I'd persist through hellish torment or seek eternal peace with a loved one. This question lingers, and I cherish every aspect of this story, wondering if I'll ever encounter a horror manga as impactful again.

Manga and anime rarely scare me. They can disturb me with grotesque imagery and copious amounts of gore, but nothing that would give me nightmares. I've always found the medium enjoyable regardless of genre. Typically, I would spend time with a work, ponder on it for a while, and move on. Rinse and repeat. That routine changed when I encountered Junji Ito's Uzumaki.

The manga is concise, only 19 chapters long with an extra story, yet it takes the reader through so much. The first two chapters set the stage: a man's obsession with spiral shapes, smoke forming spirals in the sky, the protagonist's boyfriend becoming paranoid over mysterious occurrences in their seaside town. Once these elements are established, Ito assumes the reader understands the basics and shifts to a completely episodic approach until the final few chapters. Each chapter focuses on objects associated with spirals, like snails and curly hair. Occasionally, he stretches this concept, dedicating chapters to mosquitoes and lighthouses (his reasoning being they move in spirals). Unbeknownst to the reader, this all builds up to a devastating conclusion, making Uzumaki one of the most depressing manga I've ever read. Avoiding spoilers, the spiral concept becomes all-encompassing. Part of the horror stems from obsession and succumbing to it. It comes from watching a peaceful town's gradual downfall, transformed by its inhabitants' psychological breakdowns. Characters realize what's happening, scream in fear, knowing they have no control and will never be the same. The horror is entirely psychological, slow and painful, making the story engrossing and terrifying.

Another significant aspect is Ito's unique drawing style. You could enjoy the manga purely for the artwork. It's one thing to read descriptions and another to see them illustrated. The art magnifies the imagination, visually expressing Kirie's experiences. Some disturbing images include Shuichi's father rolling his tongue into a spiral, half-human/snail hybrids, pregnant women with blood-stained drills, and townspeople resigned to "becoming one with the spiral." Less scary images, like spiral-shaped grass and amusingly-spiraled hair, serve as distractions later. My favorite aspect is how the worst images are often hidden beneath seemingly harmless panels, almost daring the reader to turn the page. This suspense makes the manga thrilling. The art is creative, visually appealing, and adds its own layer of horror.

I feel bad for the characters. By the end, they're almost unrecognizable. Even Kirie, who remains relatively pure, struggles with moral choices. She's exposed to human flaws caused by the spiral's influence, like vanity and lack of motivation. Despite her consistency, she isn't a Mary Sue character; her innocence is a virtue. She avoids insanity and corruption but witnesses everything firsthand. Her form of corruption is watching her family, partner, and townspeople gleefully embrace madness. Though not traditional character growth, the characters evolve based on events rather than dialogue. Uzumaki features isolated character development due to highly-detailed story elements.

This review is for a manga I read in June 2011. Its story, imagery, and overall package have stayed with me. I still get chills thinking about it. I might have even had nightmares shortly after reading it. Leave it to Junji Ito to take insignificant things we take for granted and enlarge them into objects of dread and disgust. If you're looking for great Lovecraftian horror, look no further than this manga. Just be wary of escargot at fancy restaurants.

If you're a fan of horror manga, then do not hesitate to dive into Uzumaki. It's horrifying, disturbing, and creepy until the very end, capturing your interest from the start and making it hard to put down.

Story: 9
This is one of the best horror stories I've ever read. Unique and captivating, the pacing never felt slow, and I personally found the ending satisfying as well.

Art: 10
I may not be an art expert, but I could tell that the artwork was brilliant.

Characters: 6
None of the characters were particularly developed, and there weren't any interesting personalities either. However, the manga wasn't supposed to focus on character development anyway. It was all about the story, the events, and the horror. Personally, I found the main characters likable, but none were truly interesting or memorable. The side characters were okay too, but again, nothing particularly engaging.

Enjoyment: 10
What can I say? As a big fan of horror stories, I enjoyed this manga from beginning to end. It made me want to read more works by this author.

Overall: 8

I purchased the deluxe edition of Uzumaki because I wanted to explore something fresh from an unfamiliar author.

Generally, I dislike horror and tend to avoid it, as many Western media pieces and books/comics have turned horror into a genre of shock value, often relying on excessive gore or cheap jump scares that become tiresome. However, after reading Uzumaki in just two days, I can confidently say that the author truly understands how to keep readers on edge and maintains the vitality of the horror genre.

The story centers around the concept of the "spiral." This manga essentially revolves entirely around this idea—a town affected by an unknown entity known as the "spiral." As the town begins to change, numerous unsettling events occur, leaving readers both shocked and filled with questions about what this "spiral" is and what it will do next. Each chapter had me wondering what would happen next using the "spiral," never failing to keep me horrified.

For someone who doesn't typically read horror, I found the horror aspect enjoyable because the author used exaggerated blood or gore only when absolutely necessary, not all the time. Instead, the author relies on mystery and hopelessness, combined with the town and its inhabitants, to create an addictive story that keeps you tense and deeply unsettled.

After finishing this manga, I had nightmares and became uneasy just thinking about spirals. It even made me dislike snails! :p

If you're new to the horror genre, I highly recommend reading this. I suggest picking up the deluxe edition, which includes all 19 chapters, a bonus chapter, and additional content from the author.

Back Of The Book Quote

"Kurozu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person but a pattern: Uzumaki, the spiral - the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It manifests itself in everything from seashells and whirlpools in water to the spiral marks on people's bodies, the insane obsessions of Shuichi's father, and the voice from the cochlea in our inner ear. As madness spreads, the inhabitants of Kurozu-cho are pulled ever deeper into a whirlpool of no return!"

My Thoughts.

This is an excellent manga crafted by Junji Ito, who also provided the artwork. What initially drew me to this three-volume series was when I saw the movie "Spiral" a few years ago, possibly on IFC. After watching it, I didn't think much about it until I stumbled upon the manga while shopping. I grabbed the first two volumes right away. Instantly, I was hooked. The storyline is so peculiar that you can't look away; you must keep reading just to see what happens next. People start turning into spiral snails, hair gets consumed by the Uzumaki, there's cannibalism, and much more. If you decide to buy this manga, I suggest purchasing all three volumes at once because waiting for the final volume drove me crazy, especially with its slight cliffhanger ending. Hopefully, this means we'll get another volume or spin-off of this fantastic horror manga.

The movie based on this manga has somewhat low-budget effects and might seem cheesy, but it's still fun to watch. It takes place midway through volume one of the manga.

Published By Viz Media

Volumes 1-3 Rated Older Teen For Violence and Disturbing Images.

Volume 2 Has Mature Content.

Cost $9.99 USA and $11.99 CAN

Manga is in right-to-left format

My Ratings

Art: 10 out of 10.

The artwork never cheapens and does a great job of shocking you with its gory horror scenes.

Story: 8 out of 10.

As much as the story kept me on edge and had me hooked till the end, I still wish there was more. This should have been at least a six-volume series.

Price: 9 out of 10.

Same price as most manga at $9.99.

Overall: 5 out of 5.

I highly recommend this manga to those of you who love horror, crazy stories, and manga that makes you think about the simple things around you.

This is my first review, so please bear with me.

Uzumaki was one of the very first manga I ever read, and it also introduced me to the horror genre. This manga holds a special place in my heart. The story is narrated by the main character, Kirie, a somewhat one-dimensional student living in Kurozu village. It details the strange events that plague the town's residents.

Story: Uzumaki is a series of short stories all centered around a common theme: spirals. Each tale stands alone as a creepy narrative, but when read together, they build suspense as the entire town gradually succumbs to the spiral's bizarre influence. The plot is original and easy to follow, although it gets complex towards the end. It’s a very creepy and, at times, gruesome horror story.

Art: While I'm not an art critic, I found the illustrations quite good. They were scary without being overly gory (though my standards for gore might differ from others). The art enhanced the storytelling and truly brought out the creepiness of the manga.

Characters: The characters weren't the highlight of this manga, but they weren’t terrible either. The protagonist, Kirie Goshima, often seemed helpless and didn’t do much to resolve the ongoing issues. Shuichi Saito, on the other hand, acted as the voice of reason throughout the stories and was the first to notice the spiral's damaging effects. His character endured a lot of hardship but managed to keep his head more than Kirie did. There are many minor characters, but most don’t last long. Overall, the characters are just average, which is fine because the story's strength lies elsewhere.

Enjoyment: As a huge horror fan, I really enjoyed this manga. I finished it in one sitting, constantly wanting to know what would happen next to the town. I've re-read it several times, and it remains a cherished part of my collection.

Overall: In summary, this is one of my favorite manga, if not the favorite. It genuinely scares you and keeps you guessing until the climactic conclusion. I'd recommend it to anyone, even if you aren't a die-hard horror fan, because there's something enjoyable for everyone in this story.

Let me start by saying I have zero knowledge about horror manga, so feel free to ignore my thoughts as those of a complete novice in this genre.

I became interested in reading the manga due to its unique concept: how can you turn a geometric shape like a spiral into something horrifying? After finishing it, I don't think the manga met my expectations, and here's why, starting with the positives and negatives.

First, the pros. The initial chapters did an excellent job integrating spirals into horror, creating some unforgettable and bizarre imagery, with Chapter 3 being particularly striking. Additionally, Uzumaki isn't shy about using different types of horror throughout its chapters, ranging from surreal (Chapter 6) to body horror (Chapters 3 and 8) to gross-out scenes (Chapter 11), among others. This variety kept me engaged, and I finished the manga in one sitting, which shows that I was definitely invested. The standout pro is undoubtedly the art—it's detailed, well-executed, and does everything it needs to do and more.

As for the cons, around Chapter 7, the idea of mixing spirals and horror starts to falter. Spirals become almost an afterthought, like in Chapter 7 where a guy has a spring stuck in him, Chapter 10 with mosquitoes flying in circles, and Chapter 13, which barely involves spirals at all. This made the second third of the manga feel like the author was running out of ideas, leaving me somewhat disappointed. However, the final third was even worse, rehashing concepts from previous chapters repeatedly for about six chapters. This part felt like the low point of the manga and was quite a slog to get through, especially since I didn't care about any of the characters. While I found the artwork cool, nothing in the manga scared or unsettled me.

So, I'm giving this a 4. It definitely has its strong points, but I can't shake the feeling of disappointment. Nonetheless, it did intrigue me enough to check out other works by Ito, so I'll probably read Tomie tonight. If anyone has recommendations on other Ito works, I'd be happy to check them out.