Uzumaki

I'll never look at spiral-shaped objects the same way again...

I stumbled upon this manga while browsing through horror/gory manga. I thought, "3 volumes? Eh, why not?" I can say that I definitely wasn't disappointed.

Story - 7

The manga doesn't have the most linear story, as it is more of a collection of small stories, each revolving around the concept/theme of a spiral or vortex. There are a couple of chapters that have almost nothing to do with the main task but are just there for entertainment. Think of these stories as the kind someone would tell at a campfire or a sleepover. However, when you really observe the stories, some are quite good at conveying a simple theme with a powerful moral, albeit in a very dark, twisted manner.

Art - 10

Hooooolyyy crap. I swear I can get nightmares from the art alone. Junji Ito has got to be one of my new favorite artists. It doesn't help that the most disturbing images tend to be the biggest panels on the spread or even cover the entire 2-page spread. The style of the environment and the occasional gore is awe-inspiring. Being an artist (in training), the art in Uzumaki has definitely inspired me.

Character - 6

There is little to no character development in this manga. The main character, Kirie, and her controlling boyfriend, Shuichi, aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, though not completely unlikable. Kirie can barely defend herself and relies on overly conscious Shuichi (and a pinch of luck) to get out of near-death experiences. There are a handful of minor characters, but let's just say they don't last long enough to talk about.

Enjoyment - 9

I love horror, so I definitely enjoyed Uzumaki for what it was, despite how borderline stupid some parts are. I laughed, I was terrified, I was amazed, I was even dumbfounded. Uzumaki definitely gives me my horror fix. If only it was longer; the manga ended before I could REALLY enjoy it.

Overall - 8

This is a cool, quick read for anyone who's a fan of the horror genre. It's one of the only things I've read/played/watched that's actually scared me. But whether you may find Uzumaki terrifying or silly, it's an overall entertaining manga.

Before I began reading this, I believed books couldn't be frightening. Clearly, I was mistaken. Despite my easily scared nature, Uzumaki is genuinely unsettling. The dark and realistic art style, coupled with the narrative, contributes significantly to its creepiness. This manga made me realize horror isn't for me :).

Story: 7/10

All of Junji Ito's tales are inventive and distinct, and Uzumaki fits that mold. It starts off relatively normal before becoming increasingly bizarre and eerie. There were moments when it became somewhat predictable, but the ending still managed to surprise and unsettle me.

Art: 8/10

I consider the artwork to be the highlight of this manga. Its realistic style amplifies the creepiness, making it feel like these events could occur in our world (thankfully, they can't!). I also appreciated the inclusion of several colored pages.

Character: 6/10

I rated the characters lower because I didn't connect with any of them. Many lacked distinctive personalities, and some looked so similar that distinguishing between them was challenging at times.

Enjoyment: 7/10

Did I enjoy reading this manga? That's tough to answer. It was undeniably too scary for me, yet I couldn't put it down. While it didn't feel enjoyable, I acknowledge that if you're a fan of horror, you'll likely appreciate this manga.

Overall: 7/10

In summary, I gave this manga a 7. Horror isn't my preferred genre, but that doesn't diminish its quality. It features a compelling story and excellent art. So, if you enjoy horror manga, definitely give Uzumaki a read!

I gave this series a perfect 10/10 rating - You can't go wrong with picking it up. Even if you're not into horror or thrillers, and simply enjoy strange ideas and captivating stories, there's plenty here to keep you hooked. As the title suggests, it centers on spirals, and it fully commits to exploring this concept.

Great horror or thriller works linger in your mind, and ever since reading this story a decade ago, I've never looked at spirals the same way again, be it in the shell of a snail, tangled cables, or even a piece of ramen garnish.

You might find the main characters frustrating. They are aware of the horrors but choose not to run away. While I usually tolerate "idiot plots" because without them many stories wouldn't happen, in this case, I appreciate their reason for staying. Their reasoning loops back onto itself, much like a spiral.

The ending was nearly flawless as well.

Literally, this manga left a bitter taste in my mouth because of Ito's fantastic art. It made me feel appalled by the numerous atrocious events happening in the story rather than just being completely freaked out. If you have a strong disgust or phobia towards snails, it is best to avoid this manga. It's an easily addictive read, including the anime adaptation coming out next year (2021), so consider yourselves warned, lol.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The only truly scary thing I experienced while reading this manga was when the two main characters dug up the "Jack in the Box" kid's grave, and he suddenly jumped at them with his decaying body. That particular scene haunted me and burned my eyes, man, lol...

Also, I have to say, I absolutely hate Kirie. Seriously, what the heck? She's brain dead and doesn't care if her family gets hurt or even listen to her boyfriend Shuuichi when there's an incoming spiral event. I despise these types of characters who are dull, dumb, and act like "damsels in distress," as if everyone should be looking after them. In fact, I would pair her up with Nao from Liar Game because they are literally some of the worst girl characters in horror manga. Shuuichi might as well leave town by himself because Kirie definitely wins the "useless girlfriend" award.

I give 7/10 for the story and the fantastically disgusting art by Ito himself...

I assure you, this manga will defy your expectations—in the best possible way. If you prefer narratives with neat resolutions, this might not be your cup of tea. Many elements remain unexplained outright, and that ambiguity is precisely what I adored about it. Each chapter stands on its own merit, offering intriguing content while simultaneously building upon previous segments in a distinctive manner. Rather than following a straightforward plot, every piece provided a unique perspective into the overarching situation. What thrilled me most was how the story began in an ostensibly ordinary town, albeit slightly peculiar, only to spiral into absolute chaos and terror by the end. This transformation underscores why perseverance pays off if initial boredom strikes; significant developments unfold throughout.

For those who revel in the macabre, the visuals are captivating. The manga features extensive human disfigurement, which, while fascinating to observe, can also be profoundly unsettling at times. As mentioned earlier, witnessing the progression from mildly strange to utterly horrifying—both narratively and visually—is a compelling experience. Dive into this manga if you're seeking to be disturbed and mentally challenged!

So essentially, the inhabitants of this town are severely mentally ill due to a shape that has gone mad or viral.

You know that one mind-numbingly stupid girl who always dies first in horror movies because of her level of stupidity? This manga is FULL of characters like that.

It doesn't make much sense. I read it yesterday, and immediately afterward, I watched something else to try and forget it.

The story went up, then down, and then back to the beginning again. Nothing went right.

In summary, if you want to read something awful, scary, and disgusting just for kicks, then this is probably what you should read.

Some works unintentionally capture something deeper than the author seems to intend. I believe that good horror confronts you with a genuine kind of evil, while great horror teaches you how to defeat it. There is an underlying issue within Japanese society. At first glance, the evils that consume a civilization or culture are typically found in urban centers and often linked to abandoning traditional ways of living and understanding. This particular work presents us with a different kind of problem, making it worth discussing, as it originates from late 90s Japan.

The artwork is the best part of this work, showcasing considerable creativity in its compositions. It's an easy read, especially for a piece of horror. The setting has some uniquely interesting characteristics. However, the characterization is weak, and the plot could benefit from improvements. The author does excellent work with motifs, consistently expressed creatively throughout the story, adding to its overall quality.

This is why I have mixed feelings about this work. While there is much creative goodness within it, there is also a lack of depth in confronting the kind of evil presented. On one hand, the horror and evils of madness and obsession can be discussed, as well as civilizational cycles and cultural death. There are ways of fighting old gods and defeating demons that cannot be faced merely by friendship, common sense, and persistence. Those who refuse to fight these demons will inevitably be consumed by them. Perhaps the author sees this evil in his world—the beauty of something precious being devoured by an ancient, incomprehensible force. He doesn't know how to face it, so the plot lacks this crucial element.

Fans of body horror would enjoy this work. Those preferring horror centered on fear and dread might not be as impressed. People interested in true horror mysteries won't find it particularly compelling either. However, those intrigued by the intersection of religion, politics, history, economics, social theory, art, and philosophy may find it worthwhile. Eliciting disgust, though a tool of horror, isn't necessarily useful.

All in all, I give it a 7. It excels in some parts, feels bland in others. Creative and interesting, yet lacking in certain aspects of character development. It can easily be read in a Saturday afternoon.

Let's say this manga is like... a hamburger! Yes. Now - when the meat is awesome, it's just awesome, right? But it has to work with the buns to actually make a GOOD hamburger. If the buns are average, dry - it will still work, but won't taste that good with that awesome patty. But just imagine adding soggy buns, which literally have no taste in them. And you add that fantastic patty between them. Will the hamburger taste good? Well, it depends. It depends if you still have your taste buds, or not. I think that I still have them, and that's why I gave this manga 5/10. Why? Just read below.

-- Story (6/10) --

I gave the story 6/10 because it's okay. It's kind of interesting and actually intrigued me at the beginning. The problem is - part of the story includes characters and the world. Both are totally ridiculous. Characters aren't thinking much, and the city becomes more absurd with every chapter. I know Junji might have intended for it to feel that way (and he partly did), but I don't think he fully understood what he was doing. We have many plot holes, things aren't fully explained, and the characters' reasoning is so off. Some side characters' stories might leave you wondering - were they possessed before, or just now? Did the possession get stronger? Throughout this manga, I had more questions like these. Because, come on. I'm not scared by scary art alone. I need to dive into the story to truly feel it. And then, when it all comes together - there's fear. The story is the top bun of our hamburger, it's just dry.

-- Art (8/10) --

Well, I don't have much to say here. The art is awesome, hence the 8/10. It's simple (thus not a masterpiece nor great by ranking), but it genuinely creeps me out. It's unique too. This is our patty, very good, tastes awesome by itself, but needs buns to be called a hamburger.

-- Character (2/10) --

And now - the worst part about our hamburger. The soggy, terrifying part. I think I even see mold here? This is our bottom bun.

There's much to say, and simultaneously nothing. Characters are (as mentioned in the story section) just off. They don't stick together. One chapter they're filled with fear, the next they're sitting in this awful city. They don't try to escape, though it's later revealed they can't. But we don't know if they couldn't before. Maybe the curse became too strong to leave? That's the story's problem - it wasn't explained.

This section didn't get 1/10 because at least one character acted right - the boyfriend of the main character. He feared the situation, locked himself in his house. But why didn't he run away by himself? People were dying, turning into animals, zombies - weird things happened. Yet both main characters stayed in this awful city. Also, the main character's (the girl) development isn't seen. She saw so much yet walks to school, does her usual things. She fears those beasts only at critical points, but after? She forgets everything.

-- Enjoyment (6/10) --

I don't count this section in the overall mean as always. Enjoyment was fine, it was just okay. I kinda feared some things due to the art. The awful reasoning of characters and story made this piece not that scary at all.

OVERALL (5/10)

Here's our hamburger. Taste it. You don't want to? Good for you, but you should try it anyway. Just for the patty. Speaking normally - I kinda like Junji Ito's work. I love his oneshots, not series. His full stories feel off, he can't keep up the terror from the first chapters. His art is awesome. I love how he draws characters' eyes struck with fear or possessed ones. It's scary, it works. But every time I read a series from him - the story goes downhill. Sometimes it's interesting, but even then (like Uzumaki) - characters drag it down.

Why should (or shouldn't) you taste the hamburger despite its dreadful lower part? Because you might get scared by the art alone. It depends on the person, but looking at other reviewers' opinions - they got scared by the art.

As one recent reviewer said - Ito should stick to short stories.

Uzumaki – Spoiler Free – Mixed Feelings

TLDR
Overall: 6/10

Disclaimer: due to the nature of this work – a collection of short stories –, my normal parameters of Story, Art, Characters and Enjoyment with a weighted average won’t be applied. Instead, a global overview will be offered.

Uzumaki is likely one of Junji Ito’s most acclaimed works in his entire bibliography, boasting several adaptations. It comprises a series of short stories united by a common theme – the curse of omnipresent spirals affecting the small village of Kurouzu-cho. Spirals manifest throughout the narrative in various forms – pun intended – but only some are truly remarkable. The initial stories stand out as the best in Uzumaki, effectively illustrating the relentless nature of the spiral curse.

Indeed, while certain tales excel within the horror genre, it would be inaccurate to describe this as an overwhelmingly frightening experience or one steeped in terror. Nevertheless, the concepts presented are intriguing. Uzumaki begins with some of the most imaginative and terrifying stories in Ito's repertoire. However, many subsequent stories, striving for eerie terror, end up feeling more humorous (especially after the initial chapters). Examples include hair transforming into spirals (chapter 6), snails growing on students' backs (chapter 8), and people flying due to a tornado (chapter 15).

Had Uzumaki been condensed to its first and last chapters (the final two specifically, to provide a coherent conclusion), it could have been a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the middle chapters detract from the overall experience, although there are exceptions like chapter 9. Despite its promising premise, Uzumaki ultimately falls short of full realization.

The manga also features some beautifully crafted panels – undoubtedly among the best in Ito's body of work – which are both memorable and striking. The stories are easy to follow and read smoothly, and the character design adheres to Ito's typical style, which isn't bad but can be predictable. This aspect is arguably the manga's strongest point and a true classic in that regard.

The characters themselves aren't central to the story, serving primarily as vessels through which the curse unfolds. Their lack of deep personality paradoxically suits the eerie atmosphere of the world Ito has created. This is a pity, as Uzumaki had immense potential. Yet, apart from its strong opening, it fails to live up to expectations. Consequently, Uzumaki epitomizes the concept of Mixed Feelings.

Originally posted by me on The Moon is a Dead World (http://ryneb.blogspot.com)

I've always had a fascination with various forms of media that incorporate the horror genre, and being a manga and anime enthusiast myself, I often find myself browsing the manga sections at local bookstores to see what intriguing tales Japan has to offer. A few years back, I stumbled upon Uzumaki, a manga whose psychedelic spiral cover and the tagline "Spiral Into Horror" immediately caught my eye. Naturally, anything involving horror piqued my interest, so I picked it up, settled onto the couch, and read until my parents came to fetch me. That was the last time I saw Uzumaki until recently, when I recalled the manga and started reading it again, only to find myself just as captivated as before.

This manga is crafted by Junji Ito, renowned for his other horror works as well. It follows Kirie Goshima, our narrator, who resides in Kurōzu-cho with her family. Her boyfriend, Shuichi, is the first to encounter the spiral phenomenon—his father becomes obsessed with spiral shapes and eventually breaks every bone in his body to become one. If that wasn't traumatic enough, his mother's spiral obsession drives her to madness, leading her to mutilate herself and ultimately take her own life. Strange occurrences are afoot in Kurōzu-cho, and Shuichi senses it, retreating into reclusiveness. Meanwhile, Kirie remains unfazed by the spiraling chaos and continues living her life. Through a series of bizarre events, including people transforming into spirals, turning into snails with spiral shells, encountering hurricanes targeting Kirie, and dealing with pregnant mosquito women craving blood for their offspring, Kirie begins to realize that Kurōzu-cho is a cursed town. But it's too late; the town won't let them leave unless they join the spiral themselves.

From this summary alone, Uzumaki sounds like a wild ride, doesn't it? Absolutely. Never have I been so engrossed in a comic or manga as I was with Uzumaki. Ironically, the story's compelling nature mirrors the inescapable, hypnotic effect of spirals. The main characters, especially Kirie, are richly developed, making us connect with them deeply. Secondary characters tend to be flat, but those crucial to certain segments receive some backstory and development. This is primarily a horror manga, spanning only three volumes, leaving little room for extensive character building. However, readers easily connect with Kirie and her brother as their roles grow more significant.

In the beginning, each chapter feels almost like a standalone episode, presenting and concluding its story. Most scenes bear little relation to the previous ones, initially making the chapters feel disjointed, as if the author was merely tossing out cool spiral-centric ideas. Towards the end, scenarios start tying together more cohesively. That said, much mystery remains unresolved. This is one of Uzumaki's drawbacks; despite an amazing buildup of events with creative monsters and horrifying situations, chapters often drop off without explaining the spiral's motivations. It's fun and carefree, yet leaves the audience feeling like they're missing explanations.

Even towards the end, when earlier story arcs resurface, there's a generic exposition of "the spiral made them do it," which falls short for me. I want to know why some people turn into snails while others willingly transform into spirals. The story's conclusion feels anticlimactic too. Despite Shuichi and Kirie's relentless efforts to avoid the spiral throughout the manga, the finale forces us to accept that completing the town's spiral is the only way to survive. This creates a sense of abandonment and futility for readers, suggesting that all preceding events could have been omitted, with Kirie dying in the first chapter yielding the same outcome.

Besides these minor critiques, Uzumaki stands out among J-horror titles about curses due to its creativity. Sure, the city is cursed with a spiral instead of a ghost, but endless possibilities for strange happenings exist, and Ito certainly taps into his imagination, both conceptually and artistically. The drawings mostly follow typical manga style, except when characters become abnormal or spiral-obsessed. These characters develop dark splotches around their eyes, adopt strange postures, and become downright creepy. The chapter featuring pregnant women sucking blood is particularly hypnotically eerie.

The story's twisted nature evokes a pervasive atmosphere of depression. Ito presents complex choices for the characters, typically with frightening outcomes. Food scarcity in Kurōzu-cho forces our protagonists to cook and eat the snail-people, convincing themselves that the snails are no longer human. This is a sickening and twisted turn of events, especially when Kirie's brother becomes a snail, leaving me feeling disgusted and genuinely fearful while reading.

The aforementioned moments are just a few of the respectable plotlines Ito brings to the table. Rather than relying on my mediocre review, it would be far more enjoyable to read the 500 or so pages of the manga itself. Just be prepared for some uncomfortable moments, as Ito delights in unsettling the reader.

Long read but worth it!!!
Story 8/10
Characters 6/10
Art 10/10
Readability 6/10

When I first held this manga in my hands, I thought, "That's a freaking huge manga" and "This will take a lot of time to read." Well, it did take a lot of time. If you read just one volume at a time like most people do, it might take about one or maybe two days if you're a slow reader. But I'm different; right now, I'm reading 13 mangas simultaneously. This means that if I'm halfway through, I'll put the manga down and start another one. Anyway, let's get to the point—it took me about a month to finish this manga. The story was really great, but I didn't like Shuuichi. I don't know why, but I just couldn't connect with him.

What can I say about the art? IT IS GORGEOUS!!!! Junji Ito is truly the master of horror.

The last thing I can say is, if you are a fan of horror/mystery, then Junji Ito is your guy.

Your gun_shot_girl :3

While Uzumaki starts off powerfully with its genuinely eerie first few chapters, it quickly loses all the elements that made those initial segments great and ends up being neither scary nor engaging. The author manages to make the events in the opening chapters believable, despite their obvious impossibility. Unfortunately, this believability is lost as the story progresses, with subsequent plots becoming so absurd that the entire manga becomes ineffective. The scariest aspect of the manga after the initial chapters isn't even the intended deep psychological horror but rather a concept that feels overly familiar: people turning into zombies at night and feasting on others' blood. Although there's more complexity to it, these complications fail to evoke fear and instead come across as mere drawings.

The manga generally tells interrelated stories each chapter, with most having their own closure, except for the last set of chapters which, along with the beginning, represents the best parts due to their continuity. However, many of these stories are not only ludicrous and disconnected from reality but also lack basic scare factors. For instance, marvel at how a blinding light causes some people to walk in circles! The overall narrative is unique and different from typical horror, with the "evildoer" being an ambiguous shape. If executed properly, this could create a chilling experience, but only the beginning comes close to achieving this. Many stories barely relate to spirals, especially the previously mentioned "zombie" tale, making them feel disjointed and less connected to the spiral theme. This undermines the sense of the spiral overtaking the town, a key element of the intended horror.

The characters in Uzumaki have no personality whatsoever. Most are kindhearted with identical dialogue, making them forgettable. Shuichi, who becomes a recluse early on, muttering about the spiral's takeover, stands out slightly but isn't particularly interesting. Kirie's little brother, whose name escapes me despite recently finishing the manga, is merely whiny. The "bad people," those possessed by the spiral, are uniformly cruel without depth. There's a subset of attention-seeking villains, but they too lack distinction. To summarize: we have nice people, mean people, attention-seeking mean people, Shuichi, and Kirie's little brother. These underdeveloped characters detract from the horror; if I cared about them, their plight would be far more impactful.

Uzumaki had a unique premise that lost momentum early on. At least we got to see it live up to its potential for a few chapters.