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_saturnsrings_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
eveveve's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alexisg1109's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
3.5 stars - the story was so weird and the art was great but I mostly love it because I am rarely so excited to discuss a book with people. “You guys have to experience this weird thing with me because how can I possibly experience this alone?”
I’m sorry, friends.
I want to eat the goo just a little bit
I’m sorry, friends.
I want to eat the goo just a little bit
zitabodnar's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mianevar's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
venusianstrawberry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bhall237's review against another edition
3.0
“But
I'll never
forget
what he
told me.
I'm the
most
beautiful
in the
whole
universe.”
While I’ve known of his works for a few years now and own a few of his translated works, this is my first dive into Junji Ito’s work and what a first experience it was. I went in knowing this wasn’t the best he had to offer, but that it was still a great experience and offering into what Ito has to offer. What truly stuck out to me was the incredible artwork that had me squirming and disguised all at once. And the masterful way Ito takes the repetition of a sentence to create dread in hearing it ourselves and for the innocent bystanders in this collection. Overall, a great short read that horrified me to lengths that I am excited to fall into with more and more of Ito’s works.
I'll never
forget
what he
told me.
I'm the
most
beautiful
in the
whole
universe.”
While I’ve known of his works for a few years now and own a few of his translated works, this is my first dive into Junji Ito’s work and what a first experience it was. I went in knowing this wasn’t the best he had to offer, but that it was still a great experience and offering into what Ito has to offer. What truly stuck out to me was the incredible artwork that had me squirming and disguised all at once. And the masterful way Ito takes the repetition of a sentence to create dread in hearing it ourselves and for the innocent bystanders in this collection. Overall, a great short read that horrified me to lengths that I am excited to fall into with more and more of Ito’s works.
reaperreads's review against another edition
3.0
This collection is more hilarious than it is frightening. The concept of someone being able to melt people's brains through the power of apology is peak horror comedy.
Also, it's very heartwarming to see a brother and a sister existing in symbiosis, even if they're wacky, devil-worshiping, slightly cannibalistic fiends.
Now, for my actual thoughts: Even though "Dissolving Classroom" is the titular story and "Dissolving Apartment" is responsible for the cover art, I think the strongest story in this collection is "Interview with the Devil." It has a fantastic twist and a bit more of a thematic message than the rest of the stories. You can't read it in isolation from the rest of the stories, however; so if you do decide to read this collection, don't skip around because each story, in one way or another, builds on the last. Junji Ito wrote a similar arc with the Oshikiri stories collected in the Frankenstein volume, so if you enjoyed those or like to see vignettes that follow the same characters in short story collections, you might enjoy this even if it isn't widely considered one of Junji Ito's best. Despite my low rating, I really do consider "Interview with the Devil" one of the best stories I've read by Ito Sensei to date--the rest of the collection just feels like silliness without much of a point. I laughed, I enjoyed, but it didn't make me think. Like I've said about some other horror comics recently, this is good popcorn, nothing deep but nothing terrible either.
For fans of: Junji Ito's less serious works, Horror that focuses on siblings like Ginger Snaps (2000), and Horror Comedy more generally. If you thought this collection was so-so and want to read something that explores similar themes but is more literary, I highly recommend picking up Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova.
Also, it's very heartwarming to see a brother and a sister existing in symbiosis, even if they're wacky, devil-worshiping, slightly cannibalistic fiends.
Now, for my actual thoughts: Even though "Dissolving Classroom" is the titular story and "Dissolving Apartment" is responsible for the cover art, I think the strongest story in this collection is "Interview with the Devil." It has a fantastic twist and a bit more of a thematic message than the rest of the stories. You can't read it in isolation from the rest of the stories, however; so if you do decide to read this collection, don't skip around because each story, in one way or another, builds on the last. Junji Ito wrote a similar arc with the Oshikiri stories collected in the Frankenstein volume, so if you enjoyed those or like to see vignettes that follow the same characters in short story collections, you might enjoy this even if it isn't widely considered one of Junji Ito's best. Despite my low rating, I really do consider "Interview with the Devil" one of the best stories I've read by Ito Sensei to date--the rest of the collection just feels like silliness without much of a point. I laughed, I enjoyed, but it didn't make me think. Like I've said about some other horror comics recently, this is good popcorn, nothing deep but nothing terrible either.
For fans of: Junji Ito's less serious works, Horror that focuses on siblings like Ginger Snaps (2000), and Horror Comedy more generally. If you thought this collection was so-so and want to read something that explores similar themes but is more literary, I highly recommend picking up Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova.