A review by c3nnyzip
Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A very satisfying and well-rounded short story collection--good for first readers of Junji Ito's work since it includes many of the more surreal, campy, and erotic themes prescient in his popular stories. Although Ito does include  a lot of his signature body horror as well as some disturbing, implied sexual assault (watch out for "Venus in the Blind Spot" and "How Love Came to Professor Kirida"),  he does not do it in a way that makes it the entire point of the story--but rather an extension of the unnatural world in which the story takes place. Nor are these elements included as a sign of how edgy or shocking Ito is. For me, the real allure of these stories lies in their characters and the incredibly empathetic way in which they and their real-life struggles are often portrayed. I found new favorites in the touching "Billions Alone" and clever "Keepsake". My biggest complaint was that the semi-autobiographical story "Master Umezz and Me" kind of halted the flow mid-book since it wasn't a horror story and was actually kind of funny. It's also important to take note of how Ito writes/utilizes his female characters (something I can't get into without making this review even longer). That, in particular, might not be for you (and I could fully understand why). But for me (and, I hope, for you), the stories remained worth reading. 
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