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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Uzumaki by Junji Ito
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: disturbing images, death, cannibalism
Uzumaki by Junji Ito is my first foray into Manga. This is a horror story focused on spirals infecting a Japanese town and drives its citizens to madness. This was quite a disturbing story with grotesque and surreal images.
It starts out pretty slow with Kirie's boyfriend's family being affected by spirals. Saito's father becomes obsessed with the shape of a spiral to the point of madness, and eventually kills himself trying to force his body into that shape. Then Saito's mother follows the madness by developing an extreme phobia to the shape.
Each chapter expands the reach of the Spiral throughout the town. We see many disturbing images of pregnant women becoming like mosquitoes, drinking blood, people turning into snails, spiral diseases, hurricanes and whirlpools abound. Eventually, the people become twisted and spiraled together. Even the buildings become spirals.
This was a thoroughly weird read. I'm not sure I enjoyed it, but it was interesting. I probably won't read anymore works by Ito for this reason. If you like disturbing horror and manga, give this one a try.
Uzumaki by Junji Ito is my first foray into Manga. This is a horror story focused on spirals infecting a Japanese town and drives its citizens to madness. This was quite a disturbing story with grotesque and surreal images.
It starts out pretty slow with Kirie's boyfriend's family being affected by spirals. Saito's father becomes obsessed with the shape of a spiral to the point of madness, and eventually kills himself trying to force his body into that shape. Then Saito's mother follows the madness by developing an extreme phobia to the shape.
Each chapter expands the reach of the Spiral throughout the town. We see many disturbing images of pregnant women becoming like mosquitoes, drinking blood, people turning into snails, spiral diseases, hurricanes and whirlpools abound. Eventually, the people become twisted and spiraled together. Even the buildings become spirals.
This was a thoroughly weird read. I'm not sure I enjoyed it, but it was interesting. I probably won't read anymore works by Ito for this reason. If you like disturbing horror and manga, give this one a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death