A review by kurtwombat
Frankenstein by Junji Ito

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This may not have been the best way to be introduced to Junji Ito—a cover of a classic paired with a loosely connected set of stories—but I enjoyed it and look forward to more. 

 

 

Frankenstein ***1/2 

Solid recreation of the Mary Shelley classic. The stellar art work raises everything. Of course being Manga, young Frankenstein never looked so cute. Well paced, the tension kept taut throughout and I particularly liked the rendering of “the monster”. The portion about the creation and demise of “the bride” was delicious. The story seemed to be setting up for a smashing ending but sadly just kinda petered out. 

 

THE SHORT STORIES 

Neck Specter - ★★★
Bog of Living Spirits - ★
Pen Pal - ★★1/2 

After reading these first three stories, I started to get worried. In retrospect I think they were designed to set up mood and form (or am I being generous) but they really didn’t grab me. 

Intruder - ★★★1/2
Starting to get better but not quite there. My hopes rise with the creepy factor.

The Strange Case of Oshikiri - ★★★★1/2
The Strange Case of Oshikiri: The Walls - ★★★★★
The Hell of the Doll Funeral - ★★★★★
Face Firmly in Place - ★★★★★
Now we’re rolling. All these stories are fantastic. FACE FIRMLY IN PLACE left me shook.

Boss Non-non and Hide-and-Seek with Boss Non-non -  1/2
Thankfully very short homage to the author’s mother’s dog. The half star is for the single frame of the author shouting at the dog.