A review by zakcebulski
The Enigma of Amigara Fault by 伊藤潤二, Junji Ito

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

4.25


I don't really know what the theme of this book is- maybe something pertaining to the hivemind thinking that forces people to go along with thoughts that are directly counter to their best interest?
Not sure.

What I do know is that for my money Junji Ito is a goddamn stellar mangaka and one whose work belongs in the space of any horror media consumer worth their salt.

The Enigma of Amigara Fault is one of the earliest examples of horror manga that I can remember reading. To the point- the final reveal of the grotesque and deformed being coming out of the fault holes being one of the panels of manga that stick with me. 

The story is very simple- a boy and girl travel to the titular fault after an earthquake where hundreds of thousands of holes in the walls that are human shaped. 
Over the days of exploration people gradually feel "called" to these holes- holes that were seemingly designed with them in mind. 
People start entering these holes and are sucked deeper into the mountain. The claustrophobia described here is so fucking chilling to read about. The imagery that Ito manages to conjure up is truly nightmarish even for someone like myself who doesn't suffer from fears of closed spaces. 
The story ends with an extremely despondent and nihilistic outlook where the main characters both enter these holes. 
Months later surveyors look into the holes on the opposite side of the hill and see horribly disfigured beings approaching- clearly people who have been mangled by the holes in Amigara fault... 

WOW. 

What a quick and to the point story that is as mysterious as it is terrifying with pacing that leaves you wondering what the fuck is going on before the big reveal. 

We are lucky to live in a time where Junji Ito makes manga. 
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