Graphic Novel Review: Uzumaki by Junji Ito

Uzumaki by Junji Ito Review

Book links: Amazon, Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1963, he was inspired from a young age by his older sister's drawing and Kazuo Umezu's comics and thus took an interest in drawing horror comics himself. Nevertheless, upon graduation he trained as a dental technician, and until the early 1990s he juggled his dental career with his increasingly successful hobby — even after being selected as the winner of the prestigious Umezu prize for horror manga.

Publisher: VIZ Media (October 15, 2013) Page count: 653

Uzumaki is a chilling horror manga that explores the concept of spirals and the nightmarish effects they have on the residents of the small Japanese town of Kurouzu-Cho.

Ito’s art is phenomenal and while I had some issues with the story and characters, I’m sure I’ll never forget this book. First, it’s amazing how many sub-genres of horror Ito fits in one story. Like body, cosmic, supernatural, paranormal, or liminal horror. Second, his art portraying macabre occurrences left my nerves frayed. Literally. 

From the very first page, Ito draws the reader in with his hauntingly beautiful art and meticulously drawn panels. The spirals are both mesmerizing and terrifying, and the characters’ expressions are so detailed that you can feel their fear and anxiety radiating off the page. The black and white artwork is stark and minimalist, which only adds to the eerie atmosphere. It’s the art that makes the gradual descent of characters into madness even more disturbing.

The author divided the story into chapters, each one focusing on a different aspect of spirals and their influence on the town and its citizens. From snail shells to whirlpools, Ito explores the many forms spirals can take and the terrifying consequences that result from people’s obsession with them.

The main strength of Uzumaki lies in its themes and art. Ito uses spirals as a central motif throughout the story, and to great effect. How he incorporates spirals into every aspect of the story - from the plot to the characters to the artwork itself - is awe (and fear!)-inspiring.

The pacing of the story is slow but deliberate, which allows the tension to build slowly. This approach is effective in creating a sense of dread and unease that permeates every panel of the manga. With its terrifying imagery and casual disregard for the characters’ well-being, it often made me pause and just stare at panels in disbelief.

Uzumaki IS unforgettable. However, one of its weaknesses is its characterization. While the story is full of interesting and memorable characters, they lack enough depth or development to truly stand out. Instead, they often feel like vehicles for the plot rather than fully fleshed-out individuals.

Despite this, the overarching themes of Uzumaki are enough to keep readers engaged. The story is less about the plot or plausibility and more about exploring the concept of spirals and their effect on the human psyche. This makes for a unique, terrifying, and thought-provoking reading experience.

Overall, Uzumaki is a masterpiece of horror storytelling that is both visually stunning and psychologically unsettling. Junji Ito has crafted a work of art that will stay with you long after you finish reading. This manga is not for the faint of heart, but for those who can stomach the horror (especially extreme body horror), it is a must-read.