- Name: Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
- Author: Junji Ito
- Genre: Fiction / Japanese Manga
- Book Post No. : 55
- Summary: “Uzumaki” is a Japanese horror manga by the renowned Junji Ito. The title translates to “spiral.” The narrative unfolds in a small coastal town in Japan, where the emergence of spirals leads to madness and chaos. The story is composed of various chapters that delve into the diverse ways spirals influence the townspeople. The central character is Kirie, a girl around whom the stories are woven.
- How I Discovered It: A colleague who lent me her copy of “We Are Where the Nightmares Go” recommended this book to me. I later borrowed it from my local library.
- My Thoughts: I absolutely loved it! This was my first encounter with a Japanese manga, and I was genuinely amazed by Junji Ito’s artwork; it is stunning! While the story leans towards body horror, which isn’t typically my preference, I found it captivating. Like the spirals themselves, the narrative draws you in and compels you to read to the end.
The plot begins with a small spiral appearing on a wall and escalates into a nightmare. The influence of H.P. Lovecraft becomes apparent as the story progresses. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the book is its visuals, featuring some of the most horrifying imagery I’ve encountered. The types of images that linger in your mind long after you’ve closed the book. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted. My favorite chapter was the one about the lighthouse.
I particularly appreciated Kirie’s character. She is kind-hearted, brave, and ever-determined to protect her family and boyfriend until the very end. While most of the other characters lack depth, Shuichi stands out as one of the first to sense that the town is in grave danger.
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga and intend to explore more works by Junji Ito soon. I consider this the beginning of Phase 3 in my horror journey. Phase 1 was during my school years when I read classic horror stories, many of which were set in the Victorian era. Phase 2 began when I encountered H.P. Lovecraft during my first few jobs. I had not ventured into new horror works until now. I’m truly grateful to my colleague for suggesting this book, and I am thrilled to be on the brink of another exciting expedition into a new horror domain.
- Positives: I prefer to skip this section for some iconic literary works.
- Negatives: Likewise, I choose to skip this section.
- Additional Notes:
Book Source: Fraser Valley Regional Library.
I was surprised to learn that Japanese books are read from right to left. Although I am accustomed to reading from right to left due to my familiarity with Arabic, I had never experienced a book formatted this way before.Here is another frame from the book that I absolutely adored:
