The Junji Ito Pocket Curse is a popular manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito, a renowned Japanese horror mangaka. Known for his grotesque and unsettling art style, Ito weaves intricate and disturbing tales that captivate readers with their intricate narratives and chilling atmosphere. The Pocket Curse is a collection of short stories centered around the theme of curses and supernatural occurrences. Each story in the series stands alone but follows a similar pattern of eerie events that unfold after the characters come into possession of an object or experience a paranormal encounter. The stories portrayed in the Pocket Curse are steeped in horror and psychological terror. Ito's ability to captivate and unsettle readers with his unique storytelling makes him one of the leading figures in the horror manga genre.
Review: Uzumaki by Junji Ito
Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but by a pattern: Uzumaki, the spiral, the hypnotic secret shape of the world. It manifests itself in everything from seashells and whirlpools in water to the spiral marks on people’s bodies, the insane obsessions of Shuichi’s father and the voice from the cochlea in our inner ear. As the madness spreads, the inhabitants of Kurouzu-cho are pulled ever deeper into a whirlpool from which there is no return!
Review
Junji Ito is often cited as the master of horror manga, and after reading Uzumaki, my first from this creator and my first manga experience, it is easy to see why!
Uzumaki takes place in the small coastal town of Kurouzu-cho, a town that slowly becomes more and more obsessed by spirals. Partly inspired by a time in Ito’s childhood in which he himself became obsessive over spiral patterns, we follow main protagonist Kirie Goshima, as she gets drawn deeper into this pattern that is seemingly haunting the town.
This whirling tale is essentially a series of connected short stories. Where the main characters rarely differ and act as the main through line between each story, the supporting cast from each story are who arguably make this book stand up as the horror masterpiece that it is often referred to as. It is these characters that we get to see succumb to the lure of the spiral in excitingly gruesome and richly detailed ways. Where Kirie and Shuichi are sometimes seemingly just accidentally in the wrong place at the wrong time (especially for the first half, but they both become more integral to the lore of the land and the story as a whole in the latter half, and thus much more memorable), seeing these other members of this small town turning themselves in spiralling monstrosities or seeking to rid their own bodies of any spiral like patterns is truly stuff of nightmares, and each story introduces something more twisted than the last.
Uzumaki also triumphs in the melding of multiple horror subgenres to create its own unique taste. Whilst body horror is the most prominent of these, we also get to experience cosmic horror, psychological horror, ghostly horror & apocalyptic horror, amongst many others. If you are a fan of horror and have your own preferences as to how you like your scares, I guarantee that you will find it in here.
As previously mentioned, this is also my first manga experience. I know some people say it can be hard to adjust to, such as reading right to left, but I found I acclimatized very quickly and found it easy to read & understand. I am not someone who has read a lot of Western comics or graphic novels either, so reading anything like this is pretty much completely new to me. I am not used to having my stories be accompanied by incredible artwork, lets put it that way. And the artwork in Uzumaki is amazing! There are so many hidden details, hidden spirals, ridiculously well drawn full page spreads of some of the most vile, gruesome, and incredible looking body horror images I’ve ever seen! I won’t say what I saw as I think part of this books appeal is the unknown, and not knowing how the spiral will affect certain characters and watching that play out adds to the enjoyment. But pretty much all the “creature” designs are phenomenal, the people themselves are at times unsettling (even just simple things like someone smiling can be creepy), and the way that the book hides its most important reveals behind a page turn leaves you with the knowledge that something is going to happen, you just don’t know what.
In short, Uzumaki is deserving of its accolades. Although it took the main cast some time to come out of their shells a bit, every other element of this manga was done so brilliantly I can look past its few faults. With incredible artwork, genuinely frightening moments and scenes and events that will stick with me forever (and I know for a fact it will inspire my own writing), I urge all fans of horror or dark manga to give this a go. I will definitely be checking out more Junji Ito and other mangas in the future!
About chilcottharry
Born and raised somewhere in the South West of England by a pack of goblins, Harry learnt hunting & tracking skills unrivalled by any other human. He also likes to make things up about himself and is a little bit silly. Some of his favourite authors include Joe Abecrombie, John Gwynne, Robin Hobb, Pierce Brown, Evan Winter, Anna Stephens and Stephen King. Epic fantasy is his go to, although Harry is open to reading just about anything. He is not a fan of edgelord main characters and subversions of tropes for the sake of it.
Uzumaki Pocket Curse Blind Box Figure
From the popular manga series, Uzumaki comes a set of PVC figurines that feature 8 characters—Kirie Goshima, Mr. Saito, Umbilical Cord, Azami Kurotani, The Snails (2 Versions), Father in a tub, The Black Lighthouse—from the iconic horror tale. Collect all 8 variants, with a chance for a rare "cursed" version that glows in the dark!
Ito's ability to captivate and unsettle readers with his unique storytelling makes him one of the leading figures in the horror manga genre. The tales often revolve around ordinary people who unknowingly stumble upon supernatural forces and become trapped in a nightmarish reality. One of the most popular stories in the series is "The Enigma of Amigara Fault.
Product Details
Product Name Uzumaki Pocket Curse Blind Box Figure Series Uzumaki Manufacturer GOOD SMILE CONNECT Category Collectible/Trading
- Please note that images shown may differ from the final product.
" It follows the discovery of mysterious holes resembling human silhouettes along a mountain. As people become inexplicably drawn towards their corresponding holes, they lose their sanity and become obsessed with entering those spaces. The narrative explores themes of obsession, identity, and the unknown, leaving readers with a sense of lingering dread. Another notable story is "Tomio: Red Turtleneck," where a woman's husband suddenly transforms into an uncanny doppelganger. As the doppelganger invades their lives, the woman becomes increasingly horrified by the changes in her spouse, leading to a horrifying climax that leaves readers questioning the nature of identity and reality. Junji Ito's Pocket Curse is celebrated for its ability to create fear through its visceral and atmospheric artwork. The artist's detailed illustrations and innovative panel layouts effectively convey the dread and horror of each story. The dark and grotesque imagery used by Ito reflects his keen understanding of the psychological aspects of horror. Overall, the Junji Ito Pocket Curse is a testament to the power of horror storytelling. Through its unsettling narratives and unnerving visual style, the series has garnered a dedicated fanbase both in Japan and internationally. Ito's ability to invoke fear and unease in readers has solidified his position as a master of the horror genre, and the Pocket Curse continues to captivate and terrify audiences worldwide..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Junji Ito's Pocket Curse"
1. Ethan Johnson - 2 stars - As a fan of Junji Ito's previous works, I was highly disappointed with "Junji Ito Pocket Curse." The story lacked the depth and suspense that Ito is known for, and instead felt rushed and predictable. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and I had no emotional connection with any of them. The artwork, although beautifully done, couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, "Junji Ito Pocket Curse" felt like a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to other fans of Ito's work.
2. Sarah Thompson - 3 stars - While "Junji Ito Pocket Curse" had its moments of creepiness, the overall plot was underwhelming. The story started off strong, but quickly became repetitive and started to lose its impact. I found myself getting bored as I read on, wishing for more originality and depth. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me with more questions than answers. I was hoping for a more engaging and memorable experience, but unfortunately, this manga fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael Adams - 2 stars - "Junji Ito Pocket Curse" was a disappointing read for me. The concept had potential, but the execution was lacking. The story felt repetitive, with the same kind of supernatural occurrences happening over and over again. I was hoping for more variety and a deeper exploration of the curse, but it felt like a missed opportunity. The artwork was impressive, as expected from Ito, but it couldn't save the weak plot. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this manga to others looking for a captivating horror read.
4. Emily Rogers - 3 stars - As a fan of Junji Ito's unique and disturbing art style, I was excited to delve into "Junji Ito Pocket Curse." However, I found the storyline to be lackluster and predictable. The scares and twists weren't as impactful as I expected, and I felt like I was merely going through the motions while reading. While the artwork was visually stunning, it couldn't compensate for the weak plot. Ito is known for his ability to create a sense of unease and dread, but unfortunately, "Junji Ito Pocket Curse" lacked that atmosphere. Overall, it was a disappointing read that didn't live up to my expectations.