Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre is a series that, in principle, arrives with the force that it is clearly a series “for adults”: A family contemplates a burning body. If you are expecting the usual animated psychedelic series, you won´t find it here where the macabre smiles of its characters look our way before the psychedelic credits.
A twisted collection of sinister portrayals.
Whether it is up to Ito standards is another thing: lots of people have complained, with some reason, that the series settles for being a (fruitless) attempt to portray the cosmos of the artista. It wants to do so, but does not manage to describe it in all its complexity and with all the twistedness of the characters.
At any rate, let the fans be the judges, animation fans that will have a lot to say about it (we are sure); and manga fans, insofar as the theme, will have more to say about the story and the drawings.
So, you know, few people will settle for this, but we have found in it one of those series that, if you approach it with no pre-established opinions, is “enjoyable” on its own, with stories that have very rich elements, characters and plots each more sinister than the previous one, and above all, very diverse in its plots, under the common halo of the subject which enables it to bring to each episode its particular “echo”.
Whether it is up to the level of modern horror, by Junji Ito, who is always great, is another thing.
Release Date
January 19, 2023
Where to Watch Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre
About Junji Ito
Junji Ito is a legendary Japanese horror manga artist beloved by fans around the world. He is known for his horror stories, featuring surreal and often unsettling imagery, which have been adapted into anime and live-action films. His most popular works include “Uzumaki”, “Tomie”, and “Gyo”. Read More
Episode List
The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
A photographer with an interest in spirits and ghosts pays a visit to the very strange and creepy home where the six Hikizuri siblings live.
The Story of the Mysterious Tunnel / Ice Cream Bus
Goro returns to the tunnel he saw his mother once walk into. An ice cream truck arrives in the neighborhood, driven by a bewitching young man.
Hanging Balloons
After a popular idol dies by what appears to be suicide, there are multiple sightings of her giant, grotesque head floating in the sky.
Four x Four Walls / The Sandman’s Lair
Koichi can’t study because his younger brother Soichi is constantly making noise. Tormented by his dreams, Yuji asks his friend Mari to keep him awake.
Intruder / Long Hair in the Attic
Oshikiri has been hearing strange footsteps in the house he lives in alone. Chiemi wakes up to find a rat stuck in her long, black hair.
Mold / Library Vision
A year after renting his house to Mr. Rogi, Akasaka finds mold growing everywhere. Koko’s husband Goro is obsessed with maintaining his library.
Tomb Town
After hitting a girl with his car, Tsuyoshi and his sister Kaoru find that the road they’re driving on is blocked by countless tombstones.
Layers of Terror / The Thing that Drifted Ashore
When an accident causes her to lose half her face, Reimi discovers that her younger selves still exist inside her. An eerie sea creature drifts ashore.
Tomie・Photo
A menacing transfer student named Tomie isn’t happy that a girl named Tsukiko has been taking and selling pictures of popular boys in their school.
Unendurable Labyrinth / The Bully
Two friends get lost in the mountains and come across a community of ascetic monks. Kuriko ends up bullying a younger boy she’s been playing with.
Alley / Headless Statue
A young man moves into a boarding house next to an enclosed alley. An art teacher known for his headless sculptures is found murdered — with no head.
Whispering Woman / Soichi’s Beloved Pet
A mysterious woman calmly takes on the job of helping a hysterical girl unable to make any decisions on her own. Soichi’s family adopts a pet cat.
Visitor Rating: 3 Stars
Visitor Rating: 3 Stars