Junji Ito 101 - Animes & Thoughts

So, you're interested in his anime adaptions, huh? Well look no further. Let me tell you each of his anime adaptions, recent to oldest (and, my personal thoughts as well as controversies). This will take a deep dive into the question - Why do Ito anime adaptions always go wrong?

When it comes to Ito adaptions, you may think that there are only "Junji Ito Collection" and "Japanese Tales Of The Macabre", but you'd be wrong! There are in fact two more, and one upcoming. The first, and quite the most popular with little to no backlash - Junji Ito Collection.

Junji Ito Collection is most likely Ito's most popular anime with the best reviews, and arguably the best visuals (if you're competing with all of Ito's other weak adaptions. It came out in 2018 with 12 episodes totalling, all hand-picked stories from the man himself, choosing his popular characters such as Tomie, Soichi, and Fuchi (our short story queens ((and king)) that are both in long collections of their own ((except for Fuchi)), as well as appearing in other short story collections with other characters) and other characters to shine in his first short story collection anime. You can watch the first episode here, which I believe also comes with the whole playlist of episodes. Yes - its free completely on Youtube! So, no needing to buy a Crunchyroll subscription with this.

Now, when it comes to the "controversy", there isn't much, only that most of its visuals does not completely capture the essence of his work. This is a... Sad pattern for all of his adaptions. Of course, personally, when I was watching this (and every other adaption), I just enjoyed the story telling, and never minded the weak visuals because I'm not very picky when it comes to those things. While it takes others to immediately notice this, it took me until somebody pointed it out for me to actually see it. It sucks knowing it, but thats the truth. 

Though, out of all his adaptions, thats the one I recommend the most. A - because it has the most Soichi episodes, B - it deep dives into Tomie a little bit more than Tales Of The Macabre (which, its fine to keep her as a mysterious character in THAT adaption, but people like me usually need context), and C - a genuinely fun watch.

Now, the one I mentioned before. Japanese Tales Of The Macabre. But, of course, I'll just shorten it to Macabre (as I don't want to type it out every single time).


The Macabre is an odd enigma of its own. It has charm, at least some visuals, and some type of flair. But episode wise? It doesn't have many good ones, at least personally to me. Collection was stellar - it had great stories, each more interesting than the last, but Macabre is.. Eh. It came out in 2023 (and genuinely my first time being exposed to his work, without even knowing it was made by him) with 12 episodes, the most popular of the whole series being "Hanging Balloons" (but, in actuality, is called "Hanging Blimp"). Why? Well, I really don't know. Lol. I understand from first watch that someone would enjoy that episode, after all, my first watch that was my favorite episode (apart from Tombs). But, it's ironic how they tried to revive the adaptions, but practically made something even worse in comparison to the thing they were trying to beat! It makes me laugh.

Other than that,  I think that even if its not as great as Collection, Macabre has its good points. Personally, my top favorite are (and from I can remember off the top of my head) Hikizuri Siblings, The Bully, Hanging Blimp, Tombs, Photo, and both Soichi episodes (because i'm just like that. Have you seen my profile? He's literally the first thing you see). You can find short clips of Macabre here, which isnt the episodes I know but because its on Netflix its not on Youtube. Though, if you do deep digging online, you'll eventually find the pirated version.

Next, and DEFINITELY the most controversial (and definitely the worst)... Uzumaki. My gosh, I can't describe it in words. But like.. Definitely not in a good way. The anie scares me, but in a "i want to click off" scary way. Like when you see something cringey.

I've gotta say that the first episode? MUAH. MASTERPIECE. It brings me lots of joy. Plus, It's my favorite chapter animated (yes I'm a basic bitch who likes The Scar don't judge me okay), well apart from the Snail one. But, I would be jumping for joy if it not has been completely BOTCHED. I feel betrayed, hurt, distraught, all the negative words. It could have been an amazing thing, the redeeming factor!! After all, everybody practically begged and pleeded to make his new adaption black and white. And first episode? Adult Swim delivered. But it wasn't until we got to episode two, when we realised... Junji Ito adaptions are officially doomed. Because they had to cut the budget due to running out of time, they switched production teams, which made the budget $3 an episode. Don't believe me? Search up everything online. ALL the controversies. It's honestly sad to see one of my favorite mangas go to waste.

We were given an option. Either wait another year, or let it come out quicker. The fans all chose wrong. The fans were clouded by the thoughts that it hasn't come out when it was intended to (i believe about 10 years ago), and they kept delaying it, so they'd take whatever. But that quickly turned black, because we were given.... this. But, because I always link where to find it, you cant find it on Youtube but there's the trailer. It's on Adult Swin still... I think. I don't use it, but you can find it there.

Edit Bog Entry

 Now, what if I told you that there was an adaption, lost in time? If you'd say no, then you'd be incorrect, because in fact there is. And one that quite completely towers right over Uzumaki... The Gyo anime adaption.

Released in 2012, it gained traction, but just for a moment, before everybody completely forgot about it. It's beautifully animated, and it looks amazing with color (which, some people complained about how it should have been in black and white. But honestly? It looks perfect). You may be wondering, how could anybody forget something like that? After all, all of the people's complaints were that his adaptions are never smooth! Well, my theory is so stupid, but true. It's not "aesthetically pleasing". Let me elaborate.

What do all the stories have in common? Everything is pretty, even the Hanging Blimp story. The characters are beautiful, and people always put their love for something pleasing to the eyes more than the actual story, which is strange considering this is Ito's work. And especially, because each of those things are already popular. Yes, its a popularity train. When one thing is pretty and popular, the people follow. EssSSPECIALLY if its Tomie. Maybe I'm stretching too far, but it makes sense. Have you heard ANYBODY talk about Gyo? Like, ever? Well sorry.. You're probably new. As a fan for a while, I can say that I hear NOTHING about Gyo. And, its honestly sad.

Now, you're probably curious on where to watch it. and I will say that you can find it on sketchy websites since its so old and practically lost media at this point (if it wasnt for thr trailers), but because I don't want to link anything like that, I will link this! Thats the most thrilling trailer for the adaption.

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Finally were done!! But, before I conclude this blog, I will tell you that a new anime adaption is coming out - Junji Ito Crimson! There is no official trailer yet, but there is an intro theme which is pretty catchy. And I will mention this.. I believe half of that video was made by AI, which sucks to the max but because it is not a theme that I am covering in this blog I won't be talking about it. Sorry. But enjoy the music, THAT wasn't made by AI lol.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, and thank you for taking your time to read this!!

-rileyann