Manga review: Uzumaki

'Uzumaki' by Junji Ito

3 volumes, 19 chapters 

1998-1999

The first manga I read, and a pretty disturbing and ultimately unforgettable experience for more than just that reason alone. The story is more or less conceptual in its entirety and lacking any real characters or depth, but this isn't a manga that hinges on likability or long-winded story arcs. All packed into a couple hundred pages (and easily found in a single collected book-form), Junji Ito is excellent at making you terrified to turn the page but incapable of resisting finding out what horrible thing will happen next. The artwork is just the right level of detailed, with a majority of the emphasis placed on the full-page spreads and the individual shocking moments that have since become legendary within horror manga. This isn't the most amazing looking thing I've read, but it holds up due to the surreal and insanely inventive illustrations and ideas. 

Highly entertaining for horror fans, but probably a little too weird to appeal to everyone. But I would still recommend it as a great gateway into manga. It worked for me, at least. 

★★★☆☆