The premiere of Uzumaki Episode 1 on Sunday, September 29, 2024, has captivated fans with its exceptional adaptation of Junji Ito’s renowned horror manga. This accomplishment is remarkable, given that prior adaptations of Ito’s work often struggled to capture his distinct horror aesthetic. Many fans agree that there is something ineffable about Ito’s stories, making them challenging to depict on screen.
Notably, the film adaptation of Uzumaki, released in 2000, garnered a cult following; however, its stylistic and tonal approach diverged significantly from the manga.
Fans’ enthusiasm for Uzumaki Episode 1 is well-founded, especially considering the immense effort invested during its extended production timeline. Announced in 2019 and facing numerous delays, this highly anticipated series finally debuted after five years. While some fans express disappointment over the series being only four episodes long, the exceptional production quality has left audiences eagerly awaiting the subsequent episodes.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
Uzumaki Episode 1 Review: The Best Junji Ito Adaptation Is Here
Uzumaki Episode 1 Review: Visuals That Draw You In
From the outset, Uzumaki Episode 1 introduces the spiral motif in various forms, including spiral-shaped weeds, swirling clouds, whirlpools, and whirlwinds. The anime’s choice to be produced entirely in black and white mirrors the original manga’s style, with dark shadows and intense black swathes, resulting in a visually compelling experience.
Nevertheless, there are moments that do not quite succeed in evoking horror effectively. For instance, the scene where Shuichi’s father extends his long tongue into a spiral feels overly dramatic and ultimately comes off as lacking the intended horror.
Conversely, the visuals that authentically encapsulate Junji Ito’s signature horror are those that exhibit restraint. For example, revealing Shuichi’s father’s body coiled into a spiral in a tub is genuinely disturbing. Other potent scenes include Shuichi’s mother severing her fingertips with scissors and Azami’s eyeball being absorbed into the spiraling formation on her forehead.
Moreover, tranquil visuals, like the still view of the town followed by the spiral smoke from Shuichi’s father’s cremation curling over Dragonfly Pond and momentarily resembling his face, stand out as particularly effective. These subtle and serene images exemplify the anime’s strength, successfully capturing the essence of Ito’s horror.
Uzumaki Episode 1 Review: Storytelling Spirals Into Chaos
The primary concern with Uzumaki Episode 1 lies within its plot presentation and pacing. The anime intentionally does not adhere strictly to the manga’s narrative, which should be viewed as a standalone creation. However, much of the critical worldbuilding from the manga, which emphasizes the spirals’ ominous presence in Kurouzu, is either overlooked or postponed.
The episode frontloads famous scenes such as Shuichi’s father rotating his eyes independently just three minutes in, a climactic moment that takes roughly thirty pages to unfold in the manga. This hurried pacing diminishes the impact that the source material has on its audience.
Additionally, the episode’s chaotic nature arises from its attempt to merge several manga segments within the same timeline. Consequently, only the narratives of Shuichi’s father and Azami conclude in this first episode, while stories involving Kirie’s father, Shuichi’s mother, and Katayama remain unresolved. These abrupt transitions between storylines lead to a jumbled narrative, though the goal of showcasing simultaneous bizarre events is appreciated.
A crucial aspect of Junji Ito’s Uzumaki is the gradual transformation of the mundane into increasingly nightmarish scenarios, culminating in a cosmic revelation. This slow build is essential for the existential horror to resonate, but the episode’s rapid pace forces viewers into the horror too quickly, sacrificing the necessary moments of dread. Regardless of this drawback, the episode is peppered with many commendable elements. It is hoped that the subsequent episodes, slated to run over forty minutes, will rectify these pacing issues.
Uzumaki Episode 1 Review: An Uncanny Soundtrack
The music score of Uzumaki Episode 1 is undeniably one of its highlights. Following the opening scene, which features grass blades curling into spiral shapes, the composition by Colin Stetson begins subtle and disjointed, eventually merging into a hypnotic rhythm that embodies the spiral theme, beautifully complementing the title card that showcases a white spiral against a black background.
The episode creatively utilizes repetitive rhythmic scores; for instance, when the spiral on Azami’s forehead appears, the music intensifies, enhancing the tension. Similarly, the score amplifies the fear experienced by Shuichi’s mother during her hospital admission, stemming from her spiral phobia.
The voice acting merits special commendation as well. The portrayal of Shuichi’s father’s descent into madness is powerfully conveyed, along with the raw desperation and horror audible in Shuichi’s mother’s voice when she perceives her husband’s face forming within the smoke. While not many dramatic scenes have appeared for the other voice actors yet, they have performed admirably.
Final Thoughts
Uzumaki Episode 1 heralds a promising adaptation of Junji Ito’s iconic work, showcasing many memorable scenes from the manga. Looking forward, the forthcoming episodes are expected to delve into increasingly fragmented narratives that will explore the various expressions of the spiral and the varied human responses to its menacing influence. With such a strong start, the anime is poised to honor the legacy of the manga and set the stage for potential future adaptations of Junji Ito’s oeuvre.
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