Uzumaki Episode 2: Comparing the Anime Adaptation with the Manga Series

On October 6, 2024, the highly anticipated second episode of Uzumaki was unveiled, prompting fans to voice their concerns about the anime’s pacing. Unlike the first episode, where the pacing issues were more subtle, the second installment further exacerbated this problem by condensing five chapters into one episode, leaving out key elements.

Nevertheless, this episode did present a more coherent narrative, with interconnected panels that were retained. Although the animation initially appeared satisfactory, it fell short of the meticulous detail found in the original manga. A positive takeaway is that the panels omitted might reappear in subsequent episodes.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Analyzing Uzumaki Episode 2 Against Its Manga Chapters

The Uneven Story of Kazunori and Yoriko

Kazunori and Yoriko from the anime (Image via Adult Swim)

In this episode, the adaptation of chapter five, titled “Twisted Souls,”centers on Kazunori and Yoriko, two high school sweethearts kept apart by their feuding families. While Kazunori describes their parents as ‘twisted,’ the episode fails to clarify this terminology. The original manga explains that both families constantly criticized one another, leading to a toxic environment, although the anime maintains a comprehensible narrative despite this lack of exposition.

A significant feature of this installment was its horror sequences, particularly the moment where Kazunori and Yoriko are entwined with each other. Unfortunately, the visual representation of these horror elements lacked the intricate detail found in the original manga, resulting in a somewhat mediocre experience.

Exploring Medusa and Jack-in-the-box

Kirie depicted in the anime (Image via Adult Swim)

The adaptation for chapters six and seven also presented some issues. The sixth chapter, titled “Medusa,”illustrates Kirie’s growing connection to the spiral curse as her hair starts to spiral. While the animation was heavily reliant on CGI, it struggled to convey the horror present in the manga’s illustrations.

Chapter seven, which is titled “Jack-in-the-Box,”follows Mitsuru Yamaguchi, who proclaims his love for Kirie. This segment was compressed into mere minutes, focusing on the moment the clown gift opened post-Mitsuru’s death. In the manga, after his passing, Kirie encounters the gift, serving as a poignant reminder of Mitsuru’s love for her, which the anime adaptation did not fully capture.

Uzumaki Episode 2: The Snail and The Black Lighthouse

Katayama from the anime (Image via Adult Swim)

Chapter eight, “The Snail,”was previously teased in the first episode and features one of the more artistically successful sequences in Uzumaki episode 2, depicting Katayama’s transformation into a snail—a standout moment in this adaptation of Junji Ito’s stories.

Similarly, chapter nine, “The Black Lighthouse,”showcased decent animation but lacked sufficient development of the lighthouse lore. The visual representation of spirals as Kirie ascended the staircase appeared haphazard and detracted from the overall scene’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

While Uzumaki episode 2 delivered a whirlwind of emotions, it largely fell short in execution. Fans anticipated improvements with this installment, yet the series seems to be on a downward trajectory. This serves as a poignant reminder of the challenge in translating Junji Ito’s written horror into animated form.

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