Uzumaki Episode 2 Review: Animation Quality Declines Significantly in Just One Episode

The much-anticipated second episode of Uzumaki, which aired on Sunday, October 6, 2024, has left fans disappointed, especially those initially eager for a faithful adaptation of Junji Ito’s iconic manga. While the series started strong with stunning visuals, the latest installment has faced significant backlash due to its erratic storytelling and lack of emotional resonance, alongside a failure to capitalize on its initial visual appeal.

In the premiere episode, audiences were introduced to the eerie town of Kurouzu, afflicted by mysterious spiral phenomena. The main character, Kirie, is pulled into this bizarre world through her boyfriend, Shuichi. As the plot unfolds, the peculiar occurrences intensify, leading to tragic fatalities. The new episode delves deeper into the curse that plagues the town’s residents.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead.

Uzumaki Episode 2 Review: A Letdown in Animation Quality

Visuals Fall Short of Junji Ito’s Mastery

The young couple in Uzumaki episode 2 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

In Uzumaki episode 2, the animation quality noticeably diminishes compared to the series opener. There are striking shifts in style as well; for example, character facial details are sparse, with the intricate hatchings typical of Junji Ito’s style either poorly executed or absent. The animation movements also appear rigid, giving an impression akin to a fan-made project. To compound the issue, certain scenes are marred by strange glowing effects and vignetting.

One of the worst-executed sequences features the young couple at the beach, where their embrace leads them to become inextricably intertwined. This segment comes off as a surreal experience largely due to the unsatisfactory animation quality.

This decline in animation quality may stem from the fact that episode 2 was created by Akatsuki under the direction of Yuji Moriyama, differing from the first episode, which was produced by Drive and directed by Hiroshi Nagahama. Such a shift in production teams and leadership likely led to the variation in animation style and quality.

Ongoing Pacing Issues

Katayama transformed into a snail in Uzumaki episode 2 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

Episode 2 of Uzumaki continues to juggle multiple storylines without fully resolving those introduced in the first episode, including the arc surrounding Shuichi’s mother. This episode adds even more narratives, such as the Medusa, Jack-in-the-Box, and Lighthouse arcs, all overlapping at once.

This chaotic approach imparts a disjointed and unfocused feel to the episode. Some arcs like Jack-in-the-Box appear superfluous and could have easily been excluded, as they fail to enrich the main storyline and lean on cheap thrills instead.

Enhancing the story with original anime elements would have allowed Kirie’s simultaneous awareness and confrontation with all spiral-related terrors, fostering a more unified and engaging viewer experience.

Noteworthy moments arise, like when Kirie’s hair spirals long and curls, as she visits Katayama, who has morphed into a snail. These events are scattered throughout the manga, yet are combined in the anime. Unfortunately, the inadequate portrayal of Kirie’s dread and the overwhelming nature of her experiences reduces the impact of such scenes.

Conclusion

Shuichi featured in Uzumaki episode 2 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

While Uzumaki episode 2 displays some storytelling improvements over its predecessor, it retains a number of flaws that initially affected the first episode, albeit to a lesser degree. Given the extended production timeline, expectations for greater quality were understandably high.

With half of the series already airing, there remains substantial narrative to explore, including less prominent arcs. The disappointing drop in animation quality and the fragmented narrative structure have considerably dampened fans’ hopes.

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