The third episode of Uzumaki, which premiered on Sunday, October 13, 2024, continues to delve into the unsettling spiral curse that plagues Kurouzu’s residents, leading to disturbing metamorphoses. Intriguingly, a majority of the townsfolk appear apathetic towards these disturbing transformations. Viewers expressed relief as this episode marked a notable enhancement in visual quality, narrative content, and overall storytelling compared to its predecessor.
Previously, audiences witnessed alarming occurrences, including Kirie’s classmates morphing into snails, her hair becoming animated, individuals spiraling in circle, and an ancient lighthouse with a spiral lens awakening. Tragically, several characters met their demise in these events.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
Uzumaki Episode 3 Review: Kirie’s Hospital Experience Grows More Bizarre and Sinister
Uzumaki Episode 3 Review: Visuals Show Improvement
The second episode of Uzumaki faced harsh criticism for its disappointing animation, likened to amateur or fan-made efforts. However, episode 3 exhibits some enhancements, though it still does not match the exceptional visual quality showcased in the debut episode, which effectively embodied Junji Ito’s distinctive style.
Yet, inconsistencies in animation remain evident; notably, during a storm scene where each frame seems to adopt a different artistic approach. This inconsistency can detract from the overall immersive experience. Additionally, the framing of particular scenes feels peculiar.
Despite these flaws, the episode manages to cultivate an atmosphere of horror, presenting genuinely eerie moments, particularly with the storyline surrounding malaria at Kurouzu Hospital, which is both strange and disconcerting.
Uzumaki Episode 3 Review: Pacing Issues Persist
While Uzumaki episode 3 features a longer duration compared to earlier installments, it still grapples with ineffective storytelling, constantly shifting between various narratives. This has drawn criticism from viewers since the outset.
The frequent transitions among different plotlines hinder the gradual escalation of horror, leading to distractions for the audience. Consequently, the series often feels less like a cohesive horror narrative and more like a compilation of disjointed horror episodes. The deeper existential themes present in Junji Ito’s original works do not come through effectively in this episode, which keeps the focus mainly on body horror.
Uzumaki Episode 3 Review: Emotional Disconnect from the Protagonist
The narrative explored in this episode possesses a solid foundation. The anime adeptly intertwines the storyline of Shuichi’s mother with Kirie’s concurrent hospital stay.
Nonetheless, minor tweaks in dialogue and character expressions could have significantly enhanced the narrative. For instance, despite Shuichi grieving the loss of his mother, Kirie, who is hospitalized alongside him, does not express any sympathy or acknowledgment of his situation. Her reaction appears to be either obliviousness or emotional detachment.
This lack of exchange represents a missed chance to strengthen the emotional depth of the story. Additionally, certain elements could have been omitted for a more cohesive narrative flow; for example, Mitsuru’s appearance feels oddly placed, leaning towards the comical rather than creating suspense.
Final Thoughts
As Uzumaki episode 3 unfolds, viewers might wonder if they should turn to Junji Ito’s manga instead. The narrative becomes convoluted, with unclear transitions between plots. Meanwhile, the visuals, which originally promised to be a significant strength of the series, fail to meet expectations and exhibit inconsistency at critical moments. Nevertheless, episode 3 does show some advancements when compared to episode 2.
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