New anime takes on manga like aesthetic
The Story Behind Uzumaki
Uzumaki, meaning “spiral” in Japanese, follows the inhabitants of the small, fictional town of Kurouzu-cho as they become obsessed with spirals. The plot centers on high school student Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend Shuichi Saito as they witness the horrifying effects this spiral curse has on their town. The spirals manifest in strange and grotesque ways, contorting the bodies and minds of Kurouzu-cho’s residents, leading to their inevitable, horrifying demise.
What sets Uzumaki apart from other horror narratives is its unrelenting sense of dread. Rather than following a traditional plotline with a clear antagonist, the town’s curse itself becomes the enemy—an incomprehensible, cosmic force that warps reality. As the spiral curse spreads, the town and its people spiral into madness and despair, reflecting the deeply unsettling tone that Junji Ito masterfully conveys through his artwork.
The Manga’s Legacy
Junji Ito’s Uzumaki remains one of the most iconic horror manga of all time. The detailed, intricate illustrations of grotesque transformations and surreal body horror have cemented its status as a must-read for horror enthusiasts. Ito’s distinctive art style is a key element of the manga’s appeal—his ability to depict extreme terror, body disfiguration, and otherworldly phenomena with such precision elevates the reader’s experience.
Aside from its terrifying visuals, Uzumaki explores deeper themes such as obsession, fear of the unknown, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The spiral symbol itself becomes a metaphor for the inescapability of fate and the destructive potential of fixation, turning what could be a simple horror story into a complex meditation on human nature.
Mixed Media Magazine 