Running Time: 23 Minutes
Starring: Uki Satake, Shin-ichiro Miki, Mariya Ise, Toshio Furukawa, Mika Doi, Takashi Matsuyama, Katsutoshi Matsuzaki
Originally released in magazine format from 1998 to 1999, Uzumaki (which translates to Spiral) is one of the most notable works from horror master Junji Ito. What makes the Japanese mangaka's work so distinctive are the jaw-dropping visuals, perfectly working alongside his stories that understand phobias, existential anxieties, and terrors of the unknown. That strength is also a hurdle with adaptations, which struggle to replicate the heart-stopping horrors that feel born from a terrifying imagination.
With Uzumaki, co-producers Adult Swim and Production I.G may have cracked the code. This adaptation was first announced in 2019 and, after multiple delays, it appears that taking their time was the necessary piece of the puzzle. Directed by anime veteran Hiroshi Nagahama, the story is brought alive in a black-and-white look that feels ripped from Ito's pages. Within the sleepy town of Kurouzu-cho, born and raised resident Kirie Goshima (Uki Satake) introduces viewers via narration to the strange stories that happened within this small town.
At the train station, Kirie meets her boyfriend, Shuichie Saito (Shin-ichiro Miki), who despairs at returning to Kurouzu-cho due to how suffocating he finds it. What initially seems like teenage angst is shown to be a reasonable issue, as the psychological and physical strain of this town are unforgettably realized. Whether it is the stream of whirlpools, the siren that goes around in people's heads, or a man's worsening obsession, spirals have contaminated the town.
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| Based on the original graphic novel “UZUMAKI” by Junji ITO published by Shogakukan Inc. (c) Junji ITO, Shogakukan / Production I.G., LLC |
Due to this adaptation being four-episodes long, this series changes gears in how it approaches the town's terrors. Much like how Buffy The Vampire Slayer used a "monster of the week" format to show the horrors lurking in Sunnydale, the source material used that gradual terror to reveal a nasty edge to this deceivingly ordinary town. This series compresses individual stories to make them feel more interconnected while still capturing an unfolding tapestry of terror. Admittedly, there are times when it can feel rushed, and perhaps a longer runtime would have been beneficial, but these moments pass when the horrors are so nightmarishly depicted.
Whether it is the sight of smoke in the sky, or the iconic image of a head being consumed by a spiral, it is unsettling to see Ito's images in motion. Aiding these scenes is the sound design, with the biggest asset being Colin Stetson's unnerving score. His exceptional work was a big contribution to 2018's Hereditary, and it effectively adds a chilling edge to this tale as it draws viewers into the terror.
Central to it all is the spiral, a simple design which is given horrifying layers in this story. Whether it is hidden within the town, or front-and-center, the spiral is brought alive in foreboding and unsettling ways. Yet, despite all of the horrors unleashed within this first episode, what remains most frightening is the sense that this is only the calm before the storm.
On the basis of its first episode, Uzumaki may be the adaptation that Junji Ito fans have been waiting for. Adult Swim have captured the spirit of what worked in the source material, while also realizing the dread-inducing visuals in magnificent ways. Regardless of how much of Ito's horrors you have experienced, this is a phenomenal realization of both body horror and psychological terror ready to unsettle all who watch it. Let us just hope that the remaining three episodes do not spiral out of control.
Uzumaki premieres Saturday 28th September at 12:30am on Adult Swim. It is available on Max the following day.
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