Uzumaki episode 1 review: Adaptation of Junji Ito's magnum opus done with respect

Uzumaki episode 1, which premiered on Sunday, September 29, 2024, has truly mesmerized fans with its near-perfect adaptation of Junji Ito's horror manga. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because previous attempts to adapt Ito's works have often fallen short. It was the consensus that there is something untranslatable about his horror stories, which is why they are difficult to capture on screen.

This is despite the fact that the film adaptation of Uzumaki, which was released in 2000, managed to garner a niche following as well, although its style and tone are quite different.

The audience's appreciation for Uzumaki episode 1 is understandable, given the effort put into it during the lengthy production process. The project was first announced in 2019 and faced numerous delays, finally making its debut after five years. Although some fans are disappointed that the series is only four episodes long, the high-quality production has left everyone eagerly looking forward to the remaining episodes.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Uzumaki episode 1 review: The best Junji Ito adaptation is here

Uzumaki episode 1 review: Visuals that draw you in

Shuichi's father's spinning eyes as seen in Uzumaki episode 1 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

Right off the bat, in Uzumaki episode 1, the spiral motif manifests in various forms, such as the spiral-shaped weeds, swirling clouds, whirlpools, whirlwinds, and the potter’s wheel. The anime is produced entirely in black and white, which matches the style of the original manga with its dark shadows, hatches, and intense black swathes. This makes it both visually striking and engaging to watch.

However, there are moments that fall short of capturing the horror. For example, when Shuichi’s father sticks out his long tongue, which rolls into a spiral, the scene feels too forced and eager to evoke horror and ultimately fails to do so.

Smoke over Dragonfly Pond as seen in Uzumaki episode 1 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

On the other hand, the visuals that truly encapsulate Junji Ito’s unique brand of horror are those that do not try to be overly dramatic. For instance, the revelation of Shuichi’s father’s body, twisted into a spiral inside a tub, is genuinely unsettling. Other instances include Shuichi’s mother slicing off her fingertips with scissors and Azami’s eyeball getting sucked into the growing spiral on her forehead.

Similarly, the more tranquil scenes, like the static view of the town followed by the spiral smoke from Shuichi’s father’s cremation rising from the chimney and descending into Dragonfly Pond, briefly taking the shape Shuichi’s father’s face, are particularly effective. These subtle and serene visuals are where the anime shines, capturing the essence of Junji Ito’s horror without trying too hard.

Uzumaki episode 1 review: Storytelling spirals into chaos

Azami as seen in Uzumaki episode 1 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

The main problem with Uzumaki episode 1 lies in the presentation of the plot and pacing. The anime consciously chooses not to follow the manga religiously, and it should be appreciated as a standalone work. However, much of the initial worldbuilding from the manga, which establishes the oppressive presence of spirals in Kurouzu, is either omitted or presented later.

Instead, the episode jumps straight into the iconic scene of Shuichi’s father rotating his eyes independently at around the three-minute mark, a moment that takes about thirty pages to reach in the manga. This rush diminishes the impact that the manga had on its readers.

Moreover, the episode becomes chaotic as it attempts to merge different manga episodes within the same timeframe. As a result, only Shuichi’s father’s and Azami’s stories come to an end in the first episode, while the stories of Kirie's father, Shuichi’s mother, and Katayama remain to be concluded. The random transitions between these storylines make the narrative messy, although the intention to show simultaneous bizarre events is understandable.

One of the key elements of Junji Ito’s Uzumaki is the slow transformation of the ordinary into something increasingly horrific, building up to a cosmic event. This slow burn is essential for the existential horror to take hold, but the episode's fast pace pushes viewers into the horror too quickly, without the necessary breathing space.

Despite this flaw, the episode has many positive aspects. Hopefully, the upcoming episodes, which are expected to be over 40 minutes long, will address this issue.

Uzumaki episode 1 review: An uncanny soundtrack

Shuichi and his mother as seen in Uzumaki episode 1 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

One of the standout features of Uzumaki episode 1 is undoubtedly its score. Right after the opening scene, which focuses on blades of grass twisted into spiral shapes, Colin Stetson's music begins. Initially, the score is low, hushed, and somewhat disjointed, but then the beat drops, and all the elements fall into place.

This creates a hypnotic rhythm that embodies the spiral theme, perfectly complementing the title card displayed in black with a white spiral in the background.

The episode also makes subtle use of rhythmic scores that repeat patterns. For instance, when the spiral on Azami's forehead is revealed, the music intensifies, adding to the tension. Similarly, the score heightens the fear experienced by Shuichi's mother as she is admitted to the hospital, having developed a phobia of spirals.

The voice acting in the anime also deserves special mention. The portrayal of Shuichi's father's madness is particularly well done, as is the desperation and horror in Shuichi's mother's voice when she sees her husband's face forming in the smoke. The rest of the voice actors did a great job too, even though there have not been many dramatic scenes for them yet.

Final thoughts

Katayama as seen in Uzumaki episode 1 (Image via Drive & Akatsuki)

Uzumaki episode 1 is an excellent start to the anime adaptation of Junji Ito's masterpiece, showcasing some of the manga's most iconic scenes. Although the upcoming episodes will feature increasingly disjointed stories, they will explore the various manifestations of the spiral and the diverse human reactions to its threat.

Given this strong start, it is anticipated that the anime will continue to do justice to the manga and potentially pave the way for future adaptations of Junji Ito's works.