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In Uzumaki episode 3, which aired on Sunday, October 13, 2024, the spiral curse continues to afflict the residents of Kurouzu, causing disturbing transformations. Surprisingly, most people seem indifferent to these changes. Fans were relieved that this episode showed improvements over the previous one in terms of visuals, content, and storytelling.
In the previous episode, viewers saw Kirie's classmates turning into snails, her hair coming to life, people moving in circles, and an old lighthouse with a spiral lens coming to life. Several people lost their lives as a result.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.
Uzumaki episode 3 review: Kirie's hospital visit gets weirder and spookier
Uzumaki episode 3 review: The visuals are marginally improved
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The previous episode of Uzumaki was heavily criticized for its disappointing animation quality, with many viewers describing it as amateurish and fan-made. However, Uzumaki episode 3 shows a slight improvement, although it still falls short of the visual excellence seen in the first episode, which perfectly captured the essence of Junji Ito's work.
The episode suffers from inconsistent animation, particularly noticeable during the storm sequence, where each scene appears to have a different stylistic approach. This inconsistency can detract from the overall viewing experience, and some scenes appear weirdly framed.
Despite these shortcomings, the episode does succeed in creating a sense of horror, delivering some genuinely eerie moments. The storyline involving mosquitoes at Kurouzu Hospital, for instance, is both bizarre and unsettling.
Uzumaki episode 3 review: The pacing is off
Uzumaki episode 3 has a longer runtime compared to previous episodes, but it still struggles in the storytelling department as it juggles multiple storylines. Because of this, the series has been criticized by viewers from the very beginning.
This constant shifting between different plotlines disrupts the gradual buildup of horror and can be distracting for viewers. As a result, the series so far feels more like a collection of unrelated moments of horror rather than a cohesive horror story. The existential themes present in Junji Ito's work are not effectively conveyed in this episode, leaving the series largely confined to the body horror genre.
Uzumaki episode 3 review: The lack of emotion from the main character takes away from the story
The story being adapted in this episode is already quite pretty engaging. The anime does a commendable job of merging Shuichi’s mother’s storyline with Kirie’s stay at the same hospital.
However, the episode could have benefited from minor adjustments in dialogue and expressions. Despite Shuichi experiencing the loss of his mother, Kirie, who is also in the hospital, does not offer him any words of sympathy. It seems as if she is either unaware of the incident or simply not affected by it.
This lack of interaction feels like a missed opportunity to deepen the emotional impact. Moreover, certain elements could have been left out of the episode to give a more tightly-knit story. For instance, Mitsuru’s appearance feels out of place and comes across as more humorous than frightening.
Final thoughts
Uzumaki episode 3 leaves viewers questioning if they should switch to reading Junji Ito's manga instead. The story gets confusing, with transitions between storylines that make no sense. The visuals, which were the show's main selling point, do not live up to expectations and are inconsistent at several points. Despite these issues, the latest episode shows some progress compared to episode 2.
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