Uzumaki (3-in-1 Deluxe Edition): Includes vols. 1, 2 & 3 (Junji Ito)

This was my first plunge into the visual madness of Junji Ito, and it sure will not be the last. There are few Manga books that I have read that aren't part of a ling running series; those I have attempted have failed to keep me engaged, that or they are so, so, so, so, so, so, long and it is hard to catch up or stay on top of them.This is a cosmic body horror thrill ride. Honestly, some of the art gets under your skin and stays with you, burned onto your retinasThe artwork is haunting, edgy, unique, and though the dialogue is stilted and the weakest element, the art is all you need. I loved it. Highly recommended. If you like your manga horrific and heady, Junji is the one for you.

Uzumaki has had several releases over here in past years - which is something of a blessing considering how lucky we are to haev any Junji Ito at all considering most of his catalogue either hasn't made it over here, or is now out of print.For those who have never encountered it, Uzumaki is a Japanese horror manga in which the main characters find their lives increasingly invaded by spirals - snails, tornadoes, whirlpools. Anything spiral related starts to haunt the town. It's a very creepy read, going in imaginative and freaky directions and often leaving you on the edge of your seat.This re-release of Uzumaki is by far the best version I've owned so far. It's a large, hardback that includes all three versions of Uzumaki - with the bonus chapter that was included in the original third volume now finally inserted into its proper place in the story. The colour pages make the transition to the hardback too - the contents is exactly as you'd like, no compromises here.The hardback cover itself is beautiful. Feeling very durable, the artwork on it is creepy and reflects the story - lots of swirls and faces.If you've never read Uzumaki and it interests you, this is essential. If you already own another edition of Uzumaki, this is still worth the money. It's a thing of beauty to look at.

Uzumaki is a gloriously inventive body horror. Ito's imagination runs riot on the poor people of a tiny seaside town. The word uzumaki means spiral, vortex or whirlpool. Each chapter finds a new way to terrify and unsettle by presenting the characters with a spiral that becomes their ever tightening nightmare.This edition collects all three volumes. The first two are episodic tales with a young woman called Kirie providing the link between them. We follow her with her family, her boyfriend Shuichi, and school friends as the horror of the spiral slowly unfurls. Or should that be furls? You simply have to read it, I won't spoil it by describing any of these stories. Each chapter finds a fresh horror to coil around.Volume three sees the overarching story come to the fore. It builds on the horror established in the previous volumes, and invention takes a back seat. Consequently the last third of the book lacks the impact of what came before, and drags just a little. That's not to say Ito hasn't been holding back some fresh horrors, he has and he unleashes them with glee. While the wider story could never be as good as the sum of its astonishing parts it's still a satisfying tale.The characters? Well, nobody is reading this sort of book for the subtle nuance of the characterisation. Kirie is your archetypal final girl, she's pleasant, pretty, determined and filial. A calm centre of normality for the horrors to spin around. She fills this role effectively, while her boyfriend, who better understands what's going on, struggles to hold himself together. It makes for an interesting dynamic between the two.The black and white art (there are a few colour pages) is simple, rough and stunning. Ito draws a thoroughly believable world becoming utterly unbelievable. He has a wickedly dark sense of humour and the art really sets this free.Rounding out the book are three fun pieces from the end of each original volume. As is traditional for manga, they feature Ito himself, exploring why he focused on spirals. Theres's also a "lost" chapter with the same characters that doesn't really fit in with the story, that's still good fun.The imagination on show here is staggering. Ito uses his spiral theme to great effect, to gradually build up the level of horror.

very scary and good story

This book is different from anything I have ever read (never read any manga before). It’s comprised of a number of short stories, which all ink together. it is fast paced and very enjoyable. Brilliant artwork, but not as scary as some made it out to be.

Itō Junji is, to my mind, one of the most imaginative manga writers out there - certainly he is one of the darkest. He combines Lovecraftian themes into his stories, and combined with his own twisted art-style, it's the perfect marriage of style and substance. If you like your fiction dark and terrifying, this is definitely up your street.

Really happy with my purchase. Bought for my 10 year old as he asked for it specifically. There are some adult themes but I think you've got to use your own judgement as a parent as to your own child's maturity. We bought it in secret and had a read before we presented it to our son.It's actually a brilliant read

Love the collection