I would like to clarify things first. This anime didn't have any connection to Naruto at all. It is a horror manga/anime written by Junji Ito. I saw a lot of people thinks that this anime is related to Naruto. But I warn you that this is absolutely different from what you think is. It contains grotesque and scary scenes that is not suitable for people who is weak with scary stuffs. Uzumaki is a Japanese term for "Spiral" and as its title's definition, this anime is all about spirals. The characters in this story are either obsessed, fears and love the spiral shape. And it's amazing because this shape is a mysterious shape and it goes really well with the scary stories of Junji Ito.
Uzumaki Plot
It all happened in a fictional city called Kurouzu-Cho where a bizarre curse happened involving Spirals. Kirie and Shuichi is a couple who witnessed how this phenomena started when people started to get obsessed and paranoid on spirals. Shuichi is the most affected in this incident because both of his parents are the first victims of the curse. His dad is probably the one who started the curse because of his obsession in spiral. His mom is the next victim when she become paranoid and started to have a phobia in spirals that she even started to poke her eardrums after finding out it is spiral too. The cremation of the two is the signal of the strange things that will happen in this town as the smoke from crematorium started to form a spiral shape clouds and gather in a pond. After it happened, various incidents and deaths occurred and it was all related to spirals. What will Kirie and Shuichi do to solve and stop this unlikely events. As well as what kind of creepy stuffs they will face when this spiral obsession and curse keeps on spreading.
My Thoughts About This Adaptation
It will be the best adaptation of Junji Ito Manga (Hopefully)
I know it may sound so overstatement but I believe in this project. Currently there are 2 Junji Ito anime. Junji Ito Collection which is a compilation of different Junji Ito manga and one shots including some parts of Tomie, created by Studio Deen. And Gyo which is another top manga of Junji Ito adapted into anime movie by Studio Ufotable. Both of them aren't good adaptation at all. Junji Ito Collection didn't do well with their animations. Its not actually that bad but it lacks creepiness that makes it average. And Gyo is expected to fall from the charts. Its story is really bad and the ending sucks so I know it will really not go well no matter how good animation it may have. And finally we have Uzumaki. The trailer is really promising and I know its story. This is one of the best horror manga out there so I will not complain with the story. And its animation is very good and that's what we will talk about next.
Unique and Absolutely Amazing Animation
I'm actually surprised that they will use unique art style in this adaptation. When you look at its trailer they use black and white colors with a little bit of expressionism art that makes it unique. Even the manga art style is a little similar to A Starry Night painting. I love what they did here because with using this colors, the anime looks like an animated panel from manga and it was genius. People keep saying that Junji Ito Works should remain as manga because anime adaptation just ruined everything. But Studio Drive takes this seriously and literally made anime that looks like a manga. Don't worry though because it was animated flawlessly and they move like a normal anime. Their looks is the only similar to manga.
The Entire Story is a Genius
I already read the manga and I assure you it was the best. The fact that they use Spiral as a theme in the story is already a genius. As I said, Spiral is a mysterious shape because when you look at a spiral you will feel hypnotised. Maybe thats why people are being obsessed about this shape in the story. And did you know that spiral is the most important discovery in mathematics and science because of the "Logarithmic Spiral". It is a spiral that can be commonly found naturally in the world which is bizarre because how can nature make this perfectly measured spiral that can be found on several life forms of earth. That's why I said Spiral is a genius theme in this story. It has a very beautiful shape but also bizarre and creepy when you look at it closely.
The official release date of anime is October 2022. It will take a while because of the pandemic but as the staffs said, they are working on it and they are ready for the next year. I'm really happy about this because I'm a big fan of Junji Ito and Uzumaki is one of my favorite in his works. I just hope they make a good adaptation this time and good luck to this project.
Uzumaki Trailer:
Uzumaki Update and Trailer by Adult Swim
My Junji Ito Articles:
