Junji Ito Collection Season 1 Episode 1
Opening the Door to Ito's World (Kind Of)
Okay, let's talk Junji Ito Collection. Season 1, Episode 1. Specifically, "Fashion Model" and "Long Dream."
I know, I know, Ito-sensei is a legend. A master of body horror and existential dread. But did anyone else feel...underwhelmed by the opener?
"Fashion Model": More Annoying Than Scary?
"Fashion Model" is first up. The titular fashion model, Iwata, is...well, she's not winning any congeniality awards.
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She's terrifying, sure, in a jump-scare, distorted-face kind of way. But mostly, she's just really irritating.
Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm desensitized to creepy faces after years of browsing the internet. But Iwata felt more like an overplayed horror trope than a truly disturbing creation. Unpopular opinion, maybe?
The constant screaming and bizarre expressions. It felt a bit much. Like they were trying too hard to be scary.
And let's be honest, the main character, the poor photographer, is kind of a pushover. Dude, stand up for yourself!
"Long Dream": Potentially Good, But...
Then we have "Long Dream." This one has promise, I'll admit.
A patient named Mukoda is experiencing increasingly longer dreams. Like, years long dreams. Spooky, right?
The idea is genuinely unsettling. The concept of your subjective reality stretching out while the real world barely moves. That's good, meaty, existential horror right there.
But the animation? It just didn't quite hit the mark. Something felt...flat.
The transformation sequences were visually interesting. Turning into a crystalline monstrosity is a classic Ito move.
Still, the pacing felt off. It rushed through potentially terrifying moments. We don't get enough time to really feel Mukoda's despair. It felt rushed and less impactful.
Animation Woes: The Elephant in the Room
Look, I'm not saying the animation is terrible. But compared to Ito's manga, it's a significant downgrade.
Ito's art is all about meticulous detail and horrifying textures. Translating that into animation is a challenge, no doubt. But the Junji Ito Collection often falls short.
The stark, black-and-white contrasts, the incredibly detailed backgrounds...it's all lost in translation. The anime often lacks the visual punch of the source material.
It feels like they were working on a budget. Some scenes feel stiff and lifeless. The fluidity of the manga is sadly missing.
Is It Worth Watching?
Despite my (minor) gripes, I wouldn't say Junji Ito Collection is a complete waste of time.
It's a decent introduction to Ito's work for newcomers. If you are not familiar with Ito's manga, the anime is a good entry point.
And there are definitely moments of genuine creepiness scattered throughout. Some of the later episodes are much better, in my opinion.
But if you're a die-hard Ito fan expecting a faithful adaptation, prepare to be a little disappointed. Lower your expectations slightly.
Ultimately, Junji Ito Collection is a mixed bag. Some stories work better than others. The animation is inconsistent. But the core of Ito's brilliance still shines through, even if it's a little dimmed.
Just don't go in expecting a masterpiece. And maybe brace yourself for Iwata's…unique…facial expressions. You've been warned.
