Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Uzumaki Episode 2!An incredibly subtle detail in the latest episode ofUzumakiis actually a genius way to adapt the story. There’s no doubt that the second episode of the long-awaited miniseries based on Junji Ito’s iconic manga was a disappointment for fans. The noticeable shift in animation quality led to even theexecutive producer speaking out about the controversy. However, a bright side to this episode is a pretty genius detail that likely went under the radar for some fans.
During some of the more intense moments ofUzumakiepisode 2, such as the sequence when Kazunori and Yoriko twist together on the beach inan adaptation of one of the manga’s most terrifying chapters, there’s a slightly noticeable shift in how the anime looks. There are little imperfections that appear and disappear as the frame surrounding the scene begins to darken.Essentially,Uzumakiemploys film grain in these sequences to give it an old-school feel caused by film deterioration.With this technique, it manages to bring a new level of horror to Junji Ito’s story that could only be shown through anime.
The Use of Film Grain Makes the Spiral Curse Feel Otherworldly
This Anime Technique Adds a New Layer to Ito’s Terrifying Artwork
What works about this stylistic choice for theUzumakianime is that it’s used sparingly.It only really appears during moments in the story when the curse in Kurouzu-cho ramps up, showing an undeniable scene where something odd is going on. The rest of the episode is shown in its standard style until these points, as the curse continues to haunt the town and its citizens. However, once it does strike, the addition of this filmmaking style adds depth to an already horrifying image.
With this subtle change in visual tone,the curse placed on the town feels uncanny and supernatural as the degredation of the film’s quality slowly grows more intense.The beach scene in particular makes great use of this technique with how dark it gets as Yoriko and Kazunori twist their bodies and wrap around each other. It makes the whole sequence feel like an old horror movie lost to time, and it works in its favor as it aligns itself with how twisted the concept ofUzumakican be.
Uzumaki’s Small Change in Style Could Only Be Done through Anime
Junji Ito Could Never Recapture This Feeling on the Page the Same Way
The Spiral Curse in the original story is meant to have a Lovecraftian feel to it as he stretches the limitations of the human body to have his characters conform to the twisted shape. Junji Ito is able to perfectly give off this uncanny feeling through his unique artwork that has left fans with nightmares for decades. It’s why many adaptations of his work have struggled over the years, as they could never really capture what made the images so scary on paper. However, the stylistic choice made in the anime adaptation issomething that Ito could never truly recreate himself.
Film deterioration is something that benefits from movement on the screen to fully articulate its grainy design. Seeing these spots and lines appear and disappear in the blink of an eye is something that’s unique to the film medium. This subtle design choice is a brilliant way to enhance an alreadydisturbing piece of artworkand adapt it to the screen in a way the author of the story never could. It gives off an uncanny feeling that only film can provide, setting the stage for how future adaptations of Ito’s work could be done in the future.
Was the Film Grain Included to Circumvent a Drop in Animation Quality?
Uzumaki’s Best Design Choice May Have Happened by Accident
What’s fascinating about this shift in design for theUzumakianime is how it possibly could have happened by mistake, rather than being an intentional choice. Episode 2 has been catching flack from fans over its noticeable decrease in quality, especially when compared to the beautifully animated first episode of the miniseries that suggested a future great adaptation. With this in mind, it’s entirely possible thatthese unique moments were only employed to hide some of the shakier moments in animation.This would make sense during the more horrific sequences because of how much the imagery stretches the imagination. If this is the case though, it worked to the series' benefit.
Regardless of the reason for this choice in design, it’s a stellar inclusion that serves as a bright spot for an otherwise disappointing second episode. It allows the original story by Junji Ito to adapt to a new medium while also enhancing images that were already terrifying in the original manga. It’s a super subtle shift in design, but at the same time, it’s a genius decision that adds toUzumaki’s legacy as one of the greatest horror stories of all time.
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
Cast
Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror is an adaptation of Junji Ito’s acclaimed manga, directed by Hiroshi Nagahama. The series unfolds in the town of Kurôzu-cho where inexplicable events related to spirals plague the inhabitants, leading to terror and madness. Highlighting the psychological and supernatural, the show follows high school student Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend, Shuichi Saito, as they confront the spiraling horrors that engulf their town.
