Review Junji Ito Collection (2018)

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
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Junji Ito Collection (Japanese: 伊藤潤二『コレクション』 Hepburn: Itō Junji "Korekushon") is a horror anime anthology seriesadapted from the works of manga artist Junji Ito. Animated by Studio Deen, the anime adapts stories from several of Ito's collections. The series premiered on January 5, 2018, and ran for 12 episodes, accompanied by the release of two OVAs. The series was co-produced by Crunchyroll and began broadcasting on that service worldwide outside of Asia in eight languages on the same day.


Production[edit]
The anime was first announced June 30, 2017 via Junji Ito's page on the Asahi Shimbun website.[7] In August, the adaptation was confirmed to be a television series with animation by Studio Deen.[8] Shinobu Tagashira, known for his directorial work on Diabolik Lovers, directed and created the character design for the anime. [8][9] The announcement also revealed that the series would adapt from two of Ito's manga collections, the 11 volume Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection and the single volume Fragments of Horror,[8] but did not specify which stories would be adapted, as the staff wanted viewers to be surprised when the show aired.[1] The series revealed its official title on October 12, 2017,[1] and also announced that Kaoru Sawada was scripting the series, Hozumi Gōda was serving as sound director, and that Yuki Hayashi would compose the music for the series.[1] The series will also include two OVAs, which will adapt Ito's Tomie manga.[10]

The opening theme song, "The Writhing in Agony Blues" (七転八倒のブルース Shichitenbattō no Burūsu), will be performed by The Pinballs,[11] while the ending theme song, "Mutual Universe" (互いの宇宙 Tagai no Uchū), will be performed by JYOCHO.[3]

Release[edit]
The series was initially scheduled to premiere on Tokyo MX on January 7, 2018,[1] but was later announced for an January 5 premiere on WOWOW's Anime Premium programming block.[12] Additionally, the series received an advance showing on December 23, 2017, which was attended by Ito and voice actor Yūji Mitsuya.[13] The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll worldwide outside of Asia, and Funimation began streaming a simuldub on January 20, 2018.[14][15]

The series will run for 12 episodes and will be released as three separate sets on DVD, on March 30, 2018, April 27, 2018, and May 25, 2018. The second and third sets will each include an OVA episode.


No. Title[a] Original airdate
1
"Souichi’s Convenient Curse" January 5, 2018
"Hell Doll Funeral"
2 "Fashion Model" January 12, 2018
"The Long Dream"
3 "Boy at the Crossroads" January 19, 2018
"Slug Girl"
4 "Shiver" January 26, 2018
"Marionette Mansion"
5 "The Ongoing Tale of Oshikiri Collection" February 2, 2018
"Cloth Teacher"
6 "Window Next Door" February 9, 2018
"Gentle Goodbye"
7 "Used Record" February 16, 2018
"Town of No Roads"
8 "Honored Ancestors" February 23, 2018
"The Circus Comes to Town"
9 "Painter" March 2, 2018
"Blood-bubble Bushes"
10 "Greased" March 9, 2018
"Bridge"
11 "Supernatural Transfer Student" March 16, 2018
"Scarecrow"
12 "Smashed" March 23, 2018
"Rumors"
OVA 1 "Tomie Part 1"
(「富江」Part1) April 27, 2018
OVA 2 "Tomie Part 2"
(「富江」Part2)



 

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
The tales in this "collection" - two per episode - are oddball, sometimes frustratingly incomplete (or so it seems) and occasionally completely madcap, but there is a consistent eeriness in them and a let loose out of the asylum insanity that smacks of the old Amicus portmanteau films or Tales from the Darkside.

Both gross and engrossing, this series is definitely worth a watch and the episodes imagery and themes stay with you long after watching, I find.

Recommended.


Not everybody is happy though. I just found a video calling it "disappointing garbage", so it's not for everyone. :emoji_alien:
 
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