Junji Ito’s Maniac Unveils Original Art

Junji Ito’s status as a master of horror simply cannot de denied in the anime medium, with the horror mangaka weaving new tales of terror to this day. Alongside his creepy campfire stories, anime adaptations have hit the small screen and next January is set to release a new anthology that will give many of his tales an anime adaptation for the first time. Before Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre hits Netflix, the artist has created a new poster to celebrate the anthology.     

This upcoming series won’t be the first time that an anime anthology has arrived on the small screen, with The Junji Ito Collection adapting stories such as Tomie, The Model, Window Next Door, and Smashed to name a few. Unfortunately, many anime fans believed that this series wasn’t able to live up to the artwork of Ito himself. Fans are crossing their fingers that Junji Ito’s Maniac, which will be adapting stories including Ice Cream Truck, The Hanging Balloons, Where The Sandman Dwells, and more, will be able to hit the high standards of the original manga stories that act as the anthology’s source material.

Junji Ito’s Poster

The Official Twitter Account for Junji Ito’s Maniac released new artwork from the master of horror, uniquely blending the characters from many of the stories that will make up this upcoming anthology which is set to arrive on Netflix next year on January 19th:

来年1月19日からの全世界配信を記念し、伊藤潤二先生にSPビジュアルを描いていただきました!!アニメ化される「富江・写真」「首吊り気球」「双一の愛玩動物」がコラボした世界観！首吊り気球の襲来に対して、富江と双一の対照的なリアクションに注目ください！#伊藤潤二マニアック #Netflix #junjiito pic.twitter.com/EXSRHa8DL6

— 伊藤潤二『マニアック』公式/Junji Ito Maniac/Netflix全世界配信中!! (@itojunji_anime) December 23, 2022

Japanese Tales of the Macabre isn’t the only Junji Ito adaptation that is on the way, as Toonami is continuing production on Uzumaki. The story, which is considered by many to be one of Ito’s best, follows a cursed mountain town that is dealing with an unhealthy obsession with spirals that is presenting itself in some terrifying ways. With the original footage blowing fans away and perhaps looking like the closest adaptation to Ito’s artwork, a release date has yet to be revealed. 

Which Junji Ito story are you most looking forward to seeing in this upcoming Netflix original? Do you think we might see Toonami’s Uzumaki arrive on the small screen in 2023? Feel free to let us know in the comments or hit me up directly on Twitter @EVComedy to talk all things comics, anime, and the world of Junji Ito.