Nerd Horror Artist Spotlight: Junji Ito
by Rachel Liebowitz
Junji Ito is a horror mangaka and illustrator from Japan. He is known worldwide not only for his wide collection of short stories that he has written and illustrated, but also for numerous multi-chapter narratives. He’s best known for longform stories such as Uzumaki, which premieres today on MAX as an anime, as well as others like Gyo, Tomie, and Hellstar Remina. His work often touches upon themes such as cosmic horror, body horror, loss of humanity, and apocalypse.
Ito has definitely made a name for himself over the past few decades, garnering a cult following of his work, winning various awards. His work has even been adapted multiple times, including the accurate-to-manga adaptation of Uzumaki set to be released as a limited series in the near future. Many horror creators from across the world cite Ito as an inspiration in their writing and/or art. It would be hard to find someone familiar with manga or horror art and doesn’t know Ito’s name.
Part of what makes Ito’s work so incredibly iconic is the style he employs for everything. It even comes through in his non-horror work (see: Junji Ito’s Cat Diary) or the illustrations he made for Magic: The Gathering. It utilizes an emphasis on thin linework and a black-and-white palette. This includes a lack of greyscale shadow or color in his comics, the latter of which ends up muddling animated adaptations.
The way Ito uses lines creates emphasis in everything from intricate detail to gore to a truly horrific expression, making his already intense visuals and subject matter leap off the page. His reliance on inks is incredibly bold, and contrast is another important and related tool he uses. These style markers can even be seen in the faces and expressions of his characters, who often seem uneasy, lifeless, or grotesque. The fact that he can create such jarring horror without using any color or gray at all, much less a color for blood (all things that most illustrative horrific work rely on) is a feat within itself, and is a testament to the sheer power and impact of inks when done well.
