Uzumaki Episode 1 Review

Join Swimpedia as we review a screener of the first episode of Uzumaki with minimal spoilers, and find out if the show was worth the wait and whether it lives up to the hype.

[MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD]

It may be hard to believe, but the first time that Adult Swim and Toonami revealed that they were working on an anime adaptation of Uzumaki was all the way back on August 30th, 2019. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser revealing that Hiroshi Nagahama was slated to direct the series, the music would be scored by Colin Stetson, and the release date was set for some time in 2020. Yet, due to a variety of delays and complications, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the complex animation process required to replicate the look of the manga, it was impossible to meet that original deadline. At first, updates came regularly, then yearly, until the fate of Uzumaki was left practically unknown, with any sign of life coming periodically from Executive Producer Jason DeMarco on X stating that they were still hard at work on the show. The team behind the anime put it best, they believe that the project was cursed by the spiral, even despite making “a blessing at a shrine to ward off any supernatural forces” at the start of the production. However, it seems that everything came together, when on July 26th, 2024 it was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 that Uzumaki was finally coming on September 28th. Now, after over five years, we’re just left wondering, was Uzumaki worth the wait and can it possibly live up to the expectations set by the manga?

Historically, adaptations of Junji Ito’s stories have received mixed reviews, ranging from the live-action Spiral (2000), which was the first adaptation of Uzumaki, to the two anime collections covering many of his other shorter projects premiering in 2018 and 2023 respectively. Beyond that, even the genre of horror anime itself has been riddled with many series that have divided audiences. That being said, this new Uzumaki iteration not only has the potential to be the first truly great Junji Ito adaptation, but may become a staple of horror anime going forward. Having only viewed the first of four episodes, it’s difficult to make any concrete claims as to how the series will fully come together, yet the first episode is already a fantastic first outing for the anime. Whether or not you have read the manga, “Episode 1” delivers when it comes to the story, the visuals, the scares, the characters, and the overall intrigue surrounding the mystery of the spiral. One might even be able to argue that it makes strategic decisions that actually elevate the original manga, bringing it into the modern era in a way that respects this landmark piece of fiction.

When it comes to the story, this episode of the anime focuses predominantly on adapting much of the content featured in the first few chapters of the manga. For anime-only viewers, we won’t spoil the plot, but “Episode 1” is successful in both setting the stage for the full breadth of horrors to come, while also sprinkling enough scares throughout to keep you glued to your seat. However, for those unaware, the Uzumaki manga can actually be quite episodic, with many chapters practically serving as their own standalone stories within the overall Uzumaki universe. The anime takes this into account, attempting to lay out the “main story” of the manga, while also including elements of the other additional plotlines. This gave the first episode a well executed flow, where, for example, instead of one chapter in particular from the manga existing on its own, it’s actually organically spread out throughout the first episode. The outcome is a very interesting build up to that specific story that might actually make it hit harder than it does in the manga. The viewer will be left wondering where that story is going as the episode returns to it from scene to scene, almost creating the illusion that you’re spending more time with those characters than you actually are if it was simply told completely at once. Additionally, it further connects the universe, better showcasing how all of these horrors are happening together and building on one another.

In terms of the animation and black and white manga look of the Uzumaki anime, this will likely be the make-or-break for many viewers. Even so, it was already clear from the first look at the anime back on July 22nd, 2023 that the team completely nailed the aesthetic and core of Junji Ito’s art style. Throughout the first episode, plenty of scenes, moments, and shots are ripped right from the Uzumaki manga in the best way possible. Not only could you line these side by side and see the love and attention to detail put into recreating the visuals, but the staff of the anime have also managed to modernize the look for current audiences. Fans of the manga shouldn’t fear these changes, as they make Junji Ito’s world glow and come to life on the screen. There are no dramatic changes, everything clearly comes from the manga for the most part, but the work being put out is a polished anime that stands up to other major projects in recent memory. Despite that, there were some moments of CGI that didn’t flow as much, but the rest of the hand-drawn animation truly delivers. Additionally, the black and white manga-like appearance also gives the series an otherworldly vibe that perfectly matches the Uzumaki universe. Ultimately, manga-readers will truly get to see the pages come to life, while anime-only viewers will get a meticulous and visually impactful horrifying experience.

Speaking of which, it’s actually the scares that have the best animation and most effort put into them throughout the first episode. The team behind the series knew that viewers would be on the lookout for the infamous moments from Uzumaki, and made sure to get them just right. Even if some of these scenes can be found in the trailer, when presented in context with Colin Stetson’s music, their horror and power truly sets in. No matter what you end up thinking about the other elements of the series, it seems almost impossible not to look in awe at these instances where all pieces come together and the show shines. The best of these do come from the manga and share many similarities, but the added details and ability to play with cinematography breathe new life into moments that might already be familiar to some viewers. Plus, enough can’t be said about the layers that the music adds to the series, including an opening that perfectly transports you into the spiral.

Lastly, when it comes to the characters at the heart of the anime, it is through them that we experience the world of Uzumaki as each layer unravels. By design, the viewer is thrown right into the mystery–the spirals are already starting to take over the town, leaving no time for traditional setup. The information you learn about the characters and the town serve the plot and organically come up in conversation as needed. Yet, the main way in which you really get to know the characters and who they are is through the horror in their expressions, reactions, and tone of voice as they try to make some meaning out of the mystery of the spiral. In some ways, Shuichi serves as our guide, while Kirie is more in line with the viewer, having no idea what is going on, yet, like the viewer, neither is fully prepared for the story ahead.

All in all, the first episode of the Uzumaki anime does everything it needs to properly set up the story, respectfully and beautifully animate Junji Ito’s art style, and delivers a scary good time for old and new fans. Whether the series manages to stick the landing is another question entirely, but this is everything you would want to see in order to have the potential to accomplish that goal. The five year wait for the show, paired with the incredible love for the Uzumaki manga, are likely to make expectations impossibly high for some viewers. Yet, thus far, this is the adaptation worthy of being connected to Junji Ito. Only time will tell how the rest of the anime will shape up, as well as where it places in the horror anime hall of fame–but for now, it may really have been worth the wait.

The first episode of Uzumaki premieres subbed on Toonami on Saturday, September 28th at 12:30 AM, airs dubbed on Adult Swim on Thursday, October 3rd at 12:30 AM, and both the Japanese and English-language versions will be available to stream on Max on Sunday, September 29th!