Great interpretations. When I read it I thought it was about how society just strips you off your individuality, then molds and grinds you into something that barely resembles your true self. This happens more and more as you get into adulthood (the intercourse as a symbolic initiation) and are faced with societal demands. Also Junji Ito is a great creator. I'm really happy that we' re slowly getting the full collection of his works here in Poland. Recently Viz started putting out these new hardback collections which are also brilliant and I always want to grab them whenever I visit a comic shop, but there's just too much comics I don't have yet to double dip. Also the horror movie Descent is the scariest one ever made and I'll never go spelunking for the precise reasons you've stated. I don't usually get scared, but the idea of getting stuck somewhere in a tight cave makes my skin crawl. I suppose that this is why the sewer crawl in Shawshank Redemption is so effective (with Dufrane finally emerging out of it into the open being so satisfying).
Loved this breakdown! Always cool to have Tom aboard as well. As a horror and Junji ito fan this was so cool and would love to see more junji ito books reviewed by you guys!
I love your over the shoulder type POV you usually do but this panel type discussion was also absolutely stellar and if you did some more like this once in a while I would really enjoy seeing that.
Junji Ito is a horror comics legend. My love for his work started with reading Uzumaki in high school, which had a suprisingly profound impact on my life. The Enigma of Amigara Fault is the quintessential Junji Ito short story. I think of it whenever I see a vaguely shaped human hole just like I think of Uzumaki every time I see a spiral! Whatever I read of his inevitably imprints itself onto my consciousness and that's why he's one of the greats. Solid episode!
This story was my introduction to the work of Junji Ito and is still an absolute favourite. I've loved Gyo, Uzumaki, and Fragments of Horror and will continue to pick up more titles. His work is probably the only horror comics that resonate so strongly with me.
What made this story stick with me was that once that person saw their hole, they'd keep having nightmares until they finally fell victim to their hole shape.
Really dig this episode, guys. This was also my introduction to Junji Ito back in like 04 or 05 on the something awful forums. I had read it and remembered it for years. It wasn’t until maybe like 3 years ago that I picked up another Ito book and realized it was the same creator and I went back and read it again. Great story, and great analysis!
when you were talking about the inside repeating line of the holes i was reminded of how he made everyone scared of spirals too hahaha. hes a master of the creepy linework details
@16:46 And that moment of the hair being in the shape of the hole reminds me of the character in Black Paradox who enters their own shadow. The shadow of course *would* have the shape of the hair in it!
Great video! For me what's initially unsettling is the fact you don't know what made these holes. Similar to the monolith in 2001 A Space Odyssey, this imposing object(s) that's out of nowhere just freaks me out.
Great vid as always! What's the book in front of Tom that has the orange cover? I recognize every Ito book on the table but that one. I'd love to check it out.
people seem to feel strongly about this work. I kinda get it. But the "need" to go into the hole is a little too much for me. objectively. I don't try to interpret too much into things you'll never get a definitive answer for. maybe claustrophobia just doesn't have that much of a grip on me.
