I enjoy things like that, seeing the stupidity of people in motion as they are blindsided by something they didn't predict, because it has realism twined into portions of some really odd 'this can't be true!' horror. You have the complexity of writing that connects to both framework and audience, you have a horrible blight that becomes odder and more horrific as it develops, and it speaks to the stupidity of man. And Gyo I and II deliver this and more, giving people what they need.Īs far as Gyo is concerned, there are all the staples that make a great tale. After reading Ito's works in both short story and in things like the beautiful spiral, I return for the oddity that becomes a great tale. While some of these things sound like they belong in a Manga, a few of them are strange and utterly interesting to watch develop. Truly frightening.Īlmost as frightening as a shark attack - on land! It's one of the best pieces included in any Ito release. A few bonus stories are included (with VOL 2), with THE ENIGMA OF AMIGARA FAULT being the best. That said, this is a great release from Viz.

At just over 400 pages, it would be very easy to do so, and would eliminate the need to wait until February 2008 to find the second volume (though I have the previous printing's second volume). Also, I see no reason to not print GYO in one single volume. And with every frame of her face involving a widening scream, things seem to drag a bit and my sympathy for her character was lessened. Kaori's character isn't nearly as fleshed out as I would've liked to have seen. It's not as epic as UZUMAKI, but it keeps you turning the pages.Ī few quibbles. When a fish with synthetic legs is found walking on land the couple runs for the mainland to find answers, and from there things only get more interesting - government plots, gaseous lifeforms and, of course, the rotten stench. Tadashi and Kaori are visiting Okinawa island when a mysterious smell - and then a mysterious fish - enters Tadashi's uncle's house. Junji Ito is a master of what the Japanese called 'guro', and with GYO, you get more psychologically satisfying and nasally unsettling horror.

I'm very glad that Viz decided to reprint this staple of the horror manga genre.

Gyo vol 1