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伊藤潤二çźç·¨é›† BEST OF BEST
10
1
Finished
Apr 12, 2007 to Feb 5, 2019
7.3/10
Average Review Score
80%
Recommend It
10
Reviews Worldwide
Let’s be honest here, unless this is you first Junji Ito manga, you know very well what to expect here. His stories are unique and creative, yes, but the style and the quality is also very stable. Meaning that you should expect around the same level of enjoyment as you had from most of other Junji’s works. This is amplified even more by the fact that half of this anthology was already published as parts of different works, so even if you haven’t started *this* manga yet, chances are high you’ve already read parts of it. My favourite part of this collection was the titular Venusin the Blind Spot, which again showcases Ito’s craft with fear as yet another creative way to induct dread in the characters and veil the story in a mysterious atmosphere. For fans of Ito I would also like to point out the Master Umezz and Me story which is more unique one – it’s not a straight out horror story, but instead an autobiographical one-shot, which is certainly something that would of interest to the fanbase. Overall, while I wouldn’t call this the “Best of Best” collection, it’s definitely a good and entertaining read.
1. Okuman Bocchi (Billions Alone) 2. Ningen Isu (The Human Chair) [Story: Edogawa Ranpo] 3. Mouten no Venus (Venus in the Blind Spot) 4. Name Onna (The Licking Woman) 5. Umezu-sensei to Watashi (Master Umezz and Me) 6. Miirareta Kirida Kyouju (How Love Came to Professor Kirida) 7. Kono Yo no Hoka no Koi (An Unearthly Love) [Story: Edogawa Ranpo] 8. Ashura no Dansou no Kai (The Enigma of Amigara Fault) 9. Daikokubashira Hiwa (The Sad Tale of the Principal Post) 10. Wasuregatami (Keepsake) Note: Story 1 was collected in Jigokusei Remina, story 3 was collected in Tensai-tachi no Kyouen, story 4 was collected in Black Paradox, and stories 8 and 9 were collected in Gyo: Ugomeku Bukimi.
Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Ningen Isu (38635) and has subsequently been merged into Best of Best: Itou Junji Tanpenshuu (119021). Another nice piece of work from Ito Junji. It is seriously a pleasure to read one of his works and feel a hint of weakness to fear and crave his other works. I really did enjoying reading this one shot. The story is something new. Something that is different and something that none of us have actually thought about before. As we read the title, 'Human Chair' we suddenly think of a chair that has feelings? A chair that is alive? Well,to simply put it we never do think of objects having feelings. But what Ito Junji has done with objects that we've never actually thought about really creeps me and gives me the chills. He's disguised it so well... 'a man used to live in it...' this mean what it actually means. *Suddenly goes and checks my sofa... surely there isn't people living in my sofa right?...* As always the art style is very detailed and gives you the eerie feeling. Dark and mysterious, he places great detail on the characters faces. When showing fear, it really shows, with the sweat, the changes in the facial expressions and the way their body is drawn to react, his drawing style really captivates me to read on and to find out what actually happens. The characters were really average and i've got nothing to say. He has portrayed them very well, they all have their individuality. My enjoyment in this was good. He could have created it a bit more scarier and tried to make it more atmospheric like what he's done with Tomie, but as a one shot he has done very well. He could have drawn it scarier *laughs* because i know he's very good at that. Then i would have up-ed my score to an 8 or 9 for enjoyment but a 7 will do. My overall a 9/10 It's Ito Junji, i praise his work a lot and when i found Uzumaki in my book store i was more than happy to read it and buy it. The story is amazingly told and with every horror story he creates such a twist at the end which just makes you gasp at the end because it's ended so quickly! I would suggest reading more of his works so that you'll be able to enjoy it as much as i have. He is seriously the best horror mangaka ever. I know i could have enjoyed it more if he had but a bit more effort into it but yes a must read from Ito Junji for all you horror readers :D
Venus in the Blind Spot – Spoiler Free – Not Recommended TLDR Billions Alone – 7/10 The Human Chair – 5,5/10 An Unearthly Love – 2/10 Venus in the Blind Spot – 1/10 The Licking Woman – 2/10 Master Umezz and Me – 2/10 How Love Came to Professor Kirida – 2/10The Enigma of Amigara Fault – 3/10 The Sad Tale of the Principal Post – 1/10 Keepsake – 2/10 Overall: 3/10 Disclaimer: due to the nature of this work – a collection of short stories –, my normal parameters of Story, Art, Characters and Enjoyment with a weighted average won’t be applied. Instead, a global overview will be offered. Venus in the Blind Spot is a compilation of ten short stories by Junji Ito, although this is definitely not why he is known to some as a master of the horror genre. Verily, most stories are downright bad. With the exception of the first one – Billions Alone –, and in some degree the second one – The Human Chair –, most stories are neither memorable, scary, gory, nor incite any type of feeling, such as with The Sad Tale of the Principal Post, How Love Came to Professor Kirida, Master Umezz and Me or An Unearthly Love, Others, while being not scary, are also quite funny, such as The Licking Woman, or touch once again upon the topic of the senseless mass hysteria, such as is found in Remina – in this case, the very Venus in the Blind Spot story. Only two stories are somewhat memorable: the famous The Enigma of Amigara Fault for its good and gory panels, as well as the sense of claustrophobia, and The Human Chair, for its concept. Other stories, such as The Sad Tale of the Principal Post, are just too short and dull to have any effect on the reader. On the other hand, the only good story in this book – Billions Alone – is eerie and has an interesting atmosphere. Technically, the stories are comprehensible and the art is good, as would be expected from Junji Ito. Junji Ito does have some good short stories; however, they are (almost) nowhere to be found here. For this reason, this book receives a Not Recommended stamp.
Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Umezu-sensei to Watashi (85533) and has subsequently been merged into Best of Best: Itou Junji Tanpenshuu (119021). This is a short story in which Ito Junji relates the influence which Umezu Kazuo had on his art and storytelling. Story, 7: This isn't a horror story, but it does deal with Ito's influences in horror storytelling. it was an interesting tale about Ito's artistic influences growing up. Art, 7: There are several panels using horror-stricken faces for comedic effect, which were actually pretty amusing for their over-the-top nature. Other than that, the art is good as always. Character, 6: Ito and Umezuare the only characters that are developed/fleshed out in any capacity, but it was nice to see the more personal side of the author. Enjoyment, 6: It was a nice read, but I don't know if I'll be coming back to it any time soon. Overall, 6: I would recommend this to fans of Ito's work, if only to see his influences while younger.
Mod Edit: This review was originally posted for Ningen Isu (38635) and has subsequently been merged into Best of Best: Itou Junji Tanpenshuu (119021). It was my first Junji Ito manga, the manga is short but the story fits well in it, what show that he can create a precise plot without extend it too much. The art is quite good, he can shock when he wants, whereas it is still stunning on the human characters. I confess, I didn't get scaried, but I got surprised and I laughed in the end because it was too unexpected, Even today it's hard to tell the feeling I had whenI read the last page. Now I'm a Junji Ito fan, the most part of his works are awesome like Ningen Isu. If you never have read a Junji Ito manga Ningen Isu is one of the best mangas to start.