Who here is a fan of anime or horror films? Then you must know the figure of Junji Ito, the horror anime and manga maestro who is very famous for his works. This time, Junji Ito returns with a work entitled 'Japanese Tales of the Macabre' which contains strange, disturbing, and horrific horror stories that can be watched since January 19, 2023, on the Netflix streaming platform.

Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre itself is a horror genre anime that has been highly anticipated by horror fans because this is an adaptation by Junji Ito. This animation produced by Studio Deen tells 20 horror stories from the author Junji Ito that have never been animated before. These stories are presented in an anthology format consisting of 12 episodes and starring many well-known voice actors.

Through this latest horror series from Junji Ito, he wants to present a character that is interesting but has strange, disturbing, and understandable traits. Instead of being curious, here's information about Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre, starting from the synopsis, trailers, and cast, to the link to watch the anime.

Synopsis of Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre

Because this horror anime will tell 20 horror stories which are divided into several stories, the story will have the theme of a story consisting of several characters. For example, the first story, entitled The Strange Hikizuri Siblings, tells of a photographer who has an interest in ghosts and spirits. When the photographer visits a strange house where the Hikizuki sisters live, he experiences a series of scary events after interacting with the Hikizuki family.

The next story Tomie is a beautiful woman with a dark secret. Because of her very strong beauty, she is even able to captivate many people, but Tomie doesn't like the existence of a girl named Tsukiko because she keeps taking and selling pictures of popular male students at their school.

Then there is the story of Hanging Balloons where Japan is shocked by the incident of the death of a famous idol named Terumi who allegedly committed suicide. Her body was found hanging near her residence. But since then, the appearance of the idol's head appears many times in a giant size balloon floating in the sky. There are many other horror stories told in the anime, you must watch the anime firsthand to experience Junji Ito's unique horror stories through this work.

Trailer of Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre

If you are curious and want to watch this horror anime by Junji Ito, you can watch the trailer for Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre in the following video.

Cast of Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre

Apart from the exciting story that makes you terrified, you also have to try watching this horror genre anime because the characters are played by popular voice actors. Some of them have even voiced ghosts or scary monster characters from other series. Check out the complete list of voice actors for Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre below:

• Rie Suegara as Tomie
• Yuuji Mitsuya as Souchi Tsuji
• Hiro Shimono as Tooru Oshikir
• Yumiri Hanamori as Tsukiko Izumisawa
• Takahiro Sakurai as Kazuya Hikizuri
• Shun Horie as Gorou
• Aya Uchida as Izumi Murakami
• Lynn as Rei Minoru
• Kaito Ishikawa as Umi Hirohara
• Sara Matsumoto as Yuki

Link to Watch Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre

For those of you who want to watch the horror anime Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre, you can legally watch it directly via the Netflix streaming platform. Because this anime has been broadcast on Netflix since January 19, 2023, you can watch Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre on the link here: Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre.

5 Facts About Junji Ito, the Creator of Junji Ito Maniac

1. Reading Horror Since He Was a Kid

Junji Ito's initial introduction to manga came thanks to his two older sisters, who own books by popular manga creators such as Kazuo Umezu and Shinichi Koga. The first manga that Ito remembered and read the most was Umezu's Mummy Teacher. Since then, he has also followed The Drifting Classroom by Kazuo Umezu.

The manga, which tells of an elementary school somehow transported to a post-apocalyptic wasteland, became one of the most important influences on Ito's life and his introduction to the world of horror. Junji Ito even said he has a strong connection to horror stories from a young age. He even feels that horror manga is like "parents" to him.

2. Once a Dental Technician

Upon graduating high school, Junji Ito spent nearly six years working as a dental technician. He started drawing manga professionally around halfway through that tenure, when the demands of doing two jobs at once got too tiring. Ito finally decided to quit his job and just focus on working on manga completely.

But thanks to his work in the medical field it helped him acquire a general knowledge of anatomy. Even from his experience making dentures, he began to learn hand tool techniques which were then used to modify the pen used for drawing so that it was easier and more comfortable to grip. This blessing then influences his work so that it can be as popular and successful as it is now.

3. Started His Carrer in a Teenager Magazine

Junji Ito's first work entitled Tomie first appeared in a teenage girls' magazine called Monthly Halloween. Even though he only made his debut in a teenage girl's magazine, it turned out that Tomie managed to bring Ito's name to his first honorary title at a Kazue Umezu Prize competition in 1987. Tomie's character had even been adapted into a film series before finally joining the Junji Ito Maniac. Some of Junji Ito's other notable works include Itou Junji Kyoufu manga collection, Souichi's Journal of Delights, and Junji Ito's Cat Diary: Yon & Mun.

4. Inspired by True Stories

As a horror manga artist, it turns out that many of the stories in his work are inspirational from the true stories he experienced. For example, like the story of Tomie as one of the famous manga from Junji Ito, it turns out that it was inspired by a real character. The figure of Tomie turned out to be Junji Ito's classmate when he was still at school who died tragically. Meanwhile, another work entitled “Gyo” was inspired by a war story that was told by his parents.

5. Won an Eisner Award

The Eisner Award is one of the most popular awards and is even known as the Oscar in the comic industry, which has existed since 1988. Junji Ito himself is an artist who is well known for his horror and mystical works. Through one of his manga entitled Remina and Venus in the Blind Spot, Junji Ito managed to bring home two awards in the best Asian international edition category and as the best writer/ comic author in the award ceremony. Also in 2019, he won the nomination for 'Best Adaptation from Another Medium' in the same event.

So, what do you guys think about the information about the Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of Macabre that airs on Netflix? If you are interested in watching the anime, you can go directly to the streaming platform immediately.

Also Read >> 5 Recommended Horror Manga by Junji Ito