Full disclosure: I’m not fond of manga in the slightest. That being said, Junji Ito‘s work is a revelation (Uzumaki, for example). His unique ability to blend the grotesque with the beautiful, transforming mundane scenarios into nightmarish landscapes, has opened my eyes to the vast potential of manga in the realm of horror. The way Ito manipulates the human form, twisting it into shapes and forms that unsettle the mind, challenges my perceptions of horror. His stories are not just visually striking; they probe deep psychological fears, exploring themes of obsession, decay, and the uncanny intrusion of the supernatural into the everyday. Through Ito’s work, I’ve come to appreciate the depth and versatility of manga as a medium capable of profound emotional and psychological impact.

In light of that preamble, I was quite excited to read Stitches, a collaborative effort between Hirokatsu Kihara and Junji Ito. This collection, which follows their previous collaboration on Mimi’s Tales of Terror, embarks on a journey through eerie narratives intertwined with captivating illustrations. Kihara, known for his work on iconic Studio Ghibli films and his transition into writing, pairs with Ito, a maestro in horror manga, to create a compilation that leans heavily into the realms of the supernatural and the unexplained. However, the enjoyment of Stitches is complex, with its appeal perhaps limited to Ito’s artistry over the depth of narrative.

Stitches is structured as a series of short stories, or more aptly vignettes, accompanied by Ito’s illustrations. The stories, characterized by their brevity and lack of named characters, explore themes of existential peril, supernatural encounters, and mysterious happenings, often leaving more questions than answers​. The tales, such as “Face,” “Library,” and “Festival of the Dead,” dabble in the inexplicable with a focus on young women encountering the supernatural. Despite its rich cultural references and exploration of Japanese traditions and folklore, the collection’s storytelling is perceived as somewhat threadbare, with narratives that feel underdeveloped​​.

The collaboration between Kihara and Ito is noteworthy, given their respective legacies in Japanese horror and manga. Kihara’s background in film and literature provides a unique perspective, while Ito’s illustrations bring the stories to life with a haunting visual style. However, the synthesis of their talents in Stitches might not fully realize the potential expected from such a pairing. The stories, lacking in scare factor, rely heavily on Ito’s art to evoke a sense of unease and mystery. This imbalance between narrative depth and artistic expression make the collection more of an artistic endeavor than a literary one​​.

Stitches represents an attempt to merge the illustrated prose style popular in publications like Weekly Shonen Sunday with modern horror storytelling. The inclusion of a single manga story, “Summer Graduation Trip,” alongside the prose narratives, underscores this blend of mediums. However, the execution of this concept, while innovative, seems to fall short of delivering a cohesive horror experience that resonates deeply​.

Taken together, Stitches is a collection that will likely find a place among the most ardent fans of Junji Ito’s artwork, those who appreciate horror that teeters on the edge of the mysterious and the surreal rather than diving into the depths of fear. While it showcases the cultural richness of Japanese traditions and folklore through its narratives, the storytelling by Hirokatsu Kihara might not meet the expectations of readers seeking a more developed horror narrative. Personally, I have limited space on my bookshelves. So, I’m going to have to re-sell this one. This compilation, though a testament to the creative partnership between Kihara and Ito, perhaps underscores the challenges of balancing artistic brilliance with storytelling in the horror genre​​.

VIZ Media LLC
Published March 26, 2024