Interview with Junji Ito

Let’s step into the eerie world of Junji Ito himself. We sat down with the iconic manga artist to discuss his inspirations, the nightmares behind his most chilling creations, and what truly scares the man who has terrified millions.

About Junji Ito

Junji Ito is a master of horror manga, known for weaving the bizarre and grotesque into nightmarish tales that linger in the mind long after the final page.

His works often transform the mundane into something terrifying; whether it’s an obsession with spirals in Uzumaki, grotesque sea creatures invading the land in Gyo, or the eerie, unexplainable horrors lurking in Venus in the Blind Spot. His intricate, highly detailed artwork and an unparalleled ability to evoke dread has cemented Junji Ito as one of the most influential figures in horror manga to date.

Medusa A-Line Midi Skirt – Uzumaki

We know that you started your career as a Dental Technician, what drew you to creating manga?

“When I was a child, I read horror manga by Kazuo Umezz and Shinichi Koga, and I wanted to draw them myself, so I started drawing for fun. After that, I continued to draw for fun using only paper and pencil, but when I was in high school, I met a friend who was drawing full-fledged manga using a pen and ink, and I imitated him and started drawing with a pen and ink. However, I could hardly finish it properly.”

We love that you write your own manga stories as well as drawing them. How do these two different creative processes differ for you?

“For me, drawing and story are interrelated and influenced by each other. When creating a story, the images that pop into my head help a lot, and sometimes a casual doodle can give specificity to the story making process. Once the story is created, it is then storyboarded. If the actual storyboarding does not work, the story may be fine-tuned or even changed drastically. We also consider how to depict the facial expressions, movements, and composition of the characters in order to convey the story clearly. Once the storyboard is completed, the rest is just drawing.”

The Scar Evil Tee Dress – Uzumaki

Your works powerfully draw your audience into the story. What techniques and mediums do you use to create your artworks?

“I try to create a strong impression mainly with the contrast between black and white by the pen strokes on a black-and-white screen. The gray tone created by hatching the jet black of ink on the pure white of paper is more intense than the gray of ink diluted with water, and the light and shadows create a more striking image. Therefore, black ink and white paper are the painting materials, and pens are mainly G-pen and round pen (mapping pen). For color manuscripts, transparent watercolors are often used.”

Is there a particular story behind the artwork in this collection?

“Almost all of them are fantasy or fiction, but “Master Umezz and Me” in “Venus in the Blind Spot ” is an essay manga about my childhood memories, so it is based on facts.”

Do you have a personal favorite artwork?

“I like the picture in “Uzumaki” where the face of a girl named Azami is invaded by a vortex, and the picture in “The Human Chair” (original story by Ranpo Edogawa) where the contents of a chair are revealed.”

Through The Eyes Skort – Venus In The Blind Spot

We know you have been creating manga art for many decades, what or who keeps your inspiration flowing?

“There is no specific source of inspiration, but there are many sources of inspiration lurking in various places. If I had to pick one, I would say that the human body inspires me the most. The human body, with its complex mind, is the motif that interests me the most.”

What is your all-time favorite horror film?

“I was shocked when I saw “The Exorcist” as a child. It is a different kind of movie for me. At the time, it felt so new that the horror movies I had seen before seemed old-fashioned.”

Erosion Sheer Short Sleeve Column Maxi Dress – Uzumaki