Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection Review

​When it comes to horror manga, there’s one mangaka who stands out above them all. One whose work is so permeated throughout the world, there’s simply no denying that he is the face of horror manga to this day. Junji Ito is back with another US localization of his beloved horror shorts in a jam packed four hundred paged collection.

"Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection" boasts thirteen gruesome chapters in a beautifully designed hardcover casing. Like any Junji Ito collection, the tales themselves vary in tone & theme but all leave you unsettled just the same. It presents much of the beloved body horror, obsessions, and imminent demise we’ve all come to love from many of Ito’s works. We even see a return of the iconic Fuichi from “Fashion Model” alongside others familiar faces. From eerie comedians to seemingly normal libraries, there’s nothing the collection features that doesn’t make you question the way you view things.

The manga as a whole was absolutely concrete. One of the best things about Junji Ito’s storytelling is the absence of explanation which I personally believe makes for a more hair raising experience. We naturally fear the unknown or things that are beyond our comprehension. Terrifying tales alongside the lack of rhyme or reason is precisely what we get and it leaves the mind to wander long after you’ve closed the book.

The art of course is on a level all its own. Ito takes incredible time and care into creating the horrific scenes he wishes to portray, ESPECIALLY for the anticipated page turns. The people, creatures, and scenes are layered with intense, intricate details and are all perfectly in tune with the world in which they inhabit. Each page is a visually unnerving masterpiece landing this collection as a must have for any fan or horror collector.

In conclusion, I couldn’t recommend Smashed enough. For anyone who’s a Junji Ito fan, you’ll be giddy just holding this book in your hands. It’s tastefully put together and to me would seem a lot of love and care was put into its release. I sincerely hope there are more localizations in store!

-Sylvia
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You can get more info on "Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection" and see a free preview at:
https://www.viz.com/smashed-junji-ito-story-collection

Overall Rating: A+
 
Pros:
+Beautiful presentation
+Obviously released with respect for it’s creator
+Looks good on your shelf
+Spooky!!! That’s all we can ask of a horror manga

Cons:
 -Price is a bit steep, but for the quality it’s understandable