Back in August 2019,Adult Swimand Toonami lit the internet ablaze with a teaser trailer for an anime adaptation of Junji Ito’s legendary horror mangaUzumaki. News about the progress of the series was hard to find since then, but Adult Swim has now unveiled new information about theirUzumakiminiseries along with fresh footage and a delayed-release window.
Uzumakitells the story of a sleepy seaside town that finds itself haunted and tormented by an epidemic of spirals. It starts innocently enough, with small whirlpools forming in the rivers, but quickly descends into a dangerous and disturbing situation as bodies begin to contort in gruesome manners and paranoia sets in on the town’s villagers.
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In the teaser, director Hiroshi Nagahama explained to fans of Ito andUzumakithat the four-part miniseries was being delayed from its previous release window to October 2022, stating thatthe COVID-19 pandemichad an impact on the production of the series, which had already required twice as many animators as usual for a project of that size. But the teaser contained a small snippet of footage from the project, which showcased stunning imagery and fluid, subtle animation.
Adult Swim is the home of some of the most creative, eclectic, and innovative animated works in the world, which includes celebratedseries such asRick and Morty,Robot Chicken, andAqua Teen Hunger Force. The television channel is no stranger to the world of anime, as they have been known to air anime series such asInuyasha,Fullmetal Alchemist,Naruto, andBleachlate at night. For Adult Swim to present this adaptation ofUzumakiis a sign of inspired motivation on the channel’s part.
The first teaser from 2019 was sparse with details but promised a strict adherence to the classic black-and-white art style of the original graphic novel, as well as the involvement ofMushi-Shiseries director Nagahama andHereditaryscore composer Colin Jost. Based on the recently released footage, the creators and animators behind theUzumakiminiseries have kept that promise.
Fans may have to wait longer for this four-partUzumakiseries, but there is more confidence than ever from fans and animators alike that the series will hold true to the twisted vision of Ito. So while the wait may feel unbearable, all signs point to it being worthwhile, and besides, no one would want the creators to rush the release of suchan anticipated adaptation.
