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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Uzumaki

Uzumaki is a Japanese horror manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Uzumaki is a Japanese horror manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito. It was serialized in Shogakukan's *Big Comic Spirits* from 1998 to 1999 and follows the residents of the fictional town of Kurouzu-cho, which is cursed by spirals. The title means "spiral" in Japanese and is commonly left untranslated in English.

Plot

The story follows Kirie Goshima and other residents of Kurouzu-cho as spirals begin to affect people, objects, and the town itself. The curse escalates into increasingly grotesque and surreal events.

Publication

Uzumaki was serialized in *Big Comic Spirits* from 1998 to 1999 and later collected by Shogakukan into three volumes. English-language publication was handled by VIZ Media.

Adaptations

The manga has been adapted into other media, including a live-action film released in 2000 and an anime television adaptation that premiered in 2024.

Reception

The series has been widely recognized as an important horror manga and was cited by the Young Adult Library Services Association in its 2009 list of the "Best 10 Graphic Novels for Teens." It was also nominated for an Eisner Award in 2003.

Key facts

  • Uzumaki is a horror manga by Junji Ito about a town cursed by spirals.
  • It was serialized in *Big Comic Spirits* from 1998 to 1999.
  • The story follows high-school student Kirie Goshima in Kurouzu-cho.
  • The manga was collected into three volumes.
  • It has been adapted into a live-action film (2000) and an anime series (2024).
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Canadian context

Uzumaki is available to Canadian readers through English-language manga publishing and has also received French-language and other international editions, making it part of the broader Canadian manga market.[9][11]

Frequently asked questions

Who created Uzumaki?
Uzumaki was written and illustrated by Japanese manga artist Junji Ito.
What is Uzumaki about?
It follows the people of Kurouzu-cho, a town cursed by spirals that trigger supernatural and horrific events.
When was Uzumaki first published?
It was serialized from 1998 to 1999.
How many volumes does Uzumaki have?
The manga was collected into three volumes.
Has Uzumaki been adapted?
Yes. It was adapted into a live-action film in 2000 and an anime television series in 2024.
What genre is Uzumaki?
It is generally classified as horror, with mystery, psychological, and supernatural elements.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzumaki
    Supports: Japanese title, creator, serialization dates, setting, and three-volume publication
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Uzumaki
    Supports: Publication dates, English publication, title meaning, and plot overview
  3. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/manga.php?id=1249
    Supports: Genres and plot summary
  4. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NpMvrgXxCw
    Supports: General discussion of the manga's status and interpretation
  5. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH4NCGh6MJ4
    Supports: Plot description and title meaning
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uknz4vEmLs
    Supports: General identification of the work as a Junji Ito manga