Uzumaki Producers Were ‘Screwed Over’ With Terrible Animation in Episode 2

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As a dedicated fan of Junji Ito’s work and someone who has been following his manga for years, I must say I am deeply disappointed with the recent developments regarding “Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror.” I was initially thrilled when I heard about this adaptation, but after witnessing the stark contrast between the first and second episodes, my excitement quickly turned to dismay.

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been left bewildered by the noticeable dip in quality between the first and second episode of “Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror.” Interestingly, an executive producer on the series has shared that they were unfortunately dealt a raw deal by the studios. Based on the iconic manga by Junji Ito, “Uzumaki” is a four-part Adult Swim series that delves into a mysterious coastal town where spirals are taking over, and our characters’ lives along with it.

A producer from the series briefly posted on Bluesky, expressing that there was a drop in quality between the first and second episodes. The initial posts were removed, but a Reddit user captured the conversation. The post started by saying, “It’s understandable, we anticipated this issue.” Without pointing fingers, he suggested that the producers were put in a difficult position and had three possible ways to continue the show. He elaborated on this point.

1) We had three choices: A) not complete the project and broadcast nothing as a failure, B) only finish one episode and leave it unfinished, or C) air all four episodes, flaws and all. In consideration of everyone’s hard work, we decided on option C.

It’s clear that the producer acknowledges the audience’s frustration due to the noticeable decline in quality. Numerous videos have surfaced online, showcasing side-by-side comparisons between Episodes 1 and 2 as evidence. Although fans have been speculating about the causes, it has been leaked that a new production team took over after the first episode. Studio Fugaku was responsible for the exceptional debut episode, but Studio Akatsuki handled the animation for Episodes 2 and 3. Thankfully, Studio Fugaku returned to work on the fourth and concluding episode.

When Will Junji Ito’s Work Get a Good Adaptation?

There was a lot of optimism, yet caution, surrounding Adult Swim’s Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror remake. Despite Junji Ito being a highly productive horror manga writer, his works haven’t fared well in animation adaptations so far. For instance, Netflix’s Junji Ito Maniac tried to compile several of the author’s shorter pieces into an anthology series. While the show looked promising, the episodes that were released received criticism for being uninteresting, dull, and not particularly scary from both critics and viewers.

Initially, Uzumaki was expected to end a string of disappointments after its debut captivated viewers. However, the peculiar uproar surrounding its animation may hinder any prospects of success. Regrettably, this show, which has immense potential for an animated version, might not get the chance it deserves. Had the quality of the animation remained high beyond the first episode, Uzumaki on Adult Swim could have been a guaranteed success. Sadly, fans of Junji Ito must continue waiting for a top-notch anime adaptation. You can catch Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror on Adult Swim or stream it on Max.

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2024-10-10 23:34