Statues more than redeems Junji Ito after the failed Uzumaki anime
Junji Ito’s latest manga compilation, Statues, which debuted in March 2026 as an English-language release, successfully redeems the creator’s reputation following the poorly received 2024 Uzumaki anime miniseries. The 10-chapter collection compiles both previously published and newly created stories that exemplify Ito’s signature approach to horror, transforming mundane elements—scarecrows, headless statues, intricately detailed maps, and circus performances—into sources of cosmic unease.
Statues showcases Ito’s mastery of unsettling storytelling, exploring deeper themes that examine human sociology, psychology, and the fragility of human perception. The stories pose fascinating philosophical questions through their strange narratives, demonstrating the creator’s sustained creative vision and relevance in the horror genre.
Among the collection’s highlights is “Dying Young,” a story originally published in the 2000s that follows high school girls through an unsettling scenario. This retrospective compilation reinforces why Ito remains one of the medium’s most acclaimed horror creators, successfully restoring his standing after the underwhelming anime adaptation.