Junji Ito Collection (Japanese: 伊藤潤二『コレクション』, Hepburn: Itō Junji "Korekushon") is a horror anime anthology series adapted from the works of manga artist Junji Ito. Animated by Studio Deen, the anime adapts stories from several of Ito's collections. The series premiered on January 5, 2018, and ran for 12 episodes, accompanied by the release of two OVAs. The series was co-produced and streamed worldwide by Crunchyroll outside of Asia in eight languages on the same day.[2] A follow-up anthology series adapating more of Ito's works, Junji Ito Maniac, was released in 2023.
| Junji Ito Collection | |
 Poster | |
| 伊藤潤二『コレクション』 (Itō Junji "Korekushon") | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror[1] |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Shinobu Tagashira |
| Written by | Kaoru Sawada |
| Music by | Yuki Hayashi |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
| Original network | Wowow, Tokyo MX |
| English network | |
| Original run | January 5, 2018 – May 25, 2018 |
| Episodes | 12 (24 segments) + 2 OVAs |
Voice cast
editProduction
editThe anime was first announced June 30, 2017, via Junji Ito's page on the Asahi Shimbun website.[8] In August, the adaptation was confirmed to be a television series with animation by Studio Deen.[9] Shinobu Tagashira, known for his directorial work on Diabolik Lovers, directed and created the character design for the anime.[9][10] The announcement also revealed that the series would adapt from two of Ito's manga collections, the 11 volume Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection and the single volume Fragments of Horror,[9] but did not specify which stories would be adapted, as the staff wanted viewers to be surprised when the show aired.[1] The series revealed its official title on October 12, 2017,[1] and also announced that Kaoru Sawada was scripting the series, Hozumi Gōda was serving as sound director, and that Yuki Hayashi would compose the music for the series.[1] The series will also include two OVAs, which adapt from Ito's Tomie manga.[11]
The opening theme song, "The Writhing in Agony Blues" (七転八倒のブルース, Shichitenbattō no Burūsu), will be performed by The Pinballs,[12] while the ending theme song, "Mutual Universe" (互いの宇宙, Tagai no Uchū), will be performed by Jyocho.[3]
Release
editThe series was initially scheduled to premiere on Tokyo MX on January 7, 2018,[1] but was later announced for a January 5 premiere on WOWOW's Anime Premium programming block.[13] Additionally, the series received an advance showing on December 23, 2017, which was attended by Ito and voice actor Yūji Mitsuya.[14] The series is being simulcast on Crunchyroll worldwide outside of Asia, and Funimation began streaming an English dub on January 20, 2018.[15][16]
The series ran for 12 episodes and was released as three separate sets on DVD, on March 30, 2018, April 27, 2018, and May 25, 2018. The second and third sets each include an OVA episode.[11]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title[a] | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Souichi’s Convenient Curse" "Hell Doll Funeral" | January 5, 2018 |
| 2 | "Fashion Model" "The Long Dream" | January 12, 2018 |
| 3 | "Boy at the Crossroads" "Slug Girl" | January 19, 2018 |
| 4 | "Shiver" "Marionette Mansion" | January 26, 2018 |
| 5 | "The Ongoing Tale of Oshikiri" "Cloth Teacher" | February 2, 2018 |
| 6 | "Window Next Door" "Gentle Goodbye" | February 9, 2018 |
| 7 | "Used Record" "Town of No Roads" | February 16, 2018 |
| 8 | "Honored Ancestors" "The Circus Comes to Town" | February 23, 2018 |
| 9 | "Painter" "Blood-bubble Bushes" | March 2, 2018 |
| 10 | "Greased" "Bridge" | March 9, 2018 |
| 11 | "Supernatural Transfer Student" "Scarecrow" | March 16, 2018 |
| 12 | "Smashed" "Rumors" | March 23, 2018 |
| OVA–1 | "Tomie Part 1" (Japanese: 「富江」Part1) | April 27, 2018 |
| OVA–2 | "Tomie Part 2" (Japanese: 「富江」Part2) | May 25, 2018 |
Notes
edit- ^ The English episode titles are taken from Crunchyroll.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Reveals Visual, Staff, January 7 Premiere". Anime News Network. October 12, 2017. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Crunchyroll Announces Winter 2018 Simulcast License Acquisitions". Crunchyroll. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Reveals 13 Cast Members, Jyocho Song". Anime News Network. December 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Junji Ito Collection English Cast & Crew". www.funimation.com. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
- ^ "Kiba Walker on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
- ^ Shipman, Matt. "Hey, I'm Hiroshi in this week's Junji Ito Collection ep! Next door neighbors can be pretty creepy... Thanks for having me play a rational horror character @MikeMcFarlandVA!". @MattShipmanVO. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "Jordan Dash Cruz on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
- ^ "Work by Horror Manga Artist Junji Ito Gets Anime Adaptation". Anime News Network. June 30, 2017. Archived from the original on October 31, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Junji Ito Anime's Website Reveals Staff, Visual, Winter 2018 TV Premiere". Anime News Network. August 10, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Beautiful Horror at ACG_Labo's Junji Itō : Collection Exhibit - Manga Planet". Manga Planet. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- ^ a b "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Listed With 12 TV Episodes, 2 OVA Episodes". Anime News Network. December 25, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime's Promo Video Previews Theme Song". Anime News Network. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Sets Earlier January 5 Premiere". Anime News Network. November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on December 28, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Junji Ito 'Collection' Anime Casts Hikaru Midorikawa, Mami Koyama, Rie Suegara". Anime News Network. November 22, 2017. Archived from the original on January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Crunchyroll, Funimation Announce 7 Anime for Winter 2018 Simulcast Season". Anime News Network. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ "Funimation Announces Simuldub Premiere Dates". Anime News Network. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
- ^ "Junji Ito Collection". Crunchyroll. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
External links
edit- Official website (in Japanese)
- Junji Ito Collection (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia