Junji Ito: Collection - Tomie
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
Memories, both good and bad, suffuse the high school experience. Whether it's hanging out with friends or cramming for tests, everyone has something they will remember from that time in their lives. At a certain high school, one class is faced with an event that can cause people to look back on their high school days in sadness: the death of a student. The deceased is not just any student—she's Tomie Kawakami, a popular girl with an almost otherworldly beauty. Her death was particularly gruesome: her body was dismembered and the pieces scattered. As the class tries to make sense of the situation, they are shocked when a familiar voice calls out to them from the doorway, apologizing for being late. With raven hair and a beauty mark under her left eye, this girl is the spitting image of their murdered classmate. But she can't actually be Tomie, right?
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment is largely disappointed, with many critics agreeing that the adaptation fails to capture the depth and horror of the original manga. While some praise the artwork and premise, the overwhelming consensus points to rushed pacing, poor character development, and confusing storytelling as major detriments. The general recommendation is to read the manga instead.
Strengths
- Commendable artwork and deliberate framing that maximizes disturbing scenes.
- Solid premise and unsettling atmosphere.
- Voice acting and sound design are adequate/good, helping to elevate tension.
- Captures the unsettling essence of Junji Ito's work.
Weaknesses
- Poor art and animation quality, even by the series' standards.
- Rushed pacing and significant cuts from the source material, hindering atmosphere and mood.
- Confusing storytelling, especially for newcomers unfamiliar with the manga.
- Heavy censorship (black streaks) detracts from the visual horror.
- Underdeveloped and generic characters due to the condensed runtime.
- The adaptation fails to fully replicate the detail and uncanny nature of Ito's drawings, resulting in less impactful horror.