Junji Ito Collection: Season 1 (2018)

The first episode of "Junji Ito Collection" introduces the story "Souichi's Diary of Curses." It begins with a young boy named Souichi, who is fascinated with curses and the supernatural. He is seen in his room, surrounded by various occult items, including a cursed doll. Souichi's older sister, who is skeptical of his interests, warns him about the dangers of curses. Undeterred, Souichi decides to use a curse to get back at a classmate who bullied him. He writes the boy's name in his diary, believing it will bring misfortune upon him.

As the story progresses, Souichi's curse begins to take effect. The classmate experiences a series of unfortunate events, leading to a growing sense of dread. Souichi revels in the power he feels from the curse, but his sister becomes increasingly concerned about his obsession. She confronts him, urging him to stop using the diary, but Souichi dismisses her warnings. He becomes more consumed by the idea of curses, even attempting to summon a spirit to aid him.

In a climactic moment, Souichi's classmate confronts him, demanding to know what he has done. Souichi, feeling invincible, boasts about his curse. However, the classmate reveals that he has also been dabbling in curses and has summoned a vengeful spirit. The spirit appears, and chaos ensues as it attacks Souichi. In a panic, Souichi tries to reverse the curse, but it is too late. The spirit ultimately turns on him, leading to a horrifying conclusion where Souichi's fate is sealed by his own obsession.

The second episode, "Fashion Model," follows a young woman named Aiko who works in the fashion industry. She is sent to a remote location for a photo shoot featuring a new model. Upon arrival, Aiko meets the model, who is strikingly beautiful but has an unsettling presence. The crew is captivated by her, but Aiko feels an instinctive fear. As the shoot progresses, strange occurrences begin to unfold, including the model's bizarre behavior and the crew's growing unease.

During a break, Aiko overhears the crew discussing the model's past, revealing that she has a reputation for being cursed. They share stories of previous models who have gone missing or suffered tragic fates after working with her. Aiko's anxiety intensifies, but she feels compelled to continue with the shoot. As night falls, the atmosphere becomes increasingly eerie, and Aiko witnesses the model transforming in front of her eyes, revealing grotesque features.

In a moment of horror, the model's true nature is revealed as she begins to devour one of the crew members. Aiko, horrified, tries to escape but finds herself trapped in the studio. The model pursues her, and Aiko's desperation grows as she fights to survive. In a final confrontation, Aiko manages to escape the studio, but the model's haunting presence lingers, leaving Aiko traumatized and forever changed by the experience.

The third episode, "Voices in the Dark," centers on a young man named Kazuya who moves into a new apartment. He begins to hear strange voices coming from the walls, which seem to be communicating with him. Initially, he dismisses them as figments of his imagination, but the voices grow more insistent and disturbing. Kazuya becomes increasingly paranoid, believing that the voices are trying to convey a message or warning.

As the voices continue to haunt him, Kazuya's mental state deteriorates. He starts to isolate himself from friends and family, consumed by the need to understand the source of the voices. He conducts experiments, trying to communicate back, but the responses become more chaotic and threatening. Kazuya's obsession leads him to uncover a dark history of the building, including previous tenants who experienced similar phenomena.

In a climactic moment, Kazuya confronts the source of the voices, which manifests as a terrifying entity. The confrontation escalates into a struggle for Kazuya's sanity and life. He fights against the entity, but it overwhelms him, leading to a tragic end where Kazuya is consumed by the very voices he sought to understand.

The fourth episode, "The Hanging Balloons," introduces a chilling phenomenon where giant, floating balloons appear in the sky, each with a human face. The balloons are revealed to be deadly, as they seek out individuals whose faces match those on the balloons. The story follows a group of friends who become aware of the threat and attempt to survive.

As the balloons begin to claim victims, panic spreads throughout the city. The friends devise a plan to hide and protect themselves, but the balloons are relentless. They witness the horrifying deaths of those around them, leading to a sense of hopelessness. The group becomes increasingly paranoid, turning on each other as fear takes hold.

In a desperate attempt to escape, the friends confront the balloons, but their efforts are futile. One by one, they fall victim to the balloons, leading to a tragic and gruesome conclusion. The last surviving member is left to face the reality of the balloons, ultimately succumbing to the terror that has consumed their lives.

The fifth episode, "Shiver," revolves around a young woman named Kirie who discovers a strange, cursed object--a hairpin that seems to bring misfortune to those who possess it. Kirie initially finds the hairpin beautiful, but soon realizes that it is causing chaos in her life. She witnesses friends and family members experiencing bizarre and tragic events after coming into contact with the hairpin.

As Kirie's life spirals out of control, she becomes determined to rid herself of the hairpin. She seeks help from a local expert on curses, who warns her of the hairpin's dark history. Despite her efforts, the hairpin continues to exert its influence, leading to increasingly dire consequences. Kirie's emotional state deteriorates as she grapples with the curse and its impact on her loved ones.

In a final act of desperation, Kirie confronts the hairpin, attempting to destroy it. However, the curse proves to be more powerful than she anticipated. The episode culminates in a tragic ending, with Kirie realizing that the curse cannot be escaped, leaving her to face the consequences of her choices.

The sixth episode, "Rumors," tells the story of a high school girl who becomes obsessed with a series of urban legends circulating among her classmates. The rumors revolve around a mysterious figure known as "The Woman in the Dark," who is said to appear to those who speak her name. Intrigued, the girl begins to investigate the legend, despite warnings from her friends.

As she delves deeper into the rumors, the girl becomes increasingly isolated, driven by her desire to uncover the truth. She encounters others who have had terrifying experiences related to the legend, each recounting their own encounters with the Woman in the Dark. The atmosphere becomes tense as the girl realizes that the legend may hold more truth than she initially believed.

In a climactic moment, the girl decides to summon the Woman in the Dark, believing she can control the situation. However, the summoning goes horribly wrong, and the Woman appears, revealing her true, terrifying form. The girl is left to confront the consequences of her actions, leading to a chilling conclusion where she becomes another victim of the legend she sought to understand.

The seventh episode, "The Fashion Model," revisits the story of Aiko and the cursed model, expanding on the aftermath of the photo shoot. Aiko struggles to cope with the trauma of her experience, haunted by the memory of the model and the horrors she witnessed. She becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that the model is still pursuing her.

As Aiko tries to move on with her life, she encounters others who have also been affected by the model's curse. They share their own stories of terror, reinforcing Aiko's fears. The episode explores the psychological impact of the curse, as Aiko grapples with her sanity and the lingering effects of her encounter.

In a final confrontation, Aiko must face her fears and confront the model once more. The episode culminates in a tense showdown, where Aiko fights to reclaim her life from the grip of the curse. The resolution leaves Aiko changed, forever marked by her experience, as the model's presence continues to loom over her.

The eighth episode, "Souichi's Diary of Curses," revisits Souichi's story, providing further insight into his character and motivations. The episode explores his obsession with curses and the consequences of his actions. Souichi's internal struggle is highlighted as he grapples with the power he wields and the darkness it brings.

As the episode unfolds, Souichi's relationships with his family and friends are examined, revealing the impact of his curse obsession on those around him. The tension builds as Souichi's actions lead to increasingly dire consequences, culminating in a tragic ending that reinforces the dangers of his pursuits.

The ninth episode, "Voices in the Dark," revisits Kazuya's story, delving deeper into his descent into madness. The episode explores the psychological toll of the voices and the impact on his relationships. Kazuya's internal conflict is highlighted as he struggles to maintain his grip on reality.

As the episode progresses, Kazuya's attempts to escape the voices become more desperate. He seeks help from various sources, but each encounter only deepens his paranoia. The climax reveals the true nature of the voices, leading to a horrifying conclusion that leaves Kazuya trapped in his own mind.

The tenth episode, "The Hanging Balloons," revisits the balloon phenomenon, exploring the aftermath of the chaos it caused. The episode follows survivors as they grapple with the trauma of their experiences. The psychological impact of the balloons is examined, highlighting the fear and paranoia that linger in the community.

As the survivors attempt to rebuild their lives, they confront the lingering threat of the balloons. The episode culminates in a tense confrontation, where the survivors must face their fears and the reality of the curse. The resolution leaves them forever changed, haunted by the memories of the terror they endured.

The eleventh episode, "Shiver," revisits Kirie's story, exploring the consequences of her encounter with the cursed hairpin. The episode delves into her emotional state as she grapples with the aftermath of the curse. Kirie's relationships are strained as she tries to navigate the chaos that ensues.

As Kirie seeks to rid herself of the hairpin, she encounters others who have been affected by its curse. The episode builds tension as Kirie's desperation grows, leading to a climactic confrontation with the hairpin. The resolution leaves Kirie forever marked by her experience, as the curse continues to haunt her.

The twelfth episode, "Rumors," revisits the urban legend of the Woman in the Dark, exploring its impact on the community. The episode follows a new group of characters as they become entangled in the legend. The tension builds as they confront their fears and the reality of the curse.

As the characters delve deeper into the legend, they uncover the dark history behind the Woman in the Dark. The episode culminates in a chilling confrontation, where the characters must face the consequences of their actions. The resolution leaves them forever changed, haunted by the legend they sought to understand.

In the Junji Ito Collection, Season 1, the ending features a series of unsettling tales that culminate in a sense of dread and horror. The final episodes showcase the characters facing the consequences of their actions and the terrifying realities of their situations, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of unease.

In a more detailed narrative, the final episodes of Junji Ito Collection unfold with a series of chilling stories that highlight the fragility of human existence and the horrors lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life.

The first story, "Souichi's Diary of Curses," follows a young boy named Souichi who is fascinated with curses and dark magic. He writes in his diary about his plans to curse those who wrong him. As the story progresses, Souichi's obsession leads him to summon a powerful spirit, which he believes will help him exact revenge. However, the spirit turns on him, showcasing the dangers of meddling with forces beyond one's control. Souichi's fate is sealed as he becomes a victim of his own dark desires, illustrating the theme of unintended consequences.

Next, "Voices in the Dark" presents a chilling tale of a woman who begins to hear voices that lead her to commit horrific acts. As she struggles to maintain her sanity, the voices grow louder and more insistent, driving her to the brink of madness. The story culminates in a terrifying revelation as she realizes that the voices are not just figments of her imagination but are connected to a sinister force that seeks to consume her. The emotional turmoil she experiences reflects the internal conflict between her desire for normalcy and the overwhelming influence of the dark forces at play.

In "Fashion Model," a young woman named Sayaka is drawn into the world of high fashion, only to discover that the industry is rife with grotesque secrets. As she models for a mysterious designer, she encounters a terrifying creature that embodies the darker aspects of beauty and desire. The story concludes with Sayaka's transformation into a model that is both beautiful and horrifying, symbolizing the price one pays for fame and acceptance in a superficial world. Her fate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sacrificing one's identity for societal approval.

The final story, "The Hanging Balloons," presents a surreal and nightmarish scenario where giant balloons with human faces begin to float through the city, capturing and killing people. The protagonist, a man named Kuroda, grapples with the surreal nature of the situation as he witnesses friends and loved ones being taken by the balloons. The story escalates into chaos as society crumbles under the threat of these ominous entities. Kuroda's struggle to survive and protect those he loves highlights the themes of helplessness and the inevitability of fate. In the end, he faces the balloons himself, leading to a tragic conclusion that leaves viewers questioning the nature of existence and the fragility of life.

As the series concludes, the characters are left to confront the horrors they have unleashed or encountered, each facing their own demise or transformation. The overarching narrative of Junji Ito Collection emphasizes the thin line between reality and the grotesque, leaving a haunting impression that lingers long after the final credits roll.

In the Junji Ito Collection, Season 1, there are no post-credit scenes following the episodes. Each episode concludes without additional content after the credits, maintaining a focus on the eerie and unsettling narratives that are characteristic of Junji Ito's work. The series is structured to leave viewers with a lingering sense of dread and curiosity, aligning with the horror themes presented throughout the episodes.

Souichi starts as a mischievous boy fascinated by curses and dark magic, often using his powers for personal gain or revenge. However, as the series progresses, particularly in episodes like 'Souichi's Diary of Curses', his character reveals a deeper complexity. He grapples with the repercussions of his actions, showcasing a blend of arrogance and vulnerability. His transformation is marked by moments of fear and realization, especially when he faces the consequences of his curses, leading to a more nuanced understanding of his powers.

In 'Souichi's Diary of Curses', the spiral symbolizes the curse that Souichi unleashes through his dark magic. The spiral motif is a recurring theme in Junji Ito's work, representing obsession and the inescapable nature of fate. As Souichi uses his diary to cast curses, the spirals become a visual representation of the chaos and horror that ensues, reflecting his internal struggle with the consequences of his actions.

In 'Tomie: Photo', Tomie serves as a catalyst for obsession and destruction. Her beauty captivates those around her, leading to a series of tragic events. The episode explores the theme of unattainable desire, as characters become increasingly infatuated with her, ultimately leading to their downfall. Tomie's character embodies the idea of eternal allure and the horror that comes with it, as she manipulates those who fall for her, showcasing her supernatural ability to regenerate and return, no matter the violence inflicted upon her.

In 'Fashion Model', the main character, a model, experiences a profound transformation as she confronts the grotesque reality of the fashion industry. Initially, she is excited about her career, but as she encounters the eerie and unsettling nature of her fellow models, her confidence begins to erode. The episode delves into her internal conflict, as she grapples with fear and revulsion towards the monstrous aspects of beauty. This culminates in a chilling realization of the lengths to which she must go to maintain her status, ultimately leading to a haunting conclusion that leaves her forever changed.

In 'The Hanging Balloons', the story unfolds in a world where giant, floating heads of people appear, each representing a person who has died. The protagonist, a woman named Aiko, becomes increasingly paranoid as she realizes that these heads are hunting down the living. The episode masterfully builds tension through Aiko's growing fear of being targeted, reflecting her internal struggle with mortality and the unknown. The visual horror of the hanging balloons serves as a metaphor for the inescapable nature of death, amplifying the sense of dread and paranoia that permeates the narrative.

"Junji Ito Collection" is not considered family-friendly. The series is based on the works of horror manga artist Junji Ito and contains several potentially objectionable or upsetting scenes and themes that may be distressing for children or sensitive viewers.

1. Graphic Violence: The show features scenes of intense violence, including dismemberment and gore, which can be quite shocking.
2. Body Horror: Many episodes explore themes of body horror, with grotesque transformations and unsettling physical abnormalities that can evoke fear and discomfort.
3. Psychological Horror: The series delves into deep psychological themes, including madness and existential dread, which may be unsettling for younger audiences.
4. Death and Suffering: Characters often face tragic fates, and the portrayal of death is frequent and can be depicted in a disturbing manner.
5. Dark Themes: The narratives often explore themes of despair, isolation, and the macabre, which may not be suitable for children.

Overall, the series is intended for a mature audience and is best approached with caution by those sensitive to horror and unsettling content.