HORROR SPECIAL: Stitches

Author: Hirokatsu Kihara
Illustrator: Junji Ito
Publishers: Viz Media
Age Group: Older Teen
Genre: horror
Type: manga; short stories

Content Warnings: disturbing imagery; partial nudity

Spoilers ahead

Plot

A tumor shaped like a man’s face slowly moves across a woman’s body. The sea shoots glowing balls into the sky, much to the distress of beachgoers. And a girl dressed up for a holiday has no eyes, no nose, nothing-her face is a total blank. 

9 short stories plus a bonus manga story. 

Character Development

In these short stories we don’t learn anyone’s names. We only have initials. This is an unconventional method for us to connect with the protagonists of each story while leaving them complete mysteries. We don’t get their personalities at all. The initialed protagonists are meant to ground us in the story, but be anonymous so we remain slightly unsettled as the short stories develop. It forces us to focus on what’s happening in the stories which increases the creep factor. 

World-building

Junji Ito does an excellent job portraying specific parts of the stories that we should be focusing on through visual aids. Each picture increases the creep factor leaving us slightly more unsettled. 

Each story is grounded in true stories with anonymous protagonists. The suspense is drawn out enough you want to know more and resolves easily leaving us both grateful the unsettling story is over but craving more. 

Themes

There is no common theme for each of these stories beyond experiences people have gone through. I’d consider the theme the feeling the reader is left with after each story. We’re slightly unsettled but want more. It’s thrilling and a drug as we get goosebumps. 

Observations & Predictions

The translation of the stories are very simple and easy to understand. If it didn’t have the bonus story with partial nudity, I’d consider this not just older teen but down to about 5th grade level, similar to those spooky tales books. 

Recommendations

Same author/ Illustrator:

Mimi’s Tales of Terror

Any of Junji Ito’s works. 

My Ranking

Plot: 8 - the stories were entertaining and easy to read
Character Development: 4 - mainly anonymity 
World-Building: 8 - excellent job choosing specific parts to emphasis with Junji’s art
Overall: 7/10