Member Reviews
The stories within were well written and illustrated. I especially liked the first story. The artwork made this manga, and I believe some readers will find it beautiful and terrifying.
**Disclaimer: I recieved a free eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity. This was interesting. I liked the short snippets of scary stories, and all the different ways that the horror aspects manifested. It really kept me guessing about what was going to happen. However, I didn't always love the dialogue. The art was really cool though, and really helped to build the tension.
4.5. This is not strictly a Junji Ito work (it's based on a collection of urban legends called Shin Mimibukuro), but he took enough creative liberties and drew his traditionally horrific images to go along with the psychologically horrifying stories that it feels like his other books. In fact, I felt like these images are even more grotesque and nightmare-inducing in this volume, which is both terrifying and delightful. But the fact that they're more effective might also have to do with the fact that these tales are real and, therefore, more plausible.
This is a collection of true short horror stories from the famed collection of urban legends Shin Mimibukuro. They have been drawn by manga artist Junji Ito who is known for his spooky horror manga.
I really enjoyed reading all of these creepy stories. Some of them were really short and some were longer. I honestly liked having a few that were only a couple of pages. I think your story needs to be that much scarier if you only have a few pages to work with. Overall I think that the story about the kids drowning was my favorite out of this collection. The ocean is already scary enough as is and that just added to the story. Overall, if you are a horror fan then definitely check this collection out!
I read this in one setting, and while it was a quick read, I didn't enjoy it. I think anthologies by their very nature are hit or miss. This had more misses than hits, unfortunately. I think the fact that this was an adaptation of a book that was already a retelling of well-known urban legends is the issue. I think I prefer Juni Ito originals. I know this is an older work as most of the books released in the West have been as of late, but not everything the man has done needs to be translated. Viz risks diluting his brand. I don't feel like it was well-paced or fleshed out. Some of the stories were barely blips while the others had very unsatisfying endings. Other than his art, which is always one of the main attractions, this was deeply disappointing.
"to's 'Mimi's Tales of Horror' is an enthralling and spine-chilling collection of stories that transports readers into the realm of fear and darkness. Each tale, meticulously crafted by the master storyteller Junji Ito, unveils a twisted world where the boundaries of reality and imagination blur.
The mastery of Ito's storytelling lies in his ability to tap into primal fears that lurk within us all. He weaves narratives that grip the reader from the very first page and refuse to let go, even after the story concludes. The suspense is relentless, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, their hearts racing with anticipation and dread.
One standout aspect of "Mimi's Tales of Horror" is Ito's unparalleled talent for creating nightmarish imagery. His intricate and grotesque illustrations plunge the reader into a surreal and horrifying dimension. The meticulously detailed drawings amplify the chilling narrative, making the reading experience even more immersive and terrifying.
The variety of tales in this collection is impressive, ranging from eerie encounters with supernatural beings to psychological horror that gnaws at the sanity of the characters. Each story presents a fresh and original take on the horror genre, demonstrating Ito's exceptional creativity and versatility as a writer.
Furthermore, the characters in Ito's tales are exceptionally well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative. The readers can connect with the characters' emotions and fears, making the horror all the more palpable and relatable.
While some stories may be more unsettling than others, each one contributes to the overall tapestry of horror that defines this collection. From the atmospheric settings to the haunting conclusions, "Ito's Mimi's Tales of Horror" is a must-read for fans of the macabre and anyone seeking an adrenaline-fueled literary journey into the darker corners of the human psyche. Junji Ito's storytelling prowess solidifies his place as a true maestro of horror, and this collection further cements his legacy in the genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ for the eGalley to review!
This collection of short horror stories is based on "Shin Mimibukuro" or "New Earmuffs" by Hirokatsu Kihara and Ichiro Nakayama. Junji Ito has done an excellent job of remixing these stories and with the beautiful, horrific art that is so iconic of his work. If you're looking for the heart-stopping horror that Ito is best known for, especially the body horror, this is not the collection for you; it has a focus on mysteries and classic ghost stories instead and many of them are honestly more sad than scary. One of them (the one about the woman in black next door) is more sci-fi than anything.
I still rather enjoyed this collection, though, and read it all in one sitting. It's definitely one to recommend if you simply want more of Ito's lovely art or want a nice ghost-story-around-the-campfire vibe.
Very solid collection of spooky stories for the season. There were some actually unsettling and gorgeous illustrations in this one. Definitely need to read his other stuff.
I thought "Mimi's Tales of Terror" was one of the stronger Junji Ito anthologies. Apparently, these stories are based off a different book of Japanese urban legends, although Ito was allowed to take liberties on the stories so at this point these stories are a copy of a copy of a copy. I felt that these stories were definitely a little creepier than some in other books (i.e. the Soichi stories). However, some were very short (maybe three to four pages) and didn't really seem to have a plot or ending so you were left scratching your head, but some of the stories were much longer and were definitely creepier. Overall, I enjoyed this anthology of stories and would recommend this one over some of the other anthologies. If you're already a fan of Junji Ito then this is another one to add to your collection.
Thank you Netgalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Junji Ito's art is absolutely chilling, as always. His distinct style brings life to these tales. Rather than being a straightforward narrative, this collection of shorts is tied together by a small cast of common characters. Each story is like a creepy slice-of-life segment. They are meant to be disturbing and unsettling, as Mimi encounters the strange and unexplainable.
So, here's what Junji Ito does: he takes everyday things that aren't inherently creepy and he makes them creepy. He also takes things that are already creepy and makes them horrifying.
This collection is pretty hit or miss for me, but the hits massively outnumber the misses, so still a success in my opinion.
Another good read from Junji Ito! Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
I cannot pick which story I enjoyed the most or which creeped me out the most. I for sure lost some sleep after some chapters. Will be looking forward to future books by him!
A collection of hauntings, possession and ghostly weirdness, Mimi’s Tales of Terror is another awesome display of Junji Ito’s mastery of the spooky. He covers a wide array of paranormal scares ranging from graveyards to haunted houses and sea ghosts.
This series of horrific comic shorts do not live down the artful visual storytelling that Junji Ito is known for. Each story left me with a chill and I love it.
Junji Ito delivers once again, wonderful spooky short stories to thrill and chill you. I'm excited to buy this in print at some point to add to my growing collection of his works.
As a huge Junji Ito fan, I expected nothing less than amazing. Mimi’s Tales of Terror was horrifying in the best way possible! Thank you so much Netgalley for the e-arc!
In this wholly original, wonderfully creepy new volume of short stories from the master of graphic horror novels, prepare to be scared! Each story Tigs on fears and unease as we are taken into peoples lives and encounters with the supernatural. Possibly Junji Ito’s best yet, Highly recommended!
Junji Ito is the king of horror manga, and this book is no exception. I liked this one because it was easy to pick up and put down - the stories were bite-sized, but complete. I found all the stories to be compelling in their own ways,
It was a fast read. I did enjoy it though, I want to start reading more of his work. Very very creative
This was a great short story collection that was full of brief and equally entertaining stories.
The stories were intriguing and often cliff hangers that left you wondering what happened after the story ended.
It’s a great pick for young audiences as the stories weren’t vulgar (that I remember) or extremely violent.