Junji Ito Collection Season 1 Episode 12

Ep 12. Smashed / Rumors

  • TV-MA
  • March 23, 2018
  • 23 min

Smashed / Rumors is the twelfth episode of the Junji Ito Collection, a horror anime series. The episode consists of two different stories, each with a unique plot and setting.

In the first story, Smashed, a high school student named Suzuka is tormented by her classmates who constantly bully her. When she begins to develop a crush on her classmate, Kikuchi, her life takes a strange turn. Kikuchi seems to be taking an interest in her but his advances are far from loving. He begins to stalk her and cause her harm. Horror ensues as Suzuka tries to figure out how to deal with Kikuchi’s deranged behavior.

In the second story, Rumors, an urban legend begins spreading around a small town. The tale is about a girl called Hanako who died in a car accident near the town. The rumor goes that if you repeat Hanako’s name three times in front of a mirror, she will appear and drag you into the afterlife with her. Despite being skeptical, a group of friends decide to try the ritual. After successfully invoking Hanako, the group of friends faces haunting and supernatural events one by one.

The Smashed story is a haunting tale of a teenager that goes through a tumultuous journey after being idolized by a classmate who turns out to be not what he seems. The episode highlights some serious social issues, with bullying and stalking being central themes. It showcases the physical and emotional damage that can happen as a result of bullying in school and how it can shatter a person’s mental health. The underlying message of the story is to never overlook bullying, and to always seek help and support if it is happening to you.

The Rumors story, on the other hand, presents a classic horror trope of urban legends turned into reality. The story revolves around how a group of friends starts a chain reaction of terror after they taunt fate with a spooky ritual. As the tension builds up, the friends are subjected to a series of unfortunate events, beginning with small scares and building up with each attempt to break the supernatural haunting. The story plays on our childhood fears of ghost stories and the possibility of the unknown being just behind our reflection when we stare at ourselves in the mirror.

Both stories in this episode of Junji Ito Collection are executed with the series’s trademark eerie and unsettling vibe. The animation, design, and use of sound all work together to create an atmosphere that leaves the audience feeling uneasy and unnerved. The use of unique camera angles and lighting adds to the suspenseful nature of the episode, making it an excellent watch for horror fans who love great animation and visual storytelling.

In terms of quality, the Smashed / Rumors episode of Junji Ito Collection is truly remarkable. The characters are well fleshed-out and the stories are presented in a manner that feels realistic, despite their macabre nature. The decision to include two stories in one episode was a wise move as it showcases the diverse range of the author’s literary works. The episode further leaves the audience craving for more tales from the twisted mind of manga master Junji Ito.

Overall, this episode showcases Junji Ito’s storytelling prowess and the disturbing themes that he often explores in his works. A must-see episode for horror fans, Smashed / Rumors is a great addition to the already stellar collection of stories presented in the Junji Ito Collection.

Description
Watch Junji Ito Collection - Smashed / Rumors (s1 e12) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
Junji Ito Collection, Season 1 Episode 12, is available to watch and stream on . You can also buy, rent Junji Ito Collection on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    March 23, 2018
  • Content Rating
    TV-MA
  • Runtime
    23 min
  • Language
    English