Junji Ito has earned his place as one of the scariest anime creators in the world, with countless manga stories and anime adaptations sending shivers down the spines of fans. With a new anime series depicting some of Ito’s creepiest stories on the way, it should come as no surprise that merchandise is still being created to honor the terrifying mangaka. What might come as a major surprise, however, is the unique creation that fits in perfectly not just with Ito’s aesthetic, but with one of his most popular tales of terror.
Announced for the Junji Ito store in Japan, “Junji Ito Art & Fashion Goods,” a life-sized coffin has been created depicting one of the master of horror’s most recognizable character, Soichi. The mischief-causing boy has long been a thorn in his family’s side and in the third outing for Soichi, “Coffin Tub”, the Junji Ito creation gets into the spirit of the beyond. Said coffin has recreated one of the pivotal moments of the story, depicting a vampire-like Soichi on the coffin’s lid. Here’s how the official Junji Ito store describes the big reveal:
“At the Shinjuku Isetan event for manga artist Mr. Junji Ito’s “JUNJI ITO ART & FASHION GOODS”! A project based on Mr. Junji Ito’s work “The Coffin” turning the cover illustration itself into a life-size coffin Fans of Mr. Junji Ito absolutely must come see it.” You can see the real-life Junji Ito coffin below.
Junji it is spooky future
As mentioned earlier, a new Junji Ito anthology anime series is on the way in “Junji Ito Crimson.” As of the writing of this article, the upcoming television series has yet to reveal what short stories will be brought to life, though there are still plenty that have yet to be brought to the screen. Anthology series such as The Junji here collection and Junji Ito’s Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre had their fair share of stories, with projects like Uzumaki and GYO also hitting the screen in the past. When it comes to stories that have yet to be animated, major ones such as Mystery of The Haunted House, Enigma at Amigura Faultsand the Hanging Balloons’ sequel are just a few examples. Even “The Coffin” has yet to be animated in any format.
Anime isn’t the only medium that Junji Ito plans on taking over, as three new live-action movies are in the works thanks to a deal struck between the manga artist and Fangoria Studios. As of the writing of this article, Bloodsucking Darkness and Mystery of The Haunted House have been confirmed for the trilogy, with the latter story being split into two. With Ito still working on new manga chapters to this day, there are sure to be far more adaptations of his work released in the future?
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