Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito

6 reviews

mermaidsherbet's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

elisedasnarechick's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Violence

Moderate: Eating disorder and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cursing

lilybear3's review

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I haven't read all of the newer short story collections, but I have read a lot of his work.  This was the scariest collection of his that I've read recently.  I like his story collections that are contained and they're stories that don't necessarily connect with one another in the same book.  I'm a huge fan of Uzumaki and Gyo, but I love the short story format.  I did appreciate imagining Soichi as a grown person, I thought that was interesting.  He's the absolute master of the "page turn" jump scare.  I try not to read his work at night! 

The scariest stories for me were:  The Mystery of the Haunted House (both), Library Vision, and Death Row Doorbell.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy

lynxpardinus's review

dark mysterious tense

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Misogyny and Rape

stardustdreamer's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Physical abuse

Minor: Toxic relationship and Pregnancy

rachelunabridged's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 another masterful story collection by itou junji! i might be biased because he's been one of my favorite manga artists for years, but i don't think i've ever read a story of his that wasn't at least good. (though there are ones that i like better than others for sure.)

this collection is full of his usual bizarre fare enhanced by his nightmare-inducing art. the ones i though were particularly notable were

earthbound
the mystery of the haunted house (both parts)
smashed

would rec this to anyone who enjoys bizarre forms of horror and doesn't particularly mind if the contents are left unexplained.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Blood