A review by andy78
Gyo by Junji Ito

dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Read the story on the internet a few years ago and thought it was mediocre - mainly because of the open ending. Now, after reading every other Junji Ito books and making peace with his style of storytelling, I appreciate Gyo for what it is good at: transporting you into a disgusting fever dream of body horror. I still have problems with how Ito writes such annoying characters and tropes (e.g., women depicted as always being the first to go crazy/contradictory and throw tantrums). I fully hope Junji Ito is out there enjoying healthy and fulfilling relationships, because couples/spouses in his stories will make you think "Why the hell are they not broken up and hating each other already?" That said, with Gyo's female protagonist, we have some sprinkles of backstory (her upbringing) and exposition (let's be honest, I'd probably act like her as well if I smell the stench of rotting corpses all the time) to justify for her actions. All in all, excellent art. One of Ito's Big Three for a reason.
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