Junji Ito is known for creating a sense of unease and creeping dread that is often mixed with body horror. He often bases this in everyday life and the malignant force happens to people, rarely is there a hero who escapes... It's a bit of a downer really but that's what people like about his work. There's often no deus ex machina or hard reset; the world is messed up and that's it -fade to black.
With Remina, a 2005 graphic novel, Ito moves away from his usual oeuvre and adds a sci-fi horror element which is flecked with social commentary and satire. The plot of Remina revolves around the surprising discovery of a new celestial body which emerges from a newly found wormhole in the far reaches of the Universe. The scientist who discovers it names it after his shy daughter Remina. When the planet starts to move erratically across the cosmos, it is noted that the stars and planets along its path start to disappear. So when it changes direction, travelling at faster than light speed, after staring into the eyes of a scientist studying it, the world and society starts to collapse.
I stated earlier that Ito uses this piece to cast an eye of society and he quickly shows how, when faced with an existential crisis the Veneer Theory kicks in and society regresses. People fall back to superstition and the blood sacrifices of old as they offer up Remina to her celestial namesake. The ease and speed at which the world falls apart is quick and, like in most dystopic media, a charismatic antagonist becomes a figurehead of hope. On the other side, we have a homeless man who feels it's his duty to protect Remina, simply because it's the right thing to do- no agenda, no evil machinations or angle.
I won't spoil it but the novel ends on a note of optimism. When faced with horrific cosmicism, nihilism and nepotism why not remain hopeful and do what you can to help others. The book was release over 20 years ago so Covid and the worldwide overriding positive response with people helping each other shows that Veneer Theory is not the obvious result but for the sake of this graphic novel, it is an intriguing horror element.
As with all Ito's work, the art is fantastic and the imagination firing on all cylinders. The Moonfall-style failing gravity scene is crazy and adds excitement to an ending that lands on a downer yet with a slight sense of optimism. This isn't the finest Ito work I've read, that would be Uzamaki so far, but it is an interesting premise which is well worth a read.
LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East
LINK- Blood, Sweat and Pixels- Book Review
LINK- The Offworld Collection- Book Review
LINK- Shadow of the Colossus- Book Review
LINK: Manga Exhibition at the British Museum
LINK- The Midnight Library and the Idea That You Can’t Go Home Again
LINK- The Transportive Nature of Objects (And the Power of Mini Consoles)