Lagore

Review: Frankenstein (manga)

Frankenstein by Junji Ito

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As you may have noticed with my previous blog, I have stumbled across some recently translated stories by Junji Ito.  He is best known for writing and illustrating Gyo and Uzumaki.  Now I liked those stories, but they had a few heavy flaws.  The characters weren't great, and the storyline seemed inconsistent at times.  But those manga showed a kind of potential that I haven't seen in a storyteller in a long time.  He showed a kind of control over the reader's emotions that I've never seen equaled in a manga.  His skill at inducing unease, disgust, and a long-lasting sense of terror is very impressive.  Frankenstein certainly does not have the same kind of creepy imagery and brutal tone as his previous stories, but it is infinitely more well crafted.

Story

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With Frankenstein, Junji does exactly what every good adaptation should do.  He stays very faithful to the original novel by Mary Shelley, while making only the most necessary changes.  Ito condenses and simplifies some events to make the story flow better in it's new format.  He even, dare I say, fixes some flaws in Shelley's original story, especially in regards to making the climax and ending more impactive.  Viewers who aren't familiar with the novel are probably going to be in for a surprise.  The Hollywood depictions of the monster as a shambling, mumbling, slightly tall man are right out the window.  In this manga, Frankenstein's monster is an eight-foot tall amalgam of rotting corpses.  He is intelligent, strong, and filled with rage towards his creator.

The pacing is wonderful.  Events move by quick enough to not bore you, but slow enough to adequately explain everything.  Nothing is wasted in this story.  Every character serves their purpose, every dialogue and narration moves the story forward in some way.  I'll admit that this is not as terror-inducing as his previous tales, but that mood just would not be appropriate for this story.

Junji constructs the story as a classic tragedy.  Frankenstein's hubris leads to him losing everything he cherishes.  Even the monster, despite doing horrible things, leads a cursed, lonely life, and at times seems fully justified in his vendetta against Frankenstein.

Artwork

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Ito's illustrations are ramped up to a whole different level in this story.  I always liked his unique art style, but he seems so fully in control of it, that I'm really surprised.  His previous stories all seemed to have one tone to them throughout.  However, in this manga, Ito uses the illustrations as a tool to enhance the current mood of the story.  When the story is lighter, the illustrations are brighter as well.  The characters look like they could be from any typical manga.

But when the tone of the story gets darker, the illustrations change drastically.  They are darker, and have much higher contrast.  The characters look more gaunt and haggard.  Even the shape of the individual panels change from squares to shattered and elongated shapes.  I've always considered Ito a writer foremost, but these illustrations have me realizing what a talented artist he truly is.

Overall

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To say that this is the best adaptation of the Frankenstein story I've ever seen is a gross understatement.  It absolutely is the best adaption of Mary Shelley's novel I've found, but it is also one of the greatest manga I've ever read.  I've already read through it twice, and I can't wait to read it again.  I can only hope that Ito continues crafting stories of this quality for many years to come.