Bog of Living Spirits

nathandouglasdavis Feb 22, 2022

4

Most, if not all, of Junji Ito's oneshots can fit within this basic three-part structure: the set-up, the follow-through, and the final twist. The Set-Up: This oneshot opens up on a boy looking over a litter-filled swamp and commenting on how this feels like a prime location for ghosts to show up. The Beautification Committee is also introduced, as is Kojima and the flock of fan-girls who follow Kojima around. The set-up does a good job of introducing the relevant elements of the story and making it obvious that something will go down at the swamp without giving away exactly what that something will be. So in that sense, it's good. It creates a sense of expectation while leaving things open-ended enough that the reader becomes interested in seeing how the story will develop. The Follow-Through: I don't want to be too explicit in detailing how Junji Ito followed through on the idea of the swamp and its dangers, but I thought it was fine enough. Perhaps a bit underwhelming. There's a brief moment where the story feels like a linear ghost story type of thing and I appreciate how Junji Ito immediately shifts it into something of a mystery, keeping us readers engaged as we wonder whether the secret plan had worked or whether it had gone wrong. And Junji Ito (wisely) never provides a clear answer to this mystery, which leaves us readers subtly frustrated at the end (which may not sound like a positive thing, but it can be). The Final Twist: I've noticed that Junji Ito likes including a final twist in the last few pages or panels of feir stories. Usually something very absurd and ridiculous. The final twist in this one ties back to the extreme obsessiveness of Kojima's fan-girls, so it kinda sorta connects together, but it honestly just felt silly to me. Unfortunately, this final twist (as with many others) doesn't feel like it's strengthening the story and instead just comes across as Junji Ito just wanting to include one final gut punch of weirdness.