Junji Ito’s ‘Maniac’ Teases Scary Head Balloons In New Poster

Junji Ito’s upcoming horror anime Maniac gets scarier by the day. Ahead of its global premiere on January 19, 2023, the creator has been releasing scary posters teasing what’s to come for fans. The latest among these scary graphics is one where fans see floating head balloons up in the sky amid other creepy elements. What more does the new poster share about the creepy Junji Ito stories? Keep reading to find out the details!

Junji Ito Was Awarded The Kazuo Umezu For Tomie

It’s difficult to ace the horror genre, more so with an anime series. However, Junji Ito has always managed to make the viewer’s blood run cold with spooky storytelling and terrifying sights. Ito’s first mangaka titled Tomie was released in 1987 which helped him bag the prestigious Kazuo Umezu award. Ever since then, the creator has published several manga series that inspired anime and live-action adaptations.

[Source: YouTube]

Now, Netflix has taken charge of entertaining horror genre fans with one of Ito’s best works. Based on Maniac: Japanese Tales Of The Macabre, the latest anime series brings together several stories slammed together in a haunting tale.

**Netflix’s Maniac Teases Evil Balloon Heads & Creepy Schoolgirl**

In the latest poster, shared on Junji Ito’s official Twitter account, fans can see creepy balloon-like heads floating in the sky. While some try to fend off the evil-looking heads, others seem like they are trying to run away. However, one is seen simply standing there with a creepy smile in a school dress and hands on her chin. While the picture in itself makes no sense, it does look creepy and scary enough to give you nightmares for days.

来年1月19日からの全世界配信を記念し、伊藤潤二先生にSPビジュアルを描いていただきました!!アニメ化される「富江・写真」「首吊り気球」「双一の愛玩動物」がコラボした世界観！首吊り気球の襲来に対して、富江と双一の対照的なリアクションに注目ください！#伊藤潤二マニアック #Netflix #junjiito pic.twitter.com/EXSRHa8DL6

— 伊藤潤二『マニアック』公式/Junji Ito Maniac/Netflix全世界配信中!! (@itojunji_anime) December 23, 2022

Moreover, this isn’t the only time Junji Ito’s manga has inspired an anime anthology. There were several adaptations of The Model, Tomie, Window Next Door, and Smashed in the past. Anime fans believe it didn’t live up to the original manga artwork. Now, with the upcoming Netflix adaptation, fans are looking forward to great storytelling, especially since the visuals have been perfect to start with.

[Source: YouTube]

As per ComicBook, Maniac will adapt some of Junji Ito’s popular stories like Where The Sandman Dwells, The Hanging Balloons, Ice Cream Truck, and many more.

Toonami Is Currently Working On Junji Ito’s Uzumaki

Apart from Maniac, another one of Junji Ito’s anime adaptations is underway. His popular manga Uzumaki is currently being produced by Toonami. More so, the story is one of Ito’s best yet. It follows a cursed mountain town dealing with a sickly obsession with spirals. These obsessions present themselves in terrifying ways. A small teaser was shared for the upcoming series and has fans blown away by the perfect detailing. However, the series doesn’t have a release date yet.