“It undoubtedly prompts one to question who the real monster is in this scenario.” This is how director Yûta Shimotsu encapsulates the events of a new episode from the live-action Japanese horror anthology series, Strange: Junji Ito’s Tales for Sleepless Nights. However, this sentiment could easily apply to nearly any episode within the series.
The acclaimed manga artist whose creations inspire the show, renowned for his macabre short stories, presents unsettling narratives that blur the lines between protagonist and antagonist amidst surreal nightmares.
The inaugural season, comprising 12 episodes, aired on TV Tokyo this past summer, and now HBO Max is delivering these chilling tales to audiences in the United States, Latin America, and Spain. The first two episodes are currently available for viewing: “Lovesickness – (Part 1 of 3)” and “The Bully –”. The latter had previously been animated for Junji Ito Maniac on Netflix. Fans attending the New York Comic-Con were treated to the US premiere of the episode “Face Thief”, adapted from Ito’s story “The Face Burglar”.
Unveiling the Enigma of “Face Thief”
“Face Thief”, which was previously adapted into a television film in Japan in 2000, follows the narrative of Machida (played by Nanami Yamazaki), a new student who encounters an oddly clingy classmate named Kamei (Anna Hoshino). After witnessing a girl in class who bears an uncanny resemblance to Kamei yet claims no relation, Machida uncovers Kamei’s modus operandi: she befriends attractive girls only to steal their faces.
As their intimate conversations progress, Kamei’s visage begins to shift, initially repelling Machida. However, when Kamei uses a third eye on her cheek to fend off bullies, a bond begins to form between the two. The conclusion remains undisclosed, but the director crafts a scathing critique of conformity and social pressure prevalent in Japanese society. Following the screening, he remarked, “There exists a societal pressure that compels us not to deviate too far from the norm. Individuality is often not respected.”
Despite Shimotsu’s desire to alter the narrative by changing the ending for the live-action adaptation, “Face Thief” effectively captures the slow-burn atmosphere of the original comic, first published in Monthly Halloween in 1987—the same year that marked Ito’s famed debut with Tomie. The title of the new television series draws inspiration from Nemuki (“Strange Stories for Sleepless Nights”), a spin-off of that shōjo manga magazine.
Junji Ito’s Cameo and Creative Vision
At the New York Comic-Con, the now 63-year-old Junji Ito made an appearance, delivering a video message in which he described “Face Burglar” as an early tale conceived after numerous unsuccessful attempts to submit to publishers. “It’s not a ghost, but a unique condition inspired by chameleonic camouflage,” Ito explained. He added that the new adaptation for Tales for Sleepless Nights “came to life thanks to a fresh team of emerging actors and directors. Instead of jump scares, it builds a slow, oppressive dream, perfect for horror.”
Shimotsu conveys the essence of Ito across all episodes he directed by infusing a sense of stillness into the performances and cinematography that resonates with the comic’s pages. He expressed to a fan his intent to elevate fidelity to the source material in the second season by filming at least one episode in black and white, reflecting Ito’s preferred illustration style.
When an attendee at the convention inquired about which of Ito’s works he would like to adapt next, Shimotsu received applause for his response: Uzumaki, the groundbreaking horror manga that has been adapted multiple times, including a recent four-part anime miniseries for Adult Swim. This latest rendition faced notable production challenges, leading to a decline in quality after the first episode, to the extent that the fourth did not even credit a director. A live-action adaptation under Yûta Shimotsu’s direction promises to be both extraordinary and intriguingly bizarre.
“I would love to continue creating aesthetics as strange and unique as Mr. Ito’s work. That is my goal,” Shimotsu stated. “I am developing a Hollywood project, so see you all soon.”