Horror Master Junji Ito Made Japanese Ambassador (With Manhole Covers)

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For nearly half a century, Junji Ito has been crafting some of the most chilling tales within the realm of manga. His dark stories often find life on screen through anime adaptations, indicating that the horror maestro isn’t planning to retire anytime soon. In an unexpected honor, Ito was appointed as an ambassador for his native town in Japan, prompting a rather peculiar tribute. Now, manhole covers bearing Junji Ito’s artwork are appearing throughout the country, placing him alongside Mobile Suit Gundam as one of the notable figures whose designs adorn these items. Some of his beloved characters can be seen on these manholes for all to appreciate.

Excitedly, I, Junji Ito – the master of horror – took to my social media platform to announce an incredible new role. Originating from the charming city of Nakatsugawa, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been appointed as a tourism ambassador for my hometown! The official appointment ceremony was held at Hitomachi Terrace in Nakatsugawa City, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Mayor Oguri of Nakatsugawa City, President Sakai of Nakatsu Paper Co., Ltd., and all other involved parties. As a sneak peek, I’m delighted to reveal two spooktacular manhole covers titled “Tomie and Mt. Ena” and “Soichi and Kaede Lake,” which are the first of six chilling designs set to grace Nakatsugawa City streets. Stay tuned for more eerie adventures!

I was honored to be appointed as the Tourism Ambassador for the beautiful city of Kofu, in my hometown. At the “Hito-machi Terrace”, I had the privilege to attend the investiture ceremony. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Kurokawa, Mayor of Kofu City, and Mr. Sakei, President of Kofu Paperworks Co., Ltd., as well as all other related parties for their presence.

— 伊藤潤二 (@junjiitofficial) May 23, 2025

Anime Manhole Covers

In recent times, the eerie masterpieces by Junji Ito have joined an array of anime series that have been immortalized on manhole covers. For instance, Mobile Suit Gundam has been embellishing these city fixtures for years, while Pokemon characters have also graced some of their most beloved pocket monsters with similar treatment. It’s worth noting that Japan has a long-standing tradition of creating one-of-a-kind manhole covers adorned with diverse works of art, and it seems this practice is here to stay in the years ahead.

Ito’s Horrific Future

It’s unfortunate that there seem to be no impending plans for any new Junji Ito anime adaptations at this time. After the debated release of Toonami’s Uzumaki, fans have been left pondering if we’ll ever get an anime that truly captures his unique art style. Fortunately, there are upcoming projects in the works to bring Ito’s horror masterpieces to life through live-action productions instead.

Last year, Fangoria Studios and Through The Lens Entertainment unveiled plans for a trilogy of live-action films based on some of Junji Ito’s spookiest tales. As of now, only two titles have been confirmed: “Bloodsucking Darkness” and “The Mystery of The Haunted House,” which will get Western adaptations. However, the exact release dates for these movies are still under wraps. The third film in the trilogy has yet to be announced, but fans believe there are numerous Ito stories that could make excellent full-length horror films. Although anime adaptations of Ito’s work have sometimes fallen short, according to the fanbase, the enduring creepiness and impact of his stories suggest that we can expect more adaptations in the coming years.

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2025-05-23 18:09