The genre of horror has been dominated by a few creators that have immersed themselves in the craft as deeply as Junji Ito and Hideo Kojima. Over the span of their careers, both have earned recognition as true masters of storytelling.
In a recent joint interview, the pair opened up about their journeys in the industry. The publication talked about their major influences, with Ito highlighting Kazuo Umezu as his foremost source of inspiration during his high school years, particularly singling out “Butterfly Grave” as a standout work.
Junji Ito (Left) and his illustration of the horror masterpiece ‘Tomie’
On the other hand, Kojima disclosed that Kobo Abe’s “The Woman in the Dunes” had a profound impact on him. The novel captured his imagination years ago and continues to resonate with him today. Fans of Kojima Productions are encouraged to check out the book, given its lasting influence on the developer.
Art has always been a collaborative effort, with creators drawing inspiration from one another as they craft their masterpieces. Ito and Kojima stand at the pinnacle of their respective fields, and insights into their creative processes are always welcomed by fans.
Hideo Kojima (Left) and Cliff Under (Right) from Kojima’s ‘Death Stranding’
Earlier this year, Ito visited Kojima Productions, with Kojima sharing a photo of the two at the studio. The image sparked excitement among fans, who are now eagerly hoping for a collaboration between the two masters.
With this recent interview shedding light on their mutual admiration and influences, the calls for a joint project have only grown louder.
The current year symbolizes a breakout one for Kaiju No. 8. At the start of 2024, fans around the globe were treated to the historic debut of the anime, which simulcasted in real-time from Japan. Since its premiere, Kaiju No. 8 has held viewers charmed week after week.
In a recent interview in Japan, series creator Naoya Matsumoto opened up about the origins of his hit manga. Matsumoto revealed that Kaiju No. 8 began out of a mixture of spite and desperation.
Kafka (Left) in his Kaiju form (Right) in ‘Kaiju No. 8’ (Production I.G)
Frustrated by financial struggles and watching his friends find success in manga magazines, Matsumoto channeled these emotions into his story about Kafka, a thirty-year-old struggling to achieve his dream.
Interestingly, Matsumoto mentioned several of his successful friends in the industry, including Yuki Tabata (Black Clover), Toshiaki Iwashiro (Psyren), and Ryuhei Tamura (Beelzebub). Despite a long career in manga, Matsumoto did not achieve mainstream success until Kaiju No. 8.
Asta (Left) and Yami (Right) from ‘Black Clover’ (Studio Pierrot)
Since the manga’s debut, Kaiju No. 8 has soared in popularity, and the anime adaptation has only amplified its success. Matsumoto expressed that he finally feels he can measure up to his successful friends in the industry.
If you haven’t checked out Kaiju No. 8 yet, Matsumoto urges you to give it a try! The sci-fi series is available for streaming on X (Twitter) and Crunchyroll.
