Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection

Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection (Japanese: 死びとの恋わずらい, Hepburn: Shibito no Koiwazurai) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito. It was serialized in Nemuki from May to November 1996 and collected into one volume in May 1997. A live-action film adaptation, titled Love Ghost, was released in March 2001.

Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection
死びとの恋わずらい
(Shibito no Koiwazurai)
Genre
Manga
Written byJunji Ito
Published byAsahi Sonorama
English publisher
MagazineNemuki
DemographicShōjo
Original runMay 1996November 1996
Volumes1
Live-action film
Love Ghost
Directed byKazuyuki Shibuya
Written byNaoyuki Tomomatsu
Licensed by
ReleasedMarch 24, 2001 (2001-03-24)
Runtime95 minutes

Media

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Manga

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Written and illustrated by Junji Ito, the series was serialized in Nemuki from May to November 1996.[2] Asahi Sonorama collected the series' individual chapters into a tankōbon volume, which was released on May 20, 1997.[3]

At Anime Expo Lite, Viz Media announced that they licensed the series for English publication.[4] Viz Media released the volume on April 20, 2021.[1]

Film

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A live-action film adaptation, titled Love Ghost, was released in Japan on March 24, 2001. It was directed by Kazuki Shibuya and written by Naoyuki Tomomatsu. Eleven Arts licensed the film for international distribution.[5]

Reception

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Nick Smith from ICv2 praised the narrative of the first half of the story, though he also felt the second half did not fit with the first.[6] Lynzee Loveridge from Anime News Network offered praise for the artwork, while also criticizing the characters as shallow.[7]

The series was awarded the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia in 2022.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection". Viz Media. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  2. ^ Fukuda, Rika (April 12, 2013). "ネムキ後継誌Nemuki+創刊記念、「百鬼夜行抄」今市子インタビュー". Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "死びとの恋わずらい". Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  4. ^ Sherman, Jennifer (July 3, 2020). "Viz Media Licenses Dr. Stone Reboot: Byakuya, Asadora!, Beast Complex, Call of the Night Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  5. ^ Macdonald, Christopher (November 14, 2005). "Shibito no Koiwazurai Live Action Movie 9". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  6. ^ Smith, Nick (February 11, 2021). "Review: 'Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection' HC (manga)". ICv2. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (April 20, 2021). "Review: Lovesickness: Junji Ito Story Collection GN". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  8. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (July 23, 2022). "Junji Ito Wins Eisner Award for Lovesickness Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
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