SHIVER

What is both evident and undeniable, however, is the remarkable creative process of the great mangaka. Each story is accompanied by the artist's own commentary, offering insights into the period in which it was created, as well as details about the original idea behind it. But that is not all. Ito also opens up his notebooks, enriching each story with preliminary sketches and personal notes.

In this way, readers are given a unique opportunity to peek behind the curtain and discover the initial spark that inspired each story, the changes made during its development, the ways in which different narrative ideas are combined into a cohesive whole, and the artistic approaches and choices that shaped the final result.

In *Shiver*, we encounter stories such as *Used Record*, which clearly reveals Ito's love of music and his passion for jazz. At the same time, it offers an ironic commentary on obsessive fans and record collectors, who, on the one hand, enjoy sharing the things they love, while, on the other, desperately want to keep something rare exclusively for themselves.

*Shiver* also revisits one of the artist's most beloved and recurring themes: holes in the human body, an image as otherworldly as it is terrifying.

Long before Coralie Fargeat's film *The Substance*, starring Demi Moore, reached cinemas and sparked discussions among film enthusiasts, Junji Ito offered his own interpretation of similar themes in *Fashion Model*: the rivalry between ageing and youth, and the privilege of beauty, which can provoke a cannibalistic, bloodthirsty desire in those who feel deprived of it.

*Hanging Blimp* is a perfect example of a type of horror that only Ito seems capable of creating. He takes something innocent and cheerful, such as balloons, and transforms it, through a nightmarish journey into the absurd, into something utterly horrifying.

By contrast, *Marionette Mansion* draws upon a familiar element of literary and cinematic horror: lifeless puppets. Yet Ito manages to breathe new and original life into this well-established motif, adding psychological depth and raising questions about free will.

In *Painter*, perhaps the most recognisable of Ito's sinister female protagonists returns: the beautiful, demonic Tomie. The story explores the creative process, artistic inspiration and the subjective nature of beauty.

*The Long Dream* is undoubtedly the most philosophical story in the collection, exploring the concept of time and the very nature of dreams.

Ito's deeply human and genuine fears become apparent in *Honored Ancestors*: the terrifying prospect of memory loss that accompanies ageing, as well as the metaphorical burden each of us carries from our ancestors.

Finally, *Greased* is a characteristic example of another kind of Ito story: narratives that push readers to their limits. This particular tale is guaranteed to disgust even the bravest among them.

Overall, *Shiver* is an outstanding introduction to the work of this extraordinary creator. It fully showcases the remarkable range of his imagination, bringing together stories that move from the terrifying to the bizarre, and from the humorous to the deeply philosophical, while maintaining a consistently exceptional standard.

As a result, it is certain to satisfy both newcomers to Junji Ito's work and longtime admirers alike.