Dissolving Classroom by Junji Ito - A Polite Descent into Madness
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My Thoughts:
If you’re stepping into Junji Ito’s work for the first time, Dissolving Classroom might surprise you; not because it’s his scariest, but because it’s so uniquely strange. Known for the visceral terror of Uzumaki, Tomie, and Gyo, Ito takes a different approach here: one that’s quieter, more psychological, and honestly kind of hilarious in a deeply uncomfortable way.
This short, standalone volume follows Yuuma and Chizumi Azawa, a brother-sister duo whose presence seems to rot every place they visit. Yuuma is obsessed with apologizing. Like, obsessively apologizing. Constantly. For everything. His behavior is so unsettling that you can’t help but wonder what kind of trauma or darkness lies underneath. And then there’s Chizumi; loud, violent, chaotic, and convinced her brother is in league with the Devil. Spoiler: She might be onto something.
Each story is a piece of the larger picture, unfolding in vignettes that feel like eerie urban legends. And while it’s not as classically “scary” as some of Ito’s other works, it’s packed with unsettling ideas: performative guilt, emotional manipulation, and the way shame can quite literally dissolve a person from the inside out.
Why I Rated It 4/5:
What I Loved:
Fresh horror concept: The weaponization of apology is so weird, but also so original.
Chizumi is pure chaos: Her unfiltered violence and wild energy made the story unpredictable and fun in a deeply messed-up way.
It’s short and satisfying: You can knock this out in one sitting, and it delivers a complete, creepy arc.
Ito’s art is sharp and disgusting in the best way: Melting faces, gooey horror, twisted expressions; it’s all here.
Underlying themes: This isn’t just horror for shock value… It’s smart, satirical, and metaphor-heavy.
Minor Gripes:
Not super scary: It’s creepy and gross, but it won’t keep you up at night.
I felt a little rushed in places and I would’ve loved a bit more time with some characters or deeper story connections.
Final Thoughts:
This isn’t the horror juggernaut that Uzumaki or Gyo is, but Dissolving Classroom still holds its own as a quick, disturbing read with big ideas behind its gooey, body-melting exterior. If you’re already an Ito fan, it’s a must-read. And if you’re new? This is a weirdly perfect place to start.
Rating: 4/5
Not terrifying, but smart, sinister, and deeply original.