Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre Episode 3: Hanging Balloon

Manga chapter 0-0

Canon/LOW

OSHIMETER

9.3

7 Fans

5star
4star
3star
2star
1star
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack
← Prev: EP 2Next: EP 4 →

Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre Episode 3: Hanging Balloon

Manga chapter 0-0

Canon/LOW
← Prev: EP 2Next: EP 4 →

OSHIMETER

9.3

7 Fans

5star
4star
3star
2star
1star
PacingVisualWritingEmo ImpactSoundtrack

QUICK TAKES

ente0715's avatar
ente0715
VerifiedVerified
No me considero una persona impresionable, especialmente cuando actualmente es díficil encontrar algo que realmente de miedo, pero este capítulo me vacío el estómago, el final de la historia de los globos flotantes me aterro, excelente concepto y narrativa. Lo recomiendo.
justanotherjoestar's avatar
justanotherjoestar
VerifiedVerified

Such an iconic story brought to life. It thoroughly freaks you out in a way horror anime should. The story really stays with you. Amazing writing, but the animation doesn't do the manga justice. Seeing all the balloons at the end was definitely my favourite part.

eliii's avatar
eliii
VerifiedVerified

The title of the episode alone had me like HUH?! Balloons?? BALLOONS?! Who looks at something so entirely un-horror like and thinks yeah that would make a great horror story??

lucaskamado's avatar
lucaskamado
VerifiedVerified
Probably one of Junji Ito's most well known stories put to screen does the job pretty well done. The only downfall to it being in animated is that the unsettling nature of the drawings just doesn't translate right, but the story is the strongest point of this episode.
pranavi_birhade's avatar
pranavi_birhade
One of Junji Ito’s most iconic nightmares. Giant floating balloons shaped like people’s own heads drift through the sky, each carrying a noose. They silently hunt their human counterparts, turning the city into a surreal, suffocating landscape of dread.
adityarock118's avatar
adityarock118
This whole series consists of different horror episodes and I must say, this specific one "hanging balloons" sure doesn't fails to bring up a scare in you. The way this whole episode was portrayed and what starts with one death, follows everyone else's death, just floating
maestroinoue's avatar
maestroinoue

EPISODE CONTEXT

As an anthology series, each episode of Junji Ito Maniac stands largely on its own, but Episode 3 marks an escalation in ambition after Episode 2's paired stories "The Story of the Mysterious Tunnel" and "Ice Cream Bus." "Hanging Balloon" is a full-episode adaptation rather than a split format, giving the horror more room to breathe and build—a structural choice that signals the series is willing to vary its approach. This early placement showcases one of Ito's most well-known tales, setting a high bar for the supernatural and psychological horror entries that follow across the remaining nine episodes.

©ジェイアイ/朝日新聞出版・伊藤潤二『マニアック』製作委員会

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

EPISODE CONTEXT

As an anthology series, each episode of Junji Ito Maniac stands largely on its own, but Episode 3 marks an escalation in ambition after Episode 2's paired stories "The Story of the Mysterious Tunnel" and "Ice Cream Bus." "Hanging Balloon" is a full-episode adaptation rather than a split format, giving the horror more room to breathe and build—a structural choice that signals the series is willing to vary its approach. This early placement showcases one of Ito's most well-known tales, setting a high bar for the supernatural and psychological horror entries that follow across the remaining nine episodes.

QUICK TAKES

ente0715's avatar
ente0715
VerifiedVerified
No me considero una persona impresionable, especialmente cuando actualmente es díficil encontrar algo que realmente de miedo, pero este capítulo me vacío el estómago, el final de la historia de los globos flotantes me aterro, excelente concepto y narrativa. Lo recomiendo.
justanotherjoestar's avatar
justanotherjoestar
VerifiedVerified

Such an iconic story brought to life. It thoroughly freaks you out in a way horror anime should. The story really stays with you. Amazing writing, but the animation doesn't do the manga justice. Seeing all the balloons at the end was definitely my favourite part.

eliii's avatar
eliii
VerifiedVerified

The title of the episode alone had me like HUH?! Balloons?? BALLOONS?! Who looks at something so entirely un-horror like and thinks yeah that would make a great horror story??

lucaskamado's avatar
lucaskamado
VerifiedVerified
Probably one of Junji Ito's most well known stories put to screen does the job pretty well done. The only downfall to it being in animated is that the unsettling nature of the drawings just doesn't translate right, but the story is the strongest point of this episode.
pranavi_birhade's avatar
pranavi_birhade
One of Junji Ito’s most iconic nightmares. Giant floating balloons shaped like people’s own heads drift through the sky, each carrying a noose. They silently hunt their human counterparts, turning the city into a surreal, suffocating landscape of dread.
adityarock118's avatar
adityarock118
This whole series consists of different horror episodes and I must say, this specific one "hanging balloons" sure doesn't fails to bring up a scare in you. The way this whole episode was portrayed and what starts with one death, follows everyone else's death, just floating
maestroinoue's avatar
maestroinoue

©ジェイアイ/朝日新聞出版・伊藤潤二『マニアック』製作委員会

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com

©ジェイアイ/朝日新聞出版・伊藤潤二『マニアック』製作委員会

AnimeOshi.com refers to anime titles, character names, logos, and other trademarked or copyrighted materials to identify and describe the works being reviewed, discussed, ranked or otherwise referenced on this site. This usage is believed to be nominative fair use or non-infringing and is not intended to imply any affiliation with the respective rights holders.

All trademarks and copyrights remain the property of their owners. If you are a rights holder and have concerns about any content on this site, please contact us at legal@animeoshi.com