A new anime series based on the works of acclaimed horror manga artist Junji Ito, titled Junji Ito Crimson, has been officially announced, with renowned singer Yumi Matsutōya performing its theme song “Karasu Ageha”. The announcement was made at Japan Expo 2025 in Paris, France, generating significant anticipation among fans of Ito’s unique brand of horror.
A New Chapter in Animated Terror
Junji Ito Crimson marks the third animated adaptation of Ito’s extensive body of work, following the 2018 Junji Ito Collection and 2023’s Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre. This new series is conceptualized around “monsters,” promising to delve into carefully selected masterpieces from Ito’s oeuvre, brimming with his characteristic madness and a strong emphasis on the color “crimson.” Crunchyroll has confirmed that it will stream the anime upon its release.
Yumi Matsutōya’s “Karasu Ageha” to Set the Tone
The legendary Japanese singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutōya, affectionately known as Yuming, will contribute the opening theme song for Junji Ito Crimson, titled “Karasu Ageha” (Crow Swallowtail). A music video for the song, featuring original illustrations by Junji Ito himself, has already been released. The main character of the music video, the Karasu Ageha, symbolizes a connection between the underworld and the present world.
The collaboration between Ito and Matsutōya reportedly blossomed after Ito, a long-time admirer of Matsutōya’s work, learned of her visit to his “Junji Ito Exhibition: Temptation” in 2024. Ito expressed his excitement, stating that the anime’s title alone ignites anticipation and that Matsutōya’s involvement feels like “a dream.” He praised her demo for “Karasu Ageha” as a “masterpiece” with an “emotionally rich melody.” Matsutōya, in turn, noted the delicate Japanese beauty and sorrow underlying Ito’s surreal and grotesque works, seeing a shared aesthetic sensibility. “Karasu Ageha” is also slated to be included in Matsutōya’s upcoming 40th original album, set for release this fall.
The Legacy of Junji Ito in Anime
Junji Ito’s manga has inspired multiple animated projects over the years. The Junji Ito Collection (2018) adapted stories from his Itō Junji Kessaku-shū (Junji Ito Masterpiece Collection) and Fragments of Horror manga. This included an adaptation of the popular Tomie story. In 2023, Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre debuted worldwide on Netflix, animating 20 stories from Ito’s work for the first time. Additionally, Ito’s acclaimed Uzumaki manga inspired a separate four-episode mini-series anime adaptation, which premiered in September 2024 on Netflix after multiple delays. Beyond anime, Ito’s Uzumaki and Tomie have also led to live-action adaptations, while his GYO manga inspired an original video anime project.
