Gyo, Volume 1 [Paperback]

Junji Ito (Author), Yuji Oniki (Author), Alvin Lu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2003

This is the first volume of the long-awaited new horror manga series from the critically acclaimed creator of Uzumaki. The young couple Tadashi and Kaori are vacationing in Okinawa, but instead of enjoying their time, they bicker endlessly about such insignificant topics as Tadashi's bad breath. The source of the stench, though, may actually be something quite different. When a strange walking fish appears, Tadashi and Kaori know something's amiss. And when a Great White Shark attacks — again, walking — their mundane complaints quickly pale in comparison.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (September 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569319952
• ISBN-13: 978-1569319956
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,377,848 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freaky, yet... cool, February 26, 2004

By 

Kit (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gyo, Volume 1 (Paperback)

A very good read, even if you're not a horror manga fan. And if you are, then that makes it even better.

If I had to choose any one word to describe this manga by Junji Ito, it'd be "freaky". Not "bizarre", like Uzumaki was. Not "weird", like Flesh Colored Horror was. And not "creepy", like Tomie was. "Freaky". Yes, Gyo is freaky.

Ito manages to show that even fish can be terribly daunting in different situations. Admittedly, the idea of walking fish might raise an eyebrow or two at first -- but as his past work shows, Junji Ito is very capable of making anything and everything frightening... whether they be fish, spirals, or beautiful girls. Here, the fish is drawn with every detail, from its scales to its many fangs. Personally, I find their eyes the most frightening feature of them all -- especially how they remain blank and emotionless as they unleash chaos upon inhabitants of the land. Brrr.

Unlike "Uzumaki" or "Tomie", however, "Gyo" won't hit you with grotesque images every other page, nor does it offer you gallons upon gallons of blood in every chapter. No, "Gyo" prefers to put the focus on the terrifying situations themselves, rather than just the outcomes (those with claustrophobia might feel a bit queasy at the last couple of pages). And while there's virtually no blood at all, there are enough images that will give you a more lasting impression more than a few splatters of blood ever would.

So! If you have a fear of the sea and its many unknown creatures, you might want to sit this one out. Otherwise, sit back, grab a soda, and prepare to hate fish.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good start from Junji Ito, December 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gyo, Volume 1 (Paperback)

The previous reviewer nailed the content of this book fairly well. Not on the same level as Junji's earlier masterpiece Uzumaki, but this is a different kind of book in any case. Gyo volume 1 is to some degree an homage to old-school Japanese monster/disaster cinema, but the story looks likely to veer off in other directions in later volumes. Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not his best, May 8, 2008

By 

ChibiNeko "Sooo many books, so little time!" (Whereever I go, here I am.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Gyo, Volume 1 (Paperback)

Gyo, a story about a mysterious virus that turns people literally into gas bags (ewww), is a very fast paced mystery. It isn't, however, Ito's best (Uzumaki & Tomie hold that position IMHO). Still, even when it isn't his absolute best, it's still incredibly great!

The drawing styles in this volume are incredibly detailed (even when you sometimes don't want them to be) & the storytelling is always smoothly paced. You rarely find yourself bored or lacking something to look at. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. I really would have liked to read more, but then I could say that about most of his works! :)