A new television anime adaptation based on the unsettling works of horror manga artist Junji Ito, titled Junji Ito Crimson, has been officially announced. The reveal took place during Japan Expo 2025 in Paris on July 3, 2025. This forthcoming series marks the third TV anime adaptation of Ito’s chilling narratives.
Legendary singer Yumi Matsutoya, widely known as Yuming, is confirmed to perform the anime’s opening theme song, titled “Karasuageha” (Crow-Moth). A music video for the theme song has also been released, featuring illustrations by Junji Ito himself. The song is slated to be included in Matsutoya’s upcoming 40th original album, expected to debut in the fall.
About Junji Ito Crimson
Junji Ito Crimson is described as an anime that will adapt a selection of Ito’s short stories, both old and new, with a specific focus on themes of “monsters” and a strong utilization of the color red. Junji Ito himself expressed excitement about the title, noting that the series aims to select masterpieces filled with unique madness that can fully leverage a deep red, like blood.
The series is poised to stream on Crunchyroll upon its premiere. While the announcement has generated significant anticipation among horror fans, specific details regarding the anime’s release date, full cast, and production staff have yet to be revealed.
Previous Junji Ito Anime Adaptations
Junji Ito’s extensive body of work has seen several anime adaptations prior to Junji Ito Crimson. These include:
- Junji Ito Collection (2018): This omnibus animation featured various protagonists from Ito’s stories, such as Tomie, Soichi, and Fuchi. Crunchyroll currently streams this series.
- Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (2023): This series debuted worldwide on Netflix in January 2023 and included 20 stories animated for the first time.
- Uzumaki (2024): A four-episode mini-series adaptation of Ito’s long-form manga, which premiered in September 2024 on Adult Swim’s Toonami block and is also streamed on Netflix. This adaptation faced multiple delays but has been praised for its faithful adherence to the source material’s black-and-white aesthetic and haunting atmosphere.
The announcement of Junji Ito Crimson with Yumi Matsutoya’s involvement signals a new chapter for Ito’s works in the anime landscape, promising another dive into his signature brand of psychological and body horror.
