{"id":8853,"date":"2023-06-08T01:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-06-08T06:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/?p=8853"},"modified":"2025-12-15T02:38:53","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T06:38:53","slug":"manga-venus-in-the-blind-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/manga-venus-in-the-blind-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Venus in the Blind Spot"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"book-1354\" class=\"bdb-book-info\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/manga_venusintheblindspot.png?fit=250%2C359&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Venus in the Blind Spot\" class=\"alignright\"\/><strong>Title:<\/strong> Venus in the Blind Spot<br \/><strong>Author:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/author\/junji-ito\/\">Junji Ito<\/a><br \/><strong>Translator:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/translator\/jocelyne-allen\/\">Jocelyne Allen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/translator\/yuji-oniki\/\">Yuji Oniki<\/a><br \/><strong>First Published:<\/strong> <span content=\"2019-02-28\">February 28, 2019<\/span><br \/><strong>Publisher:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/publisher\/viz-media\/\">VIZ Media<\/a><br \/><strong>Pages:<\/strong> 272<br \/><strong>Genre:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/genre\/horror\/\">Horror<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/genre\/seinen\/\">Seinen<\/a><br \/><strong>Format:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/format\/hardcover\/\">Hardcover<\/a><br \/><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/source\/purchased\/\">Purchased<\/a><br \/><strong>Rating:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/book-database\/rating\/5\/\"><span class=\"bdb-font-awesome-star-wrap\"><i class=\"fas fa-star\"><\/i><i class=\"fas fa-star\"><\/i><i class=\"fas fa-star\"><\/i><i class=\"fas fa-star\"><\/i><i class=\"fas fa-star\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/book\/show\/49081449-venus-in-the-blind-spot\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/addtogoodreads.png?ssl=1\" align=\"left\" border=\"0\"\/><\/a><br \/><br \/><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> <p>This striking collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito\u2019s career, featuring an adaptation of Rampo Edogawa\u2019s classic horror story \u201cHuman Chair\u201d and fan favorite \u201cThe Enigma of Amigara Fault.\u201d With a deluxe presentation\u2014including special color pages, and showcasing illustrations from his acclaimed long-form manga No Longer Human\u2014each chilling tale invites readers to revel in a world of terror.<\/p>\n<strong>Get the Book:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3ZTJp6D\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>\r\n<hr \/><\/div>\t\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/\",\n\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Review\",\n\t\t\t\t\"datePublished\": \"2023-06-08T06:00:56+00:00\",\n\t\t\t\t\"description\": \"Venus in the Blind Spot\",\n\t\t\t\t\"publisher\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Radical Dreamer\"\t\t\t\t},\n\t\t\t\t\"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/pastelgoth.net\\\/blog\\\/manga-venus-in-the-blind-spot\\\/\",\n\t\t\t\t\"itemReviewed\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Book\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Venus in the Blind Spot\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"author\": [\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Junji Ito\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"sameAs\": \"https:\\\/\\\/pastelgoth.net\\\/blog\\\/book-database\\\/author\\\/junji-ito\\\/\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t],\n\t\t\t\t\t\"isbn\": \"1974715477\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"numberOfPages\": 272,\n\t\t\t\t\t\"publisher\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"VIZ Media\"\t\t\t\t\t},\n\t\t\t\t\t\"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/pastelgoth.net\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/manga_venusintheblindspot.png?fit=250%2C359&ssl=1\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"datePublished\": \"2019-02-28T00:00:00+00:00\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"sameAs\": \"https:\\\/\\\/www.goodreads.com\\\/book\\\/show\\\/49081449-venus-in-the-blind-spot\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"genre\": \"Horror\"\t\t\t\t},\n\t\t\t\t\"author\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Jamie\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"sameAs\": \"https:\\\/\\\/pastelgoth.net\\\/blog\\\/\"\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t, \"reviewRating\": {\n\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Rating\",\n\t\t\t\t\t\"ratingValue\": 5,\n\t\t\t\t\t\"bestRating\": 5\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<h2>Review<\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/manga_venusintheblindspot-page.png?resize=250%2C374&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"374\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/manga_venusintheblindspot-page.png?w=250&amp;ssl=1 250w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/manga_venusintheblindspot-page.png?resize=201%2C300&amp;ssl=1 201w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/>I am always overjoyed when I see another Junji Ito collection being brought over to English, Ito has such a large body of work and there are so many gems that there is always a wealth of great stories to read. <strong>Venus in the Blind Spot<\/strong> really is a &#8220;best of&#8221; collection and includes some of Ito&#8217;s strongest and most famous works.<\/p>\n<p>This collection includes some of Ito&#8217;s most incisive critiques of Japanese culture. <strong>The Sad Tale of the Principal Post<\/strong> is a short but clear portrait of the traditional family structure, and the weight carried by the patriarch. This is especially relevant given the high rate of suicide amongst middle-aged males in Japan, crushed by the pressures of society.<\/p>\n<p>Fan favorites such as <strong>The Enigma of Amigara Fault<\/strong> and <strong>Billions Alone<\/strong> (also known as <strong>Army of One<\/strong>) are critical of Japan&#8217;s isolationist society, and the way that society entrances and warps people. My absolute favorite story, the titular <strong>Venus in the Blind Spot<\/strong> is a literal horror about the male gaze and the violence that is wrought on young women.<\/p>\n<p>More than anything, I also really love when Ito writes autobiographical stories that give the reader a look into his personal life. His admiration for Kazuo Umezu and his first experiences with horror manga had me laughing out loud. Ito also adapted works by Robert Hichens and Edogawa Ranpo which helped to introduce me to great authors.<\/p>\n<p>This volume also included a lot of color pages which I was surprised about. I had mixed feelings about them overall, colored images don&#8217;t have the same pop that black and white does for me, but they are still very beautiful and brought some panels to life. In all, this was another strong collection for Ito that I feel would be a great introduction to his work for any new reader. Every story was interesting and memorable and I had a lot of fun reading.<\/p>\n<h4>Individual Story Notes:<\/h4>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>Billions Alone:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>The Human Chair:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>An Unearthly Love:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>Venus in the Blind Spot:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>The Licking Woman:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>Master Umezz and Me:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>How Love Came to Professor Kirida:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>The Enigma of Amigara Fault:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>The Sad Tale of the Principal Post:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<p>&hearts; <strong>Keepsake:<\/strong> <\/p>\n<h2>Rating Breakdown<\/h2>\n<table align=\"center\" width=\"100%\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"50%\">Billions Alone: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<br \/>\nThe Human Chair: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nAn Unearthly Love: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nVenus in the Blind Spot: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nThe Licking Woman: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<td width=\"50%\">Master Umezz and Me: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nHow Love Came to Professor Kirida: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nThe Enigma of Amigara Fault: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nThe Sad Tale of the Principal Post: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<br \/>\nKeepsake: \u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<table align=\"center\" width=\"100%\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100%\"><center><strong>Favorite Story:<\/strong> ???<\/center><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Quote<\/h2>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Being by yourself&#8217;s <strong>boring<\/strong>&#8230; We&#8217;re all <em>friends<\/em>&#8230; All friends&#8230; Reach out from the heart&#8230; Billions alone&#8230; <strong>Billions alone<\/strong>&#8230;&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n<h2>Content Warnings<\/h2>\n<span class=\"ubb-spoiler\"><a class=\"ubb-view-spoil\">View Spoiler &raquo;<\/a><span style=\"display: none;\" class=\"ubb-thespoil\">Death,  <a class=\"ubb-hide-spoil\" style=\"cursor: hand; cursor: pointer;\">&laquo; Hide Spoiler<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n<h2>About the Author<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ubb-about-author\">\n<h3>About Junji Ito<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/author_junjiito.png?fit=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"alignleft ubb-about-author-photo\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/author_junjiito.png?w=200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/author_junjiito.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/author_junjiito.png?resize=75%2C75&amp;ssl=1 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Junji Ito is a Japanese horror manga artist. He was inspired from a young age by his older sister&#8217;s drawing and Kazuo Umezu&#8217;s comics and thus took an interest in drawing horror comics himself. Nevertheless, upon graduation, he trained as a dental technician, and until the early 1990s, he juggled his dental career with his increasingly successful hobby \u2014 even after being selected as the winner of the prestigious Umezu prize for horror manga.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ubb-author-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/junjiitofficial\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Twitter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/8483.Junji_Ito\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Goodreads<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Y3apiE\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"\">Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Review I am always overjoyed when I see another Junji Ito collection being brought over to English, Ito has such a large body of work and there are so many&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8851,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1076,2524,1956],"book-author":[1075],"book-illustrator":[],"book-series":[],"book-publisher":[],"book-genre":[],"book-source":[],"book-format":[],"class_list":["post-8853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-manga-review","tag-body-horror","tag-horror-manga","tag-japanese-horror","book-author-junji-ito"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/manga_venusintheblindspot-header.png?fit=1080%2C540&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8853"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27805,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8853\/revisions\/27805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8851"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-author?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-illustrator","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-illustrator?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-series?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-publisher","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-publisher?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-genre","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-genre?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-source?post=8853"},{"taxonomy":"book-format","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pastelgoth.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/book-format?post=8853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}