2.5 stars
Tomie is not among my favored works by Junji Ito. The main reason for this is its repetitive nature. Each chapter is nearly identical, with the only variance being the characters within the narrative and the events that unfold, yet leading to precisely the same conclusions. This is one of the few issues I have with Junji Ito overall. It's also why I tend to prefer his short story collections rather than his omnibus volumes. Uzumaki, however, stands as an exception.
Junji Ito's works are often lauded for their unique and disturbing concepts. However, in the case of Tomie, the repetition can make the reading experience somewhat monotonous. The lack of significant variation in the plot structure and outcomes can cause the story to feel stale after a while.
In contrast, his short story collections offer a greater diversity of ideas and narratives. Each story is self-contained and presents a distinct concept, keeping the reader engaged and intrigued. While Uzumaki is an omnibus volume, it manages to break free from the repetitive pattern that plagues Tomie. It offers a complex and captivating storyline that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.
Overall, while Junji Ito is a talented horror manga artist, Tomie fails to live up to his usual standards due to its repetitiveness.