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Summary of Uzumaki Chapter 7: “Jack-in-the-Box”
In Chapter 7 of Uzumaki, titled “Jack-in-the-Box,” the spiral curse in Kurouzu-cho manifests through a tragic and horrifying incident involving a character named Tanizaki. The chapter focuses on Kirie Goshima and her classmate, Wakabayashi, who becomes entangled in the spiral’s influence.
The story begins with Kirie noticing Wakabayashi, a reckless and attention-seeking boy, acting strangely. He develops an obsession with surprising people, likening himself to a “jack-in-the-box” toy that pops out unexpectedly. This behavior escalates as Wakabayashi begins performing dangerous stunts, such as jumping out from hiding spots or startling people in increasingly risky ways. His actions seem driven by an unnatural compulsion tied to the spiral curse, as his movements and expressions take on a coiled, spring-like quality reminiscent of a jack-in-the-box.
Meanwhile, Kirie learns about Tanizaki, a quiet and unassuming boy who harbors a crush on her. Tanizaki’s shy demeanor contrasts with Wakabayashi’s flamboyance, but he too becomes affected by the curse. The spiral’s influence amplifies Tanizaki’s emotions, leading to a fatal encounter. In a moment of desperation to confess his feelings to Kirie, Tanizaki chases after her, unaware of Wakabayashi’s latest stunt.
Wakabayashi, hiding in a coiled position to surprise passersby, leaps out from a narrow alley just as Tanizaki runs by. The sudden shock causes Tanizaki to stumble into the path of an oncoming car, resulting in his gruesome death. His body is mangled, and the chapter’s horror peaks as his corpse is described as being twisted into a spiral-like shape, with his limbs unnaturally contorted as if mimicking the spring of a jack-in-the-box.
Kirie is left traumatized by the incident, and the chapter ends on a chilling note as she reflects on the spiral’s growing influence over the town. Wakabayashi’s fate is left ambiguous, but his role as an agent of the curse underscores the spiral’s ability to manipulate human behavior and turn innocent actions into deadly outcomes.
Themes and Notes: This chapter highlights the spiral’s psychological manipulation, transforming Wakabayashi’s playful nature into a dangerous obsession and Tanizaki’s unrequited love into a fatal tragedy. The jack-in-the-box metaphor ties directly to the spiral motif, with its coiled spring representing the curse’s latent, explosive energy. The chapter is notable for its blend of psychological horror and sudden, shocking violence, characteristic of Junji Ito’s storytelling.