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Summary of Uzumaki Chapter 8: “The Snail”
In Chapter 8 of Uzumaki, titled “The Snail,” the spiral curse in Kurouzu-cho takes a grotesque turn as it transforms human bodies into snail-like creatures. The chapter centers on Kirie Goshima and her classmate, Katayama, a slow-moving and often tardy student who becomes the primary victim of the curse’s latest manifestation.
The story begins with Kirie noticing Katayama arriving late to school, his movements sluggish and his body drenched from the rain. His teacher and classmates mock him for his slowness, but Kirie observes an unusual spiral pattern forming on his back. Over the next few days, Katayama’s condition worsens: his skin becomes slimy, his eyes bulge, and his body begins to contort into a spiral shape. The class bully, Tsumura, relentlessly taunts Katayama, unaware of the curse’s influence.
As the transformation progresses, Katayama fully morphs into a human-sized snail, complete with a shell and slimy trail. He is found clinging to the school’s wall, unable to speak or revert to his human form. The school attempts to isolate him, but the curse spreads. Tsumura, who continues to harass Katayama, begins showing similar symptoms and soon transforms into a snail as well. In a disturbing scene, the two snail-humans are discovered mating on the school grounds, producing a clutch of eggs. The teacher, horrified by the eggs, destroys them, only to begin transforming into a snail himself, suggesting the curse is contagious or triggered by interaction with its victims.
Kirie and her classmates are left in shock as the spiral curse reveals its ability to dehumanize and degrade, reducing people to grotesque, animalistic forms. The chapter ends with a sense of dread, as the town’s residents grapple with the escalating horror and the fear that anyone could be the curse’s next victim.
Themes and Notes: “The Snail” emphasizes body horror and dehumanization, using the spiral to symbolize a loss of humanity and individuality. The transformation into snails reflects themes of social outcasting, as Katayama’s initial ostracism mirrors his literal alienation. Junji Ito’s detailed art amplifies the grotesque imagery, making this chapter particularly unsettling. Fans on platforms like Reddit have noted its disturbing impact, with some calling it one of the creepiest chapters due to its visceral depiction of transformation.