Stephen King’s IT Gets an Anime Makeover


After just a few weeks in theaters, ItOpens in a new tab has become the highest grossing R-rated horror film of all-time (not accounting for inflation), passing The ExorcistOpens in a new tab and making its mark as the premier adaptation of Stephen KingOpens in a new tab‘s killer clown story. Fans of the 1990 miniseries, starring Tim Curry as an unforgettable incarnation of Pennywise the Dancing ClownOpens in a new tab, may have been skeptical to believe that a new movie could hit home so hard, but Andy MuschiettiOpens in a new tab‘s vision proved that It was indeed wanting for a new spin. And it could well go for another sometime in the future–as one artist has recently demonstrated, Pennywise’s terrifying visage also translates pretty well into anime!

Stephen King's IT Gets an Anime Makeover_1Opens in a new tab

Drawn and colored by Mike AndersonOpens in a new tab, this pinup perfectly captures a moment from the beginning of the story when poor Georgie Denbrough has the misfortune of getting a little too close to Pennywise. Anderson’s depiction of Pennywise’s face is quite striking, as it gets his malevolent grin and menacing eyes just right. Would you take a paper boat from this clown? It’s more than likely that we’ll all float down there!Anderson also drew a second pinup of his anime-style Pennywise, which features a more complete look at his body and costume as well as his signature red balloons.Stephen King's IT Gets an Anime Makeover_2Opens in a new tab

Seeing these pinups makes us believe that It could work really well as an anime film or a manga adaptation. It’s also given us an appreciation of Anderson’s work, which you can find hereOpens in a new tab and hereOpens in a new tab.

Update, September 30: Anderson’s cool imagery has been updated with a little animation and some voiceover. Via CBROpens in a new tab, Kev Chelios was inspired by Anderson’s drawing and went to town:

What did you think about Anderson’s Pennywise pinups? Scare up some thoughts in the comment section below!

Images: Mike Anderson