A new Kickstarter campaign has launched for a vinyl audio adaptation of Old Records, a horror story by manga creator Junji Ito. The project brings Ito’s 1997 tale to life as a fully produced audio drama pressed onto vinyl, with musician Poppy performing the English narration.
The story follows a mysterious record containing singer Paula Bell’s final song, said to carry a deadly curse that affects anyone who listens to it. The new project adapts the story into an immersive audio experience designed to be played on a turntable, reflecting the premise of the original story itself.
The adaptation was written by Ryan Cady, known for work on The X-Files and several comic titles for Marvel and DC. The English version features narration by Poppy, while the Japanese narration is performed by Shoko Nakagawa. Junji Ito also worked directly with the production team on adapting the story into the audio format.
The vinyl release features packaging designed by manga artist and illustrator Acky Bright. The artwork includes Junji Ito’s own bloody handprint as part of the design.
Several vinyl editions are being offered through the Kickstarter campaign, including a standard release and multiple collector variants such as a blood splatter edition, a ghostly blue version, and a glow-in-the-dark pressing. Some editions will feature signatures from Poppy, while a limited collector bundle signed by both Junji Ito and Poppy will also be available in extremely limited quantities.
The campaign also offers a separate vinyl single of “The Last Song of Paula Bell,” the fictional track from the story that drives listeners toward madness.
According to the campaign page, all recording work has already been completed, with the remaining production focused on pressing and shipping the vinyl, which is expected to begin by July 2026.
Junji Ito is widely known for horror manga such as Uzumaki, Tomie, and Gyo, and was inducted into the Eisner Hall of Fame in 2025. Poppy is a Grammy-nominated singer and performance artist known for blending pop, metal, and experimental music styles.
You can find more information on the Kickstarter page.
Source: Press Release
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