Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga
Since his professional manga debut in 1987, Junji Ito has captivated and terrified readers worldwide with his chilling tales and iconic imagery. His masterful blend of beautifully illustrated comics and deeply unsettling narratives has cemented his status as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation. Each story he crafts is uniquely haunting, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Junji Ito Collections
### Alley
5See it at Amazon
### Uzumaki: Deluxe Edition
15See it at TargetSee it at Amazon
### Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition
7See it at Amazon
### Mimi's Tales of Terror
0See it at Amazon
### Remina
1See it at Amazon
### Shiver
0See it at Amazon
### Gyo: Deluxe Edition
5See it at Amazon
### Smashed
2See it at Amazon
### Lovesickness
2See it at Amazon
Narrowing down Ito's extensive body of work to just thirteen of his most terrifying creations was a challenging task. While many of his scariest short stories are readily available online, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a continuous narrative, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories united by a common theme.
The Scariest Junji Ito Stories
From chilling ghost stories and gothic horror to grotesquely bizarre modern fables, this list highlights thirteen of the most terrifying tales from the master of horror manga.
13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads
Ito often explores the dark side of love and its potential to inflict curses. The opening story in Lovesickness exemplifies this perfectly. We meet Ryusuke, a teenager returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by a devastating secret soon to be revealed. His arrival coincides with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes" are found brutally murdered. This chilling mystery, memorable for its suspense and the introduction of one of Ito's most frightening creations, explores the connections between Ryusuke's past and the escalating violence.
12. Village of the Siren
A foray into folk horror, "Village of the Siren" depicts another bleak homecoming. Following a strange phone call and an ominous apparition, Kyochi returns to his family's village, only to find it deserted, its life now revolving around a mysterious factory and the all-consuming sirens that emanate from it nightly. This story will enthrall fans of strange rituals, unusual cults, and occult themes, featuring a high body count and a diverse range of victims.
11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost
When Shigeru rescues a beautiful, injured woman, his life takes a dark turn. Despite her bloodied state and unsettling claims of loving "his ghosts," he becomes infatuated. His blindness to her increasingly violent behavior leads to a horrifying revelation of her true, sinister desires.
10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
A darkly humorous tale, this story follows a dysfunctional set of siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Across two stories in Lovesickness, we meet various unlucky individuals who cross their path, from old school friends to photographers. While their schemes can be deadly, their hapless nature makes them strangely compelling, though you certainly wouldn't want to share a meal with them.
9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
The arrival of a haunted house throws a town into chaos as derision gives way to terror. Two young boys, sneaking into the house, become entangled in the owner's twisted games and uncover a house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. Featuring Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, this wild ride blends dark humor with heinous crimes, delighting fans of haunt culture.
8. Honored Ancestors
Family dynamics play a central role in many of Ito's stories, and "Honored Ancestors" is perhaps his most psychedelically deranged. Risa, suffering from amnesia, is brought home by her friend Makata. Haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, Risa's distress leads to the unsettling revelation of Makata's family's bizarre traditions, presented in Ito's signature demented style.
7. Uzumaki
A classic for a reason, Uzumaki weaves a supernatural curse into a ghost story centered around the town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits but by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms the usually innocuous shape into something utterly terrifying. Exploring themes of obsession, paranoia, and the bizarre transformation of the mundane, Uzumaki's impact is undeniable, with numerous adaptations in various media.
6. Fashion Model
Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn stories, "Fashion Model" is a more visceral horror tale, revealing its monster early on. Similar to Tomie, it's become one of Ito's most popular long-running tales. A young man's obsession with a magazine model with dagger-like teeth leads to a brutal and terrifying encounter. This story serves as a great introduction to both Ito's work and the monster horror genre.
5. Tomie
Perhaps Ito's most famous creation, the stunningly beautiful Tomie, murdered by her classmates, repeatedly reappears. The collected edition of Tomie tales chronicles her terrifying appearances, each more darkly delightful than the last. Her ever-shifting true face is nightmarish, yet her striking appearance has made her a pop culture icon.
4. House of the Marionettes
Exploiting the inherent creepiness of puppets, this story centers on a strange family obsessed with marionettes. Kinuko's friendship with Haruhiko, son of puppeteers, and her unease with their marionette, Jean-Pierre, sets the stage for a later, horrifying discovery after their marriage. This classic Ito story will surprise and shock at every turn.
3. Used Record
Eerie and atmospheric, "Used Record" tells the story of a hypnotic vinyl record that obsesses its listeners. Ogawa and her friend Nakayama's addiction to the song leads them down a tragic path. The relatability of the obsessive listening experience elevates this wonderfully drawn tale to a nightmarish level.
2. Greased
Growing up above her family's restaurant, Yui is disgusted by the accumulating grease, while her abusive brother, Goro, embraces it, leading to grotesque physical transformations. This stomach-churning tale will challenge both your appetite and your sleep.
1. The Hanging Balloons
The bizarre and claustrophobic nature of "The Hanging Balloons" makes it Ito's scariest. Following a celebrity's suicide and subsequent copycat deaths, giant balloons resembling the deceased appear, chasing those they resemble and hanging them with metal nooses. This psychedelic night terror is truly unforgettable.
What's Next for Junji Ito?
Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear
2Releasing October 15See it at Amazon
Alley is Ito's most recent short story collection, but Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, a memoir and analysis of the horror genre, was his most recent release. A new collection, Moan, is set for release on October 7th, promising more obsession, persistence, and reality-warping macabre stories.
