The 13 Most Terrifying Junji Ito Manga Stories

There is no storyteller on Earth quite like Junji Ito. Since his professional manga debut in 1987, he has been captivating and terrifying readers with his macabre tales and chillingly iconic creations. This brilliantly talented mangaka has rightfully earned his place as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation, and for good reason. Junji Ito's beautifully illustrated comics conceal deep, devastating secrets, and each tale he weaves haunts and horrifies in a uniquely unsettling way.

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 AmazonNarrowing down Junji Ito's vast collection to just 13 of his most bone-chilling works was a challenging task. While many of the scariest Junji Ito short stories are available as scans online, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, such as Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a specific narrative, whereas others, like Shiver and Smashed, are themed anthologies of standalone stories.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From eerie ghost stories and heart-wrenching gothic horror to grotesquely bizarre modern fables, here are the 13 most terrifying tales from one of the masters of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Junji Ito often explores the theme of love and its potential to curse us. The first story in his Lovesickness collection, "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," exemplifies this theme. We meet Ryusuke, a teen boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the very thought of it. The story unfolds with a chilling mystery as young women seeking "crossroads fortunes" are found brutally murdered. How does this connect to Ryusuke's past? This haunting tale introduces one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.

12. Village of the Siren

In "Village of the Siren," Ito delves into folk horror with another bleak homecoming. Kyochi returns to his village after a strange phone call and an ominous apparition, only to find it transformed into a ghost town. The village's life now revolves around a mysterious factory and the eerie sirens it emits each night. This story is perfect for fans of strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, delivering a high death toll and featuring a rarely seen demographic of victims, making it a taboo-breaking horror tale.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

Shigeru's life changes dramatically when he picks up a beautiful, disoriented woman from the roadside. Despite her bloodied state, they begin a secretive affair, even though Shigeru is married and expecting a child. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent appearances covered in blood and her eerie claim to "love his ghosts." The truth behind her desires is darker than Shigeru could have imagined, and he realizes it too late.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's more humorous yet bleak tales, "The Strange Hikizuri Siblings" follows a set of unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two stories in Lovesickness, we meet the unfortunate individuals who cross their path, including an old school friend and a photographer. While their schemes can be deadly, the Hikizuri siblings are often comically hapless, making them a unique addition to Ito's repertoire.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

In "The Mystery of the Haunted House," a haunted house turns a town upside down as derision turns to terror. Two young boys become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after sneaking in for free. They discover a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. This story features dark comedy and introduces another of Ito's recurring characters, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, whose heinous crimes are anything but funny.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" is one of his most psychedelically deranged tales. Risa, suffering from amnesia, is brought home by her friend Makata. Her distress grows as she is haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar. The truth behind these visions and Makata's family's strange traditions is revealed in Ito's uniquely horrifying style, making for an unforgettable, if unsettling, family reunion.

7. Uzumaki

Considered a classic, "Uzumaki" is likely Ito's most famous work. This supernatural tale centers around Kurouzu-cho, a small town haunted by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these innocuous shapes into something utterly terrifying. The story explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the mundane turning bizarre. Its impact is evident in multiple adaptations, including video games, films, and an eagerly awaited anime adaptation. You can read our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime for more insights.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burning horror tales, "Fashion Model" introduces its monster early on. This story, similar to Tomie, has become one of Ito's most popular long-running tales. A young man becomes obsessed with a bizarre model whose mouth is filled with dagger-like teeth. As he and his friends cast for a student film, the model reemerges in a brutal and all-too-real fashion, making this a standout entry in both Ito's and monster horror's canon.

5. Tomie

Tomie, Ito's most famous creation, is a stunningly beautiful woman who, after being murdered by her classmates, reappears the next day to continue her reign of terror. The collected edition of Tomie tales showcases her story from her earliest to most recent appearances, each more delightfully dark than the last. Her ever-shifting true face is the stuff of nightmares, yet Ito's striking illustrations have made her a perennial pop culture icon, often seen on stickers, tattoos, and t-shirts.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets hold a particularly creepy place in horror, and Ito leverages this in "House of the Marionettes." The story follows Kinuko, who befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. Her wariness of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre is justified when she and her husband, Haruhiko, return to his family home years later and make a horrifying discovery. This classic Ito tale shocks and surprises at every turn.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" is an eerie and atmospheric tale about an odd record that hypnotizes and entices its listeners. When Ogawa buys the vinyl, she becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama upon hearing it. The song's allure leads to tragic consequences as they compete for the sole copy. The story's terror lies in its relatable theme of obsession with a song, taken to a supernaturally nightmarish level. This beautifully drawn tale is as addictive as the song at its center.

2. Greased

In "Greased," Yui grows up above her family's barbeque restaurant near Mount Fuji, increasingly sickened by the accumulating grease. Her violent and abusive brother, Goro, embraces the grease, drinking it until his face is covered in grotesque pustules. This stomach-churning tale intertwines Goro's obsession with Yui's hopes of survival, threatening both your lunch and your sleep cycle. It's a story that demands mental preparation.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is Ito's scariest story due to its bizarre nature and the claustrophobic, inescapable atmosphere it creates. After a celebrity school girl's suicide inspires copycat deaths, giant balloons resembling the deceased appear in the sky, chasing those whose faces they bear. Instead of strings, metal nooses hang beneath them. This psychedelic nightmare comes to life, making it a truly terrifying experience.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at AmazonJunji Ito's most recent short story collection is "Alley," but his latest release, "Uncanny: The Origins of Fear," is a written memoir and analysis of the horror genre that was released last Fall. A sneak peek at the memoir is available on Viz Media's website.

Looking ahead, a new Junji Ito story collection titled "Moan" is set to release on October 7. According to the preorder page, readers can expect "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories set in Junji Ito’s bloodcurdling world."

For more manga guides, check out our list of the best manga for beginners or explore some of the best free manga websites and apps. You can also find our updated guide on where to buy manga if you're interested in purchasing physical copies of Junji Ito's work.