Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga
There's no storyteller quite like Junji Ito. Since his 1987 debut, he's been crafting chilling tales and iconic imagery, solidifying his place as one of horror manga's most celebrated figures. His beautifully illustrated comics conceal devastating secrets, each story uniquely haunting and horrifying.
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 work to just 13 bone-chilling stories was a challenge. While many of his scariest short stories circulate online, they're also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow specific narratives, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, offer thematically linked standalone tales.
The Scariest Junji Ito Stories
From ominous ghost stories and gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, here are 13 terrifying tales from the master of horror manga.
13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads
Ito often explores the dark side of love. Lovesickness's opening story exemplifies this, introducing Ryusuke, a teenager returning home after years away. His arrival coincides with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes" are found brutally murdered. This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's most memorable creations.
12. Village of the Siren
A bleak homecoming forms the core of this folk horror tale. Kyochi returns to his seemingly deserted hometown, only to find a strange factory and all-consuming sirens. Fans of strange rituals, cults, and taboo-breaking horror will find this story deeply satisfying.
11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost
Shigeru's life takes a dark turn after rescuing a mysterious woman. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks alarming details, leading to a horrifying revelation about her desires and a tragic consequence.
10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
This darkly humorous story follows a set of siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Their schemes, while often deadly, are marked by a certain haplessness.
9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
A haunted house turns a town upside down as visitors face the proprietor's twisted games. This wild ride features Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, and his heinous crimes.
8. Honored Ancestors
Family traditions take a disturbing turn in this psychedelically deranged tale. Risa's amnesia leads to visions of a giant caterpillar, revealing a shocking truth about Makata and his family's bizarre customs.
7. Uzumaki
A classic for a reason, Uzumaki weaves a supernatural curse into a ghost story centered around a town haunted by spirals. Ito's distinctive art transforms the mundane into the terrifying, exploring themes of obsession and paranoia.
6. Fashion Model
A more direct horror tale, Fashion Model reveals its monster early on. A young man's obsession with a model with dagger-like teeth leads to a brutal and terrifying encounter.
5. Tomie
Ito's most famous creation, Tomie, is a stunningly beautiful woman whose murder only leads to her reappearance. This collection of tales follows her ever-shifting true face and her terrifying impact on those around her.
4. House of the Marionettes
Puppets take center stage in this ghastly story about a family obsessed with marionettes. Kinuko's friendship with Haruhiko leads to a terrifying discovery upon their return to his family home.
3. Used Record
This eerie tale centers on a record that hypnotizes its listeners. Ogawa and Nakayama's obsession with the song leads them down a tragic path, highlighting the relatable nature of musical obsession taken to a nightmarish extreme.
2. Greased
Yui's disgust with the grease coating her family's home contrasts with her brother Goro's obsession. Goro's actions lead to a stomach-churning tale that will test your limits.
1. The Hanging Balloons
The bizarre and claustrophobic nature of The Hanging Balloons makes it Ito's scariest. A celebrity's suicide inspires copycat deaths and the appearance of giant, menacing balloons, creating a psychedelic night terror.
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 horror, was his most recent release. A new collection, Moan, is set for release on October 7th.
