Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga
There's no storyteller quite like Junji Ito. Since his 1987 manga debut, he's captivated and terrified readers with his chilling tales and iconic creations. His masterful blend of illustration and storytelling has cemented his place as one of the most renowned horror mangaka of his generation. Ito's art beautifully conceals devastating secrets, crafting unique and unforgettable horrors in every story.
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 of his most terrifying 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 themed standalone tales.
The Scariest Junji Ito Stories
From chilling ghost stories and gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, these 13 tales showcase Ito's mastery of horror manga.
13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads
Ito often explores the dark side of love. This story from Lovesickness perfectly exemplifies this. We meet Ryusuke, a teenager returning home after years away, haunted by a devastating secret. His arrival coincides with a series of brutal murders of schoolgirls seeking "crossroads fortunes." This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.
12. Village of the Siren
A bleak folk horror tale, "Village of the Siren" follows Kyochi's homecoming. His family reunion turns into a descent into a ghost town dominated by a strange factory and nightmarish sirens. Fans of strange rituals, cults, and taboo-breaking horror will find this a truly unsettling read.
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 ignores her bloody appearances and claims of loving "ghosts," unaware of her terrifying true desires.
10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
A darkly humorous tale featuring unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Their schemes have deadly consequences, but their hapless nature adds a strange comedic element.
9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
A haunted house turns a town upside down as visitors face terror within its walls. Two boys' exploration unveils a house of horrors and the twisted games of its proprietor, Souichi Tsujii.
8. Honored Ancestors
Family traditions take a disturbing turn in "Honored Ancestors." Risa's amnesia leads to visions of a giant caterpillar, revealing the dark secrets of Makata's family and their unsettling customs.
7. Uzumaki
A classic Ito work, Uzumaki tells the story of Kurouzu-cho, a town haunted by a spiraling curse. Ito's art transforms the mundane spiral into a terrifying symbol of obsession, paranoia, and the bizarre.
6. Fashion Model
A more visceral horror tale, "Fashion Model" features a model with dagger-like teeth who consumes a young man's mind and eventually his life.
5. Tomie
Ito's most famous creation, Tomie, is a stunningly beautiful woman who is repeatedly murdered yet keeps reappearing. Her ever-shifting true face and enduring presence have made her a pop culture icon.
4. House of the Marionettes
Puppets take center stage in this ghastly tale of a family obsessed with marionettes. Kinuko's friendship with Haruhiko leads to a terrifying discovery years later.
3. Used Record
An eerie and atmospheric story about a hypnotic record that consumes its listeners. Ogawa and Nakayama's obsession with the song leads them down a tragic path.
2. Greased
Yui's life above her family's barbeque restaurant is consumed by grease, and her brother Goro's obsession with it leads to disturbing consequences.
1. The Hanging Balloons
A bizarre and claustrophobic tale, "The Hanging Balloons" follows a series of suicides and the appearance of giant, menacing balloons that hunt those they resemble.
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 to release on October 7.
