The 13 Most Terrifying Junji Ito Manga Stories

Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga

Since his professional manga debut in 1987, Junji Ito has solidified his place as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation. His chillingly iconic creations and macabre tales have captivated and terrified readers worldwide. Ito's masterful illustrations conceal deeply unsettling secrets, crafting unique and haunting narratives that leave a lasting impression.

Junji Ito Collections

Alley (5)

Uzumaki: Deluxe Edition (15)

Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition (7)

Mimi's Tales of Terror (0)

Remina (1)

Shiver (0)

Gyo: Deluxe Edition (5)

Smashed (2)

Lovesickness (2)

Narrowing down Ito's extensive work to just thirteen of his most terrifying stories was a challenging task. While many of his scariest short stories are available online, his works are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow specific narratives, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories grouped thematically.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From chilling ghost stories and gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, here are thirteen of the most terrifying tales from the master of horror manga:

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

[] Ito explores the destructive nature of love in this chilling tale from Lovesickness. Ryusuke's return to his hometown coincides with a series of brutal murders, creating a suspenseful mystery that introduces one of Ito's most memorable creations.

12. Village of the Siren

[] A blend of folk horror and bleak homecoming, this story follows Kyochi's return to a deserted village dominated by a mysterious factory and haunting sirens. Fans of strange rituals, cults, and taboo-breaking horror will find this particularly captivating.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

[] Shigeru's life takes a dark turn after rescuing a mysterious woman, leading to a secretive affair with unforeseen and terrifying consequences.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

[] A darkly humorous tale from Lovesickness, featuring a dysfunctional sibling group who delight in tormenting others, resulting in deadly consequences.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

[] A haunted house turns a town upside down, with two young boys becoming entangled in the proprietor's twisted games and uncovering a house of horrors. Featuring the recurring character Souichi Tsujii, this story blends dark comedy with genuine terror.

8. Honored Ancestors

[] This psychedelically deranged story centers around Risa, haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, revealing a disturbing family secret and tradition.

7. Uzumaki

[] A classic tale of a town cursed by spirals, Uzumaki explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the transformation of the mundane into the terrifying.

6. Fashion Model

[] A more direct horror story featuring a bizarre model whose image consumes a young man, leading 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, terrorizing those around her.

4. House of the Marionettes

[] A classic Ito story about a family obsessed with marionettes, leading to a shocking discovery and horrifying consequences.

3. Used Record

[] An eerie and atmospheric tale of a hypnotic record that consumes its listeners, taking a relatable experience to a nightmarish level.

2. Greased

[] A stomach-churning story about a family's obsession with grease, leading to grotesque consequences and a deeply unsettling narrative.

1. The Hanging Balloons

[] Ito's scariest story, a bizarre and claustrophobic tale of giant balloons in the sky, each a terrifying representation of a suicide victim, hunting those they resemble.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Uncanny: Origins of Fear (2) Releasing October 15

Alley is Ito's most recent short story collection, but Uncanny: The Origins of Fear is a new written memoir and analysis of the horror genre. A new collection, Moan, is set to release on October 7.

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