Top 13 Horrifying Junji Ito Manga Tales Revealed

There is no storyteller on Earth quite like Junji Ito. Since his professional manga debut in 1987, he has been terrifying readers with his macabre tales and chillingly iconic creations. The brilliantly talented mangaka has rightfully become one of the most well-known horror storytellers of his generation, and for good reason. Junji Ito's beautifully illustrated comics hide deep, devastating secrets, and each tale he weaves haunts and horrifies in the most unique 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 offerings was no easy task. While many of Ito's scariest short stories can be found as scans online, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, like Tomie and Uzumaki, contain stories that follow a specific narrative, while others, like Shiver and Smashed, include standalone stories grouped by theme.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

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

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the theme of love and its potential to curse us. The first story from his Lovesickness collection, "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," is a prime example. We meet Ryusuke, a teenage boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the simple notion of his return. The story soon reveals the devastating reason behind his fears, coinciding with a trend of young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." As the bodies of schoolgirls who ask strangers for their fortunes begin to turn up brutally murdered, the mystery deepens. How does it connect with Ryusuke's past? This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's scariest creations and remains one of his most memorable tales.

12. Village of the Siren

In "Village of the Siren," Ito delves into folk horror with another bleak homecoming. After receiving a strange phone call from his parents and seeing an ominous apparition at his window, Kyochi decides to reunite with his family. Upon his return, he discovers that the once lively village has transformed into a ghost town, dominated by a mysterious factory that emits all-consuming sirens each night. If you enjoy stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. It also breaks taboos with its high death count and unique demographic of victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

In "I Don't Want to Be a Ghost," Shigeru's life changes when he picks up a beautiful, wandering woman from the side of the road. Despite her bloodied and disoriented state, she dismisses his concerns. Days later, they begin a secretive affair, despite Shigeru's impending fatherhood. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent bloody appearances and her claims of loving his "ghosts." Her true desires, however, are far darker than anyone could anticipate, and Shigeru realizes this too late.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's more humorous creations, "The Strange Hikizuri Siblings" follows a set of unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting and terrorizing each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two tales in Lovesickness, we encounter some of the unfortunate individuals who cross their paths, including an old school friend and a photographer. While their schemes can have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are generally hapless, yet you wouldn't want to join them for dinner.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

"The Mystery of the Haunted House" turns a town upside down as derision turns to terror with each new visitor. Two young boys get entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after attempting to sneak in for free. Inside, they uncover a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. The dark comedy here stems from Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, though his crimes are far from funny. This wild ride will delight fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's stories, and "Honored Ancestors" might feature his most psychedelically deranged tale yet. Risa, brought home by her friend Makata, suffers from amnesia caused by immense emotional stress. As Risa becomes haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, the truth about Makata's family's strange traditions unfolds in Ito's dementedly awful style. This family reunion is unforgettable, though you might wish it weren't.

7. Uzumaki

Perhaps Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki is a classic for a reason. Set in the small town of Kurouzu-cho, the story weaves a supernatural curse around spirals, turning the mundane into something utterly terrifying. Ito's distinctive linework elevates the usually innocuous shapes into a source of horror. Uzumaki explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the bizarre transformation of the ordinary. Its impact is undeniable, with multiple video game and film adaptations, and an eagerly awaited anime adaptation. You can read our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime to see what we thought.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn horrors, "Fashion Model" is a more direct horror tale that introduces its monster early on. Similar to Tomie, it has become one of Ito's most popular long-running stories. A young man becomes consumed by the image of a bizarre model with dagger-like teeth in a magazine. As he obsesses over her, she reemerges in his life in brutal and all-too-real fashion during a student film casting. This tale is a great entry into both Ito's works and the monster horror genre.

5. Tomie

Tomie, Ito's most famous creation, is a stunningly beautiful woman who was murdered by her classmates only to reappear the next day. Since then, she has been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men for years. The collected edition of Tomie tales allows readers to follow 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 illustration style has made her a perennial pop culture figure. Even if you've never read an Ito story, you've likely encountered Tomie as a sticker, tattoo, or t-shirt. Ironically, capturing her beauty in an image is nearly impossible unless you're willing to see her true face.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets hold a particularly creepy place in horror, and Ito exploits this in "House of the Marionettes." The story follows a young girl, Kinuko, who befriends the son of a family obsessed with marionettes. Her wariness of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre at their home grows over the years. When she reconnects and marries Haruhiko, the son, they return to the family home and make a horrifying discovery. This classical Ito tale will still shock and surprise at every turn.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" is eerie and atmospheric, telling the story of an odd record that hypnotizes and entices its listeners. After Ogawa buys the vinyl, she becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama upon hearing it. The two can't stop listening to the song, but with only one copy, tragedy ensues. The story's terror lies in the relatable obsession with a song we can't stop listening to, which Ito takes to a supernaturally nightmarish level. This wonderfully 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, sickened by the grease that has accumulated over time. Her violent and abusive brother, Goro, embraces the cooking oil, drinking it until his face becomes covered in grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession with the grease and Yui's hopes of surviving it are deeply intertwined in this stomach-churning tale that threatens both your lunch and your sleep cycle. This is a story you need to mentally prepare for, so don't take it lightly.

1. The Hanging Balloons

What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story? Its bizarre nature, where Ito excels, combined with a claustrophobic and inescapable atmosphere. After a celebrity schoolgirl's unexpected suicide inspires copycat deaths, people report seeing imposing balloons in the sky. These are no ordinary balloons; they resemble the giant inflated head of the deceased woman. More balloons appear, chasing those whose faces they wear, with metal nooses swinging beneath them. Their purpose is sinister: if they catch those they resemble, they hang them. This tale is a psychedelic night terror come to life.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at AmazonAlley is the most recent short story collection from the horror manga author, but Junji Ito's latest release, Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, is a written memoir and analysis of the horror genre that came out 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 new collection's preorder page, you can expect "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories set in Junji Ito’s bloodcurdling world."

Looking for more manga guides? Take a look at our guide to the best manga for beginners or dive into some of the best free manga websites and apps. You can also check out our updated guide on where to buy manga if you're looking for physical copies of Junji Ito's work.