Top 13 Scariest Junji Ito Manga Tales

Junji Ito stands unparalleled in the realm of horror storytelling. Since his professional manga debut in 1987, he has been captivating and terrifying readers with his macabre tales and chillingly iconic creations. As a brilliantly talented mangaka, Ito has rightfully earned his place as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation. His beautifully illustrated comics conceal deep, devastating secrets, and each tale he crafts haunts and horrifies in a uniquely unsettling manner.

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 extensive body of work to just 13 of his most bone-chilling stories was a challenging task. While many of Ito's scariest short stories are available as scans online, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, such as Tomie and Uzumaki, feature stories that follow a specific narrative arc, while others, like Shiver and Smashed, compile standalone stories organized by theme.

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 the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Junji Ito often explores themes of love and its potential to curse us. The first story in 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 his past. His arrival coincides with a disturbing trend of young women seeking "crossroads fortunes," leading to a series of brutal murders. This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.

12. Village of the Siren

Turning to folk horror, Ito crafts another bleak homecoming in "Village of the Siren." Kyochi returns to his rural village after a mysterious phone call and a haunting apparition, only to find it transformed into a ghost town. The village's life now revolves around a mysterious factory, with eerie sirens that resonate each night. If you enjoy stories about strange rituals, cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. It also breaks taboos with its high death toll and unusual victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

Shigeru's life changes when he picks up a beautiful, disoriented woman by the roadside. Despite her bloodied appearance, he becomes involved in a secretive affair with her, ignoring her frequent blood-covered state and her eerie claim to "love his ghosts." Her true, dark desires are revealed too late, making this a haunting tale of deception and horror.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

This darkly humorous story introduces the Hikizuri siblings, who take pleasure in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two tales in Lovesickness, we witness their chaotic schemes, which, despite their hapless nature, can lead to deadly consequences. Their antics make for a bleakly funny yet terrifying read.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

A haunted house turns a town upside down as visitors enter its doors and face terror. Two boys get entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after trying to sneak in. Inside, they discover a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. This tale features the recurring character Souichi Tsujii, adding dark humor to the horror.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" showcases one of his most deranged tales. Risa, suffering from amnesia due to emotional stress, is haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar. The truth behind these visions ties into her friend Makata's family traditions, revealed in Ito's signature horrifying style.

7. Uzumaki

Uzumaki is perhaps Ito's most famous work, a classic tale of a supernatural curse haunting the town of Kurouzu-cho with spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these shapes into something terrifying, exploring themes of obsession, paranoia, and the bizarre. Uzumaki's impact is evident in its multiple adaptations, including video games, films, and an upcoming anime.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike Ito's slower-paced stories, "Fashion Model" introduces its monster early. A young man becomes obsessed with a bizarre model whose mouth is filled with dagger-like teeth. When she reappears during a student film casting, his life takes a brutal turn, making this a standout entry in Ito's monster horror canon.

5. Tomie

Tomie, Ito's most famous creation, is a stunningly beautiful woman who reappears after being murdered by her classmates. Her tales, collected in various volumes, showcase her ability to terrorize and manipulate. Her shifting true face is nightmarish, yet Ito's striking illustrations have made her a pop culture icon.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets often evoke horror, and Ito capitalizes on this in "House of the Marionettes." Kinuko befriends a son from a family of puppeteers and becomes wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, after marrying the son, they uncover a horrifying secret, making this a classic yet shocking Ito story.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" is an eerie and atmospheric tale of a hypnotic vinyl record that obsesses its listeners. Ogawa and her friend Nakayama become fixated on the song, leading to tragic consequences. The story's terror lies in its relatable theme of being consumed by a favorite song, taken to a supernatural level.

2. Greased

Yui, living above her family's barbeque restaurant by Mount Fuji, is overwhelmed by the grease that has accumulated in their home. Her brother Goro, however, embraces the grease, leading to grotesque transformations. This stomach-churning tale explores the dark side of obsession and survival.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is Ito's scariest story, blending bizarre elements with a sense of claustrophobic inevitability. After a celebrity schoolgirl's suicide sparks copycat deaths, giant balloons resembling the deceased appear, chasing and hanging those they resemble. This psychedelic nightmare encapsulates Ito's mastery of horror.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at AmazonJunji Ito's latest release, Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, is a memoir and analysis of the horror genre released last Fall. A sneak peek is available on Viz Media's website. Looking ahead, a new collection titled "Moan" is set to release on October 7, promising "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories set in Junji Ito’s bloodcurdling world."

For more manga recommendations, explore our guide to the best manga for beginners, discover free manga websites and apps, or find out where to buy manga, including physical copies of Junji Ito's work.