Top 13 Scariest Junji Ito Manga Tales

There is no storyteller on Earth quite like Junji Ito. Since his professional manga debut in 1987, he has been captivating and terrifying readers with his macabre tales and chillingly iconic creations. This 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 conceal 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 body of work to just 13 of his most bone-chilling offerings was no easy task. While many of the scariest Junji Ito short stories can be found as scans online, his short stories 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 collected 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

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," exemplifies this theme. We meet Ryusuke on a train, returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the mere thought of it. The chilling reason for his distress is soon revealed, 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. Who is responsible, and how does it connect to Ryusuke's past? This wonderfully chilly mystery introduces one of Ito's scariest creations.

12. Village of the Siren

Turning to folk horror, Ito crafts another bleak homecoming in "Village of the Siren." 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 returning, he finds his once lively village transformed into a ghost town, revolving around a mysterious factory of unknown origin. The all-consuming sirens that emanate from it each night add to the eerie atmosphere. If you enjoy stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. The high death count and taboo-breaking horror ensure a gripping read.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

When Shigeru kindly picks up a beautiful, wandering woman from the side of a road, his life changes dramatically. Initially concerned about her bloodied and disoriented state, he is reassured by her explanations. Days later, despite being married and expecting a baby, Shigeru begins a secretive affair with her. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks the fact that she often appears covered in blood and claims to "love his ghosts." Her true desires are darker than anyone could have foreseen, and Shigeru realizes this too late.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of the most humorously bleak of Ito's creations, "The Strange Hikizuri Siblings" follows an unhinged set of siblings who take pleasure in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two tales in Lovesickness, we meet some of the unlucky people who cross their path, including an old school friend of their most beautiful member and a photographer. While their schemes can have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are generally rather hapless, making for a darkly comedic, though terrifying, read.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

When a haunted house arrives in town, initial derision quickly turns to terror as each new visitor enters its doors. Two young boys become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after attempting to sneak in for free. Exploring the ghoulish halls, they discover a true house of horrors, filled with victims who claim to be the owner's family. The dark comedy here comes from Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, though his heinous crimes are far from funny. The Mystery of the Haunted House is a wild ride that will delight fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family often plays a significant role in Ito's tales, and "Honored Ancestors" might feature his most psychedelically deranged story yet. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her close friend Makata, who claims she suffers from amnesia and couldn't remember where she lived. Doctors attribute her amnesia to immense emotional stress. As Risa becomes increasingly distressed by visions of a giant caterpillar, the truth behind Makata and his family's strange traditions is revealed in Ito's dementedly awful fashion. This is one family reunion you'll never forget, though you'll wish you could.

7. Uzumaki

Likely the most famous of Ito's works, Uzumaki has earned its status as a classic. Weaving a supernatural curse into a ghost story set in the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits but by spirals, this tale is uniquely spooky. Ito's distinctive linework transforms the usually unassuming shapes into something utterly terrifying. Uzumaki explores themes like obsession, paranoia, and the mundane becoming bizarre. Its impact is undeniable, with multiple video game and film adaptations and a highly anticipated anime adaptation in development. You can check out our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime for more insights.

6. Fashion Model

While many of Ito's stories are slow-burn haunters, "Fashion Model" is a more direct horror tale that reveals its monster from the earliest pages. Like Tomie, it has become one of Ito's most popular long-running tales. When a young man sees a bizarre model in a magazine with dagger-like teeth, he becomes consumed by her image, unable to stop thinking about her and why she fills him with existential terror. As life moves on, and he and some friends begin casting for a student film, the model reemerges in brutal and all-too-real fashion. This story is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canon.

5. Tomie

Probably Ito's most famous creation, the stunningly beautiful Tomie 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 also made her a perennial pop culture figure. Even if you've never read an Ito story, you've likely seen Tomie on stickers, tattoos, or t-shirts. Ironically, in her stories, capturing her beauty in an image is nearly impossible unless you want to see her true face too.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets have always held a particularly creepy place in horror, and Ito uses this to his advantage in "House of the Marionettes." This ghastly story follows a strange family obsessed with marionettes. It begins when a young girl named Kinuko befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. Becoming close with one of the two sons, Haruhiko, she visits the home and immediately becomes wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, when Haruhiko and Kinuko reconnect and get married, they are called back to his family home, where they make an awful discovery. This is one of Ito's most classical stories, yet it still shocks and surprises at every turn.

3. Used Record

Eerie and atmospheric, "Used Record" tells the story of an odd record that hypnotizes and entices the listener. When Ogawa buys the vinyl, she quickly becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama when she hears it. Soon, all the pair can do is listen to the song repeatedly. But with only one copy, the girls are on a tragic path. The terror of this story lies in the relatable fact that we've all had that one song we can't stop listening to. Ito just takes it to a supernaturally nightmarish level. This wonderfully drawn tale is as addictive as the song at its center.

2. Greased

Growing up above her family's barbeque restaurant by Mount Fuji, Yui is sick of the grease that has slowly but surely accumulated, coating their home. While she worries about its effects, her violent and abusive brother Goro embraces the cooking oil, drinking it from the bottle until his face becomes covered in large, grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession with the grease and Yui's hopes of surviving it are deeply entangled in this, one of Ito's most stomach-churning tales. This story will threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle, so mentally prepare yourself before diving in.

1. The Hanging Balloons

What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre—exactly where the mangaka excels—and it also manages to feel utterly claustrophobic and inescapable. After the unexpected suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl inspires a spate of copycat deaths, people begin to report seeing imposing balloons in the sky. But these are no ordinary balloons. In fact, reports claim they resemble the giant inflated head of the woman who died. Many more balloons soon appear, chasing those whose faces they wear, with metal nooses swinging beneath them. What is their purpose? If they catch up with those they resemble, they catch and hang them. This 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, though Junji Ito's most recent release is something entirely new. Uncanny: The Origins of Fear is a written memoir and analysis of the horror genre that was released 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.