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. The brilliantly talented mangaka has rightfully earned his place as one of the most renowned 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 a uniquely compelling way.
Junji Ito Collections
Alley
5 See it at Amazon!
Uzumaki: Deluxe Edition
15 See it at Target See it at Amazon!
Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition
7 See it at Amazon!
Mimi's Tales of Terror
0 See it at Amazon!
Remina
1 See it at Amazon!
Shiver
0 See it at Amazon!
Gyo: Deluxe Edition
5 See it at Amazon!
Smashed
2 See it at Amazon!
Lovesickness
2 See it at Amazon!
Narrowing down Junji Ito's vast collection to just 13 of his most bone-chilling stories was a challenging task. While many of the scariest Junji Ito's short stories can be found online as scans, his short stories are also available in physical collections. Some collections, such as Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a specific narrative, whereas others, like Shiver and Smashed, feature standalone stories grouped 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 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 in his Lovesickness collection is a prime example of this. We meet Ryusuke on a train, a teen boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the very thought of it. The chilling reason for his unease is soon revealed, coinciding with a trend of young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." As the bodies of school girls who ask strangers for their fortunes begin to appear brutally murdered, the mystery deepens. How does it connect to Ryusuke's past? This haunting mystery introduces one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.
12. Village of the Siren
Turning to folk horror, Ito crafts a bleak homecoming in Village of the Siren. After receiving a strange phone call from his parents and witnessing an ominous apparition at his window, Kyochi decides to reunite with his family. Upon returning, he finds the once lively village transformed into a ghost town, with life revolving around a mysterious factory and eerie sirens that echo through the night. If you enjoy stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. The story breaks taboos with a high death count and a rarely seen demographic of victims, ensuring a chilling experience.
11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost
When Shigeru kindly picks up a beautiful wandering woman from the side of the road, his life changes forever. Initially concerned about her bloodied and disoriented state, Shigeru is reassured by her explanations. Days later, the two embark on a secretive affair despite Shigeru being married and expecting a child. Blinded by her beauty, Shigeru overlooks her frequent bloodied appearances and her eerie claim of "loving his ghosts." The truth behind her desires is darker than anyone could have imagined, and Shigeru realizes it far too late.
10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
One of Ito's more humorous yet bleak tales, The Strange Hikizuri Siblings follows a set of unhinged siblings who take pleasure in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two stories collected in Lovesickness, we meet some of the unfortunate individuals who cross their path, including an old school friend and a photographer. While their schemes can lead to deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are generally hapless, yet you wouldn't want to sit at their dinner table.
9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
The arrival of a haunted house turns a town upside down as initial derision turns to terror with each new visitor. 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. This tale blends dark comedy with horror, featuring another of Ito's recurring characters, the scheming Souichi Tsujii. The Mystery of the Haunted House is a thrilling ride that will delight fans of haunt culture.
8. Honored Ancestors
Family often plays a significant role in Ito's stories, and Honored Ancestors might feature his most psychedelically deranged tale yet. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her close friend Makata, who claims she's suffering from amnesia and cannot remember where she lives. Her amnesia, caused by immense emotional stress, leads to haunting visions of a giant caterpillar. The truth behind these visions is tied to Makata and his family's strange traditions, revealed in Ito's typically demented fashion. This family reunion is unforgettable, though you'll wish it could be.
7. Uzumaki
Likely the most famous of Ito's works, Uzumaki has been deemed a classic for good reason. 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 of obsession, paranoia, and the mundane turning bizarre. Its impact is undeniable, with multiple video game and film adaptations and a highly-anticipated anime adaptation in development. Check out our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime for our thoughts.
6. Fashion Model
Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn horror stories, Fashion Model is an in-your-face tale that reveals its monster early on. Like Tomie, Fashion Model 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. His obsession leads him to question her hiring and why she fills him with existential terror. Life moves on, and during a student film casting, the model reemerges in his life in a brutal and all-too-real fashion. This tale is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canon.
5. Tomie
Arguably 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. A 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 seen Tomie as a sticker, tattoo, or t-shirt. 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 creepy place in horror, and Ito capitalizes on this in the ghastly tale of a strange family obsessed with marionettes. The story begins when a young girl named Kinuko befriends the son of a family of puppeteers, becoming wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, Kinuko reconnects with Haruhiko, marries him, and is called back to his family home, where they make a horrific discovery. This classic Ito story still manages to shock and surprise 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 becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama upon hearing it. The pair can't stop listening to the song, but there's only one copy, leading them down a tragic path. The terror of this story lies in its relatability—we've all had that one song we can't stop listening to. Ito takes this to a supernaturally nightmarish level, making this tale 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 accumulated, coating their home. While she worries about its effects, 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 entangled in this stomach-churning tale. This is one of Ito's most disturbing stories, threatening both your lunch and your sleep cycle. Approach this one with caution.
1. The Hanging Balloons
What makes The Hanging Balloons Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre and claustrophobic tales. After the unexpected suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl inspires copycat deaths, people begin to report seeing imposing balloons in the sky. But these are no ordinary balloons; they are giant inflated heads of the deceased. More balloons soon appear, chasing those whose faces they resemble, with metal nooses swinging beneath them. What is their purpose? If they catch up with their targets, 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
2 Releasing October 15 See it at Amazon!
Alley is the most recent short story collection from the horror manga author, though Junji Ito's latest 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."
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.
