Junji Ito's 13 Scariest Manga Tales

There is no storyteller on Earth quite like Junji Ito. Since his professional manga debut in 1987, he's been captivating and terrifying readers with his macabre tales and chillingly iconic creations. This 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 exquisitely illustrated comics conceal deep, devastating secrets, each story haunting and horrifying in its own uniquely unsettling 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 extensive body of work to just 13 of his most bone-chilling creations was no small task. While many of Ito's scariest short stories are readily available online, his works are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a continuous narrative, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories grouped thematically.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From ominous ghost stories and heart-wrenching gothic horror to grotesquely bizarre modern fables, here are 13 terrifying tales from a master of horror manga.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the dark side of love and its potential to curse us. The opening story in his Lovesickness collection exemplifies this perfectly. We meet Ryusuke on a train, a teenage boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the very idea of his return. The devastating reason for this unease is soon revealed, coinciding with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes," only to turn up brutally murdered. This chilling mystery is unforgettable, introducing one of Ito's most frightening creations.

12. Village of the Siren

A chilling foray into folk horror, "Village of the Siren" depicts another bleak homecoming. Following a strange phone call and an ominous apparition, Kyochi returns to his family, only to find his once-lively village transformed into a ghost town, dominated by a mysterious factory and the all-consuming sirens that emanate from it nightly. This story is a feast for fans of strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, featuring a shockingly high death toll and a diverse range of victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

When Shigeru rescues a beautiful woman from the roadside, his life takes a dark turn. Despite her bloodied and disoriented state, he becomes captivated by her, embarking on a secret affair. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks the disturbing frequency with which she appears covered in blood and her unsettling claim to "love his ghosts." Her true desires are far darker than anyone could imagine, and Shigeru discovers this truth far too late.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's most darkly humorous creations, this story follows a set of unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Across two tales in Lovesickness, we encounter the unlucky individuals who cross their path, including a former school friend and a photographer. While their schemes have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are ultimately rather hapless—though you wouldn't want to be on their dinner guest list.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

The arrival of a haunted house throws a town into chaos as derision gives way to terror. Two young boys, attempting to sneak in, become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games, uncovering a house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. This story features Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, adding a dark comedic element, but the heinous crimes are anything but funny.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" presents perhaps his most psychedelically deranged take on it. Risa, suffering from amnesia, is brought home by her friend Makata. Her amnesia is attributed to immense emotional stress, but Risa is haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar. The truth lies in Makata's family's strange traditions, revealed in Ito's characteristically disturbing fashion.

7. Uzumaki

Arguably Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki is a classic for a reason. This supernatural tale centers on the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits, but by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these usually innocuous shapes into something utterly terrifying. Uzumaki masterfully blends obsession, paranoia, and the transformation of the mundane into the bizarre, cementing its status as a horror masterpiece.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn stories, "Fashion Model" is a more visceral horror tale, revealing its monster early on. Similar to Tomie, it's become one of Ito's most popular recurring narratives. A young man becomes obsessed with a bizarre model in a magazine, her mouth filled with dagger-like teeth, consumed by her image and the existential dread she evokes.

5. Tomie

Possibly Ito's most iconic creation, the stunningly beautiful Tomie is murdered by her classmates, only to reappear the next day. She's been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men for years. A collected edition of Tomie stories chronicles her appearances, each darker than the last. Her ever-shifting true face is nightmarish, yet Ito's style has made her a pop culture icon.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets have a long history in horror, and Ito uses them to great effect in this ghastly tale of a family obsessed with marionettes. A young girl, Kinuko, befriends the son of a puppeteer family, becoming wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, their reunion leads to a terrifying discovery.

3. Used Record

Eerie and atmospheric, "Used Record" tells the story of a vinyl record that hypnotizes and captivates its listeners. Ogawa and her friend Nakayama become obsessed, listening repeatedly, but the scarcity of the record leads them down a tragic path. The story's terror lies in its relatability—we've all had that one song we can't stop listening to—taken to a supernaturally nightmarish level.

2. Greased

Growing up above her family's barbeque restaurant, Yui is repulsed by the accumulating grease coating their home. Her brother, Goro, however, embraces the cooking oil, drinking it until his face is covered in grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession and Yui's struggle for survival are intertwined in this stomach-churning tale.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is arguably Ito's scariest due to its bizarre nature and claustrophobic atmosphere. Following a celebrity school girl's suicide, copycat deaths occur, and people report seeing giant balloons in the sky—the inflated heads of the deceased, with metal nooses dangling beneath. This psychedelic night terror is truly unforgettable.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at AmazonAlley is Ito's most recent short story collection, but his latest release is a new venture: Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, a memoir and analysis of the horror genre. A new collection, Moan, is set to release on October 7th, promising "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories."