The 13 Most Terrifying Junji Ito Manga Stories %v

Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga

Since his professional manga debut in 1987, Junji Ito has captivated and terrified readers worldwide with his chilling tales and iconic imagery. His masterful blend of beautifully rendered artwork and deeply unsettling narratives has cemented his status as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation. Each story is a unique descent into the macabre, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

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 thirteen of his most chilling creations was a challenging task. While many of his scariest short stories are readily available online, his works are also compiled into various physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a continuous narrative, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories united by thematic elements.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From unsettling ghost stories and gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, these thirteen tales exemplify Junji Ito's mastery of the horror genre.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the darker side of love and its potential to inflict curses. The opening story in Lovesickness perfectly illustrates this theme. We meet Ryusuke, a teenager returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by a devastating secret soon to be revealed. His arrival coincides with a series of brutal murders, raising chilling questions about fate, coincidence, and the weight of the past.

12. Village of the Siren

A chilling tale of folk horror, "Village of the Siren" depicts a homecoming gone horribly wrong. Kyochi's return to his family's village reveals a deserted town dominated by a mysterious factory and haunting sirens. This story explores themes of strange rituals, cults, and the occult, with a high body count and unsettling depictions of taboo subjects.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

A chance encounter with a mysterious woman leads Shigeru down a dark path. His fascination with her beauty blinds him to the increasingly ominous signs, culminating in a terrifying revelation of her true nature and desires.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

A darkly humorous look at a dysfunctional family, this story follows the Hikizuri siblings as they wreak havoc on those around them. Their schemes, though often inept, have deadly consequences, making them both terrifying and darkly comical.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

A haunted house turns a town into a scene of escalating terror. Two young boys' curiosity leads them into a house of horrors, where they encounter victims claiming to be the owner's family. The story features Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, adding a layer of dark comedy to the unsettling atmosphere.

8. Honored Ancestors

Exploring themes of family and tradition, "Honored Ancestors" presents a psychedelically disturbing tale. Risa's amnesia and haunting visions of a giant caterpillar unravel a shocking family secret, revealing a disturbing truth about her friend Makata and his family's traditions.

7. Uzumaki

A classic of the horror genre, Uzumaki centers on the small town of Kurouzu-cho, cursed by the ubiquitous presence of spirals. Ito's distinctive art style transforms the mundane spiral into a source of terrifying obsession, paranoia, and the grotesque.

6. Fashion Model

A more direct horror story, "Fashion Model" introduces a monstrous figure from the outset. A young man's obsession with a model whose mouth is filled with dagger-like teeth leads to a brutal and terrifying encounter.

5. Tomie

Perhaps Ito's most famous creation, Tomie is a stunningly beautiful woman whose murder only leads to her reappearance. Her ever-shifting true face is the stuff of nightmares, and her story has made her a pop culture icon.

4. House of the Marionettes

This story uses the classic creepiness of puppets to unsettling effect. A young girl's friendship with a puppeteer's son leads to a terrifying discovery years later, revealing a dark secret within the family's home.

3. Used Record

An eerie and atmospheric tale, "Used Record" centers around a hypnotic vinyl record that consumes the lives of those who listen. The relatable nature of musical obsession is twisted into a supernatural nightmare.

2. Greased

This story is a stomach-churning descent into obsession and abuse. Yui's brother Goro's obsession with grease from their family's restaurant leads to grotesque consequences, creating a truly disturbing and memorable tale.

1. The Hanging Balloons

A psychedelic nightmare, "The Hanging Balloons" creates a claustrophobic and inescapable atmosphere. The appearance of giant balloons bearing the faces of suicide victims leads to a terrifying chase and inescapable fate.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at AmazonWhile Alley is his most recent short story collection, Junji Ito's Uncanny: The Origins of Fear offers a different perspective, exploring the horror genre through a memoir and analysis. A new collection, Moan, is set to release on October 7, promising more chilling tales of obsession and warped reality.