The 13 Most Terrifying Junji Ito Manga Stories

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 beautifully illustrated comics conceal deep, devastating secrets, and each story he crafts haunts and horrifies in a 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 Amazon

Narrowing down Junji Ito's extensive body of work to just 13 of his most bone-chilling offerings was a challenging task. While many of Ito's scariest short stories are readily available online, his works are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, like Tomie and Uzumaki, feature interconnected stories following a specific narrative, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone tales 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 the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the dark side of love and its potential to inflict curses. The opening story—and a recurring theme—in his Lovesickness collection perfectly exemplifies this. We meet Ryusuke on a train, a teenage boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the mere thought of it.

The devastating reason for his apprehension is soon revealed, but his arrival coincides with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." The bodies of schoolgirls who solicit fortunes from strangers begin to surface, brutally murdered. But who is the culprit? And how does it connect to Ryusuke's past? This chilling mystery is one of Ito's most memorable tales, introducing one of his most frightening creations.

12. Village of the Siren

In this foray into folk horror, Ito crafts another bleak homecoming narrative. Following a strange phone call from his parents and an ominous apparition at his window, Kyochi decides to visit his family. However, upon his return, he discovers his once-lively village has become a ghost town.

Life now revolves around a mysterious factory of unknown origin, and even stranger are the all-consuming sirens emanating from it each night. If you appreciate stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. Fans of taboo-breaking horror will also find much to appreciate, as the high death toll features a rarely seen demographic of victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

When Shigeru kindly offers a ride to a beautiful, disoriented woman on the roadside, his life takes an unexpected turn. Despite her bloodied and disheveled state, he is charmed by her explanation. Days later, they begin a clandestine affair, even though Shigeru is married and expecting a child. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent appearance covered in blood and her claim to "love his ghosts." Her true desires are far darker than anyone could have imagined, and Shigeru, of course, only realizes this too late.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's most darkly humorous creations, this bleakly comedic slice-of-life story follows a deranged set of siblings who derive pleasure from tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Across two tales in Lovesickness, we encounter various unlucky individuals 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, though you wouldn't want to be invited to their dinner table.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

The arrival of a haunted house turns a town upside down as initial derision gives way to terror with each new visitor. Two young boys become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after attempting to sneak in. Exploring the ghoulish halls, they uncover a true house of horrors, filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family.

There's a dark comedic element, stemming from one of Ito's recurring characters, the scheming Souichi Tsujii. However, there's nothing funny about his heinous crimes. The Mystery of the Haunted House is a wild ride that will delight fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and Honored Ancestors might be his most psychedelically deranged exploration of it yet. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her close friend Makata, who claims she suffers from amnesia and cannot remember where she lives. Doctors attribute her amnesia to immense emotional stress.

Risa becomes increasingly distressed as she's haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar… but what does it all mean? The truth revolves around Makata and his family's strange traditions, revealed in Ito's dementedly awful fashion as the story concludes. It's a family reunion you'll never forget, though you'll wish you could.

7. Uzumaki

Arguably Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki has achieved classic status for a reason. Weaving a supernatural curse into a ghost story centered around the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits but by spirals, this is a uniquely spooky tale. Ito's distinctive linework masterfully transforms the usually unassuming shapes into something utterly terrifying.

Uzumaki features many of Ito's favorite themes: obsession, paranoia, and the transformation of the mundane into the bizarre. Its impact is undeniable, with multiple video game and film adaptations and a highly anticipated anime adaptation in development.

6. Fashion Model

While many of Ito's stories are slow-burn haunters, this is a more direct horror tale that reveals its monster early on. Like our next entry, 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 filling her mouth, he becomes consumed by her image. He can't stop thinking about her, about why she was hired, and why she fills him with existential dread.

Life moves on, and he and some friends begin casting for a student film. The model re-emerges in brutal and all-too-real fashion. This is a great introduction to both Ito's work and the monster horror genre.

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's been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men for years. A collected edition of Tomie tales allows you to follow her story from her earliest to most recent appearances, each more delightfully dark than the last. Her ever-shifting true face is nightmarish, but Ito's striking illustration style has also made her a pop culture icon.

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 also want to see her true face.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets have always held a creepy place in horror, and Ito uses this to his advantage in this ghastly story about a strange family obsessed with marionettes. It begins when a young girl, Kinuko, befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. Becoming close with one of the sons, Haruhiko, she visits their home and becomes wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre.

Years later, Haruhiko and Kinuko reconnect and marry. But when they return to his family home, they make a horrifying discovery. This is one of Ito's most classic stories, yet it still shocks and surprises at every turn.

3. Used Record

Eerie and atmospheric, Used Record tells the story of a strange record that hypnotizes and entices the listener. When Ogawa buys the vinyl, she quickly becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama. Soon, all they can do is listen to the song again and again. But there's only one copy, leading the girls down a tragic path.

What makes this story so terrifying is the relatable fact that we've all had that one song we can't stop listening to. Ito simply 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 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 is covered in grotesque pustules.

Goro's obsession with the grease and his sister's struggle for survival are deeply intertwined in this stomach-churning tale that will threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle. This is a story you need to mentally prepare yourself for.

1. The Hanging Balloons

What makes The Hanging Balloons Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre—where he truly excels—and it manages to feel utterly claustrophobic and inescapable. After the suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl inspires copycat deaths, people report seeing imposing balloons in the sky.

But these are no ordinary balloons. Reports claim they're giant inflated heads of the deceased woman. More balloons soon appear, chasing those they resemble. Instead of strings, metal nooses hang beneath them. What is their purpose? If they catch up with their look-alikes, they catch and hang them… This is a psychedelic night terror brought to life.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order### Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2Releasing October 15See it at Amazon

Alley 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 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 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.