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 become 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 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 collection to just 13 of his most bone-chilling stories was no small 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 the theme of love and its potential to curse us. The first story in his Lovesickness collection, "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," is a prime example. We meet Ryusuke on a train, returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the very thought of it. The reason for his distress soon unfolds, coinciding with a trend of young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." As the bodies of schoolgirls who ask strangers for their fortunes begin to appear brutally murdered, the mystery deepens. How does it connect to Ryusuke's past? This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.
12. Village of the Siren
In "Village of the Siren," Ito delves into folk horror with another bleak homecoming. Kyochi returns to his village after a strange phone call from his parents and an ominous apparition at his window. He finds the once lively village transformed into a ghost town, centered around a mysterious factory. The nightly sirens emanating from it consume the villagers' lives. If you enjoy stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. It also breaks taboos with a significant death count and a rarely seen demographic of victims.
11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost
In "I Don't Want to Be a Ghost," Shigeru's life changes when he picks up a beautiful, wandering woman from the roadside. Despite her bloodied and disoriented state, she explains it away. Days later, they begin a secretive affair, despite Shigeru being married and expecting a baby. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent blood-covered appearances and her claim to "love his ghosts." Her true, darker desires are revealed too late for Shigeru.
10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings
One of Ito's more humorous creations, "The Strange Hikizuri Siblings" follows a set of unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two tales in Lovesickness, we meet some of the unfortunate people who cross their path, including an old school friend and a photographer. While their schemes can be deadly, the Hikizuri siblings are generally hapless, though you wouldn't want to join them for dinner.
9. The Mystery of the Haunted House
"The Mystery of the Haunted House" turns a town upside down when a haunted house's arrival shifts from derision to terror. Two young boys become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after trying to sneak in for free. Exploring the ghoulish halls, they discover a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. The dark comedy comes from Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, though his crimes are anything but funny. This story will delight fans of haunt culture.
8. Honored Ancestors
Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" might feature his most psychedelically deranged tale yet. Risa, brought home by her friend Makata, suffers from amnesia caused by immense emotional stress. Haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, her distress grows. The truth behind these visions involves Makata and his family's strange traditions, revealed in Ito's dementedly awful fashion. This family reunion is unforgettable, though you'll wish you could forget it.
7. Uzumaki
Perhaps Ito's most famous work, "Uzumaki" is a classic for a reason. It weaves a supernatural curse into a ghost story centered around the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits but by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these shapes into something utterly terrifying. Uzumaki explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the mundane becoming bizarre. Its impact is significant, with multiple video game and film adaptations and an eagerly anticipated anime adaptation. You can check out our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime for more insights.
6. Fashion Model
Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn stories, "Fashion Model" reveals its monster early on. When a young man sees a bizarre model in a magazine with dagger-like teeth, he becomes consumed by her image. As he and his friends cast for a student film, the model reemerges in brutal reality. This tale is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canon.
5. Tomie
Tomie, likely Ito's most famous creation, is a stunningly beautiful woman murdered by her classmates, only to reappear the next day. She has been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men for years. The collected edition of Tomie tales offers a comprehensive look at her story, 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 on stickers, tattoos, or t-shirts.
4. House of the Marionettes
Puppets hold a particularly creepy place in horror, and Ito uses this to great effect in "House of the Marionettes." The story follows a young girl, Kinuko, who befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. Years later, after marrying Haruhiko, they return to his family home and make an awful discovery. This classical Ito tale will shock and surprise at every turn.
3. Used Record
"Used Record" is eerie and atmospheric, telling the story of an odd record that hypnotizes and entices its listeners. When Ogawa buys the vinyl, she becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama. The pair can't stop listening to the song, but there's only one copy, leading to a tragic path. The relatable obsession with a song is taken to a supernaturally nightmarish level, making this tale as addictive as the song at its center.
2. Greased
In "Greased," Yui grows up above her family's barbeque restaurant near Mount Fuji, sick of the grease that has coated their home. Her violent and abusive brother Goro embraces the cooking oil, drinking it until his face becomes covered in grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession and Yui's hopes of survival are deeply entangled in this stomach-churning tale that will threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle.
1. The Hanging Balloons
What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre and feels utterly claustrophobic and inescapable. After a celebrity schoolgirl's unexpected suicide inspires copycat deaths, people report seeing imposing balloons in the sky. These are no ordinary balloons but giant inflated heads of the deceased, chasing those whose faces they wear with metal nooses swinging beneath them. This psychedelic night terror come to life is truly terrifying.
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 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."
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.
