Top 13 Scariest Junji Ito Manga Tales Revealed

Junji Ito stands unrivaled in the world of horror manga. Since his professional debut in 1987, his chilling narratives and hauntingly beautiful illustrations have captivated and terrified readers worldwide. As one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation, Ito's work is a testament to the power of horror to unsettle and engage. Each of his stories delves into the macabre, uncovering deep, disturbing secrets that linger long after the last page is turned.

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 extensive body of work to just 13 of his most spine-chilling stories is a daunting task. While many of his scariest short stories are available online as scans, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like "Tomie" and "Uzumaki," follow a specific narrative arc, while others, such as "Shiver" and "Smashed," feature standalone stories grouped by theme.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From eerie ghost stories and heart-wrenching gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, here are the 13 most terrifying tales from the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito frequently explores themes of love and its curses. "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," the opening story of his "Lovesickness" collection, exemplifies this theme brilliantly. We meet Ryusuke, a teenage boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the very thought of his return. As he arrives, a chilling trend emerges where young women seek "crossroads fortunes," only to turn up brutally murdered. The mystery deepens as it intertwines with Ryusuke's past, introducing one of Ito's most haunting creations.

12. Village of the Siren

In this tale of folk horror, Ito crafts another chilling homecoming. Kyochi returns to his village after a strange phone call and a haunting apparition, only to find it transformed into a ghost town. The village's life now revolves around an enigmatic factory and its nightly, all-consuming sirens. Fans of strange rituals, cults, and the occult will find this story particularly gripping, with its high death toll and taboo-breaking elements.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

Shigeru's life changes when he picks up a beautiful, wandering woman on the side of the road. Despite her disoriented and bloodied state, he soon begins a secretive affair with her, blinded by her beauty. Her true, dark desires unfold too late for Shigeru, who is married and expecting a child, adding layers of complexity and horror to this tale.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

This darkly humorous story follows a set of unhinged siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Over two tales in "Lovesickness," we see the chaos they cause, from an old school friend to a photographer. While their schemes can be deadly, the Hikizuri siblings are often comically inept, making this a unique blend of horror and humor.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

A haunted house turns a town upside down, as skepticism turns to terror with each new visitor. Two young boys become entangled in the twisted games of the house's owner after trying to sneak in for free. The dark comedy here stems from Ito's recurring character, Souichi Tsujii, though his crimes are far from humorous. This story is a thrilling ride for fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" showcases his most psychedelic and disturbing take yet. Risa, suffering from amnesia due to emotional stress, is haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar. The truth behind these visions and Makata's family's strange traditions unfolds in Ito's signature, unsettling style.

7. Uzumaki

"Uzumaki" is perhaps Ito's most famous work, a classic tale of a supernatural curse centered around the town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these everyday shapes into sources of terror, exploring themes of obsession and paranoia. The story's impact is evident in its numerous adaptations, including video games, films, and an upcoming anime series.

6. Fashion Model

This more direct horror tale introduces a monstrous model whose image haunts a young man. Her reappearance in his life during a student film casting turns his obsession into a terrifying reality. "Fashion Model" is a standout in Ito's monster horror canon.

5. Tomie

Tomie, Ito's most iconic creation, is a stunningly beautiful woman who, despite being murdered by her classmates, reappears to terrorize and seduce. Her collected tales showcase her ever-shifting, nightmarish true face, making her a staple in horror and pop culture.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets take center stage in this chilling story about a family obsessed with marionettes. Kinuko's friendship with Haruhiko, a puppeteer's son, leads to a horrifying discovery years later when they return to his family home. This classic Ito tale shocks and surprises at every turn.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" tells the eerie story of a hypnotic vinyl that obsesses its listeners. As Ogawa and her friend Nakayama become fixated on the song, their lives spiral tragically. This story taps into the universal experience of being captivated by music, but with Ito's supernatural twist.

2. Greased

Set above a barbeque restaurant near Mount Fuji, "Greased" follows Yui, who is sick of the grease that coats her home. Her violent brother Goro, however, embraces it, leading to grotesque physical changes. This stomach-churning tale is not for the faint of heart.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is Ito's scariest story due to its bizarre and claustrophobic nature. Following the suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl, giant balloons resembling her face appear, chasing and hanging those who resemble them. This psychedelic nightmare encapsulates Ito's ability to create inescapable horror.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Pre-Order

Uncanny: Origins of Fear

2 Releasing October 15 See it at Amazon!

"Alley" is Ito's most recent short story collection, but his latest release, "Uncanny: The Origins of Fear," is a memoir and analysis of the horror genre released last Fall. A sneak peek is available on Viz Media's website. Looking ahead, "Moan," a new story collection, is set to release on October 7, promising "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories set in Junji Ito’s bloodcurdling world."