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 exquisitely illustrated comics conceal deep, devastating secrets, each story haunting and horrifying in its own 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 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 can be found online, his works are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, like Tomie and Uzumaki, feature stories following 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 the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the destructive power of love. The opening story in his Lovesickness collection perfectly exemplifies this. We meet Ryusuke on a train, a teenager returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the simple act of returning.

The devastating reason for this unease is soon revealed, coinciding with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes," only to be found brutally murdered. This chilling mystery is memorable, introducing one of Ito's most frightening creations.

12. Village of the Siren

A foray into folk horror, Ito crafts another bleak homecoming in "Village of the Siren." Following a strange phone call and an ominous apparition, Kyochi returns to his family home, only to find a once-lively village transformed into a ghost town.

Life now centers around a mysterious factory, and even stranger are the all-consuming sirens emanating from it nightly. This story is perfect for those who enjoy tales of strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, featuring a high body count and a rarely seen demographic 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. Their secret affair begins, but Shigeru overlooks his lover's frequent blood-soaked appearances and her claim to "love his ghosts." Her true desires are far darker than he could imagine.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's most darkly humorous creations, this story follows a deranged set of siblings who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Across two tales in Lovesickness, we meet various unlucky individuals who cross their paths, from old school friends to a photographer. While their schemes have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are generally hapless—though you wouldn't want to share a meal with them.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

The arrival of a haunted house turns a town upside down as derision gives way to terror. Two young boys, sneaking into the house, become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games, discovering a house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family.

This story blends dark comedy with the heinous crimes of Souichi Tsujii, a recurring character in Ito's work. The Mystery of the Haunted House is a wild ride for fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and "Honored Ancestors" features perhaps his most psychedelically deranged tale. Risa, brought home by her friend Makata, suffers from amnesia, her condition attributed to immense emotional stress.

Haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, Risa's distress grows. The truth centers around Makata and his family's strange traditions, revealed in Ito's characteristically demented fashion.

7. Uzumaki

Arguably Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki is a classic for a reason. A supernatural curse plagues the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits, but by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these usually unassuming shapes into something utterly terrifying.

Uzumaki explores Ito's favorite themes: obsession, paranoia, and the transformation of the mundane into the bizarre. Its impact is undeniable, inspiring numerous video game and film adaptations, with a highly anticipated anime adaptation underway.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn tales, "Fashion Model" is a more visceral horror story. A young man sees a bizarre model in a magazine, her mouth filled with dagger-like teeth, and becomes consumed by her image. He can't escape the all-consuming existential terror she inspires.

The model reappears in his life during the casting for a student film, resulting in a brutal and realistic encounter. This is an excellent introduction to both Ito's work and the monster horror genre.

5. Tomie

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

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets hold a special place in horror, and Ito uses them to his advantage in this ghastly story about 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, Kinuko and Haruhiko reconnect and marry, but a return to his family home reveals a terrifying discovery. This classic Ito story will shock and surprise at every turn.

3. Used Record

Eerie and atmospheric, "Used Record" tells the story of a record that hypnotizes and entices the listener. Ogawa's obsession, shared by her friend Nakayama, leads them down a tragic path. The relatability of the story—the inability to stop listening to a favorite song—is what makes it so terrifying.

2. Greased

Growing up above her family's barbeque restaurant, Yui is disgusted by the accumulated grease coating their home. Her violent brother, Goro, embraces the cooking oil, drinking it until his face is covered in grotesque pustules. This stomach-churning tale will challenge both your appetite and your sleep.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is arguably Ito's scariest story due to its bizarre nature and claustrophobic atmosphere. Following a celebrity school girl's suicide and subsequent copycat deaths, giant balloons—inflated heads of the deceased—appear in the sky, chasing those they resemble, their metal nooses ready to hang their victims.

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, though his latest release is a new endeavor: Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, a memoir and analysis of the horror genre. A new collection, Moan, is set to release on October 7, promising obsession, persistence, and reality-warping macabre stories.

Looking for more manga guides? Check out our guide to the best manga for beginners or explore some of the best free manga websites and apps. You can also find our updated guide on where to buy manga if you're looking for physical copies of Junji Ito's work.