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 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 tale he weaves 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 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, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a specific narrative, 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 grotesquely bizarre modern fables, here are the 13 most terrifying tales 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," exemplifies this theme. 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
Turning to folk horror, Ito crafts another bleak homecoming in "Village of the Siren." After receiving a strange phone call from his parents and witnessing an ominous apparition at his window, Kyochi decides to reunite with his family. Upon his return, he finds the once lively village transformed into a ghost town, dominated by a mysterious factory and nightly sirens. 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
When Shigeru kindly picks up a beautiful, wandering woman from the side of the road, his life changes forever. Despite her bloodied and disoriented state, she explains it away, and days later, they begin a secretive affair, despite Shigeru being married and expecting a baby. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent appearances covered in blood 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 individuals 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
A haunted house turns a town upside down when derision turns to terror as each new visitor enters its doors. 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. This tale, featuring the recurring character Souichi Tsujii, blends dark comedy with heinous crimes, delighting 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 tale yet. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her close friend Makata, who claims she suffers from amnesia. According to doctors, her amnesia is caused by immense emotional stress. As Risa becomes haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, the truth about Makata and his family's strange traditions unfolds in Ito's dementedly awful fashion. This is one family reunion you'll never forget, though you'll wish you could.
7. Uzumaki
Likely the most famous of Ito's works, Uzumaki has earned its status as a classic. Weaving a supernatural curse into a ghost story centered around the small town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits but by spirals, this tale is uniquely spooky. Ito's distinctive linework transforms the usually unassuming shapes into something utterly terrifying. Uzumaki explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the mundane becoming bizarre. Its impact is evident in multiple video game and film adaptations, with a highly-anticipated anime adaptation in development. You can check out our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime to see what we thought.
6. Fashion Model
Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn horror stories, "Fashion Model" reveals its monster from the earliest pages. Like Tomie, it 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, he becomes consumed by her image. As he and his friends begin casting for a student film, the model reemerges in brutal and all-too-real fashion. This tale is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canon.
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 has been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men for years. The collected edition of Tomie tales allows you to read her story from her earliest to most recent appearances, 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 as a sticker, tattoo, or t-shirt. Ironically, in her stories, it's nearly impossible to capture her beauty in an image unless you want to see her true face too.
4. House of the Marionettes
Puppets have always held a particularly creepy place in horror, and Ito uses this to his advantage in "House of the Marionettes." The story follows a young girl named Kinuko who befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. Becoming close with Haruhiko, she visits his home and becomes wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, after marrying Haruhiko, they return to his family home and make an awful discovery. This is one of Ito's more classical stories, yet it still shocks and surprises at every turn.
3. Used Record
Eerie and atmospheric, "Used Record" tells the story of an odd record that hypnotizes and entices the listener. When Ogawa buys the vinyl, she quickly becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama upon hearing it. Soon, all they can do is listen to the song repeatedly. But with only one copy, the girls are on a tragic path. The relatable fact that we've all had that one song we can't stop listening to makes this story terrifying, as Ito 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 slowly 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 becomes covered in grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession with the grease and Yui's hopes of surviving it are deeply entangled in this stomach-churning tale, which will threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle. This is a story you have to mentally prepare to read, so don't take checking it out lightly.
1. The Hanging Balloons
What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre tales, where he excels, and it feels utterly claustrophobic and inescapable. After the unexpected suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl inspires a spate of copycat deaths, people begin to report seeing imposing balloons in the sky. But these are no ordinary balloons; they are giant inflated heads of the deceased. As more balloons appear, chasing those whose faces they wear with metal nooses swinging beneath them, the purpose becomes clear: if they catch up with their lookalikes, they hang them. This is a psychedelic night terror come to life.
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.
