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 chilling readers with his macabre tales and 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 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 body of work to just 13 of his most bone-chilling creations was no easy task. While many of his scariest short stories circulate online, his works are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow specific narratives, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories united by theme.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From ominous ghost stories and gothic horror to grotesquely bizarre modern fables, here are 13 terrifying tales from the master of horror manga.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the dark side of love and its potential to curse us. The opening story 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 simple act of returning. The devastating reason for this haunting will soon be revealed, but his arrival coincides with a disturbing trend: young women seeking "crossroads fortunes," only to turn up brutally murdered. This chilling mystery is memorable, introducing one of Ito's most frightening creations.

12. Village of the Siren

Ito delves into folk horror with this bleak homecoming tale. Following a strange phone call and an ominous apparition, Kyochi returns to his family home to find his once-lively village transformed into a ghost town, centered around a mysterious factory and 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, with a high body count and a unique range of victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

When Shigeru rescues a beautiful, injured woman, his life takes a dark turn. Despite her bloodied state and unsettling claims of "loving his ghosts," he becomes captivated. Blinded by her beauty, he ignores the ominous signs, only to discover her true, horrifying desires.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

This darkly humorous story follows a dysfunctional 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 path. While their schemes have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are ultimately rather 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 throws a town into chaos as derision turns to terror. Two young boys, sneaking into the house, discover a true house of horrors, filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. This story features Ito's recurring character, the scheming Souichi Tsujii, adding a layer of dark comedy to the heinous crimes.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's work, and Honored Ancestors presents perhaps his most psychedelically deranged take. Risa, suffering from amnesia, is brought home by her friend, Makata. Haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, the truth revolves around Makata's family's bizarre traditions, revealed in Ito's characteristically disturbing fashion.

7. Uzumaki

Arguably Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki is a classic for a reason. This supernatural tale centers on the town of Kurouzu-cho, haunted not by spirits, but by spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these simple shapes into something terrifying, exploring themes of obsession, paranoia, and the bizarre transformation of the mundane. Its impact is undeniable, with multiple adaptations in development.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn stories, Fashion Model is a more immediate horror, revealing its monster early on. A young man becomes obsessed with a model whose mouth is filled with dagger-like teeth, his fascination turning into all-consuming terror. This is a great entry point into both Ito's work and the monster horror genre.

5. Tomie

Possibly Ito's most famous creation, the stunningly beautiful Tomie is murdered, only to reappear. A collected edition chronicles her appearances, each more darkly delightful 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 take center stage in this ghastly story of a family obsessed with marionettes. Kinuko befriends the son of a puppeteer family, becoming wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, their reunion leads to a horrifying discovery. This classic Ito story will shock and surprise.

3. Used Record

Eerie and atmospheric, Used Record tells the story of a hypnotic record that obsesses its listeners. Ogawa and her friend become trapped in a cycle of listening, highlighting the relatable experience of obsessive listening taken to a supernatural, nightmarish level.

2. Greased

Growing up above her family's restaurant, Yui is disgusted by the accumulated grease, while her brother Goro embraces it, leading to grotesque consequences. This stomach-churning tale will challenge both your appetite and your sleep.

1. The Hanging Balloons

The bizarre and claustrophobic Hanging Balloons is arguably Ito's scariest. Following a celebrity's suicide, copycat deaths occur, and giant balloons resembling the deceased appear, hunting those they resemble with metal nooses. 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 AmazonAlley is Ito's most recent short story collection, but his latest release is a memoir and analysis of the horror genre, Uncanny: The Origins of Fear. A new collection, Moan, is set to release on October 7, promising obsession, persistence, and reality-warping macabre stories.