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. This brilliantly talented mangaka has rightfully earned his place as one of the most well-known 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 unforgettable 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 a challenging task. While many of his scariest short stories can be found online as scans, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some collections, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a specific narrative, whereas others, such as Shiver and Smashed, are themed anthologies of standalone stories.

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 one of the masters of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the theme of cursed love. The opening story from his Lovesickness collection, "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," is a prime example. We meet Ryusuke on a train, a teenage boy returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the prospect of his return.

The devastating reason behind his fear soon unfolds, coinciding with a trend among young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." As bodies of school girls who ask strangers for their fortunes begin to turn up 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, only to find the once lively community transformed into a ghost town.

Life now revolves around a mysterious factory, and the nightly sirens emanating from it are all-consuming. If you're a fan of stories about strange rituals, unusual cults, and the occult, this tale will captivate you. It also pushes boundaries with a high death count and a rarely seen demographic of victims, making it a must-read for those who enjoy taboo-breaking horror.

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, disoriented woman from the side of the road. Despite her bloodied state, she explains it away, and days later, they begin a secretive affair despite Shigeru's marriage and impending fatherhood.

Blinded by her beauty, Shigeru overlooks her frequent blood-covered appearances and her claim to "love his ghosts." Her true, darker desires come to light too late for Shigeru, making this tale a haunting exploration of deception and obsession.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

One of Ito's more humorous yet bleak creations, "The Strange Hikizuri Siblings" follows an unhinged set of siblings who delight in tormenting and terrorizing each other and their victims. Over two tales in Lovesickness, we meet unfortunate individuals who cross their path, including an old school friend and a photographer.

While their schemes can lead to deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings' hapless nature adds a darkly comedic twist, though you'd certainly want to avoid their dinner invitations.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

"The Mystery of the Haunted House" turns a town upside down as a haunted house's initial derision turns to terror with each new visitor. Two young boys become entangled in the proprietor's twisted games after trying to sneak in for free, discovering a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family.

This tale features the recurring character Souichi Tsujii, whose scheming adds dark comedy to the story. Yet, there's nothing funny about his heinous crimes, making this a wild ride for 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 exploration of it. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her friend Makata, who claims she's suffering from amnesia.

As Risa is haunted by visions of a giant caterpillar, the truth about Makata's family and their strange traditions unfolds in Ito's dementedly awful style. This tale of a family reunion is one you'll never forget, though you might wish you could.

7. Uzumaki

Uzumaki, likely Ito's most famous work, is considered a classic for a reason. Set in the small town of Kurouzu-cho, this supernatural tale revolves around a curse of spirals. Ito's distinctive linework transforms these seemingly innocuous shapes into something utterly terrifying.

Uzumaki explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the mundane turning bizarre. Its impact is significant, with multiple adaptations including video games, films, and an eagerly anticipated anime series. You can read our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime to learn more.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burning tales, "Fashion Model" is an immediate horror story. When a young man sees a bizarre model in a magazine with dagger-like teeth, he becomes consumed by her image, filled with existential terror.

As life moves on, and he and some friends cast for a student film, the model reemerges in a brutal and all-too-real fashion. This tale is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canons.

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 spans 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 on stickers, tattoos, or t-shirts. Ironically, in her stories, capturing her beauty in an image is near impossible unless you want to see her true face too.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets have always held a creepy place in horror, and Ito uses this to his advantage in "House of the Marionettes." The story begins when a young girl named Kinuko befriends the son of a family of puppeteers, becoming wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre.

Years later, Kinuko reconnects with Haruhiko and they marry. When they return to his family home, they make an awful discovery. This classical Ito tale is full of shocks and surprises at every turn.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" is an eerie and atmospheric tale about 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 with only one copy, their obsession leads them down a tragic path.

The relatable nature of becoming fixated on a song makes this story terrifying, as Ito takes it to a supernaturally nightmarish level. The wonderfully drawn tale is 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, however, embraces the cooking oil, drinking it until his face is covered in grotesque pustules.

Goro's obsession with the grease and Yui's hope to survive it are deeply intertwined in this stomach-churning tale. It's a story that might threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle, so approach it with caution.

1. The Hanging Balloons

What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story is its bizarre nature, where he excels, and its claustrophobic, inescapable atmosphere. Following the unexpected suicide of a celebrity school girl, copycat deaths inspire reports of giant balloons in the sky.

These are no ordinary balloons; they resemble the giant inflated head of the deceased woman. More balloons appear, chasing those whose faces they wear, with metal nooses swinging beneath them. Their purpose is to catch and hang those they resemble, making this tale 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 most recent release is something entirely new. Uncanny: The Origins of Fear is a written memoir and analysis of the horror genre that 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."