Junji Ito stands unrivaled as one of the most chilling storytellers in the world of manga. Since his professional debut in 1987, he has captivated and terrified readers with his macabre narratives and hauntingly iconic characters. As a master of horror, Ito's beautifully crafted illustrations conceal deep, devastating secrets, and his stories are renowned for their unique ability to haunt and horrify.

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 Amazon

Narrowing down Junji Ito's vast collection to just 13 of his most spine-chilling stories was a challenging task. While many of his scariest short stories can be found online as scans, they are also available in physical collections. Some collections, such as Tomie and Uzumaki, feature stories that follow a continuous narrative, whereas others, like Shiver and Smashed, compile standalone stories organized 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 the master of horror manga, Junji Ito.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

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 concept. We meet Ryusuke on a train, returning to his hometown after years away, haunted by the mere thought of it. The reason behind his haunting will soon be revealed, but in the meantime, his arrival coincides with a trend of young women seeking "crossroads fortunes." Soon, the bodies of schoolgirls who ask strangers for their fortunes start appearing, brutally murdered. Who is responsible, and how does it connect to Ryusuke's past? This chilling mystery introduces one of Ito's most 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 seeing an ominous apparition at his window, Kyochi decides it's time for a family reunion. Upon returning, he finds that the once lively village has turned into a ghost town. Life now revolves around a mysterious factory, and the all-consuming sirens that emanate from it each night. 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 featuring a rarely seen demographic of victims.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

When Shigeru picks up a beautiful wandering woman from the roadside, his life changes forever. Initially worried about her bloodied and disoriented state, he is reassured by her explanations. Days later, they begin a secretive affair despite Shigeru being married and expecting a baby. Blinded by her beauty, he overlooks her frequent bloody appearances and her claim to "love his ghosts." Her true desires are darker than anyone could have imagined, and Shigeru realizes the truth too late.

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 unfortunate individuals who cross their path, including an old school friend of their most beautiful member and a photographer. While their schemes can have deadly consequences, the Hikizuri siblings are generally hapless, though you wouldn't want to join them for dinner.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

The arrival of a haunted house turns a town upside down as 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. Exploring the ghoulish halls, they discover a true house of horrors filled with victims claiming to be the owner's family. Featuring the recurring character Souichi Tsujii, this tale blends dark comedy with heinous crimes, making it a wild ride for fans of haunt culture.

8. Honored Ancestors

Family is a recurring theme in Ito's stories, and "Honored Ancestors" might be his most psychedelically deranged yet. On a seemingly normal evening, Risa is brought home by her friend Makata, who claims she suffers from amnesia. According to doctors, her condition 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 is revealed in Ito's dementedly awful fashion. It's a family reunion you won't forget, though you'll wish you could.

7. Uzumaki

Likely Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki has earned its status as a classic. This supernatural tale centers around Kurouzu-cho, a small town haunted not by spirits but by spirals. 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 undeniable, with multiple video game and film adaptations, and a highly-anticipated anime adaptation in development. Check out our review of the first episode of the Uzumaki anime for more insights.

6. Fashion Model

Unlike many of Ito's slow-burn horror stories, "Fashion Model" is a more direct horror tale that reveals its monster early on. Similar to 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 life moves on, he and some friends begin casting for a student film, and the model reemerges in a brutal and all too real fashion. This story is a great entry into both Ito's and monster horror canon.

5. Tomie

Perhaps Ito's most famous creation, Tomie is a stunningly beautiful woman who was murdered by her classmates, only to reappear the next day. She has been terrorizing readers and lovestruck men ever since. The collected edition of Tomie tales allows readers to follow 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, capturing her beauty in an image in her stories is nearly impossible unless you want to see her true face.

4. House of the Marionettes

Puppets have always been a creepy element in horror, and Ito uses this to great effect in "House of the Marionettes." The story follows a young girl, Kinuko, who befriends the son of a family of puppeteers. She becomes wary of a large marionette named Jean-Pierre. Years later, she reconnects with Haruhiko and marries him. When they return to his family home, they make a horrifying discovery. This classic Ito story will still shock and surprise 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 becomes obsessed, as does her friend Nakayama after hearing it. The pair can only listen to the song repeatedly, but there's only one copy, leading them on a tragic path. The terror in this story comes from the relatable experience of being obsessed with a song, taken 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 is covered in large, grotesque pustules. Goro's obsession with the grease and Yui's hopes of surviving it are deeply entangled in this stomach-churning tale. It's a story that may threaten both your lunch and your sleep cycle, so prepare yourself mentally before diving in.

1. The Hanging Balloons

What makes "The Hanging Balloons" Ito's scariest story? It's one of his most bizarre and excels in creating a claustrophobic and inescapable atmosphere. After a celebrity schoolgirl's unexpected suicide inspires copycat deaths, people begin reporting sightings of imposing balloons in the sky. These are no ordinary balloons; they are giant inflated heads of the deceased. More balloons soon appear, chasing those whose faces they resemble, with metal nooses swinging beneath them. What is their purpose? If they catch up with those they resemble, they hang them. This story 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 Amazon

Alley is the most recent short story collection from the horror manga author, but Junji Ito's latest release is a departure from his usual work. *Uncanny: The Origins of Fear* is a written memoir and analysis of the horror genre released last Fall. You can get a sneak peek at the memoir 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 preorder page, readers can expect "Obsession and persistence... warping reality in this collection of macabre stories set in Junji Ito’s bloodcurdling world."

For more manga guides, explore our list of 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.