Junji Ito has reigned as the king of horror manga since his debut in 1987. Some 35 years later, the terrifying images created by Junji Ito can be found on posters, clothes, and even bedding. There's a reason for his lasting popularity. Ito's works capture fans with their unsettling stories coupled with graphic and disturbing imagery. Once viewers see Ito's work, it's hard to forget.
Luckily for fans, there seems to be an endless supply of content to fill their dark cravings. Ito has released three long-form manga and numerous short stories, which have been compiled into The Junji Ito Collection. For those curious to dip their toes into the troubling world of Junji Ito's works, it might be hard to know where to start. So why not with the scariest?
10 Readers Will Contemplate Morality With Earthbound
This short story by Junji Ito focuses on a mysterious event taking place in a Japanese city where people become, well, bound to the earth. Readers follow one girl who works bringing food to these stuck individuals. As she meets the bound individuals and their loved ones, she begins to uncover the mysteries of this supernatural event.
Ito's unsettling drawing style adds an extra layer of terror to this already creepy story. Earthbound will undoubtedly have readers hooked; that is, if they can handle it.
9 Never Sleep Again, Where The Sandman Lives
Dreams can be exciting, allowing people to live out impossible events. But what if those dreams tried to escape into our reality? Where The Sandman Lives focuses on a young man named Yuji who is trying desperately to stay awake. Concerned for his wellbeing, his friend Mari comes over to check in on him.
To her horror, she finds him gaunt and ill-looking. When confronting him on the matter, Yuji explains that the dream version of him is trying to escape his body. This story is sure to give readers nightmares, so it's best not to read it before bed.
8 The Engima Of Amigara Fault Will Terrify Fans
The Engima of Amirgara Fault is perfect for readers who love a mysterious ending. After a sudden earthquake reveals a strange fault line with human-like holes cut into it, people across the globe begin traveling to see the phenomenon.
The strangest aspect of these tunnels is the draw it has on people claiming to have found "their shaped hole." We follow one young boy as he tries to understand his draw to the tunnels. Horror ensues captured vividly with Ito's art style, leaving lasting images in the reader's mind.
7 Not Your Usual Leading Lady, Fashion Model
By far one of the scariest character designs in Junji Ito's Universe, Fashion Model follows a young boy pursuing his dream career as a filmmaker. While working on the production of a new movie, his crew searches for a lead actress. Who they end up with is an unexpected woman far from what they'd imagined.
Terrified by the actress, with her sharp teeth, abnormally tall, slender figure, and wiry hair, the crew struggle to get through filming. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned in the Junji Ito Universe, and things fall into chaos. This short story explores the themes of beauty in an artificial industry by turning it on its head, making for a wonderfully terrifying social commentary.
6 Marionette Mansion Is An Unnerving Tale
For readers afraid of dolls, Marionette Mansion is definitely the scariest. This short follows a family of traveling puppet performers. Upset with the poor living conditions, the eldest son runs away. Years later, the family is reunited under strange circumstances after the younger brother receives an invitation to a party.
The eldest brother has become wealthy and now lives as a puppet himself. With its uncanny characters and offputting imagery, this story explores the themes of freedom in a way that will have readers chilled.
5 For Fans Of Some Classic Scares Try Mystery Of The Haunted House Pt.1 & 2
This hair-rasing short by Ito is reminiscent of classic horror stories. After a moving haunted house exhibit arrives in their small town, two young boys decide to check it out. After watching as a string of people leave the show seemingly incapacitated with fear, the boys decide to sneak in after closing.
What they find is far more than they bargained for. A terrifying series of events takes place, leaving them horrified. The story continues from a new perspective in pt.2, where the mysteries of this haunted house finally start to unravel.
4 Don't Open The Door, Deathrow Doorbell
This short story by Junji Ito follows a family after a gruesome murder alters their lives. Believing they are safe with the perpetrator behind bars, the family tries to move forward with their lives.
However, one night when the doorbell rings, their peace of mind seems to vanish forever. Confronted with the face of a killer, two siblings begin to fall into the depths of insanity. Deathrow Doorbell is particularly creepy as it uses the horrors of the real world to create an unnerving supernatural experience that any reader could imagine themselves in.
3 Shiver Will Leave Readers Chilled
Readers with trypophobia might want to sit this next one out. Shiver explores the life of two neighbors, one of whom is not allowed to leave her house due to a severe illness. The young girl is covered in holes.
The neighbor boy recalls when he was younger and discovered his dead grandfather, the grandfather was too was covered in these small holes that appeared to be breathing on their own. Suddenly remembering this, he searches to understand the mysteries surrounding his grandfather's death and the girl next store. Even for veteran Junji Ito fans, Shiver is a difficult read. The disturbing art and upsetting storyline are sure to have readers skin crawling.
2 Glyceride Is Horrifyingly Gross
Undoubtedly the most disgusting of Junji Ito's works, Glyceride will leave readers nauseated. This story follows a family who owns a small barbecue restaurant. Unable to afford better, the family must live atop the restaurant in an unventilated apartment.
The lack of airflow and constant cooking causes a horrible combination with sickening results. The house is coated in grease — thick layers of grease. The struggle of this living environment takes its toll on the family resulting in tragedy. This sick tale will surely make readers wary of any restaurant for a while.
1 Splendid Shadow Song Will Surely Be Stuck In Your Head
Though not as visually striking as some of Junji Ito's other works, Splendid Shadow Song is the scariest of them all. After a new musician's popularity skyrockets, fans across the world start listening to her music. The issue is they can't get her song out of their head.
The main character struggles as she tries to go about her daily life with this dark tune playing incessantly in her brain. The real horror of this story is how true to life it feels. Readers will relate to the main character's struggles and find themselves fearing that maybe one day that song stuck in their head will never leave.