Japanese horror manga legend Junji Ito has been creating spine-tingling tales of terror for over 30 years. He has established himself as a master of disturbing imagery and chilling psychological horror. But which of his horrific creations is the best? Here is our list of the Top 10 Junji Ito works.
Top 10 Junji Ito works – Ranked (2023)
10. The Enigma of Amigara Fault
This one-shot manga provides a great intro to Ito’s ability to create an escalating sense of unease. The mysterious human-shaped holes in a mountainside draw people towards an unsettling fate. The title of the manga also does proper justice to both the author and the manga’s essence.
9. Gyo
In this manga mini-series, a zombie apocalypse unfolds when dead fish and marine life come ashore with strange metal legs and begin spreading disease. The inexplicable but vividly disturbing concept shows Ito’s knack for making the seemingly ridiculous utterly terrifying.
8. Tomie
Ito’s recurring character Tomie is a masterpiece of body horror, an immortal girl who drives people mad. The numerous manga volumes follow individuals affected by this malicious entity and their gruesome fates.
7. Shiver
Ito’s iconic short story collection contains some of his best cold-blooded works of horror. Unforgettable stories like The Long Hair in the Attic or The Window Next Door show him at the peak of his powers.
6. Glyceride
In this twisted short story, a girl comes to realize the secret ingredient in her family’s meals is something truly nauseating. Ito effectively leaves much to the reader’s imagination for added impact.
5. The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection
This short story collection contains some of Ito’s most demented tales, from singing corpses to blood-draining photographs. The range of disturbing ideas on display highlights his twisted creativity.
4. Remina
One of Ito’s most iconic works, this sci-fi horror follows humanity’s panicked reaction when a mysterious planetoid dubbed Remina appears in the sky. The relentless escalation of terror is a trademark of Ito and is showcased here perfectly as well.
3. Lovesickness
This manga delves into the darker side of love and attraction with a collection of chilling stories about obsession and cruelty. Ito balances moving character drama with plenty of body horror.
2. Fragments of Horror
Ito adapts classic tales of terror from the likes of Edogawa Rampo in his signature visceral style. Each bloody vignette sticks with you long after reading, leaving an impression that no reader was prepared for.
1. Uzumaki
Ito’s epic spiral-obsessed tale is often considered his magnum opus. The bizarre happenings afflicting a town descend into Lovecraftian madness, a slow-burn build-up of otherworldly horror.
Conclusion
With his unique brand of psychological tension and truly disquieting imagery, Junji Ito is a master of horror manga. Each entry on this ranking chillingly highlights his skills for creating stories that shock the very core. The kind of tales Ito manages to craft often questions the tenacity of even the most seasoned horror fans.
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