Junji Ito’s work can feel overwhelming at first with so many series—long stories, short story collections, adaptations—all covering a wide range of horror subgenres like psychological, body horror, cosmic, supernatural, and sci-fi. The good news? There’s something for everyone depending on what you’re into.
Long-Form Works
If you want to start with a long story, Uzumaki is the best choice. It’s iconic, captures everything Ito is known for, and is probably his most accessible full-length series. Tomie is another solid pick—more focused on characters and showing how Ito’s art evolved over time. If you’re into adaptations, No Longer Human is worth a look, especially for fans of literary horror, though it’s quite different from his usual style. Overall, Uzumaki is the top recommendation here, but depending on your interests, the others are worth checking out too.
Short Story Collections
For short stories, Shiver is a great introduction. It covers a variety of horror styles and introduces characters like Soichi and Tomie, which makes reading Soichi and Smashed afterward more rewarding. Other collections to consider are Fragments of Horror and Tombs—both are a strong mix of stories that highlight different sides of Ito and showcase the range of what he does best.
Where to Start Depends on What You Like
In the end, what you pick really depends on what you like. If you’re into cosmic horror, check out Remina. Sci-fi fans should try Black Paradox. For wilder, zombie-style horror, Gyo is a solid choice. If you want short story collections that showcase a range of his best work, Alley and Venus in the Blind Spot are both great options.
For the Full Picture
We’ve read every Junji Ito series available in English and put together a full guide here, plus a ranked list of all his manga. Check them out if you want more details and our honest thoughts on all his work.
No matter where you start, Junji Ito’s manga are a unique, unsettling experience unlike anything else in horror manga. There’s a lot to get into no matter what you’re into, so enjoy!
