Chills, Thrills, & Super Bloody Spills: Horror Manga for the Masses

By Amanda Pagan, Children's Librarian

October 12, 2021

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)

Greetings ghouls! Are you a fan of things that go bump in the night? Do you delight in tales of death and despair? Are you, like, really into zombies? Then you’re in the right place!

Welcome to our ongoing master list of horror manga. While combing through our collection, we found quite a few titles that chilled and thrilled us. So naturally, we thought we would share them with you fine creatures of the night. Of course, horror is subjective, so we tried to include a bevy of thrilling tales from your run of the mill zombie plague to more internal battles of the psyche.

Japanese horror, or J-Horror, is an entity unto itself. While you may find similarities between J-Horror and American horror, (e.g. the use of spooky settings, disturbing characters, zombies, vampires, etc.) the stories themselves are following a different set of standards, conventions, tropes, and expectations. Every country has their own method of storytelling and pool of references to draw from after all.

For instance, an American zombie story is going to look quite a bit different from a Japanese zombie story. It’s typical to see a group of Americans using their arsenal of personal rifles and handguns to shoot at the zombie hordes, but Japan has a much stricter gun culture than America. So if you’re a Japanese citizen facing off against a zombie apocalypse, chances are you probably don’t have a handgun or know anybody that does. So you’ll have to get creative if you want to survive!

In the same way that Stephen King has become an international horror icon, many Japanese mangaka have made names for themselves within the international horror community. Junji Ito is renowned for his surreal and disturbing manga that will give you nightmares (or put you off of seafood for a while at the very least!). His work has inspired writers, directors, and other creators around the globe. Similarly, Kazuo Umezz is another classic horror mangaka that you would be remiss not to check out!

Ultimately, horror is horror. Whatever your poison, we’re sure to find titles that will excite you. With that said, get your chainsaws and other weapons of choice ready as you dive into our favorite horror manga!

Take note that all of the titles on this list are intended for adults.

Completed Series

Angels of Death, Episode 0 original story by Makoto Sanada; art by Kudan Naduka; translation by Ko Ransom; lettering by Anthony Quintessenza

Tags: Horror
Volumes: 3

As a prison counselor, Daniel Dickens is no stranger to odd encounters with inmates. But when a particularly aggressive prisoner enters his office claiming that his session with a priest left him 'fulfilled,' Danny, who has led an unsatisfying life, has to know more. During their meeting, Danny finds there's little he can hide from this mysterious clergyman, and when an offer comes his way, he'll have to make a decision that will change his life forever.

Another original story by Yukito Ayatsuji; art by Hiro Kiyohara; translation by Karen McGillicuddy

Tags: Suspense
Volumes: 4 in 1 omnibus

When he takes his seat in class for the first day of school, Koichi is unsettled by his fearful classmates. Despite this atmosphere and warnings from fellow students, Koichi is drawn to the beautiful, distant Mei Misaki, another classmate. But the closer he tries to get to her, the more mysterious she and their class become. And when a fellow student dies a disturbing death—the first of a long chain of deaths—Koichi seeks to learn the truth behind the curse of Class 3-3. But can he get answers before the curse kills him?

Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight by Ryo Haduki; translated by Camellia Nieh; English adaptation by Philip R. Simon; lettered by Steve Dutro

Tags: Supernatural, Vampires
Volumes: 2

The prequel to the Blood-C saga from CLAMP, Production I.G, and artist Ryo Haduki! In occupied Japan in 1946, an American military investigator is sent to the Yokohama base to research a number of bizarre deaths. He soon discovers that the murderer isn’t human! Blood-C: Demonic Moonlight is the prequel fans have been waiting for!

Blood on the Tracks by Shuzo Oshimi; translation by Daniel Komen

Tags: Psychological Horror

Ordinary middle school student Seiichi Osabe receives love and care from his mother Seiko. Until one summer an incident changes the family dynamic forever. This is a story of a mother, a love that has gone too far. This series of thriller comics centers on the theme of a toxic parent and it is a tale of a seemingly normal family suddenly swallowed up by the creeping horror of everyday life.

Dorohedoro story and art by Q. Hayashida; translated by AltJapan, Inc.; touch-up and lettering by Kelle Han

Tags: Action, Science Fiction/Fantasy
Volumes: 23

In a city known only as "the Hole," Sorcerers have been taking people to use as subjects for atrocious "experiments" in the black arts.

The Drifting Classroom by Kazuo Umezz; translation by Sheldon Drzka; English adaptation by Molly Tanzer; lettering by Evan Waldinger

Tags: Science Fiction
Volumes: 9,collected into 3 omnibuses

In the aftermath of a massive earthquake, a Japanese elementary school is transported into a hostile world where the students and teachers are besieged by terrifying creatures and beset by madness. Out of nowhere, an entire school vanishes, leaving nothing but a hole in the ground. While parents mourn and authorities investigate, the students and teachers find themselves not dead but stranded in a terrifying wasteland where they must fight to survive.

Gantz story and art by Hiroya Oku; translation by Matthew Johnson; lettering and retouching by Studio Cutie

Tags: Action, Science Fiction, Gore
Volumes: Originally 37, now collected into 8 omnibus

How long will you stay in the game? The last thing Kei and Masaru remember was being struck dead by a subway train while saving the life of a drunken bum. What a waste! And yet somehow they're still...alive? Or semi-alive? Maybe it's reanimated... by some kind of alien orb with a nasty message... "Your lives are over. What you do with your new lives is up to me!" And what this orb called 'Gantz' intends to do with their lives is make them play games of death, hunting all kinds of odd aliens, along with a bunch of other ordinary citizens who've recently met a tragic semi-end. The missions they embark upon are often dangerous. Many die—and die again! This dark and action-packed manga deals with the moral conflicts of violence, coupled with teenage sexual confusion and angst, and with our fascination with death. Hang onto your gear and keep playing the game, whatever you do; Gantz is unrelenting!

The Ghost and the Lady by Kazuhiro Fujita; translation: Zack Davisson; lettering: Evan Hayden.

Tags: Historical Fiction
Volumes: 2

Deep in London's Scotland Yard sits an evidence room dedicated to the greatest mysteries of British history. In this "Black Museum" sits a misshapen hunk of lead—two bullets fused together—the key to the untold story of a wartime encounter between Florence Nightingale, the mother of modern nursing, and a supernatural Man in Grey. The record books show Florence fought for compassion as empires' petty rivalries threatened to destroy the hopes and lives of common people. But a gues in the Black Museum knows the truth is not so simple, and the famed Lady with Lamp had a ghastly secret…

Happiness by Shuzo Oshimi; translated by Kevin Gifford; lettering by David Yoo

Tags: Fantasy, Thriller
Volumes: 10

Nothing interesting in happening in Makoto Ozaki’s first year of high school. HIs life is a series of quiet humiliations: low-grade bullies, unreliable friends, and the constant frustration of his adolescent lust. But one night, a pale, thin girl knocks him to the ground in an alley and offers him a choice. Now everything is different. Daylight is searingly bright. Food tastes awful. And worse than anything is the terrible, consuming thirst. The tiny shames of his old life have been replaced by two towering horrors: the truth of what will slake his awful craving and high school itself.

Happy Sugar Lifeby Tomiyaki Kagisora; translation by Jan Mitsuko Cash; lettering by Nicole Dochych

Tags: Psychological Horror
Volumes: 10

Satou Matsuzaka doesn't seem to care about much, moving through boys and casting them aside like so used candy wrappers. All that changes, though, when she meets Shio. The little girl changes everything for Matsuzaka. Is this love...? If it is, then it's love through a very warped prism as the high schooler demonstrates there's no atrocity beyond her when it comes to protecting the object of her deranged affection.

Helter Skelter: Fashion Unfriendly by Kyoko Okazaki

Tags: Psychological Horror
Volumes: 1

If you are aware of fashion in Japan you must have seen Liliko's face. For the last few years she has been at the top of the modeling world, with her face and body promoting the biggest brands. But as everyone who is in this world admits, staying on top is a constant and never ending battle. There are always new faces introduced to the public. Younger models and new looks are brought into the fold every season. And keeping that position means learning to adapt and learning to cope with change. To maintain her position Liliko has decided to under the knife. This is not her first go with this service. It is yet another round of plastic surgery, all done to keep herself looking young and vibrant. However in this case just a little nip and tuck was not enough. Liliko is bent on undergoing a full body makeover. From head-to-toe, every inch of her will undergo cosmetic surgery, and thus begins her madness.

Higurashi When They Cry story by Ryukishi 07; art by Karin Suzuragi; translation by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley

Tags: Gore, Mystery

Keiichi Maebara has just moved to a seemingly peaceful new town. He’s making friends and generally enjoying his life until one day he learns of a grisly murder that took place in the little village. His friends won’t give him any details which only adds to Keiichi’s uneasiness. After learning at the town’s annual festival that a death has occurred on that night every year for the past four years, Keiichi is drawn into a web of intrigue to help unravel the mystery of these murders. Things only get more dangerous when he learns that some of his new friends may be involved!

Note: The entire story is part of one big mystery told through multiple character perspectives over the course of multiple story arcs. The English releases collected the arcs into omnibus form, so each arc is about two volumes. It can be a bit confusing if not read in the correct order. Abducted by Demons arc is the first recommended ARC followed by Cotton Drifting Arc, Curse Killing Arc, Time Killing Arc, Beyond Midnight Arc, Eye Opening Arc, Atonement Arc, Massacre Arc, and the Festival Accompanying Arc.

Hour of the Zombie story and art by Tsukasa Saimura; translation by Elina Ishikawa; adaptation by Janet Houck; lettering and cover by Nicky Lim

Tags: Gore, Zombies
Volumes: 9

Life is good for Nikaidou Akira as he spends his days at school alongside his friends and long-time crush, Kurumi. That is, until the day everything changes. Students suddenly turn into frenzied zombies, attacking and gorging themselves on one another. Then just as abruptly, they stop! Or…do they? What caused this to happen? And how can Akira and his friends possibly survive when they don’t know who will be the next to turn?

I Am a Hero by Kengo Hanazawa; translation by Kumar Sivasubramanian; English adaptation by Philip R. Simon; lettering by Steve Dutro

Tags: Gore, Zombies
Volumes: 22

The zombie apocalypse has never been more surreal! A mentally unhinged manga artist witnesses the beginning of a zombie outbreak in Tokyo, and he's certain of only two things: he's destined to be the city's hero, and he possesses something very rare in Japan—an actual firearm!

Inuyashiki by Hiroya Oku; translated by Stephen Paul

Tags: Science Fiction

Just when it seems things couldn’t get any worse, a blinding light in the night sky strikes the earth where Ichiro stands. He later wakes up to find himself unscathed, but he soon starts to notice that there’s something…different about himself. However, it turns out that these strange, new changes are just what Ichiro needs to take a new lease on life and now it seems like there’s nothing to stop him from being a hero worthy of the respect that he never had before…unless, that is, there was someone else out there with these same “changes”…

Mermaid Saga story and art by Rumiko Takahashi

Tags: Romance, Supernatural
Volumes: 2

Yuta became immortal when he unwittingly ate mermaid flesh, and now he seeks a way to become human again. Hundreds of years later, he encounters a volatile and determined young lady named Mana while searching for a mermaid. Could this mysterious woman hold the key to saving Yuta’s humanity?

Tokyo Ghoul story and art by Sui Ishida; translation by Joe Yamazaki

Tags: Gore, Violence
Volumes: 14

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Uzumaki: Spiral into Horrorby Junji Ito; translation & English adaptation by Yuji Oniki; touch-up art and lettering by Susan Daigle-Leach

Tags: Body Horror, Gore
Volumes: 1

Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but a pattern: UZUMAKI, the spiral—the hypnotic secret shape of the world. The bizarre masterpiece horror manga is now available all in a single volume. Fall into a whirlpool of terror!

Wonderland story and art by Yugo Ishikawa

Genre: Fantasy, Gore
Volumes: 6

Teenage girl Yukko awakens to find that she has shrunken in size—but this is no rabbit hole or fairy tale—this is real life! In a desperate and bloody struggle to stay alive, while fleeing giant predators and other twisted dangers, Yukko learns that she is not the only person who has turned tiny. Can she survive long enough to learn the truth behind her curious transformation?

Honorary Mention:

Berserk by Kentaro Miura; translation by Jason DeAngelis with Duane Johnson; lettering and retouching by Dan Nakrosis with Studio Cutie

Tags: High Fantasy, Violence
Volumes: 40

His name is Guts, the Black Swordsman, a feared warrior spoken of only in whispers. Bearer of a gigantic sword, an iron hand, and the scars of countless battles and tortures, his flesh is also indelibly marked with The Brand, an unholy symbol that draws the forces of darkness to him and dooms him as their sacrifice. But Guts won't take his fate lying down; he'll cut a crimson swath of carnage through the ranks of the damned—and anyone else foolish enough to oppose him! Accompanied by Puck the Elf, more an annoyance than a companion, Guts relentlessly follows a dark, bloodstained path that leads only to death...or vengeance. Created by Kentaro Miura, Berserk is manga mayhem to the extreme—violent, horrifying, and mercilessly funny—and the wellspring for the internationally popular anime series. Not for the squeamish or the easily offended, Berserk asks for no quarter—and offers none!

Note: While not marketed as horror in the traditional sense, Berserk is a high fantasy epic chock full of beautifully rendered grotesque beasts, monsterous humans, and bloody battles. Readers will be horrified by humans and monsters alike as they follow Guts on his journey. Violent, horrifying, and entirely engrossing, Berserk is definitely a series you’ll want to sink your teeth into.

Ongoing Series

Ajin: Demi-Human Story: Tsuina Miura written and drawn by Gamon Sakurai; translation by Ko Ransom

Tags: Action, Supernatural
Volumes: 17
Kei Nagai, a high-school student, should have died when the truck hit him. Instead, he comes back to life and his world is changed forever. Kei learns he is an Ajin or demi-human, a mysterious creature that cannot die. Frightened by the prospect of what might happen to him, Kei, helped by his friend, Kai, flee from civilization only to encounter a group of demi-humans who are hostile to humans. Who should Kei side with?

Gleipnirby Sun Takeda; translation by ZephyrRZ; lettering by Daniel CY

Genre: Action, Supernatural Thriller
Volumes: 9

Shuichi Kagaya an ordinary high school kid in a boring little town. But when a beautiful classmate is caught in a warehouse fire, he discovers a mysterious power: He can transform into a furry dog with an oversized revolver and a zipper down his back. He saves the girl's life, sharing his secret with her. But she's searching for the sister who killed her family, and she doesn't care how degrading it gets: She will use Shuichi to accomplish her mission…

Phantom Tales of the Night by Matsuri; translation by Julie Goniwich; lettering by Takeshi Kamura

Genre: Supernatural
Volumes: 7

Welcome to Murakumo Inn, a curious establishment that opens its doors to the troubled masses, human or otherwise. But the equally curious innkeeper takes compensation only in the form of one's deepest secrets...Who will come calling today?

Something's Wrong with Us by Natsumi Ando; translation by Sawa Matsueda Savage; lettering by Sara Linsley

Genre: Romance, Thriller
Volumes: 6

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Nao became a traditional Japanese sweets maker, and at 21, she’s about to take the industry by storm. With unparalleled artistry and a bright attitude, she gets an offer to work at a world-class confectionary company. But when she meets the young, handsome owner, she recognizes his cold stare… It’s none other than Tsubaki, her childhood friend and first crush-the same boy who stood over his father’s bloodied body 15 years ago, and framed Nao’s mother for the murder. As the only witness of that fateful night, Nao is eager to chase down the truth and confirm her suspicions. Since Tsubaki has no clue who she is, she seizes her chance to get close to him, but instead of finding any answers, she begins falling deeper for Tsubaki’s allure .

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Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.