Junji Ito Starter Guide | Where to Begin (and What to Save for Later)
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Because not all nightmares are created equal.
Whether you’re horror-curious or ready to dive face-first into the spiraling madness of Junji Ito’s brain, one question always comes up: “Where should I start?” With over a dozen translated works and vibes ranging from “mildly unsettling” to “I can never eat seafood again,” it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Don’t worry, I’ve read them all (and emotionally recovered… mostly). Here’s my beginner-friendly guide to reading Junji Ito, ranked by impact, accessibility, and pure unhinged chaos.
1. Uzumaki – Start Here. Always.
Why: It’s his most iconic and complete work. Beautiful, disturbing, and weird in the best way.
Vibe: Town cursed by spirals. Yes, spirals.
Horror Level: 9/10
My Rating: 5/5
Perfect for: Newbies who want to see Junji Ito at full power, it has great pacing, amazing art, and a perfect descent into madness.
2. Shiver – The Best Short Story Collection to Start With
Why: It’s a greatest hits album of his shorter works, including The Long Dream and Fashion Model.
Vibe: Creepy one-shots with heavy surrealism.
Horror Level: 8/10
My Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect For: People who want bite-sized horror with variety and jump scares.
3. Tomie – The Classic Beauty-Turned-Curse
Why: It was his debut, and it’s a cornerstone of horror manga. Obsession, immortality, and a girl you definitely shouldn’t ghost.
Vibe: Men lose their minds, Tomie ruins lives, rinse, repeat.
Horror Level: 7.5/10
My Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect For: Readers who love psychological horror and femme fatales.
4. Gyo – Gross, Weird, and Surprisingly Emotional
Why: It’s full of grotesque imagery and weird steampunk fish legs, but it also hits you with unexpected tragedy.
Vibe: Walking dead fish. Bio-weapons. Farts of doom.
Horror Level: 9/10 (visually)
My Rating: 4/5
Perfect For: Readers with strong stomachs who enjoy chaotic body horror.
5. No Longer Human – Save for Later
Why: It’s actually an adaptation of a very depressing novel by Osamu Dazai. It’s stunning, but it’s not fun horror.
Vibe: Nihilism, shame, mental decline.
Horror Level: Existential crisis/10
My Rating: 4/5
Perfect For: When you’re ready to be emotionally wrecked and question your humanity.
6. Remina – Campy, Cosmic, and Surprisingly Fast-Paced
Why: It’s like Uzumaki meets Godzilla, with a planet that wants to eat us and a girl who didn’t ask for any of this.
Vibe: Outer space apocalypse with torches and mobs.
Horror Level: 7/10
My Rating: 3.5/5
Perfect For: Fans of sci-fi horror or cosmic dread, but with slightly less depth.
7. Deserter / Soichi / Tombs – For Later If You’re a Completionist (Like Me)
Why: These short story collections are interesting, but uneven.
Vibe: Varies a lot—Soichi in particular is weird weird.
Horror Level: 6–8/10 depending on the story
My Rating: 3–4/5
Perfect For: Die-hard Ito fans who want the full range of his bizarre creations.
8. Dissolving Classroom – Light Horror, High Weirdness
Why: A short, very weird take on guilt, apologies, and Satan.
Vibe: Polite psychological meltdown.
Horror Level: 5/10
My Rating: 4/5
Perfect For: A quick, unique read that’s more disturbing than scary.
9. The Liminal Zone / Sensor – Moody and Philosophical
Why: These explore bigger ideas but don’t hit as hard emotionally.
Vibe: Atmospheric, slower pacing, abstract horror.
Horror Level: 5–6/10
My Rating: 3.5/5
Perfect For: Readers who want vibes over scares.
10. Mimi’s Tales of Terror / Stitches / Alley – Low-Key, Still Worthwhile
Why: These are deeper cuts—less talked about but still fun if you’re hooked on the style.
Vibe: Experimental, ghost stories, loose horror themes.
Horror Level: 4–6/10
My Rating: 3–3.5/5
Perfect For: Once you’ve read the big ones and want to dig into the backlist.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re new to Junji Ito, start with Uzumaki or Shiver, then slowly spiral (literally) into the rest of his work. Whether you’re here for the body horror, the psychological tension, or just the deeply cursed vibes, there’s something unforgettable in every book.