Plant & Panel Pairing: Tomie by Junji Ito + Purple Passion Plant

Junji Ito’s Tomie is beautiful, dangerous, and unforgettable; just like the purple passion plant.

This pairing was made for dramatic corners and chaotic energy.

⏳ Estimate reading time: 2–3 minutes

Welcome to Plant & Panel Pairings, where I match the chaotic vibes of my favorite manga with the plants that feel just as unhinged. Because why stop at shelf decor when you can make your entire reading space feel mildly cursed and totally cozy?

Some manga are too pretty to be trusted, and Tomie is one of them. She’s unsettling, immortal, manipulative, and somehow impossible to look away from. So naturally, I had to pair her with the purple passion plant: velvety soft, hauntingly dramatic, and just a little toxic if you’re not paying attention. Here’s how I styled this pairing and why it works way too well.

How I Styled My Tomie Manga + Purple Passion Plant Setup:

• Kept the color palette moody: purples, blacks, shadows… but also balanced it with wood tones and lighter neutrals to ground the look.

• Used soft lighting and layered textiles: tapestries and blankets to contrast the fuzzy texture of the plant.

• Placed Tomie slightly off-center: and tucked her under the purple passion plant because, frankly, she would hate not being the focal point.

• Chose a geometric planter: something dramatic and modern that I feel like Tomie herself would have picked out; elegant but just a little dangerous.

Ashley’s Overgrown Shelf Rating

Rating: 🌿 5/5 Overgrown Vines

Vibe Check: Gorgeous, unsettling, and full of quiet “don’t trust her” energy. This pairing is peak pretty-but-dangerous shelf drama.

Tomie is the kind of manga that demands a dramatic backdrop, and the purple passion plant absolutely delivers. Whether you’re styling a full haunted shelf or just looking for a little extra drama, this pairing brings the vibe without having to summon anything too cursed (probably).