Horror manga has seen a current resurgence with the popularity of Junji Ito both in releases from Viz Media and anime adaptations on Crunchyroll and Adult Swim. To many fans of the genre, there are few others that capture the same otherworldly and metaphysical terror of the mangaka's work. However, there exists a rich history of the horror genre in manga, one which is constantly being reimagined by new and existing talent.
Looking to MyAnimeList, there is an abundance of great titles that are horror-centric, offering a more depth look at the genre. Ultimately, whether you are looking for body horror, ghostly visions, epic fights, zombie hordes, or psychological horror the popular tracker and rater of all things manga and anime will have some of the best, high-rated titles for fans to explore. For the purpose of this list, while there are some higher-rated mangas that have a horror tag on the site, as these tags can be wide-ranging and often inaccurate, only mangas that truly embody the horror genre have been included.
Updated on August 12th by Daniel Kurland: Junji Ito continues to be regarded as the master of manga’s horror genre and the mangaka’s output of content has only grown more regular and ambitious. As a result, Ito’s works can often dominate the genre and allow smaller or more niche properties to fall between the cracks.
15 Helter Skelter By Kyoko Okazaki Is A Progressive Fashion Nightmare (7.48)
Chronicling the mental and physical downfall of a world-renowned model Lilico, Fashion Unfriendly offers a horrific look into potential pitfalls within the fashion industry. Notably, obsession with age and losing relevancy in the competitive industry pushes Lilico to do experimental surgery which begins to rot her body. Furthermore, her constant bid for success over others sees her manipulate her assistant into carrying out violent crimes against her competition.
Released back in 1996 and translated to English by Vertical Press, the short series captured a dedicated fan base with its dark depiction of the fashion industry, complemented by the maddening downward spiral of the charismatic Lilico.
14 Kazuo Umezu's The Drifting Classroom Is Full Of Frightening Freaks (7.48)
Without a doubt, Junji Ito has made himself one of the most recognizable figures in the horror genre with a slew of great stories to help keep readers up at night. However, for long-time fans of the horror manga there are many other artists who embody the same love and passion for the genre. Kazuo Umezu is undeniably one of the most prominent names in horror manga fandom.
The Drifting Classroom has become one of his most recognizable and popular works. The story follows a group of students who become trapped on a train full of nightmarish creatures. Umezu's signature art style is heightened by the claustrophobic situation, making it a favorite among horror fans.
13 Another By Yukito Ayatsuji Is A Grueling Story That's As Sad As It Is Scary (7.69)
Perhaps best known by the stylized and gorgeous anime adaptation, Another's first appearance as a light novel was already winning over fans.
To many, the manga is an extension of the original work and anime, but the manga adaptation still carried a lot of the dread and charm of the novels, leading fans to make sure it was not overlooked when first published.
12 Kengo Hanazawa's I Am Hero Dives Into A Zombie Apocalypse (7.73)
Horror manga and anime fans tend to love a good zombie apocalypse story, and the most revered series featuring hordes of the undead goes to I am Hero by Kengo Hanazawa. The series, which pitted a struggling manga writer against countless hordes of zombies, was released through Dark Horse Comics and became a cult hit here in the west.
While many anime series, such as Highschool of the Dead, keep to a more colorful and action-fueled take on the zombie uprising, I Am Hero took a more subtle approach leaning on the strength of the protagonists and his personal struggles in trying to become a "hero" within a destroyed world.
11 Franken Fran By Katsuhisa Kigitsu Reinvents The Monstrous Creation Myth (7.84)
Franken Fran may be the oddest entry on this list, telling the story of the titular character and her random misadventures. With Fran as the driving force, the series melds horror, comedy, and gross-out scenarios, complemented by a cast of misfits existing around the titular character.
The series can be difficult to follow at times with many narratives tied together, all told around a group of monsters made through scientific experimentation. However, the outlandish approach to horror and comedy has won the series a slew of dedicated fans.
10 Gantz By Hiroya Oku Crafts A Horrific New World That's Full Of Danger (8.13)
Traditional Japanese monsters, better known as "yokai," are no stranger to anime and manga. However, few series utilized the bizarre creature quite like Gantz. As a result, the series blends traditional horror, action, violence, and science fiction to give the traditional Japanese creatures a modern reimagining.
The series itself is not necessarily solely focused on yokai, including plenty of twists and turns that add a lot of mystery to why the characters are forced to fight hordes of monsters. Ultimately, the mix of various influences shows, and it has drawn in fans that have championed the series on MyAnimeList.
9 Ghost Hunt By Inada Shiho Is The Perfect Mix Of Dread And Character Studies (8.26)
Ghost Hunt is a series that prides itself on strong character development over abject horror and building off of the strength of personas to heighten any paranormal fears. This emphasis and success of narrative is rather unsurprising when looking at the series evolution from light novel, to radio play, to manga, and then to anime.
Consequently, a series with such a rich history and various ways to engage the audience through their chosen medium has led to it being a highly revered title on MyAnimeList.
8 Homunculus By Hideo Yamamoto Enters A World Of Medical Horrors (8.30)
When we think of psychic powers in comics and manga, we often think of high octane series like Mob Psycho 100, which features strong powerful characters. However, one series captured psychic turmoil brought on through an experimental operation of trepanning (drilling a hole in the skull) and turned it into a nightmarish journey of a fragmented persona.
Homonculus's horror is largely driven by the protagonist's weird visions around those he meets, with their insecurities manifesting themselves as monsters reflective of their problems. Consequently, when he frees someone of their demons, those distortions become a part of him, obscuring his own sense of self. However, the more he uses the powers the duller they become, leading him to begin performing operations on himself to widen the hole and increase awareness. A truly horrifying experience in both body and psychological horror, this manga is one of the higher-ranked horror series despite not having a proper English release.
7 Matsuri Akino's Pet Shop Of Horrors Is A Moralistic Anthology Classic (8.31)
Backed by gothic-inspired art, Pet Shop of Horrors gave readers a series of horror stories and cautionary tales from a mysterious pet shop owner Count D. Undoubtedly, the series strengths lies in its ability to create an atmosphere through Akino's romanticized portrayals of his subjects and ability to balance dread and humor.
The series may not incite horror as much of some of the other entries in the list, but its subtle and atmospheric approach towards the genre has given it a well-deserved high score.
6 Hitoshi Iwaaki’s Parasyte Is Sublime Body Horror Via An Extraterrestrial Invasion (8.40)
Parasyte is the perfect horror manga for fans of both body horror and disturbing science fiction encounters. At the core of Parasyte is a sinister and comprehensive alien invasion. Shinichi Izumi is a regular teenager whose body suddenly becomes the host for the alien, Migi.
An unlikely friendship forms between the two as Shinichi rises to the position of reluctant hero. Arguably, Hitoshi Iwaaki's Parasyte is strongest as a manga where the surreal aliens and brutal violence gets a chance to linger, but the horror series' success has also led to a popular anime series and even a live-action film.
5 Nasu And Takeuchi’s The Garden Of Sinners Explores A Broken World Where Darkness Reigns (8.50)
The Garden of Sinners broaches more disturbing themes than the dark fantasy series, Fate/stay night, that it complements. It follows two teenagers who strive to hunt demons and stop the rash of supernatural murders that have come to overwhelm the region.
There's a strong friendship at the center of the manga, but it doesn't shy away from the harsh crimes that it depicts. Religion, psychological ailments, and the inherent nature of sinning all become vital to The Garden of Sinners. Its darkness sneaks up on the audience and Takashi Takeuchi's illustrations work together with Kinoko Nasu's thoughtful writing.
4 Tokyo Ghoul By Sui Ishida Is A Staggering Tale About Transformation & Loss (8.52)
Tokyo Ghoul became something of a smash hit, drawing fans into the mysterious characters and dangerous world in which they inhabit. Ultimately, it is the most recognizable title on this list, which is in part why it also has such a high rating.
The way the series approaches horror may be too stylized for fans of the dark worlds Ito creates. However, the popularity of the series makes it worth checking out, at least to see what many consider to be one of the best horror-centric series.
3 Attack On Titan By Hajime Isayama Highlights How Humans Can Be Greater Horror Than Monsters (8.63)
Attack on Titan has become one of the biggest manga phenomena of its generation. Hajime Isayama’s debut manga has exceeded expectations and it’s been able to craft a succinct story that ends on its own terms and consistently blows the audience’s minds.
Attack on Titan details a generational conflict between man and gargantuan monsters, but as it continues it becomes much more a condemnation of humanity. Attack on Titan often leans into the action genre, but the extravagant Titan transformations and the bloody ways in which humans and monsters are extinguished are absolutely the stuff of horror.
2 Ryukishi07’s Umineko When They Cry - Twilight Of The Golden Witch Is A Murder Mystery Triumph (8.74)
Manga and anime have a healthy relationship with visual novels and there are many promising series that don't properly connect until they're transferred to the right medium. Umineko When They Cry is one example that tells a comprehensive murder mystery story where death and revenge and common occurrences.
Twilight of the Golden Witch is regarded to be the apex of the manga, both in terms of its storytelling and horror heights, although the whole series is well-regarded on MyAnimeList. While technically an extension of the Higurashi When They Cry series, Umineko tackles different material, but still gets just as bloody.
1 Kentaro Miura's Berserk Is The Definitive Horror Take On Dark Fantasy Series (9.34)
Kentaro Miura's Berserk is a true triumph of genre. A lot of series embrace the label of "dark fantasy," but Berserk is one of the few that feels like it earns the title as it mixes together horror staples with action and fantasy tropes. There's a simple man-on-a-mission narrative in Berserk as the determined Guts crosses the land and slays beasts.
Guts brandishes a hyperbolic blade and every time he swings it Miura's detailed artwork turns the act into a masterpiece. Guts' adventures are soaked in blood and corpses, but it's a must read for those that want to experience the horrors of a grueling fantasy war.