Just as with its anime counterparts, the subjects and themes found in manga vary widely. From action-packed shonen to dramatic shojo to more mature seinen features, there are a lot of genres for fans of the medium to enjoy. However, no genre has had such distinct popularity as that of horror, with both older and newer series offering endless thrills.
Nonetheless, even with incredibly popular horror authors like Junji Ito, it can be hard to find the scariest manga around. Whether readers are new to the genre, or a veteran looking for something a little bit different, some series have grown a huge reputation. Here are some of the scariest, most thrilling options out there.
10 Higurashi
Originally based on a series of popular horror visual novels, the Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni series is better-known for its anime adaptation than its manga. Nonetheless, should fans prefer a good manga, Higurashi is a great pick.
Focusing on the events of a mysterious, mountain village called Hinamizawa, the story follows a group of friends from the eyes of a recent move-in Keiichi Maibara. Things start to get messy as the mysteries of the village slowly start to take a dark turn. The anime series was loved for its bitter suspense and thrills, and of course, the same standards apply to the manga as well.
9 The Drifting Classroom
Time travel isn't always the most common theme in horror; however, the series The Drifting Classroom shows the terrifying potential of the concept. After an argument with his mother, middle schooler Sho Takamatsu goes to school like any other day.
Unlike any other day, his school is transported to a wasteland in the future. Together with his classmates, Sho must confront the mysterious world around him, but what horrors will the class be forced to face? The story is a perfect thrill show for horror fans that love a mix of sci-fi concepts and gruesome imagery.
8 Happy Sugar Life
That said, readers should be aware that Happy Sugar Life is not for everyone; some of the themes and events in the manga may not be suitable for younger audiences. Nonetheless, the horror anime defines what it means to be a thriller in the industry.
This manga focuses on the sweet life of a teenage girl named Sato Matsuzaka, who goes to school and her part-time job. However, when she returns home at the end of the day, she reveals a dark secret: she has been housing a missing girl named Shio, both having developed a strong attachment for each other. Happy Sugar Life is a perfect psychological thriller for manga readers looking for a completed series.
7 The Promised Neverland
One of the greatest aspects of horror is its ability to surprise audiences. In recent years, no manga has filled audiences with mystery and suspense more than The Promised Neverland.
The manga tells the story of a group of children in an orphanage. However, unbeknownst to them, the orphanage holds a dark secret: the children have been raised to be the food of demons. As such, the children are forced to confront the challenge before them or, quite literally, die trying. How will the protagonists survive in a world they've never encountered before?
6 Ibitsu
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Many mangas explore the horrors of monsters and mysterious circumstances. Yet, few go along the lines of being purely creepy and eerie. The manga Ibitsu definitely fits this bill, featuring a terrific epic about a demonic gothic creature and the urban legend that surrounds her.
Ibitsu tells the story of Kazuki Itou, his little sister, and the goth demon whose intent on taking the place of Kazuki's sister. The horror manga explores the delicate nature of familial relationships versus pure horror, leaving audiences wondering whether Kazuki has the wits to protect his sibling. All in all, Ibitsu is great for audiences looking for a balance between strong character development and the creepy side of horror.
5 Parasyte
The term "classic" often is used loosely in the world of horror manga; however, Parasyte most certainly fits the bill. The manga series first released back in 1988, and even in recent years has left a huge splash that has defined the industry as a whole.
The manga focuses on 17-year high school student Shinichi Izumi, who lives in a world where alien creatures called "parasites" try to take over their host's body by drilling into their brains. Luckily for Shinichi, his parasite fails, becoming sealed in the boy's right hand instead. From there, the two work together to survive and combat other parasites. Because the story focuses on alien creatures, Parasyte is perfect for audiences looking for something a little bit different.
4 Mieruko-Chan
Ghosts have a common presence in horror titles, but few have the unique concept that Mieruko-Chan has. In the world of Mieruko-Chan, seeing a ghost can lead to it attacking, and Miko Yotsuya is one of the few people that can see ghosts. So, to survive, the high school girl does the one thing she can: ignore the ghosts.
The manga's concept is beyond unique, allowing for slice-of-life-like pacing in a world that is still very much a part of the horror genre. In addition, the manga features some disturbing ghosts that will make any reader shiver. Readers looking to watch an anime adaptation after they finish reading should keep a watch out for the anime adaptation of Mieruko-Chan, which released on October 3, 2021.
3 Another
Despite its popularity, many manga fans don't know a lot about the origins of the anime movie Another. The series started as a mystery novel of the same name. It was adapted as a manga series and an anime, later developing the popular movie.
The story focuses on the mysterious circumstances of Yomiyama Middle School, in which the students fall victim to strange, gruesome, deaths. Though at first seeming like mere coincidences, the mystery of horror series develops as the story goes on and the main character Koichi Sakakibara learns more about the incidents. Another is a great series for audiences looking for a mix of endless mystery and gut-wrenching thrills.
2 Garden of Sinners
Released by the same creators as the infamous Fate series, Garden of Sinners is an excellent choice for both a modern fantasy series and horror. Compared to series like Fate/Stay Night, Garden of Sinners strays more into the mystery genre than the action genre. The story follows a girl named Shiki Ryogi, as she utilizes a mysterious power that allows her to vanquish demons.
This is a series for Fate fans that love the lore aspects of the series but without all the confusion of pacing. Like the Fate series, Garden of Sinners offers a lot of different ways to enjoy the series; fans have the choice of the original novels, the anime adaption, and of course, the manga.
1 Berserk
An older series, Berserk is a classic from the beginning of manga's original overseas popularity boom. In the eyes of many manga fans, Berserk is one of the only true entries in the fantasy-horror genre. The series focuses on the story of a lone mercenary, Guts, in a dark medieval-style world.
As one would expect, the series offers only the best of gruesome action and gore. But what many audiences don't expect is how well-rounded the series is, featuring a complex world, deep characters, and even a little bit of philosophical exploration along the way. In the end, Berserk is a perfect horror manga for fans looking for a series that does psychological horror well, with added depth in a lot of other areas.