With the popularity of Junji Ito, horror manga has recently experienced a comeback thanks to Viz Media releases and anime adaptations on Crunchyroll & Adult Swim. In the opinion of many fans, few works in the genre manage to capture the same level of ethereal and metaphysical dread as the mangaka’s creations. However, the horror genre in the manga has a long history and is continually being reinvented by both emerging and established artists. Looking at MyAnimeList, there is a tonne of fantastic horror-focused series that gives the genre a deeper look. In the end, the well-known tracker and rater of all things manga is the place to go if you’re seeking body horror, haunting visions, epic battles, zombie hordes, or psychological horror.
The Drifting Classroom
Junji Ito has unquestionably established himself as one of the most well-known authors in the horror genre, with a wealth of fantastic tales to help keep readers up at night. For devoted readers of horror manga, there are plenty of additional creators who share their enthusiasm and love for the genre. Probably of the most famous people in the world, without a doubt, in horror manga is Kazuo Umezu.
The Drifting Classroom has emerged as one of his most well-known and well-liked pieces—the plot centers on a group of students who get stuck aboard a train full of terrifying animals. The cramped setting enhances Umezu’s distinctive painting style, making it a favorite among horror enthusiasts.
Zombie Apocalypse
Horror anime and manga fans enjoy zombie apocalypse tales and Kengo Hanazawa’s I am Hero. It is considered the most prestigious series to feature hordes of the undead. Dark Horse Comics published the series, which featured a struggling manga author going up against endless armies of zombies. It quickly gained cult status in the west. I Am Hero used a more subdued approach, relying on the protagonist’s power and inner challenges in striving to become a “hero” within a wrecked world. Many anime series, like Highschool of the Dead, maintain a more colorful and action-fueled perspective on the zombie uprising.
Franken Fran
Franken, The entry on our list titled Fran tells the tale of the titular Hero and her haphazard exploits, maybe the strangest. The series’ driving force is Fran, who blends horror, comedy, and gross-out circumstances. A cast of outcasts surrounds the title character. The series’ multiple interconnected stories, which revolve around a group of monsters created through scientific experimentation, can sometimes make it challenging to follow. However, the sitcom has a large following of devoted viewers thanks to its bizarre blend of horror and comedy.
Gantz
Yokai, or traditional Japanese monsters, are common in both mangas. Few shows, though, used the strange creature as effectively as Gantz. The series combines conventional horror, action, violence, and science fiction to give the classic Japanese animals a contemporary reworking. The show has many twists and turns that contribute to the mystery of why the characters are required to battle hordes of monsters and are not necessarily centered on yokai. In the end, the blending of diverse inspirations is evident, and it has attracted viewers who have supported the series on MyAnimeList.
Homonculus
We frequently associate high-octane series like Mob Psycho 100, which showcase strong, powerful protagonists with psychic abilities in comic books and manga. One series, however, managed to depict the psychological upheaval brought on by a trepanning experiment (drilling a hole in the skull) and transformed it into a nightmare voyage of a disjointed ego. The protagonist of Homonculus experiences strange images of the people he encounters; these glimpses show how their insecurities manifest as creatures that mirror their issues. As a result, when he exorcises someone from their demons, those distortions merge with him and obscure his feelings of self. But the more he employs the abilities, the less effective they become, forcing him to start operating on himself.