Horror is a genre that you cannot experience with any other one. Even the thriller genre doesn’t give us chills as the horror genre does. So, just like horror anime, horror manga series are worth reading.
So, are you looking for the best horror manga to read? If so, all you need is a good list, and we have it right here. Shall we begin our list of horror manga then?
Best Horror Manga!
25. Higanjima
Akira got stuck amid the final battle between humans and vampires. He only got 47 days left until the whole of Japan become an island of vampires. What will he do?
This one is more of a survival horror story, and it is extremely graphical with horror, violence, and gory scenes. Horror fans who love survival themes should try reading this one.
24. Ibitsu
There is an urban legend about a young girl dressing as lolita and appearing at garbage dumps. Who answers her question will suffer a twisted death. Tonight another young man is about to envelop by it.
The setting is a cliche, but this manga is perfect in every other aspect. It catches the essence of the horror genre and executes it without an error. So, if you love short horror manga, this one is a must-read.
23. PTSD Radio
The story mostly shows a bunch of horror stories related to old Japanese rituals where a town gets affected by it. But what if each story connects in one way or another?
The best thing about this manga is its mystery. It gets more and more suspenseful with every chapter and really well done with a lot of details. Every horror fan would love to read this at least twice.
22. Fraction
The story actually compiles two halves. The first half tells the tale of a slicing devil, a serial killer who goes on killing the victims. The second half includes the interview with Kago and a few short stories.
If you haven’t read any of the previous works of Kago, you have to watch out before getting into this one. It has NSFW images, gory stuff, yet it manages to take the story to a whole new level and thrills you to death.
21. Corpse Party
The story revolves around a group of students and their teacher. When they try to perform a charm for the transferring student, something goes wrong, and they get trapped in Heavenly Host Elementary school. How will they escape?
Corpse Party might not be a phenomenal read, but at the very least, it provides you with a good premise along with a mysterious concept. Don’t read this before you go to sleep, though.
20. The Drifting Classroom
All of a sudden, Shou and his classmates get transported into a terrifying waste field. There’s no food, water, and everything is like an endless desert. How will they survive when their fears are causing them to riot and murder?
The Drifting Classroom is your old-school horror manga. A keen mix of lost children, deadly monsters, and constant horror. I doubt you can stop reading it until you reach the end.
19. Smile, It’s Just a Dream (One Shot)
The story is about Kanae, who has a habit of having nightmares every time she sleeps. She kills her favorite person in her dreams, and what if the dream actually makes her not distinguishable from reality.
Smile, It’s Just a Dream is a simple but exciting read. It definitely creeps you out, but it delivers a good message in the end. If you love a few disturbing things in a horror manga, try this one out.
18. Another
Sakakibara moves to a rural area to continue his high school, and he hears about an incident that happened 26 years ago. After involving with Misaki, a girl with an eye patch, his life changes completely.
Another is a phenomenal horror manga, in my opinion. It got everything a reader desires like suspense, gore, mystery, and what else? If you haven’t read this one yet, you better do it now.
17. Devil’s Line
Tsukasa gets saved by a half-devil when a vampire attacked him. Soon they both began hunting down an organization trying to eliminate devils by making their existence known to the world.
Devil’s Line is not at all your typical vampire romance manga. It’s weird, creepy and pretty cool. Although you might not find as much horror as in ghost-related stories, it’s worth it.
16. Battle Royale
A group of ninth-grade students find themselves on a remote island and are forced to survive by killing each other until a sole winner emerges. If they refuse, everyone dies by the electric collar around their neck.
I’d say this manga is the rawest depiction of an actual Battle Royale game. The thrill, horror, pacing, art, and even storyline is freaking amazing. If you haven’t read this one yet, try it out right away.
15. Emerging
When a strange person with a bloated look and bloodshot eyes blankly stares into the distance from a crowded intersection in Tokyo, his blood explodes from the eyes and body.
Along with onlookers, Akari becomes a victim as the blood gets splattered on her. Will discovering the mystery behind the body comes with a greater price?
Emerging is one of those horror mangas where it gets anxious as you read. It is more of a pandemic type of horror than one that features ghosts and devils. But it’s worth the read if I have to say.
14. Marry Grave
Riseman Sawyer’s beloved wife dies, and he happens to hear a rumor about the “Deadman’s Recipe.” He carries her coffin in the back and travels around to gather the ingredients to resurrect her. But will his journey be that easy?
If you’re going to read it, don’t expect to be get hooked right from the first chapter. But once you get into the actual storyline, you’ll be exploring innovative adventures along with some insignificant share of horror.
13. MADK
Makoto, with his twisted personality, summons a beautiful demon named Archduke J. The demon grants him with his twisted desire but in exchange for his life. But once the bargain is done, he’s reborn as a monster in hell.
MADK is a spectacular manga if you’re into gory, violent, and boys’ love manga. It has everything a horror manga has to offer and if you’re on a hunt to read a good horror/thriller manga, try this one out.
12. You Will Hear the Voices of the Dead
Jun Kishida can see ghosts, and his childhood friend Ryoko Hayakawa stayed by his side even though he solved the truth behind her death. As he gets into dangerous situations, she aids him with them.
Although the premise feels like a humored or slice of life story, it is the complete opposite in truth. It gets gory, creepy and sends chills down your spine as you read it. If you’re excited about a long and gruesome read, try this one out.
11. Dusk Maiden of Amnesia
Teiichi joins a first-year middle school in an institution with lots of mysterious occurrences. There he meets Yuuko Kanoe, a beautiful girl who happens to be a ghost.
Only he can see her, and together they both join the school’s paranormal investigation club. Along with fellow members of the club, they uncover the truth behind many mysteries.
Although this manga has a lot of fanservice, it doesn’t limit your entertainment in the least. It got an intriguing plot with romance and mystery. If you haven’t read a good romance horror manga in a while, this could be your cup of tea.
10. Shiki
One summer, a series of mysterious deaths begin to surface in the small rural town of Sotoba. No matter what they do, it won’t stop, and people began living in fear by wondering what’s causing all these incidents.
Shiki manga will definitely leave you shocked, and even if you’re not into horror manga, it pulls you right in. The artwork is a bit unique, and if you’re in for horror and thrill, you mustn’t miss this one.
9. The Enigma of Amigara Fault (OneShot)
When a destructive earthquake reveals a long fault at Amigara mountain, few people witness the mysterious human-sized holes in them. What happens if people go inside them?
The only regret you’ll have after reading this horror manga would be not having more chapters. Since it’s one-shot, you might finish it too soon. But you’ll have one hell of a read throughout the whole time.
8. Higurashi: When They Cry
The story takes place in 1983 when Keiichi moves to Hinamizawa, a countryside village. Although he makes a few friends, he finds that the village has a scary past that residents have been hiding. What could it be?
The best thing with Higurashi: When They Cry is that it leaves you in suspense with every volume/chapter. You don’t get a clue on why characters are dying, but you’ll be amazed to find them out in the end.
7. King of the Dead in Dark Place
A boy died with illness, and when he woke up again, he has become the lowest undead by an evil necromancer. Even though he got a new life, he’s still at the mercy of someone. How will he live his life?
This manga takes a unique approach to the horror genre, and the MC’s character development is one of the best things. The art is clean, romance blooms really well, and it definitely sparks your interest.
6. Pigpen
A young man finds himself in the middle of a beach, and he has no idea how he got here. Although it might seem like a relaxing paradise, what if it’s a death trap?
As he tries to piece everything together, he ends up in even more mind-boggling mysteries. Even the family that welcomes him doesn’t seem trustable. What will he do to escape from it?
Horror and mystery go like bread and jam. Although this one is a webtoon, you’ll have a standard plot as in Japanese horror manga, and you won’t be taking a break between the chapters.
5. Pet Shop of Horrors
D owns a mysterious pet shop that sells exotic and rare pets on one condition: The customer must abide by the instructions and make a contract. It won’t go unnoticed as an inspector named Leon Orc begins to get to the bottom of the events.
Pet Shop of Horrors is a bit biased, in my opinion. Even though it is a self-contained story for each chapter, it links the story perfectly. The art is exquisite, and the characters are everything to it.
4. Shadows House
Shadows House is a place where faceless clan lives and express their emotions through living dolls. Emilico is the servant of shadow known as “Kate.” What’s the mystery behind these living dolls and the shadow Kate?
Doesn’t the synopsis sound a bit boring? But wait a minute before you ignore it because you’ll utter these words once you finish reading it: What a Read! What a Read! It’s worth every second of your free time.
3. Mieruko-chan
All of a sudden, Miko began seeing some bizarre beings, but her response wasn’t as expected. She neither ran nor faced them, simply ignored. Will her daily life remain the same from this moment?
Mieruko-chan is a weird one in the horror genre. This manga takes a while before sparking your interest, but it becomes a unique gem once it does. So, if you haven’t read this horror manga yet, do it now.
2. Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror
In a small Japanese town named Kurozu-cho, a few strange events begin to take place. The residents have become obsessed with spiral design things. Can they escape it? And what’s the mystery behind it?
Uzumaki is considered a horror masterpiece from the 90s. If you read it with zero expectations, it might even become your favorite manga ever. If you want to be enthralled and entangled in a fantastic story, read this horror manga.
1. Shiver: Junji Ito Selected Stories
Shiver: Junji Ito Selected Stories is a compilation of different and unique stories. While one shows you a horror story of an idol, the other leaves you in suspense with an amateur film crew.
It consists of 10 chapters, and each one has its own merits. With every chapter, you get new enthralling stories with twists and turns. So, help yourself with this horror manga that leaves you speechless.
Let’s Conclude!
If you have been reading a lot of horror manga, you should know how well they entertain us with creepy, gore, and violent scenes.
Every one of the titles we’ve mentioned above might not be entirely horror but definitely gives you chills down your spine.
So, what do you think about our list? Do you know any other horror manga that deserves a spot on the list? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
You might also like:
- 10 Best Horror Anime YOu Won’t Feel like Watching Again!
- 13 Best Zombie Manga/Manhwa to Thrill You to Death!
- 13 Best Post-Apocalyptic Anime to Watch Before the World Ends!
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