Top 10 Must-Read Junji Ito Manga Before the Uzumaki Anime Premiere

The Uzumaki anime is set to premiere on September 28, 2024, and before fans immerse themselves in this captivating horror series, they should explore other acclaimed Junji Ito manga. Uzumaki delves into the eerie fascination with spirals, making it beneficial to read similar works that encapsulate related themes.

This article compiles 10 of the most notable Junji Ito series that serve as intriguing gateways for fans who may be new to the author’s extensive portfolio. Each of these manga showcases fear and horror, akin to what audiences can anticipate from the Uzumaki adaptation.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the listed Junji Ito works and represents the author’s opinion.

Shiver, Tomie, and 8 Other Junji Ito Manga Series to Read Before the Uzumaki Anime Premiere, Ranked by Popularity

10) Lovesickness

The beautiful boy as seen in the manga cover (Image via VIZ Media) — The beautiful boy as portrayed in the manga cover (Image via VIZ Media)

The titular chapter, Lovesickness, features a haunting narrative about a beautiful boy who appears when individuals are led through a foggy area by a stranger.

When Ryusuke returns to his hometown, he unravels the tale of a boy who may be a murderer with ties to his own past. This manga encapsulates a spine-chilling atmosphere similar to the Uzumaki anime and is a hidden treasure in Junji Ito’s horror oeuvre.

9) Frankenstein

The mysterious creature as seen in the manga cover (Image via VIZ Media) — The mysterious creature as illustrated in the manga cover (Image via VIZ Media)

Frankenstein is a collection of short stories with its main spotlight on the first chapter, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel.

This story follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who constructs a creature using human parts, ultimately striving to destroy it before it wreaks havoc on humanity. While its aesthetic may not rival the chilling visuals of Uzumaki, it’s an excellent prelude to the upcoming anime adaptation.

8) Black Paradox

Baracchi as seen in the manga (Image via VIZ Media) — Baracchi in the manga (Image via VIZ Media)

Black Paradox tells the story of four individuals seeking to end their lives, only to find their destinies take unexpected turns. This manga is one of the most compelling reads leading up to the Uzumaki anime premiere.

With its stunning art and gradual storytelling, this work, despite being lesser-known, reveals its brilliance as the reader progresses through the pages.

7) Reminiscence

Remina as seen in the manga cover (Image via Akita Shoten) — Remina as depicted in the manga cover (Image via Akita Shoten)

Remina narrates the terror of a mysterious planet on a collision course with Earth. Named after the protagonist by her father, Remina experiences societal backlash as her namesake becomes a disaster.

This Eisner Award-winning manga is celebrated for its unique art style that evokes confusion and horror simultaneously, making it a standout in Junji Ito’s collection.

6) Fragments of Horror

The dissection girl as seen in the manga (Image via VIZ Media) — The dissection girl depicted in the manga (Image via VIZ Media)

As an excellent choice for newcomers, Fragments of Horror presents nerve-wracking tales complemented by grotesque artwork.

While the Uzumaki anime conveys fear through its distinctive style, the artwork in this collection evokes a sense of unease. A notable story, The Dissection Girl, follows a girl obsessed with self-dissection, replacing her body parts with those of animals.

5) Smashed

Hellskin as seen in the manga (Image via VIZ Media) — Hellskin featured in the manga (Image via VIZ Media)

As the first collection of noteworthy Junji Ito short stories, Smashed is essential reading before the Uzumaki anime arrives. This series includes short narratives that explore various fears akin to the themes of the forthcoming adaptation.

The eponymous chapter focuses on individuals consuming addictively lethal honey and confronting the terror of being annihilated by an unseen force, mirroring the fears found in other tales within the collection.

4) Shiver

Tetsuro as portrayed in the manga (Image via VIZ Media) — Tetsuro depicted in the manga (Image via VIZ Media)

Another collection of Junji Ito’s standout horror tales, Shiver elevates the fear associated with ordinary elements, enhancing its creepy storytelling that pairs well with the Uzumaki anime.

The spotlight chapter recounts a disease that induces shivers in those who witness the afflicted, while other stories delve into themes of nightmares and the anxiety surrounding balloons.

3) Gyo

Gyo as seen in the manga cover (Image via Shogakukan) — Gyo illustrated in the manga cover (Image via Shogakukan)

Gyo narrates the story of a couple vacationing alongside grotesque creatures known as Gyo, hybrids of aquatic animals and spiders.

This manga leans more towards the creepy than outright horror, yet it features one of Junji Ito’s most revered short stories, The Enigma of Amigara Fault, which explores claustrophobia as characters encounter small, custom-sized openings.

2) Venus in the Blind Spot

Mariko as seen in the manga cover (Image via VIZ Media)

Venus in the Blind Spot showcases colored panels and is also an Eisner Award winner. This collection features some of Junji Ito’s finest short stories, each conveying a distinct fear akin to the spirals illustrated in Uzumaki.

The titular chapter explores Mariko, a girl made invisible to some due to illegal experiments, while other tales, like The Human Chair, investigate the fear of everyday objects.

1) Tom

Tomie seen in the manga (Image via VIZ Media) — Tomie as portrayed in the manga (Image via VIZ Media)

Tomie, the most celebrated work of Junji Ito, marks the genesis of the author’s journey as a mangaka. This series delves into the horror surrounding the character Tomie, a mysterious female who seemingly rises from the dead every time she is killed.

Final Thoughts

The fear inherent in Tomie echoes the haunting spirals of Uzumaki, igniting a debate among fans over which of Junji Ito’s works reigns supreme. Nevertheless, the upcoming Uzumaki anime adaptation holds promise, especially since Tomie has received a more critically subdued interpretation.