8 Compelling Horror Manga That Will Haunt Your Mind

If you like short yet super eerie ghost stories, then PTSD Radio is definitely the manga for you! The stories in each volume show a more macabre side of everyday household objects like a radio. But that’s not all, because the disturbing things that happen in these stories are connected to a strange ancient being known as “The God of Hair” — which curses and tortures humans through their own hair. 

Hayashida is best known for her dark fantasy series called Dorohedoro. But she’s also the brilliant mind behind the funny yet terrifying Dai Dark! With a sci-fi setting and some good ol’ necromancy, this manga follows a teen named Zaha Sanko. His body was cursed so that anyone who possesses his bones will be granted a wish. Of course, that means that a lot of people are trying to kill him. In order to keep his limbs intact, Sanko embarks on a journey with his skeletal friend Avakian in order to find the person who cursed him — which might involve killing them before they kill him.

We’re moving on to a more gothic type of horror, and a story you might be familiar with if you’re a manga veteran. That’s because The Cain Saga is actually the prequel to another compelling horror manga series — none other than Godchild! Set in 19th century London, this manga follows a young earl named Cain, who escaped his home after both of his parents died. There are many family secrets that Cain wants to uncover now that he’s free. So he sets out on a journey that will lead him to a secret organization known as Delilah. 

The next manga series is certainly unique, if a little less horrifying than most of the others on this list. Pet Shop of Horrors follows the mysterious Count D, who owns a pet shop in L.A. that is full of strange creatures. All kinds of patrons go into the Count’s shop looking for their new pet. But these creatures come with unique contracts that cannot be broken under any circumstances. Because whenever a patron breaks their contract, it comes with gruesome and disturbing consequences.

Starving Anonymous is a post-apocalyptic manga in which humans must fight to survive. The story begins with students I’e and Kazu, who are finally going back home after a long day of school. But when their school bus is suddenly flooded with a strange gas, they pass out. I’e and Kazu finally wake up, only to see that someone has moved them. Our protagonists are no longer on the bus. Instead, they’re on a truck full of frozen corpses that’s headed towards a facility that’s keeping humans for slaughter…

Unlike the other manga on this list, the horror from Blood on the Tracks doesn’t have a supernatural origin. Shuzo Oshimi’s story relies on psychological horror to create a super compelling and disturbing read. The story follows a boy named Seiichi, whose mother can be…overprotective. He doesn’t see anything wrong with her behavior, but everything changes one fateful summer day. And from that point on, Seiichi will realize just how dangerous his mother can be.

Last but certainly not least, we’re closing this list of compelling horror manga with a classic story about a monster attack! Creature! follows teen Akira Takashiro, whose life is forever changed when an earthquake strikes the city of Tachikawa. Akira falls unconscious, and wakes up to see the arm of his best friend and a terrifying creature that’s the stuff of nightmares. This isn’t the only monster attacking the city, and Akira will have to fight tooth and nail if he wants to survive the monster apocalypse.