Group Leader
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2018
- Messages
- 451
Hello everyone!
I want to start a conversation about horror manga. This thread can be used to discuss general topics related to horror manga news, series, authors, fan base, favorites, and anything else that's relevant. To encourage discussion, I'll also try to occasionally post current news and highlights of horror manga. I hope that this will become a good resource for fans looking for discussion, recommendations, and general awareness of what's happening in the genre. Hopefully something more than just "start with Uzumaki."
What I want to talk about today is, "what makes a manga's primary genre horror?" In my opinion, it has to be something that tries to elicit people's feelings of fear, disgust, or repulsion, but it can not too heavily depend on action, strategy, or conspiracies. For instance, Kouishou Radio tries to give its readers feelings of unease, while the author Itou Junji draws images that often disgust the reader. Meanwhile, stories like the ones in Wish Fufillment will often have stories with moral lessons that tries to scare people from wrongdoings. On the other hand, a lot of series have horror elements but are not primarily horror. For example, though series like Darwin's Game and The Friends-Eater Classroom have characters stuck in a horrific situation, the horror's primary purpose is to shock the characters in the story and move the plot and strategy elements along. Even though Shingeki no Kyojin has a pretty fearful setting and gruesome deaths (mostly in the beginning), the series also revolves around the fights and strategy.
What do you think?
That said, I'd like to give a highlight of some currently ongoing horror series, and a few that have finished recently. By no means is this a definitive list, but it has a good spread. Mild spoilers incoming.
I want to start a conversation about horror manga. This thread can be used to discuss general topics related to horror manga news, series, authors, fan base, favorites, and anything else that's relevant. To encourage discussion, I'll also try to occasionally post current news and highlights of horror manga. I hope that this will become a good resource for fans looking for discussion, recommendations, and general awareness of what's happening in the genre. Hopefully something more than just "start with Uzumaki."
What I want to talk about today is, "what makes a manga's primary genre horror?" In my opinion, it has to be something that tries to elicit people's feelings of fear, disgust, or repulsion, but it can not too heavily depend on action, strategy, or conspiracies. For instance, Kouishou Radio tries to give its readers feelings of unease, while the author Itou Junji draws images that often disgust the reader. Meanwhile, stories like the ones in Wish Fufillment will often have stories with moral lessons that tries to scare people from wrongdoings. On the other hand, a lot of series have horror elements but are not primarily horror. For example, though series like Darwin's Game and The Friends-Eater Classroom have characters stuck in a horrific situation, the horror's primary purpose is to shock the characters in the story and move the plot and strategy elements along. Even though Shingeki no Kyojin has a pretty fearful setting and gruesome deaths (mostly in the beginning), the series also revolves around the fights and strategy.
What do you think?
That said, I'd like to give a highlight of some currently ongoing horror series, and a few that have finished recently. By no means is this a definitive list, but it has a good spread. Mild spoilers incoming.
Currently Ongoing Series:
A Trial of Blood: A tense thriller that keeps you on the edge of the seat wondering what will happen next.
Eko Eko Azarak: A classic horror series. Definitely a bit on the preachy side, but surprisingly varied and good fun.
Fear: An anthology by Kazuo Umezu, godfather of Japanese horror manga. Expect amazingly crazy and creative situations.
H. P. Lovecraft's The Shadow out of Time: The newest scanlation/publication of Gou Tanabe's Lovecraftian adaptations. Dark, atmospheric, and haunting, they're all absolutely lovely.
Horror Anthology Comic Shikaku: A horror anthology authored by a few of the most famous horror mangaka in Japan. Expect a wide variety of styles and a few genuinely creepy and strange stories.
Hyaku Monogatari: Based on the "100 ghost stories" parlour game. Very short stories, though some are of decent length. Published in the alternative magazine Garo.
Ijousha no Ai: The most horrifying thing in this series is how dumb the characters are.
In the Room: A pretty basic but decently written one volume thriller.
Jinmen: The faces are extremely disconcerting.
Kichikujima: Haven't read this one but the author has done many other good series.
Kouishou Radio: From the author of Fuan no Tane. Expect short stories that cause you to fear the darkness at the bottom of the stairs or what's behind you, but this time with a bit more continuity between the stories.
Mieruko-chan: Good believable modern day horror story. I think most people would act like that, assuming they aren't freaking out. A little bit heartwarming.
Ningyou Touge: People are stuck in house with spook ghost. Not enough chapters yet to say for sure what this will be like.
Pygmalion: Man eating mascots are scary, yo.
Sayuri: Oshikiri Rensuke is capable of writing some pretty upsetting stories. I have high hopes for this one.
Shibito No Koe wo Kiku Ga Yoi: expect the best blend of horror, comedy, and imagination from the amazing Hiyodori/Uguisu Sachiko! Prez is best girl.
Slit-Mouthed Woman Legends: Pretty classic styled horror story by Inuki Kanako.
This Man: The urban legend aspect makes this one interesting.
Travelogue of the Succubus: Lovecraftian Junji Ito series. A bit of a departure from what he traditionally has done.
Wakusei Closet: Strangely calming with spooky moments.
Wish Fulfillment: Another traditional horror series by Inuki Kanako. Characters are their own worst enemies.
Yokai Hunter - A Voice from Yomi: Rich with folklore.
Yokai Hunter - The Six Gods of Fortune: There's more!
Zekkyou Gakkyuu: Schoolyard horror. A little bit repetitive if you read too many at the same time.
Recently Finished Series:
Chibiki no Iwa: Hoshino Yukinobu tells rich stories full of atmosphere and what it means to be human. I'll read this one soon I swear.
Dissolving Series: Recently completely scanlated by slug chicks. The licensed version has been out for ages, but whatever.
Fuan no Tane +: Short stories to make you want to sleep with the light on.
Kiriko Kill: The sequel to the unexpectedly popular Kiriko. We all think another sequel will come out of it. Dumb fun.
Mushihime: A dark, disturbing, well contained tale.
Shiro Ihon: The latest completely scanlated anthology of the Ihon series. Overall well told and creative stories.
Second Coming: An ambiguous one shot. A four seasons award winner, so it's a bit different, but as always, well-told.
A Trial of Blood: A tense thriller that keeps you on the edge of the seat wondering what will happen next.
Eko Eko Azarak: A classic horror series. Definitely a bit on the preachy side, but surprisingly varied and good fun.
Fear: An anthology by Kazuo Umezu, godfather of Japanese horror manga. Expect amazingly crazy and creative situations.
H. P. Lovecraft's The Shadow out of Time: The newest scanlation/publication of Gou Tanabe's Lovecraftian adaptations. Dark, atmospheric, and haunting, they're all absolutely lovely.
Horror Anthology Comic Shikaku: A horror anthology authored by a few of the most famous horror mangaka in Japan. Expect a wide variety of styles and a few genuinely creepy and strange stories.
Hyaku Monogatari: Based on the "100 ghost stories" parlour game. Very short stories, though some are of decent length. Published in the alternative magazine Garo.
Ijousha no Ai: The most horrifying thing in this series is how dumb the characters are.
In the Room: A pretty basic but decently written one volume thriller.
Jinmen: The faces are extremely disconcerting.
Kichikujima: Haven't read this one but the author has done many other good series.
Kouishou Radio: From the author of Fuan no Tane. Expect short stories that cause you to fear the darkness at the bottom of the stairs or what's behind you, but this time with a bit more continuity between the stories.
Mieruko-chan: Good believable modern day horror story. I think most people would act like that, assuming they aren't freaking out. A little bit heartwarming.
Ningyou Touge: People are stuck in house with spook ghost. Not enough chapters yet to say for sure what this will be like.
Pygmalion: Man eating mascots are scary, yo.
Sayuri: Oshikiri Rensuke is capable of writing some pretty upsetting stories. I have high hopes for this one.
Shibito No Koe wo Kiku Ga Yoi: expect the best blend of horror, comedy, and imagination from the amazing Hiyodori/Uguisu Sachiko! Prez is best girl.
Slit-Mouthed Woman Legends: Pretty classic styled horror story by Inuki Kanako.
This Man: The urban legend aspect makes this one interesting.
Travelogue of the Succubus: Lovecraftian Junji Ito series. A bit of a departure from what he traditionally has done.
Wakusei Closet: Strangely calming with spooky moments.
Wish Fulfillment: Another traditional horror series by Inuki Kanako. Characters are their own worst enemies.
Yokai Hunter - A Voice from Yomi: Rich with folklore.
Yokai Hunter - The Six Gods of Fortune: There's more!
Zekkyou Gakkyuu: Schoolyard horror. A little bit repetitive if you read too many at the same time.
Recently Finished Series:
Chibiki no Iwa: Hoshino Yukinobu tells rich stories full of atmosphere and what it means to be human. I'll read this one soon I swear.
Dissolving Series: Recently completely scanlated by slug chicks. The licensed version has been out for ages, but whatever.
Fuan no Tane +: Short stories to make you want to sleep with the light on.
Kiriko Kill: The sequel to the unexpectedly popular Kiriko. We all think another sequel will come out of it. Dumb fun.
Mushihime: A dark, disturbing, well contained tale.
Shiro Ihon: The latest completely scanlated anthology of the Ihon series. Overall well told and creative stories.
Second Coming: An ambiguous one shot. A four seasons award winner, so it's a bit different, but as always, well-told.