The Bully is one of Junji Ito’s most haunting stories. It’s not because of grotesque visuals or supernatural terrors, but how painfully realistic it is. It’s a tale that explores trauma, cruelty, and how it can warp a person’s psyche.
Plot Summary – A Childhood Haunting That Never Ends
Kuriko, a young woman, recounts a dark chapter from her childhood. She remembers meeting a timid young boy named Nao. At first she was drawn to him, but when he became attached to her, she grew annoyed. Before long, this annoyance turned to hatred, and she began to torment him. What started as light teasing soon escalated into relentless bullying.
Eventually, she runs into Nao again. He’s grown into a soft-spoken, kind man who shows no resentment for the past. The two of them get closer and marry. When their son is born, however, Nao suddenly disappears.
As her son grows, Kuriko sees Nao in him, and it triggers something terrible within her. The story ends in a chilling revelation, showing how far she’s regressed back into her old self.
What Makes It So Good?
The Bully isn’t horror in the traditional sense. Instead, it is psychological horror deeply rooted in the human condition.
The story escalates subtly. At first, Kuriko’s affectionate toward Nao, but over time, she exploits his dependency. That transformation is unsettling because it feels all too real. There’s no dramatic incident that pushes her. No, there’s only irritation, boredom, and eventually, a sadistic enjoyment. It’s cruelty, for cruelty’s sake.
Visually, The Bully features one of Ito’s most haunting final panels. We see an adult Kuriko who’s transformed back into her child self, now wearing the same clothes she did as a child, and her face contorted by that same grin full of twisted glee. It’s nothing short of horrifying.
Deeper Themes – Abuse and the Fractured Human Psyche
The Bully isn’t a tale about ghosts or murderers. It’s about how unresolved emotions like guilt, shame, and even buried enjoyment of cruelty can fester.
Kuriko becomes a perpetrator again, not because she was abused, but because something inside of her remained deeply broken. Her descent is a regression, a return to a time when she had full control over someone weaker, over someone who depended on her, and the twisted pleasure she took from exploiting that power.
Its haunting ending also poses another question: was Kuriko ever truly sorry? Or was her adult kindness, her regret, nothing but a mask she wore until she could cause harm again?
Final Verdict – A Masterpiece of Realistic Horror
The Bully is one of Junji Ito’s most grounded and realistic stories, and this is exactly what makes it so terrifying. It shows that cruelty needs no reason, how trauma can warp love into hatred, and how some people never truly change.
If you’re looking for one of Ito’s more realistic stories in which the monsters are entirely human, The Bully is a must-read.
Looking for more Junji Ito? Check out my review of The Window Next Door, Headless Statues, or my complete list of the 40 best Junji Ito stories.
You can find The Bully in Junji Ito’s collection Deserter, available on Amazon.
