There’s something special about Japanese horror, and it’s not just the grotesque monsters or nightmarish imagination. At its heart, J-horror has always drawn power from something deeper: ghost stories, yokai tales, and whispered urban legends. All these elements make supernatural horror manga what they are.
While Western horror often leans into slashers, demons, or psychological trauma, Japanese horror has a long tradition of quiet dread. It thrives on the unseen, the unspoken, and the deeply uncanny. A creaking floorboard, a shadow in the corner, or a girl staring at you with empty eyes from the end of the hallway.
This list is dedicated to manga titles that tap into that exact fear. Supernatural horror manga are stories built around restless spirits, haunted places, cursed objects, and otherworldly beings that defy explanation. They might be rooted in ancient folklore, modern urban legends, or brand-new terrors from the twisted minds of today’s best manga creators.
These stories don’t just disturb; they haunt. Whether it’s a slow-burn ghost mystery or a chaotic monster rampage, what connects them is their commitment to the unnatural. To the sense that something is wrong, and it’s not just in your head.
If you’re looking for more general horror recommendations, check out my list of the best horror manga overall. But if it’s tales of spirits and the supernatural you’re after, this is the list for you.
Mild spoiler warning: I’ll avoid major plot reveals, but a few story elements may be necessary to explain why each manga works so well.
Here’s my curated list of the best supernatural horror manga (last updated: August 2025).
24. Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service
At first glance, Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service might look like a morbid workplace comedy, but make no mistake, this is one of the most unique supernatural horror manga I’ve ever come across.
The series follows five Buddhist college students with strange abilities who form a business fulfilling the wishes of the dead. One can hear the voices of corpses; another is a medium. Together, they travel across Japan solving grisly mysteries, uncovering hidden murders, and getting caught in increasingly bizarre, sometimes tragic situations. It’s equal parts ghost story, black comedy, and social commentary.
What makes Kurosagi Corpse Deliver Service stand out is its sheer variety. Some chapters focus on tormented spirits and traditional hauntings, while others dive into twisted conspiracies, cults and even body horror. Yet through it all, there’s a consistent thread: death leaves behind more than just a body; it leaves questions, regrets, and supernatural echoes.
Yamazaki’s clean, expressive art style grounds the absurd premise, offering just enough creep factor to land the scares when it needs to. And Eiji Ōtsuka’s writing balances humor and horror with impressive tact, often blending satire into even darker arcs.
It’s a long series, and not every chapter hits the same emotional note, but the sheer creativity of its ghost-centric stories earns it a spot on this list. If you’re looking for an episodic, concept-driven supernatural horror manga, this is a one-of-a-kind gem.
Genres: Horror, Drama, Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
23. Shiro Ihon (White Book)
Best known for his grotesque titles like Freak Island and Pumpkin Night, Masaya Hokazono takes a surprisingly restrained approach in Shiro Ihon (White Book), and it results in one of the most quietly unsettling supernatural horror manga out there.
This eerie anthology compiles short, self-contained ghost stories, each focused on haunted spaces, malevolent spirits, cursed objects, or inexplicable supernatural phenomena. While the plots vary, they’re united by a creeping sense of dread and spiritual unease. There’s seldom a need for gore here; the horror lies in atmosphere, silence, and subtle visuals.
Unlike Hokazono’s more chaotic works, Shiro Ihon excels through minimalism. its black-and-white art might seem simple at first glance, but it comes alive in those moments of fear: a character’s mouth frozen in mid-scream, bodies twisted by invisible forces, a ghost standing just a little too still. The simplicity works in its favor, evoking classic J-horror aesthetics rather than trying to overwhelm the reader.
What sets Shiro Ihon apart is its ability to tap into traditional fears. It centers on restless spirits, forbidden spaces, and the unspoken rules of the spirit world. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. This manga is supernatural horror in its purest form.
If you enjoy quiet, atmospheric storytelling rooted in Japanese ghost lore, Shiro Ihon is a short, but effective collection that deserves a read.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Finished (Seinen)
22. Pet Shop of Horrors
A cult classic from the late 90s, Pet Shop of Horrors is a stylish and strange supernatural horror manga that blends dark fairy tale vibes with urban legend structure. It’s an episodic series built around one core concept: be careful what you bring home.
At the heart of the story is Count D, the mysterious and androgynous caretaker of a pet shop in Los Angeles’s Chinatown. His pets, however, are far from ordinary. Each creature he sells comes with a strict contract, and if the owner violates the terms, the consequences are often fatal. Some pets are adorable, others are terrifying, and many aren’t even from this world.
While there is a loose overarching plot, many chapters work as standalone stories, following unlucky customers who succumb to temptation, obsession, or tragedy. These tales blur the line between horror and myth, drawing inspiration from global folklore, ancient curses, and emotional parables. In this way, the manga evokes a rich, spiritual kind of unease that’s less about jump scares and more about karmic retribution and the unknown forces lurking beneath everyday life.
The art style may seem dated to some readers, with its sharp character designs and ornate page layouts, but it carries a distinct gothic elegance that fits the tone perfectly. As a josei title, the manga also brings a slightly more literary and introspective edge, with themes that feel more adult than your average horror manga.
Pet Shop of Horrors isn’t for everyone, but for those who love mysterious stories, supernatural creatures, and philosophical horror, it’s a hidden gem. It may be a niche title, but its loyal fanbase continues to celebrate it.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Fantasy, Comedy
Status: Finished (Josei)
21. Hinatsugimura
Deep in the mountains lies a village that doesn’t appear on any map. Those who stumble upon it are never seen again. That is, unless they become part of the village themselves.
Hinatsugimura is a short but grisly supernatural horror manga that blends ghost story, rural mystery, and grotesque body horror. It begins with a group of college students who seek the ruins of a forgotten village. Caught in a thunderstorm, they take shelter in a nearby mansion, only to discover a monstrous history hiding beneath the surface.
At first, the manga reads like an anthology, with different characters encountering the eerie village under different circumstances. But as the chapters progress, a larger story begins to unfold, one centering on Kiriko-sama, a mysterious woman linked to the village’s twisted traditions.
From grotesque hybrids to villages warped into inhuman shapes, Hinatsugimura doesn’t shy away from violent or disturbing imagery. While the artwork is generally serviceable, it shines most in its creature designs and sudden flashes of brutality. We bear witness to beheadings, dismemberments, and twisted transformations.
This is a compact series, and while its brevity limits its world-building, the tight pacing and surreal tone help it stand out. It may not be as polished or ambitious as some of the higher entries on this list, but it’s an underrated gem for fans of supernatural horror manga with a taste for rural curses and body horror.
If you enjoy creepy villages, buried secrets, and the kind of horror that feels both folkloric and visceral, Hinatsugimura is absolutely worth reading.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Finished (Shojo)
20. Maga Maga Yama
Maga Maga Yama is a recent but highly promising supernatural horror manga that wastes no time plunging readers into its twisted mountain wilderness. Though only a few chapters have been released so far, each one delivers a compact, eerie story packed with dread, ghosts, and mysterious rituals.
The manga is structured as an anthology, with different stories all centered around the sinister Maga Maga Mountain range. Each tale features unlucky people who encounter supernatural forces they can’t comprehend. These include warped ghosts en route to the afterlife, a cursed swamp, shape-shifting beasts, and a family following a disturbing tradition. There’s never any real explanation, no real exposition, and we’re only left with raw supernatural terror.
What really makes this series work is its commitment to mystery. The author offers no answers, only glimpses of a larger spiritual world that feels cruel, uncanny, and indifferent. It’s a bold narrative style that might frustrate some readers, but it enhances the horror by keeping everything shadowed in ambiguity.
Visually, Maga Maga Yama excels when it counts. The creature design is genuinely disturbing: muddied, emaciated spirits that barely resemble humans, or black-eyed monkeys that leer from the dark. The horror scenes are drawn with tension and clarity, even if the series’ pacing can be uneven.
It’s still a very short series, but if you’re looking for a fresh, under-the-radar supernatural horror manga that embraces Japanese folklore and backwoods horror, Maga Maga Yama is one to keep an eye on.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
19. Kaii-san to Ore
Kaii-san to Ore is one of the most unusual entries on this list. It’s a supernatural horror manga that blends spooky atmosphere and unexpected warmth. Originally published as a web manga on the author’s Twitter and Pixiv accounts, it began serialization in print via Kadokawa in late 2024. Despite its humble origins, it has quietly become one of the most charming and creepy ghost manga out there.
The premise is deceptively simple: a lonely child is constantly surrounded by ghosts, yokai and other supernatural beings. While many of these spirits are friendly, others are dangerous or outright terrifying. Yet the boy treats them all the same. To him, they aren’t monsters, but friends.
Each chapter is extremely short, usually just two to four pages, and often drops the reader directly in the middle of a supernatural encounter. There’s little exposition, but over time, recurring spirits and side characters create a gentle through-line that hints at a larger story.
Some chapters lean into horror, showcasing grotesque monsters with stitched faces and hollow eyes, while others are more melancholic, cute, or even comedic.
Visually, the manga is striking. While the paneling is simple, the art is expressive and sharp. Every chapter also opens with a beautiful full-color page that instantly sets the tone. Whether depicting peaceful domestic scenes or eerie ghost intrusions, the artwork adds warmth and creepiness in equal measure.
It’s hard to categorize, but that’s exactly why it belongs on this list. A true supernatural horror manga with heart, Kaii-san to Ore is a hidden gem for readers looking for something offbeat and endearing.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Slice-of-Life
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
18. Kanju Ten
Kanju Ten is a short, 12-chapter long supernatural horror manga that quietly sneaks up on you. At first, it presents itself as an anthology of unconnected stories about people who brush up against the uncanny. But as you progress, subtle connections emerge, revealing a deeper thread that ties everything together.
The stories themselves are built around that creeping sense of distortion, the unsettling feeling that something in the ordinary world has gone slightly wrong. A girl who can see ghosts. Another who hears death approaching. A serial killer who moves unnoticed among the living. The horror isn’t always loud or grotesque. Instead, it’s often psychological, quiet, and deeply eerie.
What really works in Kanju Ten’s favor is its slow-burn structure. It doesn’t bombard you with exposition or try to shock you from the outset. Instead, it plants small seeds of dread that grow with every chapter, pulling you further into its world of fractured reality and shadow encounters.
The art is solid throughout, but really shines during the pivotal horror scenes: distorted spirits with hollow eyes, monstrous apparitions in dark corners, and eerie visual metaphors. The image of a character looking up ‘how to go blind’ as faces swirl around her is one of several quietly terrifying moments that linger long after you turn the page.
Underrated and largely unknown, Kanju Ten is a hidden gem for fans of slow, atmospheric horror with an interconnected structure. If you enjoy manga that explore the overlap between daily life and the supernatural, this one is well worth your time.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological, Drama
Status: Finished (Seinen)
17. Tonari no Jii-san
Some of the most effective supernatural horror manga don’t rely on violence or jump scares. Instead, they rely on the creeping realization that something in your world isn’t quite right. Tonari no Jii-san is a perfect example of that quiet, skin-prickling dread.
The story follows Yuki, a soft-spoken girl living in a rural town, who dreams of becoming a painter. Her life is quiet, even dull, until a simple goodbye to her sister on a train turns into a traumatic experience. She sees something horrifying, but no one else believes her. Not her parents. Not the townspeople. Did she imagine it? Is she going mad? Or is something truly wrong with the town itself?
As Yuki investigates, she discovers she may not be the only one seeing through the cracks in reality. What starts as a personal descent into paranoia slowly reveals something much larger, more sinister, and steeped in local folklore. The manga blends surreal body horror with slow-burning mystery to great effect, never over-explaining and always letting the reader feel that chill just under the surface.
The artwork is beautiful and haunting. Gritty textures, strong shadows, and disturbing designs explode off the page during key moments. The opening chapters alone are some of the most memorable in recent horror manga.
Still early in its run, Tonari no Jii-san already feels like a future classic. If you enjoy supernatural horror manga with a psychological edge and a creeping folkloric mystery, don’t miss this one.
Genres: Horror, Drama, Mystery, Psychological, Tragedy
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
16. Another
A modern classic in the genre, Another stands as one of the most widely recognized supernatural horror manga of the 21st century. Adapted from Yukito Ayatsuji’s best-selling novel, this chilling mystery delivers a fatal blend of ghost story, school curse, and psychological dread.
Set in 1998, the story follows Kouichi Sakakibara, a transfer student who joins Class 3-3 at Yomiyama North Middle School. Almost immediately, he senses something is wrong. His classmates are cagey and evasive, especially when it comes to Mei Misaki, a girl with an eyepatch whom no one seems willing to acknowledge. As Kouichi pushes for answers, a string of shocking and often brutal deaths unfolds. The more he learns, the more he realizes this has happened before.
Visually, Hiro Kiyohara’s artwork enhances the mood with stark shadows, empty classrooms, and sudden, violent deaths that punctuate the stillness. Unlike its anime counterpart, the manga keeps things more grounded, skipping the exaggerated gore while maintaining a steady sense of unease.
Some plot developments may feel rushed or oddly timed, but the final twist reframes the entire story with surprising emotional weight.
If you’re new to horror manga, Another is a great starting point. For seasoned fans, it remains an iconic example of supernatural horror manga done right. It’s mysterious, tragic, and effectively creepy.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery, Tragedy
Status: Finished (Seinen)
15. Boku ga Shinu dake no Hyakumonogatari
What if telling ghost stories could invite real spirits into your life? That’s the chilling premise behind Boku ga Shinu dake no Hyakumonogatari (100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Death), a supernatural horror manga that combines anthology-style storytelling with an unsettling frame narrative.
The story follows Yuuma, a quiet elementary schooler on the brink of despair. One day, his classmate Hina distracts him with an eerie question: “Do you know the round of a hundred ghost stories?” Intrigued by the idea that recounting 100 tales might summon actual ghosts, Yuuma begins a nightly ritual, sharing one story at a time, in the dark, completely alone.
Each chapter introduces a new short horror tale, often rooted in urban legends or Japanese folklore. While some stories revisit classic ghost manga tropes, many feel strikingly original. They are tight little nightmares with a campfire vibe.
What makes the series stand out is the creeping, subtle horror of Yuuma’s own life. As the count rises, his home begins to change, and the line between storyteller and story blurs.
Though not overtly graphic, Boku ga Shinu dake no Hyakumonogatari still packs unsettling imagery and psychological tension. The art shines most during haunting scenes, even if it’s not top-tier overall. Yuuma’s eerie calmness adds another layer to the unease, making readers question what kind of boy would willingly invite spirits into his home.
It’s a clever and consistently engaging supernatural horror manga. The framing story gives the anthology structure, a powerful emotional hook, and the blend of folklore and subtle realism makes it feel timeless. Highly recommended for fans of ghost stories, cursed rituals, and creeping dread.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Finished (Shonen)
14. Noah of the Blood Sea
Noah of the Blood Sea is a supernatural horror manga that traps you aboard a luxury cruise ship with a hidden nightmare steeped in blood, illusion, and the uncanny. What begins as a glamorous ocean vacation soon turns into a suffocating gothic thriller, where nothing is quite what it seems.
The story follows Kakeru, a teenage boy traveling with his family. During a bizarre onboard stage show, passengers are brutally murdered, only to reappear moments later as if nothing happened. From this surreal moment on, the line between the natural and supernatural dissolves. Are these really the same people?
As the tension escalates, Noah of the Blood Sea leans into classic vampire mythology: mind control, transformation, blood rites. But it filters them through a modern lens of psychological suspense and claustrophobic panic. Kakeru becomes our anchor as the cruise transforms into a floating prison, where human lives are little more than cattle.
The manga is fast-paced, arguably too much so at times, and many characters serve mostly as fodder. Still, the emotional weight lands when it needs to, with pivotal scenes delivered with care and strong writing.
While the final stretch dives into chaotic action, and not every plot thread gets closure, the supernatural horror atmosphere remains effective throughout.
Yuu Satomi’s art deserves praise: elegant, eerie, and filled with dramatic contrast, heightening both the cruise ship’s opulence and its lurking dangers. If you enjoy vampire horror manga that go beyond just fangs and blood, Noah of the Blood Sea is a compelling and disturbing work you won’t forget.
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Vampire, Psychological, Tragedy
Status: Finished (Seinen)
13. Mimi’s Tales of Terror
While Mimi’s Tales of Terror may not be Junji Ito’s most iconic work, it’s still one of the best supernatural horror manga rooted in Japanese folklore. This short collection adapts six ghost stories originally drawn from Japanese urban legends, all tied together by a single character: Mimi, a quiet young woman who keeps finding herself at the center of terrifying events.
Each story stands alone, but together they form a fascinating slice of everyday horror. One tale features a strange woman stalking Mimi. Another shows a man posing in a haunted cemetery, seemingly trying to impress the dead with his toned body. There’s also a basement haunted by a crimson mark, a burned mother’s ghost, and a seaside visit that ends with hauntingly surreal imagery. That last one, titled The Seahorse, is by far the strongest of the set, delivering one of the most unforgettable pages in the entire volume.
It’s worth noting that Ito didn’t write the stories himself, but merely adapted and illustrated them. As a result, some tales feel less cohesive or impactful than his original works. Still, his signature art style carries the collection, capturing both quiet unease and grotesque spectacle with uncanny precision.
Mimi’s Tales of Terror may not hit as hard as Uzumaki or Tomie, but it’s still a chilling, atmospheric ride. More importantly, it showcases Ito’s deep appreciation for traditional ghost lore, and his unique ability to breathe visual life into even the strangest of legends.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Finished (Seinen)
12. Dark Gathering
Dark Gathering is one of the strongest supernatural horror manga currently in serialization, and also one of the best shonen manga. It seamlessly blends traditional ghost stories, grotesque occult horror, and spiritual battle mechanics with deeply human character work and a sense of long-term narrative.
The story centers on Keitarou Gentouga, a college student who’s terrified of ghosts but unwillingly attuned to them. After an incident that left a friend spiritually maimed, Keitarou has lived in fear and isolation. That changes when he begins tutoring Yayoi, a stoic young genius with powerful spiritual sensitivity, but also a deeply personal reason for hunting down ghosts. Alongside Eiko, Keitarou’s obsessive childhood friend, the three begin a dark journey into haunted places and cursed phenomena.
Dark Gathering thrives on its ghost story roots. Each chapter introduces new spiritual encounters drawn from folklore and urban legend while slowly building toward a much larger occult mystery. The monsters are terrifying, often uniquely designed and steeped in disturbing lore. Despite its shonen label, the manga doesn’t shy away from graphic violence or bleak outcomes.
What makes it stand out, though, is the emotional investment it builds. Characters feel alive, and the manga isn’t afraid to slow down for their arcs. At the same time, the action is stylish, the pacing brisk, and the horror consistent.
If you’re looking for a horror manga that embraces the supernatural with intensity and flair, Dark Gathering should be at the top of your list.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Status: Ongoing (Shonen)
11. Shiki
Shiki is a slow-burning, morally complex vampire manga that takes the supernatural and turns it inward, asking not what monsters do, but what makes someone one.
From the very beginning, it’s clear that Shiki is a supernatural horror story. A mysterious family moves into a remodeled mansion in a remote mountain village, and soon after, people begin dying of anemia. While the townsfolk cling to denial, readers know better: something is wrong, and it’s not natural.
Adapted from Fuyumi Ono’s novel, Shiki, follows a large ensemble cast, most notably the village doctor, Ozaki, as he investigates the strange deaths. What begins as a mystery unravels into terror as the dead rise, transformed into vampires called Shiki. But Shiki isn’t interested in just scares. It slowly shifts from horror to tragedy, focusing on moral ambiguity, revenge, and the desperation to survive.
The art style, with its exaggerated character designs, can feel jarring, and the first half moves slowly. If you stick with it, however, the second half delivers some of the most harrowing and philosophically dense material in horror manga. The line between humans and monsters blurs, and the question arises: who are the true monsters?
What makes Shiki stand out is how it uses the supernatural not just to frighten, but to reflect on human nature. It’s a rare vampire manga that dares to portray both sides of the struggle with empathy. At the same time, it will still horrify you.
It may not be the easiest read, but Shiki is one of the most emotionally and ethically powerful supernatural horror manga ever written.
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Drama, Tragedy, Vampire
Status: Finished (Shonen)
10. Dandadan
Dandadan is chaos in its purest, most delightful form. While it’s not a traditional horror manga, its consistent use of supernatural folklore and terrifying yokai absolutely earns it a place on this list.
Created by Yukinobu Tatsu, a former assistant to Chainsaw Man’s Tatsuki Fujimoto, Dandadan throws ghosts, aliens, psychics, kaiju, and high school hijinks into a blender. The story kicks off when Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, two polar opposites, challenge each other to investigate haunted and alien-infested posts. Both turn out to be real. What follows is a genre-hopping thrill ride of spirits, monsters, and cosmic threats.
Where Dandadan shines as a supernatural horror manga is in its yokai and ghost encounters. Many of these moments are genuinely scary before erupting into high-energy battles. From the horrific grin of Turbo Granny to a haunting ballet dancer and beyond, Tatsu knowns how to evoke classic Japanese horror aesthetics before flipping into shonen spectacle.
The series thrives on unpredictability. One chapter might deliver school-life comedy, the next a brutal yokai showdown. And yet, it all works. The pacing is tight; the art is phenomenal, and the tone shifts never feel forced.
Yet, it leans heavily into action and absurdity, but Dandadan consistently returns to its supernatural core. The horror elements are always present, just wrapped in layers of genre fusion and momentum.
If you’re looking for a wild, stylish and genuinely creepy supernatural manga that refuses to sit still, Dandadan is one of the most exciting ongoing series out there.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Comedy, Action, Alien
Status: Ongoing (Shonen)
9. Mieruko-chan
Mieruko-chan stands out as one of the most original supernatural horror manga of the past decade and does so by doing almost nothing.
Miko Yotsuya is an ordinary high school girl with an extraordinary curse: she can see ghosts. Not just any ghosts, but twisted, screaming, grotesque abominations that cling to the living. But there’s a catch. She can’t let them know she sees them. If she reacts, they might strike.
That’s the brilliance of Mieruko-chan. It flips the usual ghost story formula on its head. Mike doesn’t fight back or run away; she simply endures. She goes about her daily life pretending not to see the horrors lurking all around her, trapped in a quiet nightmare only she can perceive.
The series blends deadpan slice-of-life comedy with moments of pure, visceral terror. One moment Miko’s chatting with one of her friends, the next she’s face-to-face with a skeletal phantom whispering in her ear. This tonal contrast gives the series its punch: you never know whether to laugh or shiver.
The ghost and yokai designs are phenomenal and among the best in modern horror manga. These spirits are imaginative and deeply unsettling: bloated, dripping, distorted, and rendered in extreme detail. Their grotesque presence is made even more jarring by the manga’s otherwise clean, cutesy aesthetic.
As the story progresses, Mieruko-chan gradually reveals a larger supernatural plot involving shrine spirits, curses, and ancient yokai. But it never loses sight of its core appeal: the quiet horror of pretending nothing’s wrong while surrounded by pure nightmare fuel.
Weird, funny, and utterly chilling, Mieruko-chan is a masterclass in supernatural horror with a psychological edge. One of the modern greats.
Genres: Horror, Comedy, Supernatural, Mystery, Slice of Life
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
8. The Summer Hikaru Died
The Summer Hikaru Died is one of the most emotionally resonant and thematically rich supernatural horror manga in recent years. Set in a quiet rural village, the story begins with a chilling realization: Yoshiki knows his best friend Hikaru has died, and something else is now wearing his face.
The manga wastes no time in revealing this terrifying truth. The new Hikaru remembers everything, speaks the same, and smiles just like the real one. Yet beneath the surface lies an eldritch being, a cosmic entity whose true form is an unsettling mass of shifting patterns, colors, and unknowable intentions. It’s a deeply effective use of cosmic horror, evoking dread not just through monstrosity, but emotional familiarity.
Yet the horror in The Summer Hikaru Died doesn’t just lie in Hikaru. It’s in Yoshiki’s response, his refusal to let go, and his need to preserve what remains, even when it isn’t human. The story delicately explores grief, love, and identity, creating moments of intimacy that are both touching and deeply unsettling.
The supernatural horror extends beyond Hikaru. As the story unfolds, we encounter ghosts and the legend of a local deity known as Nounuki-sama. These folkloric elements ground the manga in a rich spiritual world, blending traditional Japanese ghost lore with cosmic terror and coming-of-age melancholy.
Mokumokuren’s art is beautiful and eerie. It’s crisp, emotional, and capable of both quiet stillness and surreal horror.
The Summer Hikaru Dies is more than a horror story. It’s a haunting tale of connection, memory, and things we choose to hold on to. A must-read for fans of supernatural horror with emotional weight.
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, BL
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
7. N
N is one of the most disturbing modern entries in the world of supernatural horror manga, offering a chilling blend of cryptic storytelling, urban legends, and surreal terror. Written by Kurumu Akumu and illustrated by Niko to Game, this manga thrives on atmosphere, and delivers fear through implication, distortion and quiet dread.
At first, N appears to be an anthology. Each chapter represents a different supernatural encounter: strange livestreams, mysterious disappearances, uncanny urban legends. But over time, a deeper narrative emerges, one centered on a secretive group known only as N. This hidden force appears to orchestrate the horrors behind the scenes, gradually tying together stories that initially feel disconnected.
The structure is intentionally fragmented but never aimless. Clues are dropped in small, eerie increments, rewarding attentive readers with subtle hints and overlapping details suggesting a larger mythology at play. The supernatural threats are varied but consistently terrifying.
The artwork is rough, even jagged at times, but this rawness becomes an asset. Sketchy lines and chaotic paneling create an unstable visual experience that amplifies tension. Faces twist unnaturally, environments feel strangely dreamlike or suffocating, and when the horror lands, it hits hard.
Though N is currently on hiatus, what’s available is more than enough to earn it a place among the best supernatural horror manga. It stands proudly beside Fuan no Tane and PTSD Radio, continuing Japan’s tradition of psychological, folklore-infused horror in a modern, digital age.
If you want a short but deeply unsettling read, N is a must-read.
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Psychological
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
6. Nikubami Honegishimi
Nikubami Honegishimi is one of the most promising supernatural horror manga currently running. It’s a dark, layered tale that fuses urban legends, psychic phenomena and grotesque monsters across two timelines.
The story begins in 1999, when eccentric occult magazine editor Inubosaki and her photographer partner Asama investigate bizarre paranormal cases across Japan. Each incident, whether involving vengeful spirits, cursed objects, or local legends, feels like a self-contained horror story, yet there’s an eerie thread connecting them all. Flash forward to 2023, and Inubosaki’s nephew, haunted by her mysterious death, seeks out Asama, now a grizzled psychic, for answers. What unfolds is a dual narrative that steadily peels back a disturbing larger mystery.
At first glance, Nikubami Honegishimi feels episodic, but beneath the surface is a tightly coiled supernatural conspiracy. The pacing is deliberate, letting tension simmer. Rather than rely on gore or shock value, the horror emerges through mood, folklore, and the uncanny.
Visually, the art takes some getting used to. It’s sketchy and exaggerated, especially in its character expressions. Inubosaki’s cat-like features verge on the cartoonish. The true standout, however, is the creature design. When the monsters appear, they are nightmarish: abstract, warped, and crawling with menace. The unsettling textures and surreal distortions make for some of the most memorable horror visuals in recent manga.
It’s still early in its run, but Nikubami Honegishimi is already shaping up to be a standout in the genre. For fans of occult mysteries, slow-burning dread, and unconventional horror art, this is one supernatural horror manga you don’t want to miss.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
5. 6000
6000 is a deep-sea nightmare that strays from typical ghost stories and yokai lore, but make no mistake: this is supernatural horror through and through. Set aboard a research facility, 6000 meters below the ocean’s surface, this claustrophobic manga delivers some of the most unsettling imagery and atmosphere in the genre.
The story begins with a new crew being sent down to investigate a series of unexplained deaths and malfunctions in the facility. Once they descend, reality begins to dissolve. Hallucinations plague the crew, grotesque corpses appear, and something ancient and incomprehensible is waiting. It’s a presence that feels straight out of cosmic horror.
Visually, 6000 is a standout. The rough, inky art style and scratchy linework contribute to a persistent sense of unease. Shadows loom large, environments feel suffocating, and the panel transitions are often disorienting, mirroring the psychological unraveling of the characters.
The storytelling leans heavily on visual atmosphere, requiring the reader to piece things together, adding to the surreal dread that permeates every chapter.
While it may not offer traditional ghosts or yokai, 6000 delves into the supernatural via hallucinations, and the suggestion of Lovecraftian forces far beyond human comprehension. It’s an eerie, disorienting read that prioritizes mood over exposition.
This is one of the most visually unique and psychologically disturbing horror manga. If you’re a fan of cosmic horror or horror rooted in paranoia and isolation, 6000 is an underrated gem.
Genres: Horror, Psychological, Survival, Cosmic Horror
Status: Finished (Seinen
4. Yuuan no Kanata
Yuuan no Kanata is one of the strongest supernatural horror manga in years, and easily one of my personal favorites. First serialized in 2023, it follows Kanata, a woman who, after surviving a traumatic event, loses her ability to feel fear. Now emotionally numb, she chases terrifying experiences in hopes of finally being scared again.
The series is structured episodically, presenting a wide array of ghostly encounters. Some chapters follow Kanata directly, while others shift to different characters: a live-streamer haunted by spirits, a skeptical journalist investigating a curse, a grieving father who is haunted by his dead family. All are gradually drawn into Kanata’s orbit, tying their stories into the larger mystery surrounding her.
Visually, Yuuan no Kanata is stunning. The supernatural entities are drenched in black ink and grotesque in detail, often emerging violently from the background with a palpable sense of menace. The contrast between the grounded, realistic world and these nightmarish beings creates some of the most memorable scares in recent horror manga.
Thematically, the series explores how people process fear, whether by denying it, confronting it, or being consumed by it. Kanata’s emotional detachment offers a fresh lens through which to view horror, and glimpses into her backstory suggest a deeper trauma at the heart of the narrative.
With its atmospheric tone, top-tier artwork, and terrifying encounters, Yuuan no Kanata is a standout. It’s a must-read for fans of slow-burning supernatural horror, and one of the most promising ongoing horror manga today. If you haven’t started it yet, you’re missing out.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
3. Fuan no Tane
Fuan no Tane is arguably the definitive supernatural horror manga. Created by Masaaki Nakayama, this minimalist gem comprises dozens of micro-horror stories rooted in Japanese urban legends, ghost sightings, and local superstitions. There’s no plot, no recurring characters, and often no dialog, just distilled fear.
Each chapter is only a few pages long. The setup is deceptively mundane: a glance through a window, an off feeling in a hallway, or a lonely road at night. Then, without warning, something unsettling happens: a ghostly hand reaching out, a face contorting, a figure appearing where it shouldn’t. And that’s it. The story ends, usually at the peak of the scares, leaving your imagination to do the rest.
What makes Fuan no Tane so powerful is its mastery of atmosphere and timing. The horror never needs to be explained; it just is. This captures the essence of Japanese ghost stories better than perhaps any other manga. The scares are brief but jarring, and the lingering unease they leave behind is unforgettable.
Nakayama’s art balances grounded realism with sudden bursts of the grotesque. Distorted faces, empty eyes, and twisted apparitions haunt the page, made even more chilling by stark contrast and tight paneling.
While some stories verge on weird or darkly comic, most hit with pure supernatural horror. The original series was followed by two sequels, Fuan no Tane+ and Fuan no Tane*, both continuing the same eerie format.
If you’re looking for a manga that leans entirely into ghost horror and urban legend scares, this is a must-read. Fuan no Tane doesn’t just belong on a supernatural horror list; it defines the genre.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Psychological (Shonen)
Status: Finished (Shonen)
2. DRCL Midnight Children
DRCL Midnight Children is arguably the most visually stunning horror manga on this list, possibly even the most beautiful manga currently in publication. Created by Shinichi Sakamoto, this gothic reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a surreal, poetic, and dreamlike descent into supernatural horror.
Set at Whitby School, where a girl named Mina becomes the first female student, the story begins grounded in themes of isolation and social tension. Things unravel into darkness with the arrival of Count Dracula, who brings with him corruption, obsession, and a monstrous evil that infects Mina’s closest friend, Lucy.
Sakamoto’s art is breathtaking. From shadow-drenched graveyards to grotesque vampire transformations, every panel is composed with painterly precision. His unconventional panel layouts, sweeping compositions, and fluid sequencing lend the manga an otherworldly rhythm. It’s like watching a gothic nightmare unfold in slow motion. Even its most horrifying moments feel hypnotic.
Narratively, DRCL Midnight Children leans heavily into metaphor, dream logic, and non-linear structure. Scenes blur between memory and hallucination, and the narrative often shifts into lyrical, almost theatrical inner monolog. It’s deliberately challenging, but that’s part of its immersive power. You don’t just read DRCL Midnight Children; you drift through it.
This isn’t a straightforward vampire manga. It’s gothic horror at its most sensual and symbolically rich, an eerie, elegant tribute to Dracula that trades traditional jump scares for existential dread and sublime terror.
If you’re looking for haunting supernatural horror elevated to high art, DRCL Midnight Children is a must-read. It’s a modern masterpiece in the making.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Vampire, Fantasy, Drama
Status: Ongoing (Seinen)
1. PTSD Radio
If Fuan no Tane is the definitive supernatural horror manga, then PTSD Radio is its evolution. It’s more ambitious, more grotesque, and arguably even more terrifying.
Also created by Masaaki Nakayama, PTSD Radio at first appears to be another anthology of unconnected urban ghost stories. Chapters are brief, some just a page or two, and drop readers straight into eerie, inexplicable encounters. The longer you read, though, a pattern emerges. Hair becomes the unlikely recurring motif. Whether it’s spectral strands reaching out for people, ghostly figures made of hair, or characters driven mad by it, the manga slowly introduces a chilling overarching presence: the God of Hair.
The entity is never fully explained, yet its influence creeps into nearly every chapter. This loose but persistent thread ties the manga together, building a slow-burning sense of dread that only deepens with each volume. Unlike Fuan no Tane, PTSD Radio doesn’t just scare; it haunts.
Visually, Nakayama has evolved significantly. His realistic art style is more polished here, and the horror sequences are far more detailed, grotesque, and disturbing. The use of contrasts, body distortion, and uncanny composition makes for some of the most nightmarish panels in modern horror manga.
PTSD Radio excels at bite-sized scares, but what makes it stand out is the lingering paranoia it cultivates. As the stories unfold, you feel like something is watching, something with long, black strands.
This is one of the best supernatural horror manga ever made. If you’re a fan of episodic ghost stories that gradually evolve into something mythic and unforgettable, PTSD Radio is a must-read.
Genres: Horror, Supernatural, Mystery
Status: On Hiatus (Seinen)
