4 Chilling Manga to Read this Halloween

Every Halloween season, I regret that I cannot partake in the standard horror movie marathons, haunted houses, and even corn mazes. My weak little heart can’t handle it and I’m much more inclined toward drinks with friends and costumes borderlining on cosplay rather than horror. However, I can still read horror or psychological thriller manga that helps me get into that spooky spirit. Here are four manga recommendations for this Halloween if you’re like me–someone who enjoys more of a thriller genre with some good humor along the way.

Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano

Trigger warning: Sexual assault, suicide, self-harm, murder

Not knowing what I was getting into at all, this story starts out with a strangely illustrated character, Punpun, as an elementary schooler in a life that quickly gets weird. Without even realizing it, we are pulled along his journey as he struggles with identity and mental health issues such as depression throughout his life. At times, the art style makes me laugh and the situations are hilariously awkward. However, there are times the art style sends chills down my spine and the horrific things that ensue are haunting. Facing failure after failure, Punpun’s life spirals constantly downward to tragic ends that even leave the ‘happy ending’ with a bad taste in my mouth. Although a quick google search will label this tale as nothing more than a coming-of-age story, it’s something so much darker and twisted then one would imagine.

Ajin: Demi-human by Gamon Sakurai

Trigger warning: death, torture, mass murder

Our first dark fantasy and supernatural thriller on the list begins its story with the death of our main character, Nagai Kei. However, unbeknownst to him, he is an Ajin, a term used to describe a human that possesses immortality and is able to heal fatal wounds within seconds. Not only that but they also have certain abilities, such as the “black ghost” that be controlled and used as murderous weapons. Torture, death, and acts of terrorism are common themes in this series as our hero Nagai Kei struggles with adapting to life as an Ajin and dealing with Sato, his archenemy and fellow Ajin, who wants the world to burn. Although this story does not contain any humor, its terrifying elements and the complex storytelling balance out the horror offering a more rounded read.

Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida

Trigger warning: death, torture, cannabalism

This story deals with what I consider to be the ultimate sin, as commonly portrayed in manga and anime, the consumption of humans. Unlike stories like Demon Slayer which can hardly be described as horror or Attack on Titan which is an action story with tall naked people, this story deals with ghouls. Ghouls are human-like creatures who feed on the flesh of humans and have the ability to wield a kagune. This is a predatory organ made of their blood that can be hidden in their bodies or called out at will and can be used in battle against humans or ghouls alike. The plot is centered around Ken Kaneki who was originally a human but turned into a ghoul as part of an elaborate plan which he later reveals. But in the process, he faces the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul) and their investigators who hunt and kill ghouls, as well as factions of other ghouls who only want to eat. Struggling between the morality of what is right and what is wrong, as well as who is allowed to live and who isn’t, Ken Kaneki’s mental health breaks as he faces tourture and death. This manga left me constantly at the edge of my seat while also captivated by the artstyle. This is a high recommendation on any manga list, especially for the spooky season.

Alive: The Final Evolution by Tadashi Kawashima & Adachitoka

Trigger warning: Suicide, murder, aliens

This is another shocking supernatural story that reveals a race of immortal aliens as they find earth and seek out what they have so longed for. Death. Their death is only attainable through the suicide of the humans they possess which triggers a series of thousands of suicides all over the world. Our main character is Taisuke Kanou, one of many who were able to resist the urges to commit suicide, and instead obtained the immortal and supernatural abilities of the alien possessing him. These humans are known as “Comrades” and instead begin a killing spree of innocent humans. Taisuke is a headstrong, ‘power of friendship’ kind of character who is fighting to save his friends and his loved ones by trying to understand what is happening, and battling Comrades who only seek to kill. Out of all the recommendations, this story is the most rounded in terms of humor, horror, and an easily understandable plot. It’s a story full of tragedy but somehow got some laughs out of me and a settling sense of peace at the end.

Edited by Rochele King.