Highlights
- Several new horror manga have been released in 2023, adding to the already vast genre.
- Authors such as Takuya Okada, Maru Mitsuchiyo, Itsuki Tsutsui, and Sui Ishida have all contributed to the horror manga landscape with their unique and terrifying storylines.
- These new manga explore supernatural phenomena, mummies, internet urban legends, and horrifying apartment complexes, catering to the diverse interests of horror fans.
From paranormal frights to eerie mysteries, the horror genre encompasses many facets that have readers coming back for more. Despite petrifying affairs populating these narratives, the fanbase for these specific storylines has witnessed a steep increase. Much of this success can be attributed to mangaka such as Junjo Ito, known for defining much of today’s horror manga landscape.
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These anime all depict sickening, horrific mutations and deformations happening to the human body.
Considering their rampant popularity, it comes as no surprise that several new horror manga have sprouted throughout 2023, adding more flavor to an already-vast genre. Be it newer collections of Junjo Ito’s works or fresh stories from novice mangaka, 2023 has been a fruitful year for this prolific niche.
5 Dobutsu Ningen
AniList Rating: 7/10
Release Date | Feb 10, 2023 |
Author | Takuya Okada |
Genres | Supernatural, Suspense |
Dobutsu Ningen takes on the bizarre side of horror with its novel take on the supernatural. After a father and daughter nearly escape death in a horrible car accident, the two find themselves in a world different from their own, one inhabited by animal-like humans. The two are entirely at the mercy of these creatures, as there seems to be no way out for the hopeless family.
Mysterious horrors await the father-daughter duo as they navigate through an odd mansion filled with these bizarre creatures. Author Takuya Okada has a few horror works under his belt, and Dobutsu Ningen embodies all of his horror flair. Despite being a newer entry to 2023's horror lineup, the manga has been picked up by avid horror fans, reflecting the nuances of its narrative.
4 Jinrui-Shoku
My-Anime-List Rating: 6.67/10
Release Date | Feb 28, 2023 |
Author | Maru Mitsuchiyo |
Genres | Supernatural |
Despite being a newer addition to the horror genre, Jinrui-Shoku has made rounds within 2023's horror lineup. The manga brings back the concept of mummies and mummified creatures, as the premise revolves around mysterious corpses that begin sprouting throughout town. Dubbed "Mummily-sans," these dainty creatures become a topic of supernatural debate, stirring fear and horror in the populace.
The story follows Seita, who finds himself in the midst of this horror phenomenon after his loved ones start acting mummy-like. Seita teams up with a detective to get to the bottom of this supernatural mystery, marking the beginning of his horror-laden journey. Author Maru Mitsuchiyo might be a new name within the horror genre, yet he has dabbled in this niche before, making Jinrui-Shoku a much more refined work than its supernatural predecessors.
3 Kisaragi Ibun
My-Anime-List Rating: 6.7/10
Release Date | Jan 25, 2023 |
Author | Itsuki Tsutsui |
Genres | Drama, Mystery, Supernatural |
Kisaragi Ibun follows an internet-obsessed girl named Nagisa who actively engages in forums related to supernatural mysteries and urban legends. However, Nagisa meets the unexpected after she sees a mysterious girl from an urban legend on an internet forum. Suddenly, she finds herself in the infamous Kisaragi Station, a site of otherworldly horrors and unexplained mysteries.
Nagisa must run from eldritch monsters and find the truth behind these unraveling mysteries, turning her regular life into a horror-imbued adventure. Bizarre events take place in this realm, though the initial events seem to be tied to the myths and urban legends populated on the internet. Mangaka Itsuki Tsutsui is no stranger to the world of bizarre horrors, a fact that is vividly reflected throughout Kisragu Ibun's storyline.
2 Choujin X
My-Anime-List Rating: 7.37/10
Release Date | February 21, 2023 (Viz Media) |
Author | Sui Ishida |
Genres | Action, Supernatural |
Penned by the famed Sui Ishida, Choujin X is set in a town ravaged by Choujins – supernatural beings that must be avoided at all costs. However, two kids, Azuma and Tokio, inject themselves with a drug that turns them into these horrid creatures. While Azuma suffers no side effects from the drug, Tokio changes into a bird-like appearance, resembling Choijins. Stuck in this state, Tokio must hide his identity, running from both humans and monsters alike.
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These horror anime series are not only great on their own but also feature strong and iconic female leads at the forefront.
While Choujin X was initially serialized in 2021 for Japanese audiences, its English version was finally serialized and published in 2023 under the Viz Media label. Choujin X is similar to Sui Ishida’s supernatural horror work Tokyo Ghoul, though he ups the ante on horror elements for this manga-only horror story.
1 Grimace
Manga-Updates Rating: 6.2/10
Release Date | Jan 31, 2023 |
Author | Hiroki Katsumata |
Genres | Supernatural, Mystery |
Grimace is a newly serialized horror manga with an oddly eerie narrative, one bound to force even horror veterans to quiver in fear. Grimace initially follows the Shirotani family and their new life in a recently rented apartment complex. However, things soon go awry as they learn about an odd rule followed by all residents – everyone must smile in front of the owner. What initially seems like a harmless oddity turns out to be a devilish ordeal, throwing the Shirotani family into a harrowing affair.
Escape is impossible for those who dare to defy this cardinal rule, and a grim fate awaits those unfortunate enough to disobey. Grimace is a body-horror manga in the truest sense, with an eerily macabre narrative. Author Hiroki Katsumata may not be a recurring name in the horror manga landscape, though Grimace’s success will likely change that narrative.