If you’re a manga fan, you probably know by now that the world of manga is extremely diverse. Manga titles can be classified according to the targeted demographics, as well as different genres, but the borders are often blurred and unclear. Regardless of any of these categories, though, manga titles tend to be very dark from time to time, and for different reasons. In this article, we are going to bring you a list of the 25 darkest manga titles you should read.
Editor’s Note: This list was updated in January 2024 with some new additions.
1. Uzumaki
‘Uzumaki’ is a horror manga written and illustrated by Junji Ito. The story revolves around the fictional town of Kurôzu-cho, where strange and supernatural events begin to unfold. The town becomes cursed by spirals, and the residents are gradually consumed by an obsession with the spiral shape. The curse manifests in various disturbing ways, leading to grotesque transformations and psychological horror.
2. Homunculus
Manabu Ito and Susumu Nakoshi embark on an unconventional arrangement when Susumu agrees to undergo trepanation in exchange for financial support. This procedure unlocks a newfound ability, the sixth sense, in Susumu’s Sensitive Homunculus, leading to intriguing developments in their lives.”
3. Tokyo Ghoul
Story of Tokyo Ghoul takes place in well, Tokyo. Ken Kaneki’s life takes a drastic turn when he becomes a half-human, half-ghoul hybrid after a ghoul attack. Struggling to adapt to his new identity, he joins the café ‘L’Antique,’ a haven for ghouls, where he learns to survive without preying on humans. As he navigates the complex world of ghouls and humans, Ken becomes entangled in a violent conflict between the CCG, determined to eradicate ghouls, and the ruthless Aogiri Tree, an organization of powerful ghouls.
4. King of Thorn
In a world plagued by the deadly Medusa virus, a private company named Véga offers a solution—cryogenic sleep until a cure is found. Kasumi and Shizuku, twins both infected with Medusa, enter the lottery for cryonics. Only Kasumi is chosen, and as she enters a deep sleep, the world changes. When Kasumi awakens, along with 159 others, they discover giant brambles and a discrepancy in time—what felt like two days to them was much longer in reality.
5. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied follows the story of Lucy, a Diclonius, a mutated humanoid with telekinetic powers and deadly vectors. Lucy escapes from a research facility, leaving a trail of bloodshed, and ends up with amnesia after suffering a head injury. She is discovered by two young cousins, Kouta and Yuka, who take her in. As Lucy tries to regain her memories, dark secrets from her past are revealed, and the series explores themes of discrimination, revenge, and the consequences of human cruelty.
6. Hellsing
Hellsing revolves around the Hellsing organization, led by Sir Integra Hellsing, dedicated to protecting the queen and the country from supernatural threats. The team includes Walter C. Dornez and Alucard, a powerful vampire captured by the Hellsing family. Seras Victoria, a former policewoman turned vampire, joins their ranks. Together, they combat various supernatural foes to ensure the safety of the realm.
7. PandoraHearts
PandoraHearts follows Oz Vessalius, heir to the prestigious Vessalius family, who is unexpectedly cast into the Abyss during his coming-of-age ceremony. Partnering with B-Rabbit, a Chain from this parallel world, he seeks a way back to his reality. As Oz embarks on his quest for answers, he discovers connections between his alleged crime and the lost memories of B-Rabbit, also known as Alice. Alongside loyal companions, including Gil, his servant, Oz unravels century-old mysteries, aiming to uncover the truth about his world.
8. DEATH NOTE
Death Note follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who discovers a mysterious notebook, the Death Note, which grants the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Skeptical at first, Light tests its abilities and decides to use it to eliminate criminals, aspiring to create a utopia where he reigns as a god. As Light gains control over the Death Note, the unexplained deaths attract the attention of Interpol and the elusive detective L. The story unfolds as a high-stakes game of wits between Light and L, with the world watching the battle between justice and a self-proclaimed god.
9. The Flowers of Evil
The story revolves around Takao Kasuga, a literature enthusiast drawn to Les Fleurs du Mal by Charles Baudelaire. In an impulsive act, Takao steals his crush Nanako Saeki’s tracksuit, but is caught by the peculiar and isolated Sawa Nakamura. Nakamura blackmails Takao into a contract to keep his secret, setting off a chain of events that have profound consequences on their families, school, and the entire city. The narrative explores the repercussions of the characters’ actions, unraveling a complex web of relationships and societal influences.
10. Berserk
Berserk unfolds the tale of Guts and Griffith, the leader of the Falcon Troop, a mercenary group in the service of the kingdom of Midland. Their meeting sparks an ambiguous yet efficient friendship. Guts, a formidable warrior with an oversized sword, becomes crucial to the ambitious Griffith’s plans. The manga chronicles the ascent and downfall of the Falcon Troop, delving into the intricate dynamics between Guts and Griffith—a complex interplay of mutual interest, respect, and deep, unexplainable affection, as they navigate the challenges of their intertwined destinies.
11. Vagabond
In the aftermath of the pivotal Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, Shinmen Takezo, the son of a revered samurai, strives to survive at any cost. Facing rejection from his hometown for his perceived desertion, he embarks on a relentless journey with a singular goal—to become the greatest samurai in Japan. Vagabond unfolds as a profound initiation manga, guiding the protagonist, now known as Miyamoto Musashi, through self-discovery and a pursuit of mastery in the way of the sword. Renouncing his past, he challenges formidable adversaries, caught in a deadly spiral while grappling with his love for Otsu, his childhood friend.
12. 🢒M⊙NS†ER🢐
In Düsseldorf, 1986, the gifted Japanese neurosurgeon Kenzo Tenma saves the life of Johan Liebert, a child found with a bullet wound to the head. This compassionate act leads to a shift in Tenma’s social standing, as he is criticized for prioritizing Johan over the town’s mayor during the operation. Subsequently, the Liebert twins, Johan and Anna, mysteriously vanish. As unsettling crimes unfold in the hospital, Tenma finds himself entangled in a complex web involving his main adversaries.
13. Parasyte
Parasyte follows the story of Shinichi Izumi, a high school student whose life takes a dark turn when parasitic aliens invade Earth. These parasites infiltrate human bodies, taking control of their hosts to survive and feed on other humans. However, Shinichi manages to prevent a parasite from taking over his brain, resulting in it occupying his right hand instead.
Now coexisting with the parasite, named Migi, Shinichi must navigate a world where dangerous parasitic beings pose a threat to humanity. The series explores themes of identity, morality, and the struggle for survival as Shinichi and Migi form an uneasy alliance to combat the parasitic threat.
14. Pet Shop of Horrors
Pet Shop of Horrors revolves around Count D, the enigmatic manager of an exotic pet shop in Los Angeles’s Chinatown. Count D sells peculiar animals to customers under contracts with three crucial clauses, each with dire consequences if broken. These consequences are tailored to the buyer’s conflicts and problems. The series explores standalone stories in individual chapters, with characters introduced in each, emphasizing the episodic nature of the series. Detective Leon Orcot becomes a recurring character, initially suspecting the pet shop’s criminal activities but gradually developing an unlikely friendship with Count D as he seeks the truth.
15. Vinland Saga
Vinland Saga is a historical manga series that delves into the Viking Age and follows the life of Thorfinn, a young and skilled warrior seeking revenge for his father’s murder. The story begins with Thorfinn serving under the mercenary leader Askeladd, who is responsible for his father’s death. As Thorfinn grows, the narrative explores themes of war, honor, and the pursuit of a peaceful land known as Vinland.
16. CLAYMORE
In the world of Claymore, humans coexist with demonic creatures called Yōma, who disguise themselves as humans. To combat this threat, a secretive organization creates female warriors known as Claymores. Armed with enormous swords, these warriors, recognizable by their silver eyes, hunt down and eliminate Yōma. The story follows these Claymores, exploring the challenges they face, their unique abilities, and the complex dynamics between humans and the supernatural in this dark fantasy world.
17. Mirai Nikki
In Mirai Nikki, Yukiteru Amano, a solitary boy, escapes his social isolation through imagination. His imaginary friend, Deus ex Machina, offers him a chance to participate in a survival game where contestants with future diaries must eliminate each other. Yukiteru’s diary predicts the future, and he discovers that Yuno Gasai, a classmate, also possesses a future diary. The game unfolds as participants use their diaries to outsmart each other, with the ultimate prize being the chance to become the successor to Deus. The story explores themes of survival, competition, and the consequences of possessing knowledge of the future.
18. Dorohedoro
In a fantasy world divided into three realms—Hole, a degraded metropolis; the sorcerers’ world, a magical kingdom; and hell—Dorohedoro explores the lives of humans and sorcerers, two distinct species. Created by the primeval demon Chidaruma, sorcerers possess unique circulatory systems allowing them to produce magic-infused smoke. The story delves into the contrasting environments, magical abilities, and societal dynamics, with sorcerers having diverse powers, from healing to controlling time. As the series unfolds, it navigates the complexities and interactions between these realms and the individuals inhabiting them.
In the city of Ergastulum, Nicolas Brown and Warwick Arcangelo, a pair of contract killers with contrasting personalities, navigate their lives as hired hands in a city ruled by mafia and gangs. Nicolas, a taciturn and secretive individual, is deaf, while Warwick is flamboyant and a womanizer. Their routine takes an unexpected turn when they encounter Alex, a prostitute seeking to break free from the criminal underworld. As the story unfolds, Alex discovers Nicolas’s unique status as a “twilight” or “indexed,” leading to new challenges and revelations for the trio.
20. The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection
The Junji Ito Horror Comic Collection refers to a compilation of works by Junji Ito, a renowned Japanese horror manga artist. Junji Ito is known for his distinctive style and ability to create unsettling and chilling stories. The collection typically includes a variety of short horror stories, each showcasing Ito’s mastery of creating atmospheric and psychologically disturbing narratives.
21. The Record of a Fallen Vampire
Over a millennium ago, the vampire queen Adelheid’s terrifying powers almost brought about the world’s destruction. Imprisoned by humans led by Maria Saberhagen, the great master of spiritual energy, they await the strength to end her existence. The vampire king, relentless in his pursuit, abandons his crown for the sole purpose of seeking Adelheid. A relentless war ensues between Rose-Red Strauss and her ally Lætitia against the dhampirs led by Bridget. The Vampire King faces formidable enemies, including the recurring threat of the Black Swan—a spell reincarnating in each new generation of young women, with powers escalating over time, posing an ultimate challenge for the king.
22. Battle Royale
In the Republic of Greater Asia, an alternate Japan, the Battle Royale law selects a high school class each year for a deadly competition called “The Program.” Students must kill each other until only one survivor remains, with explosive collars ensuring compliance. The story follows Shiroiwa High School’s Class 3-B, comprised of 21 boys and 21 girls, on an evacuated island. The students split into factions—those resisting the game and those embracing it. Rebels seek ways to defy the government, while others form groups and employ various strategies, including a failed attack on the command center, leading to a grim outcome.
Koichi Toki, an ordinary salaryman, experiences a twist in his mundane life during a work trip to an internet cafe. There, he reunites with an ex-classmate. Suddenly, a mysterious event occurs, trapping them and other customers in a place that isn’t Japan. The group faces challenges, misunderstandings, and escalating emotions as they strive to survive. Amidst the turmoil, Toki’s relationship with his friend develops, adding a layer of complexity to their struggle for survival in this enigmatic and unfamiliar environment.
24. I Am a Hero
Hideo Suzuki, a former mangaka seeking a fresh start, aims to regain success with a new manga. His goal is to buy a house for a shared future with his girlfriend, Tekko, also a mangaka. However, he remains oblivious to the emerging epidemic turning people into bloodthirsty monsters. As the infection spreads across Japan, and potentially worldwide, Hideo must navigate the chaos, trying to survive amidst the destruction of Japanese society. The outbreak brings a horde of infected and survivors, many of whom have abandoned their humanity, adding complexity to Hideo’s struggle for survival.
25. Chainsaw Man
In a world where demons manifest from human fears, their power is fueled by the intensity of corresponding fears in human consciousness. Individuals can form contracts with demons, harnessing their powers. Demon hunters, specializing in capturing and utilizing demons, play a crucial role in this dynamic. The demons, originating from Hell, undergo a continuous cycle of rebirth between Earth and Hell. Primal Fears, immensely powerful demons residing in Hell, have never faced death. The transition between the two realms is overseen by the Devil of Hell.
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