This is the best manga I’ve read so far this year! I loved the horror of it. The fear of a woman whom seemed to turn up around every corner. The slow peeling away of the mystery of who she really was and what she was doing, but still having that fear of what she really wanted.

This is horror done right. Immersing you in the situation and over time revealing what there is to truly fear. It was beautifully illustrated and I loved my time reading it.

If you love horror in the vein of Junji Ito’s work you will love Hauntress.

Giving this one 2.5 ⭐️ rounded up!

College student Hiroshi hears a woman continuously ringing his neighbors doorbell. Curiosity gets the best of him, and he decides to open his door and take a look at who is at his neighbors door. He soon realizes that maybe he shouldn’t have opened the door.

I feel this one fell just a bit short for me unfortunately. The story was hard to follow at times, and I think that played into making me feel this way. I did find some redeeming creepy moments which I enjoyed. When it came to the art style, it wasn’t really for me but I do feel some of the panels actually benefited from the art style to achieve an eeriness.

I did take in to account that this is a 30 year old story (published in 1993), that has been translated into English for the first time, and I can see how that would make the art style and even the story in some aspects feel “dated”. What I find really interesting is this story is credited with introducing the idea of stalking to Japan, and I think that does add to the fear factor considering people in Japan probably never considered this an issue until reading. Although this story was not particularly for me, I feel if you find stalker stories especially scary and want a short, quick read then this would be for you!

Thank you NetGalley for sending this my way in exchange for an honest review.

love a revenge story, this graphic novel was gripping i kept turning the pages to know the ending
so i found the ghost woman kinda cool, I mean she was here to get a revenge for the living girl she used to be, and for that, slay !
*keep in mind that my opinion is entirely based on my own experience as a kid who was bullied at school.*

thank you net galley for the copy

Hauntress is a supernatural ghost story about a woman who knocks on someone’s door to no answer. Night after night the neighbor can’t stand the constant knocking on the other apartments door, so he finally confronts the mysterious (and quite scary woman) and this leads to her newfound obsession with him. What is her motive? Was she knocking on the neighbors door as a ploy to get this young man to open his?

A great manga and a classic for a reason. This was thrilling and a little scary. Loved it from beginning to the end. Will check out more from this author.

I was okay with this graphic novel but I felt it was a little lacking. Part of that could be that the original print was in the 90s and was just translated, so we’ve seen so much horror since then, but I was left wanting a little more. I felt the characters could have more background to know them a little more and the ending felt abrupt and left me wondering what really happened. That could be the point of course but the shift in the POV just threw that ending off a little.. It definitely was unsettling though and was quick read if you’re in a reading slump or wanting to get just a little creepy read in.

This book is an absolute visual and atmospheric masterpiece. The grotesque, gothic art style, combined with a touch of horror, immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Every page is filled with endless details, and the way the illustrations capture facial expressions is simply flawless.

Now, let’s talk about the monster — it is truly terrifying! The design is so unsettling that I literally thought, "Oh my god, stay away from me, woman!" (while making the sign of the cross). It’s the kind of eerie presence that sticks with you long after you close the book.

As for the story, it’s both simple and complex at the same time. Confusing? Yes. But that’s what makes it intriguing. It’s one of those narratives that demand a second (or even third) read to fully grasp its deeper meaning.

If you enjoy dark, haunting visuals and stories that make you think, this book is definitely worth picking up. Just be prepared—you might not sleep well after meeting that monster!

Hauntress is a seminal comic that has undoubtedly left its fingerprints on Japanese urban legends. I'm almost certain that the woman in Senritsu Kaiki File Kowasugi File 01: Operation Capture the Slit-Mouthed Woman (a horror mockumentary released in 2013) was inspired by the woman in Hauntress.

The premise of the story is straightforward. A young man meets a strange, towering woman who incessantly knocks on the door of his neighbor. The walls in the apartment are thin, and it's slowly driving him crazy. He asks her who she's looking for politely, and her attention falls onto him. The story then spirals into a case of obsessive stalking.

While the premise and art are fantastic, Hauntress shows its age. The characters are as flat as the pages they're drawn on. And the plot doesn't offer much meat either, ultimately culminating in an eerie but hollow way. Though that's not to say that Hauntress is without tension or scares. The mania and fixation of the Hauntress are top tier. Still, it's that potential that likely inspired so many urban legends, movies, mangas, and webcomics.

We certainly have better horror comics these days, but Hauntress is worth picking up if you enjoy the genre and history behind it. With that and the comic's age in mind, I rounded my review up from 3.5 to 4.

The artwork in this graphic novel is different from the typical graphic novels we usually see. There is less vibrancy, which helps give the overall dreadful mood to accompany the story. I enjoyed the art style, but not the story. I wasn't a fan of the main character.

#NetGalley #Hauntress

ohhhhhkay lets all sit together and think over this while we drink a hot drink and try being nice. i dnf’d this 19% in because its just…not my style. usually horror is a hit for me but something about this just wasnt doing anything for me. it felt like it was lacking something but i cant figure out what :/

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha Comics for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This story was so creepy in the most subtle way. It's like being afraid of something, but you're not quite sure what you're afraid of. Yes, there is a giant scary woman who apparently can't be killed that's stalking the main character, but the creepy factor extends beyond this detail. The atmosphere is really just incredible. Between the story and artwork it's a perfect combination to give those little creeps right up the spine.

I went into this completely blind and was so impressed! The creep factor was off the charts with visuals that were incredibly additional to the story. Super quick and enjoyable read with a great plot line

Unsettling Encounters: A Review of "Hauntress"

The eerie cover art of "Hauntress" initially drew me in, but it was the comic novel's masterful blend of psychological horror and supernatural mystery that truly captivated me. This gripping tale follows a college student beset by nocturnal visitations from a towering, enigmatic woman who appears impervious to harm.

As the narrative unfolds, the mysterious woman's actions become increasingly erratic, ratcheting up the tension to almost unbearable levels. The comic novel's atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the creeping sense of dread, making for a deeply unsettling reading experience.

What resonated with me was the author's thoughtful exploration of bullying in schools, adding a layer of poignancy to the narrative. However, the conclusion felt abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving me wanting more resolution to the chaotic events that had transpired.

Despite this, "Hauntress" remains a compelling and unnerving read, marking a memorable foray into Japanese horror comics for this reviewer. The author's deft handling of the genre's darker elements ensures that this haunting tale will linger long after the final page is turned.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for gifting me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing date: 25th February, 2025

In Hauntress, college student Hiroshi becomes the victim of a mysterious stalker who disrupts his life and won't leave him alone. This was originally published in 1993 and is now appearing in English for the first time.

It's interesting how prominently landlines feature in the plot. Strange as it sounds, it made me a bit nostalgic for the time when you couldn't reach someone unless they happened to be at home. The young romance subplot was nice and sweet until things turned bad later. I liked that Hiroshi and his friend regret being bullies in elementary school, although it's strange that it hadn't occurred to them that bullying is bad until they reached college.

I was disappointed that only the first few pages appeared in color. Most of this is black and white. The title of the story led me to believe it would be a supernatural horror story, but it's unclear whether the stalker is supernatural or not. The story wasn't spooky like I was expecting. The ending also disappointed me because it left our main character's viewpoint and veered off into a different direction.

Review of Hauntress by Minetarō Mochizuki
Hauntress, a psychological horror manga published in 1993, is an extraordinary work that blends urban legend, psychological terror, and nightmarish surrealism into a story that feels as timeless as it is chilling. The manga's ability to transform a seemingly simple concept—stalking—into an unrelenting and deeply disturbing exploration of fear is a testament to its brilliance. Though initially unaware of its cultural and artistic significance, I was enthralled by its originality, the depth of its narrative, and the unsettling beauty of its artwork.
The story unfolds with the introduction of a mysterious figure—a woman whose identity, origins, and motives are entirely unknown. The lack of context surrounding her character is not a narrative oversight but a masterstroke. By withholding her backstory, the author amplifies her terror. She is neither fully human nor monstrous, existing instead in an unnerving liminal space that defies comprehension. Her relentless stalking of the protagonist, Hiroshi, and his social circle transforms the mundane into a landscape of paranoia and dread.
This anonymity is one of the manga’s greatest strengths. In horror, overexplaining an entity or offering excessive detail about its origins can often dilute the fear it generates. By avoiding this pitfall, Hauntress preserves the enigmatic nature of its antagonist, leaving the reader to grapple with their own interpretations of her existence. The narrative does not just ask questions; it offers no answers. Where does she live? What motivates her actions? Why are her victims chosen? These uncertainties mirror the helplessness and confusion of the characters within the story, deepening the reader's anticipation
The psychological horror is heightened by the manga’s refusal to provide closure. Much like the protagonist never learns what happened to Yamamoto, a neighbor who was seemingly her previous victim, the reader is left in a state of suspended horror, unable to fully grasp Hiroshi’s fate. The events unfold with a dreamlike inevitability, and the ambiguity is deliberate and masterful. This lack of resolution is not a flaw but a feature of the story’s brilliance. The terror is not only in what happens but in what remains unknown, feeding the creeping dread that lingers long after the final page.
Hauntress excels in its ability to weave psychological horror with the folklore-like quality of an urban legend. The story does not merely end; it leaves a void that feels intentional, as though the events have passed into myth. The transformation of Hiroshi's ordeal into an unsolvable mystery echoes the way real-life tragedies are often obscured by time and retelling, evolving into legends that retain their power to unsettle.
Hauntress is a masterpiece of psychological horror. It avoids the traps of predictability and cliché, delivering an experience that is both deeply disturbing and profoundly intriguing. The manga’s ability to maintain suspense, mystery, and terror without resorting to over-explanation is a rare achievement. Its timeless quality and artistic merit make it essential reading for fans of horror and manga alike.
This is a story that lingers, haunting you long after you’ve put it down—just like the titular character herself.

A young man hears a woman knocking on his neighbor's door. Waiting for him to answer, leads to him finally opening his door and letting her know that he's not there. She asks to use his phone and he foolishly lets her in. During school, he tries to hang out with friends and ask his crush out on a date, but he starts receiving phone calls from this strange woman. She is consistent in her contacting him, and finding him wherever he goes. It culminates with a fire, and then it's all just an urban legend... right? The black and white crosshatch style typical of manga adds an extra eeriness to this story, and every time there is a closeup of her face is a shock to the system. This story provides a great explanation for how an urban legend could start and is reminiscent of Junji Ito's style of story. Very well done at creating a creeping sensation of doom.

"Hauntress" by Minetaro Mochizuki is about a college student named Hiroshi being stalked by a woman with supernatural abilities. The woman is relentless and starts attacking people close to Hiroshi. The story becomes more twisted and unsettling the further you get into it! The artwork is creepy and adds to the unsettling nature of the manga.

I highly recommend this manga if you are a fan of horror and urban legends! Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics, for sending me a copy of

ahhh this was SO CREEPY, i loved it!! i read this at night to really get in the mood and i really enjoyed it. thank you so much for this galley !!

I love horror and thought this would be a great complement to my reading. It didn’t disappoint . Originally released in 1993, this graphic novel introduced the concept of stalking to Japanese culture. Keeping that in mind as I read the book gave the story a little more depth. Short, sweet, and to the point. Some of the art was wild and captured the unhinged nature of the obsession perfectly. Recommended to any lover of horror and graphic novels.

I think this is an important work because it’s credited with introducing the concept of stalking in Japan in the early 90s. I think it’s important that this context is considered because we’ve become so accustomed to stories of stalking and surveillance in the US in 2025 that this could feel dull in some ways. It’s a spooky read nonetheless.