This was freaky and cinematic. I enjoyed the use of different styles and also the layering of the story at the end. Overall, a satisfying little creepy horror story.

I still struggle with the MANGA reading style but this was a pretty fun horror read. It left you wanting to know what happens after it ends!

Hauntress by minetaro mochizuki was a great introduction to this genre, I didn’t know what to expect but I liked it!

It was super creepy and felt like it had an urgency to it that added to the horror and intensity. I could tell that it has spawned many a storyline about stalking. The illustrations and colors are exciting and add to the narrative. There was a good effect when things became simplistic in imagery and colors. Readers new to Japanese comics and manga may need a reminder in what order the panels are read.

I was so excited for this cuz I never tried Japanese horror and yeah the art was beautiful and creepy the plot was kinda lacking ngl and also the ending I was left underwhelmed I don't even know of there will be a sequel but I would keep an eye like I would he interested to continue with the story!!!

This book is short and fast paced but also scary. I’m not often one to get scared but reading this book I found myself buried under my blankets, jumping at every sound feeling uneasy. I think the book it’s entertaining. The artwork is pretty nice and scary. I would recommend if you like horror and want to have a scare.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for this arc!

Very creepy! However, in true horror style our main character makes some stupid decisions. He gives the creepy woman who shows up in the middle of the night a key to his apartment!

I did enjoy seeing her scuttle across the floor in one of the panels. Nothing groundbreaking here but fun nonetheless!

Originally published in the 90s, Minetaro Mochizuki’s Hauntress explores the theme of stalking withthe story of a college student who becomes the target of a persistent girl. Even three decades after its release, the horror elements still resonate. The main character is quickly and effectively presente, and the tension steadily escalates from a strange encounter to daily harassment. The simplicity of the plot is one of its greatest strengths—it feels grounded in reality, making it all the more chilling, as such situations could—and do—happen in real life.

The art style amplifies the story’s creepy atmosphere, enhancing its horror.

The only drawback is that the concept of stalking in horror has been explored so frequently in recent years that Hauntress may not feel as fresh to contemporary readers. While this might be an unfair criticism, given how enjoyable and impactful the manga remains, it’s hard to ignore that its originality might not stand out as much today.

I will recommend Hauntress as a nice introduction to the genre of horror manga.

Hauntress walks and talks like a prototypical stalker thriller, but the ending is equal parts ambitious and ambiguous. This is a great read for horror fans as long as you don't mind an open ending.

College student Hiroshi finds himself haunted with every step by the unwanted attention of his neighbor's ex-girlfriend, and even his friend and girlfriend wind up with targets on their back. Hiroshi is far from a likeable protagonist, often coming across as inconsiderate and irresponsible. But there's something very gripping about seeing him question his own failings from the past, even when he fails to make any path towards redemption for them by the end.

As for the resident stalker/monster, she's really quite striking with her long hair, sunken eyes, and skeletal appearance. But besides the obvious eerieeness of her design, what I found most haunting was the way she was humanized. While we only understand glimpses of what and who she is, its clear above all else that she has suffered immensely and it shaped her into something dark and obsessive.

What I took away most from the story was the way guilt transforms and twists our minds. Hiroshi is desperately searching for answers throughout the story, and fails to find any concrete ones by the end. But I don't think he would be satisfied even if he did get them. The Hauntress feels like something lurking in the back of your mind, unable to be rationalized, and that inability to categorize it is what psychologically wrecks you by its ending.

Mochizuki is mostly known for his series Dragon Head, and I'm definitely interested in trying it out after Hauntress.

Thank you to Vertical Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.

Actual rating: 3.5

The artwork was really well done! The tall lady was absolutely terrifying and creeped me right out. The story was a bit hard to follow at times, but otherwise was a fun and fast paced read.

This was my first manga of the year and for 40 minutes I was taken on a wild and confusing ride. The story itself was compelling but the ending is what threw me off the most. It felt unfinished and anticlimactic ? Too many unanswered questions.
I think my favorite part was the imagery! The close up shots gave me the creeps but that just added to my intrigue.

I devoured this manga. It was so good. The art style was really creepy and assisted really well in the forwarding of the story, and the plot… oh my it was so creepy. The main woman was such a good antagonist and truly had my heart racing. This manga exceeded my expectations and has very quickly become one of my favourites. I would heavily recommend.

Mochizuki's art style is stunningly detailed, amplifying the creeping dread that permeates the pages. The pacing, however, is uneven at times—moments of brilliance are occasionally bogged down by slower sequences. The characters, while intriguing, could have benefited from deeper development to truly pull me into their struggles.

What I appreciated most is the way Mochizuki blurs the line between reality and the supernatural, leaving you questioning what’s truly at play. While it didn’t fully hit the mark for me, it’s undeniably a solid read for those who enjoy a mix of psychological depth and gothic horror vibes.

Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if you’re looking for something different and moody. Just keep in mind that its slow-burn approach might not resonate with everyone.

This is a story about a college student getting haunted by a huge woman whose real identity is never revealed. It starts off quite scary. The book has left a lot of questions unanswered though. It is a nice scary manga but I wish that the questions were not left unanswered.

A college student named Hiroshi’s normal routine changes when a strange woman begins to bang incessantly on his neighbor’s door day and night. He is unsure why she keeps trying to reach his neighbor, Yamamoto, when he clearly is not home. The strange woman’s rapt attention then turns to Hiroshi after he shows her the briefest of kindnesses.
It is exciting when a novel written over 30 years ago is translated into a different language for a whole new group of readers to enjoy. This one has a slow build up, but just like any good horror story, you never can be sure what will happen next.

Review to come in February closer to the release day on blog and other places.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I always LOVE a spooky/creepy/scary manga so when I saw this one on Netgalley I knew I had to get it. It sounded just way too good.

In this one we meet a guy named Hiroshi who late at night hears someone knocking on his neighbour's door. He gets curious as it sounds quite frantic, but boy I can tell you already he wishes he hadn't opened that door. That lady gave me all the red flag alerts when we saw her. She just radiated scariness. You just knew she was bad news. But Hiroshi talks to her and that is that for the night. But the next night it is not his neighbour's door, but his. Yep. And so things escalate more and more and we see that this girl has latched herself to Hiroshi. And Hiroshi.... well sure, he is a gentleman but also an idiot. I really had to step back for a moment when he just trusted his spare key to that person. I mean, wtf, dude. She has been hounding you for the past days, and sure she is annoying, but to give your key to a stranger? NOPITY NOPE NOPE. But maybe that is because I am a girl and already not really trusting of much. XD But yeah, things get more and more creepy and harrowing for Hiroshi, especially when the lady starts to get jealous because of a girl that Hiroshi likes. And then there is his friend who is all about protecting Hiroshi. So yeah, threats everywhere!

Also, this lady looks like a normal lady... but she is unfazed by anything happening and she walks superfast in an unnatural way. I was definitely invested and was wondering how things would go from here. Would Hiroshi get out of this situation? Alive? Or Dead? Or worse?

Well, I won't spoil it, but I didn't like the open ending or well, I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand we get some more information on things (and so never open your door if you hear knocking and you don't know who it could be) + Hiroshi's neighbour, but on the other hand, Hiroshi???

I did like that throughout the spooky/creepy stuff we also get to meet Rumi, the girl Hiroshi really likes (and she likes him though she wants him to be just a bit more proactive, haha), see Hiroshi go through his daily life (college/work).

I have to say that at one point I lost a bit of motivation to cheer for Hiroshi. We find out that he and his best friend used to bully a girl at his school to the point of her almost committing suicide. That is just a big icky NOPE for me.

The art was quite fun, the style fitted well with the manga and the woman was drawn very creepily. Plus, hello, that cover is just so NOPE.

All in all, I hope that many more horror manga from Japan will be translated, I want more of this!

Oh what a terrifying story!

This is definitely a horror that relies on the mundane and realistic horrors of life to scare the absolute shit out of you. We are following a young university student as he is being stalked by someone and the absolute havoc that wreaks on his life. Obviously, to amp up the horror in this the stalking situation progresses from 0 - 60 in 3.5 but it was still so tense and anxiety inducing to watch.

What a beautifully illustrated graphic novel!!

I wasn’t sure how well this would translate into English, but it was wonderfully creepy and scary. Definitely not one to read at night!

Hauntress is an absolutely captivating read from start to end. We follow Hiroshi as as he is startled by relentless banging and calls for his neighbour from an intimidating woman he does not recognise. When informed that the person she is after is clearly not home the woman sets her sights on Hiroshi. This book is thrilling, bewitching and deliciously horrific! I’m so glad to have Hauntress in an English translation finally.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Minetarō Mochizuki for providing me with an ARC of Hauntress in exchange for my honest review.

Hauntress is an unsettling horror manga with a creepy, classic art style that complements the story's eerie subject matter. The blend of humor amidst the dark theme of stalking creates an interesting contrast that keeps the reader engaged. The portrayal of stalking is disturbingly realistic and thought-provoking, especially the way it highlights the victim's struggle to be believed when seeking help.

The depiction of the titular woman is truly chilling, evoking comparisons to the iconic figure from The Grudge and leaving a lasting impression of dread.

Despite its strengths, I rated this manga 3 stars due to certain elements that felt implausible, such as a character giving their house key to a stranger. Additionally, the ending left me feeling quite confused, which detracted from the overall experience.

However, I found Hauntress to be an enjoyable and spooky read, particularly appreciating its vintage art style, which adds a unique charm to the story.