Hauntress is a genuinely scary classic Japanese horror manga from the 1990s. It starts off slowly and quietly like much good horror. Our main character, Hiroshi, is living a normal life as a student. All he does is answer the door when someone knocks. For an older manga only now being translated into English, I was surprised at how accessible it was and how easily it read. The art is gorgeously creepy and I recognize it as the root image for some scenes I've watched in horror films.

I'd recommend Hauntress to all horror fans, especially fans of Japanese horror films or manga readers.

More creepy than spooky, Hauntress teeters on the edge too much. It doesn’t commit and what could have developed into a haunting urban legend/Ringesque tale simply is…weird.

Graphically very striking, the artwork was the standout attraction for me with this title. I'm not sure if it's down to the translation but the narrative felt a bit jerky and the dialogue very stilted in parts. As this pulled me out of the narrative, I struggled to feel particularly horrified by this title, but maybe it works better in hardcopy than an electronic version in the Netgalley app.

As an American manga reader, it is rare to find anything from the 90s or before that's been translated and is easily accessible. "Hauntress" should have been translated waaaaay sooner. Despite the simple characters, there is an unease throughout all the panels. This creeping sensation builds on what it sets up, inching closer to the danger first met at the door. I wanted to run away and hide whenever I saw the stranger creep around but I could not stop reading. All in all an extremely well done horror, I think if you've read other horror manga you should definitely check this one out.

Originally published in 1993, Hauntress is about to be available in English for the first time thanks to Kodansha manga! This single-volume horror story blends urban legends with very real fears as it follows college student Hiroshi through the most terrifying nights of his life. When he overhears a strange woman yelling for his next-door neighbor, he ends up becoming the new object of his affection. She’s tall, gaunt-faced, and seemingly indestructible. The more he attempts to ignore her, the more she threatens him. As Hiroshi and his friends attempt to figure out why this strange woman has fixated on him, his crush Rumi weaves in and out of his life—and in and out of danger.

Mineto Mochizuki’s art and story are evocative of modern urban legends, walking the line between nightmarish and just a bit too real. Your mileage may vary on the way the ending is handled. Personally, we think it fits with the story’s style and inspirations. Either way, it’s guaranteed to keep you up at night after you read it.

This had potential but too much of the story was left up to interpretation. I hate that. I enjoyed the artwork and the slow build of suspense. Overall this didn't work for me. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

I think younger teens will enjoy it, or anyone in the mood for a fun fast Halloween esque campfire story. Creepy enough to make an impression and no blood or gore, but there is violence. A quick read with good art and a fast-paced story, you'll never get bored. The whole time you'll be guessing about the tall woman/monster, and I think it's a good introduction to horror and mangas.

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.