Summary
Manga have been a popular medium of entertainmentfor decades now. One critical reason for its global influence is the fact that it caters to people of different age groups, classes, and genders who have diverse preferences. By introducing readers to relatable characters and their challenges, manga continue to hold a special place with millions of global fans worldwide.
Since the manga industry thrives on its unique diversity of genres, readers naturally look for even more specific sub-categories to dive into. Although there aren’t many worksfocused primarily on serial killers, such stories do have a cult following. Manga readers who are looking for such recommendations will probably enjoy the works listed below.
5Yuureitou
A Serial Killer Manga That Brilliantly Incorporates Horror Elements
A woman brutally kills her adoptive mother on a clock tower sometime in the 1950s. In the aftermath of the horrible incident, people start calling it the ghost tower, as rumors and conspiracy theories about the place became quite common.
Sometime later, a man named Amano Taichi is brutally murdered at the tower. As an eerie reminder of the previous crime, the culprit kills the victim by attaching him to the needles of the clock, which slowly shreds his muscles to pieces. This painful display of heinous crime leaves behind a dreadful series of clues that require rigorous investigation by law enforcement authorities.
Yuureitourecounts aharrowing tale of murder and mysterythat captivates viewers till the very end. Interestingly, the manga masterfully incorporates horror elements and utilizes them to add another dimension to the story. Readers who wish to read a manga that surprises them at every turn should look no further,Yuureitouis a perfect blend of psychological depth, tension, and chilling atmosphere.
4Lesson Of The Evil
Story Of A Narcissistic Serial Killer
Seiji Hasumi is a popular and beloved teacher at the Shinkou Academy Machida High. Known for his generous and kind nature, he is a student favorite who appears to prioritize the well-being of his pupils. But behind his flawless public facade lies a sinister psychopath. Seiji is a control freak manipulator who relishes the idea of running things his way. In this pursuit to handle Shinkou Academy Machida High as he deems fit, Hasumi is willing to go to any lengths.
Lesson of the Evil,also known asAku no Kyouten,revolves around Seiji and his crimes that can send a shiver down anyone’s spine. This psychological horror manga keeps readers engaged through its suspenseful storytelling and isan ideal psychological thrillerfor fans of the seinen genre.
3Erased
An Unpredictable Tale Of Betrayal, Desperation, Friendship, And Murder
Satoru Fujinuma is a struggling mangaka who works as a pizza deliveryman to make ends meet. Although he may seem like an average 29-year-old, Fujinuma is gifted with the mysterious power to go back in time whenever he is the victim of a life-threatening incident. So, when one of his loved ones loses their life, and he is erroneously suspected as the culprit, Satoru mysteriously finds himself back in his school days. During that phase of his life, 18 years ago, his classmate Kayo Hinazuki lost her life, which had a far-reaching influence on Fujinuma as well.
Erasedfollows Satoru Fujinuma as he tries to connect the dots to understand how Kayo’s disappearance and subsequent death are linked to the crime that happens 18 years in the future. Kei Sanbe’s breathtaking manga weaves an intriguing tale thatamalgamates mystery and supernatural genres. The story, in some sense, draws inspiration from typical murder mysteries, but it stands out by crafting a unique ending that leaves readers shocked.
2Death Note
A Classic Serial Killer Manga That Continues To Be Widely Popular
Tsugumi Ohba’s psychologically stimulating iconic manga has braved the test of time and retained its influence on the mystery genre for almost two decades now. Through its imaginative storytelling,Death Noteintroduces viewers toa gifted young boy named Light Yagamiwith a bright future ahead of him whose life takes a dark turn as he ends up with a supernatural notebook that grants him powers beyond his wildest imagination. Although he sets out to put his newfound supernatural abilities to good use, the line between good and evil soon begins to blur as Light’s desire to shape a new world order pushes him to make some unquestionably evil decisions.
Death Noteis one of those mangathat constantly pushes readers to question their preconceived assumptions at every twist and turn. The endless drama fueled by the psychological warfare between Light and his nemesis L is an intriguing and intellectually stimulating experience. The manga has had a profound influence on pop culture, and continues to be a fan favorite. One could even argue thatDeath Noteis one of the best serial killer manga of all time.
1Monster
Arguably The Greatest Psychological Mystery Manga Ever Written
Monsteris one of those rare worksof profound intellectual meditation that explores two conflicting moral positions to the extreme, and leaves it up to the reader to decide what conclusions they wish to draw from the experience. In its ruthless assessment of human nature, the manga does not hesitate to investigate the dark side of morality by going deep into the complexity of ethical judgments.
Naoki Urasawa’s award-winning manga introduces readers to an idealist brain surgeon named Kenzo Tenma who is known for his diligent, honest, and kind nature to his colleagues and patients. Staying faithful to his principles, one ordinary day he decides to operate andsave a young boy named Johan, while leaving the local mayor for dead. This turns out to be a life-changing incident for Tenma, as he is not only stripped of his position, but also realizes that his choices indirectly trigger a chain of sinister events.
Thismystery manga highlights the moral dilemmasfaced by Kenzo as he comes face-to-face with a dangerous serial killer who is hell-bent on challenging his idealistic worldview.Monstercaptures the readers' attention with brilliant storytelling and well-developed characters. Readers who are looking for a complex story that captivates and challenges them to rethink their values, will probably enjoy Naoki Urasawa’s legendary manga.
