Junji Ito is a hugely popular name in horror anime, and many of his terrifying stories have been adapted for television. After the recent, and sometimes debated, release of Uzumaki on Toonami, more of his work is coming to the screen. This summer, Netflix will debut Bloody Smart, a live-action series that blends several Ito stories into a single, ongoing plot. And that won’t be the only live-action adaptation – another show based on Ito’s manga is already planned for release in 2026.
This summer, TV Tokyo will release a live-action series based on the works of horror manga artist Junji Ito, titled Strange – Junji Ito’s Sleepless Weird Stories. The show premieres on July 3rd and previews suggest it will feature adaptations of thirteen of Ito’s most popular stories, including “Lovesickness,” “The Mansion of Phantom Pain,” “The Rib Woman,” “The Bully,” “Face Thief,” “A Father’s Love,” “Memory,” “In Old Records,” “Penpal,” “Further Tales of Oshikiri,” “Earthbound,” and “Tomio: Red Turtleneck.” While a North American release hasn’t been confirmed yet, given Ito’s widespread popularity in the West, it’s likely the series will become available here soon. More information can be found on TV Tokyo’s website.
Get ready for a chilling new series! “Strange – Ito Junji’s Chilling Tales” will premiere on July 3rd, 2026 at midnight! This drama adapts 13 of Ito Junji’s most famous horror stories. The opening theme song will be “JIGSAW” by IVE, and a special illustration of IVE drawn by Ito Junji himself has also been revealed! Follow @tx_strange for more updates using #Strange.
— テレ東 (@TVTOKYO_PR) April 17, 2026
Junji Ito’s Many Horror Stories
While both Bloody Smart and Strange are adapting Junji Ito’s horror stories for live-action, they’re taking different approaches. Strange will present each story as a standalone episode, while Bloody Smart will weave together characters and themes from various Ito works into a single, connected narrative. Fortunately, these aren’t the only live-action adaptations bringing Ito’s terrifying visions to the screen.
Fangoria Studios recently revealed plans to adapt some of Junji Ito’s most terrifying stories into a series of three live-action movies. The story Bloodsucking Darkness will be its own feature film, and Mystery of the Haunted House Parts 1 and 2 will be combined into a single movie. When the project was first announced, director Aditya Chang shared that:
Through the Lens Entertainment is excited to partner with FANGORIA and the renowned Junji Ito on a series of new films. As a lifelong fan of manga and anime, growing up in Kobe, Japan, this collaboration is particularly meaningful. Working with a creative force like Junji Ito, and alongside a leading horror brand like FANGORIA, represents a new level of international creative partnership. We believe manga adaptations should be respectful of Japanese culture while also delivering fresh, innovative horror that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike, creating a unique cinematic experience.
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2026-04-18 20:00