Mysterious Woods and Judging Stares: Small Town Horror Recommendations

It might still be September, but it’s never too early to pick up a spooky read! And what screams horror more than isolated towns? Just imagine a misty creek, the sounds of cicadas, and an old town hall. Creepy, right?

While the series we are recommending today might be familiar to most, it’s always nice to revisit some old friends—you never know, they might hold a few terrible secrets they are finally ready to share with you.

Land

By Kazumi Yamashita

The younger sister ran through the fields, happy to live with the father who loved and adored her in the peaceful village under the watchful gaze of the four gods. Her elder twin ran through the mountains, swearing vengeance against the man who abandoned her to the very beasts she was hunting—her own father. When their paths finally cross, the terrible truth of their birth is revealed and An is left with a difficult decision: follow her twin to the mountains and beyond as she so desperately desires, or condemn her for trying to take her most precious person away…?!

What makes Land a chilling read is neither gore nor supernatural entities (although there might be a few), but rather its setting and atmosphere. Particularly, the rural village where An lives: an isolated town ruled by the supposed messenger of gods who would go to any lengths necessary to keep people stuck in the past and within the borders of this village. As philosophical as it is political, Land is the perfect read for those who enjoy an impending sense of doom that parallels the current political climate. While Land does paint a pretty bleak picture of our world, it also provides moments to breathe thanks to its innocent, wide-eyed protagonist—the torch who will light everything on fire.

Land, Vol. 1 is available now!

The Summer Hikaru Died

By Mokumokuren

It has Hikaru’s face. It has Hikaru’s voice. It even has Hikaru’s memories. But whatever came down from the mountains six months ago isn’t Yoshiki’s best friend. Whatever it is, it’s dangerous. Carrying on at school and hanging out as if nothing has changed—as if Hikaru isn’t gone—would be crazy...but when it looks so very like Hikaru...and acts so very like Hikaru...

With the first anime season wrapping up, The Summer Hikaru Died has been on many readers’ radars. If you still haven’t picked up this gem of small-town horror, then what are you waiting for? Featuring what I like to call “tasteful gore” (Mokumokuren is very adept at depicting body horror at an almost poetic level), this story really embraces the weird and uncanny experience of growing up in a town where everyone knows each other and the judgment that comes from standing out or deviating from the traditional life course. A coming-of-age story where the monster might be the hero—or, at least, the catalyst for Yoshiki to reach his breaking point.

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vols. 1-5 are available now! Also available as a novel!

Another

Original Story by Yukito Ayatsuji, Art by Hiro Kiyohara

In the spring of 1998, Koichi Sakakibara transfers into Class 3-3 at Yomiyama North Middle School. But little does he know...his new class has a horrible secret. When he takes his seat in class for the first day of school, Koichi is unsettled by his fearful classmates. Despite this atmosphere and warnings from fellow students, Koichi is drawn to the beautiful, distant Mei Misaki, another classmate. But the closer he tries to get to her, the more mysterious she and their class become. And when a fellow student dies a disturbing death - the first of a long chain of deaths - Koichi seeks to learn the truth behind the curse of Class 3-3. But can he get answers before the curse kills him?

Another is a great pick to illustrate what makes Japanese horror iconic: It has all the winning marks of a psychological thriller, but then it ventures off into the uncanny valley and gives a somewhat open ending to the mysteries of Class 3-3. In short, suspense and the supernatural come together to deliver a chilling story that will make anyone reconsider moving to the countryside. The blend of mysticism, body horror, and truly deranged psychotic breakdowns make this series a cult classic.

Another (manga) is available now! Also available as a novel series!

The Weirn Books

By SVETLANA CHMAKOVA

In the Night Realm, vampires, shifters, weirns, and other night things passing for human prowl the streets... but they still have to go to school! Ailis and Na’ya are pretty average students (NOT losers), but when a shadow starts looming and a classmate gets all weird, they are the first to notice. It gets personal, though, when Na’ya’s little brother D’esh disappears—It’s time to confront the secrets of the forbidden mansion in the Silent Woods! Join the acclaimed author of Awkward, Svetlana Chmakova, for an outing into her favorite fantastical world full of magic and adventure!

You are never too young to dive into the realm of horror, and if you have a guide as nice as Svetlana, then you are sure to have a fantastic time! The Weirn Books mirrors my childhood imagination of what attending school with monsters would be like: chaotic, messy, and just fun. And while the school Ailis and Na’ya are attending is not exactly set in the middle of nowhere, the Silent Woods portrayed in the first volume of the series is the most Halloweentown-esque setting for the big battle with a mysterious foe. If you are the cool parent who has been enjoying Wednesday on Netflix and wants an equally creepy series with a magic school system (but more kid-friendly), then you should definitely pick up the first volume of The Weirn Books!

The Weirn Books, Vols. 1-2 are available now!

If given the chance, which town of the above series would you like to visit? If you ask me, I’d would probably die to see Yoshiki’s town, but maybe the safest bet would be paying a visit to Ailis and Na’ya’s school.

And stay tuned—we have even more recommendations coming during Halloween season!