The Road Where the fort fell manga

Gore and violence in Anime have always fascinated me, I've even written an entire list of the Top 16 Most Violent, Bloody, and Gory Anime ever created. While Anime is excellent, there's something peculiarly dark about reading gore in black and white manga. Also, since manga are less 'popular' globally, the authors allow themselves to be more brutal in their depictions of bloodshed and slaughter. I'm not personally a violent person, but I guess we all get the urge to stare in shock at dismembered body parts and wonder what the hell is going on. So if you're looking for recommendations about the most mind-shocking-eye-popping-from-your-head bloodiest manga ever created, this list is for you.

+Manhwa/Webtoon version

+If for you, gore is a synonym of horror, you will appreciate: Top 28 Most Terrifying Horror Manga Ever Created

1.Multiple Personality Detective Psycho

多重人格探偵サイコ - Tajū-Jinkaku Tantei Saiko

This manga follows Yosuke Kobayashi, a police detective working on what seems to be a serial killer case. The murders he comes across are very gruesome and violent as the killer's signature is the delicate and meticulous mutilation of his victim's limbs. The series gradually evolves into a complex story that shows the detective slowly drowning into the depths of insanity as he starts to understand and perhaps even relate to the killer's ideas and desires.

+Volumes: 24

+Chapters: 155

+Published: 1996 to 2016

+Genres: Mystery - Police - Psychological

+Authors: Shouu Tajima [Art] + Eiji Otsuka, [Story]

+Serialization/Other work: Kadokawa Shoten

2.Domu: a child’s dream

童夢 - Dōmu

Domu is the story of a small ecosystem of apartments and their tenants spiraling into chaos and slaughter. A police force is first dispatched to investigate a series of 32 suicides that seem to all have taken place in the same location. The investigation fails to detect the culprit and explain how all these individuals have fallen to their death from the heights of an unreachable roof.

+Volumes: 1

+Chapters: 4

+Published: 1980 to 1981

+Genres: Horror - Supernatural

+Authors: Katsuhiro Otomo [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Action Deluxe

3.Berserk

ベルセルク - Beruseruku

The protagonist’s first name is Guts, and that is also something that you will get to see a lot in this manga (yes, yes, I’m also a comedian). On a more serious note, Berserk is one of the best manga to have ever been crafted by the manga gods and grace our earth. Berserk is a tale of vengeance, growth, pitfalls, and glory. It examines themes of isolation and friendship, the symmetry of good and evil - and all the grey areas in between - but most importantly, it illustrates the worst and finest sides of human nature.

+Volumes: 40

+Chapters: 383

+Published: 1989 to present

+Genres: Action - Adventure - Demons - Drama - Fantasy - Horror - Supernatural - Military - Psychological

+Authors: Kentarou Miura [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Young Animal

4.Higanjima: Saigo no 47 Nichikan

彼岸島 最後の47日間

There's violence, brutality, and gore in one corner, and then there's over-the-top violence and brutality and gore in another. This manga fell in the second category and had me looking at particular scenes and wondering why a tongue, an eye, or a decapitated head was sticking out so weirdly in the corner. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the goriest item on this list, but it's up there. The story is the continuation of the 'Higanjima' manga, but you don't need to read the first one to understand what's happening here. Either way, this isn't the most absorbing of plots, but it's entertaining, so…

+Volumes: 16

+Chapters: 168

+Published: 2010 to 2014

+Genres: Action - Mystery - Fantasy - Horror - Vampire

+Authors: Koji Matsumoto [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Young Magazine (Weekly)

5.Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

黒鷺死体宅配便 - Kurosagi Shitai Takuhaibin

A group of five Buddhist students at a spiritual school is struggling to find a job in Japan’s oversaturated job market. Fear not, the world of the dead has plenty of jobs for them to carry out, enter their new business: carrying out the last wishes of their sometimes dismembered, sometimes whole but very much dead clients. From suicides to murder cases, whether you require delivering a beautiful message to your family or avenge your death, the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service got you covered, amigo.

+Volumes: 28

+Chapters: 89

+Published: 2002 to Present

+Genres: Comedy - Drama - Horror - Mystery - Supernatural

+Authors: Eiji Otsuka [Story]+ Housui Yamazaki [Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Kadokawa Shoten

6.Deathwish

Okay, so this is technically a comic and not a manga, so don’t come for me - Pinterest users, I’m looking at you, if I have to read ‘‘tHiS iS nOt aN AnImE’’ next to a Korra the avatar gif one more time... I mean, this is the internet, so I’ll do nothing. Anyway, Deathwish the webtoon has been created for the sole reason of depicting chaos, gore, and death. As the author so eloquently puts it himself: ‘‘this is a punk grunge horror sh**show’’. Not deep or transcendent, but if you like blood and the occasional eye-getting-pulled-out-of-its-socket-by-curved-forceps-trick: you’re welcome, I guess.

+Volumes: 4

+Published: 2020 to Present

+Genres: Horror + Thriller

+Creator: Zombie Makeout Club (I’m not making this up)

+Serialization/Other works: Webtoon

7.Blade of the Immortal

無限の住人 - The Inhabitant of Infinity

If you like reading about remarkable character development, information about the Edo period, the concept of revenge and its different facets, human struggle, complex plots, and brutality and slaughter, do not miss this one out. Here too I will choose to not give out more of the plot, all you need to know is that this is a very interesting manga if you’re a fan of samurais, and even if not, try to give this one a chance.

+Volumes: 30

+Chapters: 207

+Published: 1993 to 2012

+Genres: Action - Adventure - Drama - Historical - Martial Arts - Samurai - Supernatural

+Authors: Hiroaki Samura [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Afternoon

Are you a fan of Halloween? Pumpkins? Knives? Knives slashing people? Knives getting stuck in people? Knives beheading people? Boy, oh boy, are you in for a treat with this murder princess pumpkin wearing maniac! This manga has gore, torture, and drama. If you want me to tell you something about the actual plot, imagine the most dramatic over the top bloody B-rated Horror Haloween movie with a couple of plot twists here and there and you probably got a good picture of the story.

+Chapters: 46

+Published: 2016 to present

+Genres: Horror - Psychological

+Authors: Masaya Hokazono [Story] + Seima Taniguchi [Art]

+Serialization/Other work: LINE Manga

9.Corpse Party

コープスパーティー - Kōpusu Pātī

Corpse Party revolves around a group of students from Kisaragi Academy and their teacher. To cheer up one of their classmates who's going to transfer schools, they perform a charm called Sachiko Ever After so they can remain friends forever. However, something goes wrong, and they end up trapped in Heavenly Host Elementary School. Now, they have to find the way out of the cursed school known for its bloody massacres.

+Volumes: 2

+Chapters: 9

+Published: May 22, 2015 to Dec 22, 2015

+Genres: Mystery - Horror - School - Shounen - Supernatural

+Authors: Kansho [Art], CHIHIRO [Story]

+Serialization/Other works: Gangan Joker

10.Chainsaw Man

チェンソーマン - Chensō Man

Denji has simple life aspirations: to live a tranquil and happy life with a woman he likes. Reality has other plans for him as he gets compelled to kill demons for the Yakuza to pay off his excruciating debts. Although the plot sounds pretty bland, the story itself is bloody, dark, mature, and brutal, with interesting and profound characters.

+Volumes: 11

+Chapters: 97

+Published: 2018 to 2019

+Genres: Action - Adventure - Demons

+Authors: Tatsuki Fujimoto [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Shounen Jump (Weekly)

11.Akira

アキラ

Set in a post-apocalyptic and futuristic neo-Tokyo in the aftermath of WWIII, the story touches on a myriad of subjects tinged with corruption, war, violence, and criminality with tinges of dark sci-fi. If you don't know what Akira's plot is, I will leave you with that short sentence describing the general mood because you will enjoy it more if you go in not knowing the story. The manga is immensely popular. The anime adaptation is immensely popular. Just try it out.

+Volumes: 6

+Chapters: 120

+Published: 1982 to 1990

+Genres: Post-Apocalyptic - Cyberpunk - Political Thriller

+Authors: Katsuhiro Otomo [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Kodansha

12.Gantz

ガンツ - Gantsu

Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato, a pair of childhood friends, are suddenly torn apart as they get hit by a subway train and die shortly after. Unfortunately for them, instead of reaching heaven or hell, or simply ceasing to exist, their body parts materialize into the interior of a Tokyo apartment, fuse back together, and alas, they are alive again. This second chance of life comes with a price: along with a bunch of other people, they are forced to now embark on missions to kill strange aliens. Yes, you’ve read all of this correctly. No, I have nothing else to add.

+Volumes: 37

+Chapters: 383

+Published: 2000 to 2013

+Genres: Horror - Sci-Fi - Supernatural - Psychological

+Authors: Hiroya Oku [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Young Jump

13.Jagaaaaaan

ジャガーン - Jagān

Shintarou Jagasaki, a neighborhood police officer, lives with his girlfriend while working a job that is killing him slowly with annoyance (we love a relatable guy). It looks like he will end up marrying soon and live a boring life with a nuclear family—a grim future for a guy with dreams. One such day, a mysterious monster appeared on the train, and he suddenly can shoot with his right hand like Master Buppanatsu, the eggplant mascot of his city.

+Volumes: 11

+Chapters: 125

+Published: 2017 to Present

+Genres: Mystery - Drama - Horror - Supernatural

+Authors: Muneyuki Kaneshiro [Story] + Kensuke Nishida [Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Big Comic Spirits

14.Killing morph

殺戮モルフ

In broad daylight on the busy streets of Ikebukuro, a masked murderer goes on a rampage, slaughtering all who stand in his path—save for Madoka Murasaki, who stands frozen as he passes her by, leaving his lingering gaze emblazoned in her mind. This killer, dubbed "M" by the police and media, haunts the memories of all who witnessed that bloody day; though he is now in confinement, the survivors hallucinate him at every turn in their daily lives.

+Volumes: 4

+Chapters: 36

+Published: 2017 to 2019

+Genres: Action - Mystery - Horror - Psychological

+Authors: Masaya Hokazono (Story), Nokuto Koike (Art)

+Serialization/Other work: Young Champion Magazine

15.You Will Hear the Voice of the Dead

死人の声を聞くがよい - Shibito no Koe o Kiku ga Yoi

Mix in slice-of-life, sitcoms, and supernatural gore and violence, and you’ll end up with this manga. The story follows two childhood best friends, one of which can see ghosts, the other one who is very much dead, as they encounter daily supernatural events and try to solve the mysteries behind them. If I had to put it in one sentence: something disgusting and horrid happens, our two protagonists are either able to solve the enigma or narrowly escape with their lives (or life?) and then we move on to the next chapter.

+Volumes: 12

+Chapters: 79

+Published: 2011 to 2018

+Genres: Action - Mystery - Horror - Psychological

+Authors: Sachiko Uguisu [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Champion RED

16.Dorohedoro

ドロヘドロ

This manga is set in a post-apocalyptic future composed of split dimensions: the Sorcerer’s world (inhabited by sorcerers) and the Hole (unfortunately not inhabited by holes). These realms are filled to the brim with a variety of.. erm.. oddities: Cyberpunk futuristic characters mixed with a sort of lord-of-the-rings-fantasy genre in their personality and attire. I can’t explain the story because it’s so far fetched, random and original that I’ve never seen anything quite like it. The whole thing is basically an action-comedy plot packed in with violence.

+Volumes: 23

+Chapters: 190

+Published: 2000 to 2018

+Genres: Action - Comedy - Fantasy - Horror

+Authors: Q Hayashida [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Gessan

17.Attack on titan

進撃の巨人 - Shingeki no Kyojin

Over a century ago, humanity was devoured by giant beings of unknown intelligence and origin known as Titans. The remaining population has managed to survive the last hundred years only by building a multi-walled city capable of keeping the Titans at bay, training military recruits to patrol the perimeter, and gather intelligence about their mysterious foe. Eren and Mikasa have lived a relatively peaceful life behind the city's walls, but when a massive Titan appears, smashing the outer barrier and unleashing a wave of terror, their lives are brutally changed forever.

+Volumes: 33

+Chapters: 137

+Published: 2009 to 2021

+Genres: Action - Drama - Fantasy - Horror - Supernatural

+Authors: Hajime Isayama [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other work: Bessatsu Shounen Magazine

18.Vagabond

バガボンド - Bagabondo

Vagabond is the fictitious retelling of the life of one of Japan's most renowned swordsmen, the "Sword Saint" Musashi Miyamoto—his rise from a swordsman with no desire other than to become "Invincible Under the Heavens" to an enlightened warrior who slowly learns of the importance of close friends, self-reflection, and life itself. (Also, I have a tattoo that literally spells out 'samurai,' so you best believe I include another samurai manga on this list).

+Volumes: 37

+Chapters: 327

+Published: 1998 to 2015 (on Hiatus)

+Genres: Action - Adventure - Drama - Historical - Samurai

+Authors: Takehiko Inoue [Story & Art] + Eiji Yoshikawa [Story]

+Serialization/Other work: Morning

19.Pygmalion

The story in itself is kind of meh with a sprinkle of cool twists here and there. The reason why I’m including it on this list is that my hand was covering my mouth in pure surprise while reading this one, and ‘‘What the hell is going on’’ continued to resonate in my mind in a loop. The amount of gore and violence depicted in this manga is almost too much - almost. So yeah, you won’t get a synopsis here because the only reason to pick up this one is to look at the scenes with horror radiating out of your eyes.

+Volumes: 3

+Chapters: 19

+Published: 2015 to 2017

+Genres: Action - Fantasy - Horror

+Authors: Chihiro Watanabe [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Web Comic Beat's

20.Starving anonymous

食糧人類 - Shokuryou Jinrui

One random day, high school students Ie and Kazu are riding the bus home from school when it suddenly floods with sleeping gas. When they wake up, they find themselves aboard a truck packed full of fellow human bodies. Reaching their destination, frozen nude corpses now surround them while a very much alive human staff seems to be sawing them into meaty geometric pieces.

+Volumes: 7

+Chapters: 64

+Published: 2014 to 2018

+Genres: Horror

+Authors: Yuu Kuraishi [Story]+ Kazu Inabe [Art]

+Serialization/Other works: e Young Magazine

21.Hakaijuu

ハカイジュウ

While Akira was in the reserve of his high school gymnasium to prepare for his basketball team's training, a very violent earthquake rocked the city. Upon awakening, he is surrounded by his classmates' corpses and finds the president of his high school's delegates. Together they go outside and find that horrible and mysterious monsters have invaded the whole city of Tokyo. Their daily life can be summed up in one word: survive.

+Volumes: 21

+Chapters: 82

+Published: 2010 to 2017

+Genres: Action - Mystery - Horror

+Authors: Shingo Honda [Story & Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Shounen Champion

22.Fortress of Apocalypse

アポカリプスの砦 - Apokaripusu no toride

Murder convict Yoshiaki Maeda arrives at Shouran Academy Juvenile Detention Center as the prison is in the midst of a power struggle. The outside world is undergoing its first wave of zombie infection. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. This manga is often regarded as one of the best ‘zombie’ manga ever written. While the story is irrevocably intertwined with the undead, there is more to it than just gore and violence -although we would probably have settled for that.

+Volumes: 10

+Chapters: 49

+Published: 2011 to 2015

+Genres: Action - Mystery - Horror - Sci-Fi Psychological

+Authors: Yuu Kuraishi [Story] + Kazu Inabe [Art]

+Serialization/Other works: Kodansha

23.SHAMO

軍鶏

The story begins as young Ryo Narusihma, armed with a small knife, brutally murders both of his parents in a living room, now tinted with blood. Shamo differs significantly from other manga in that the story's protagonist is actually an unrepentant and often unsympathetic criminal. Throughout the manga, Ryo Narushima spirals into darkness, his chances at reform slowly ebbing away as he gives in to more and more of his depraved and brutal, and grotesque tendencies.

+Volumes: 34

+Chapters: 338

+Published: 1998 to 2015

+Genres: Action - Drama - Martial Arts - Psychological

+Authors: Akio Tanaka [Story & Art] + Izou Hashimoto [Story]

+Serialization/Other works: Futabasha + Kodansha

If you had a manga in mind and it’s missing from this list, it’s probably included in the Top 13 Violent and Gory anime one, as its rendition into an anime is more fitting for depicting these themes - in my opinion.