Seeds of Anxiety by Masaaki Nakayama is a manga that offers a unique reading experience across its three volumes. Most of the stories elicited laughter, even when they were intended to be more serious in tone. However, two particular stories stood out as thought-provoking. The funniest moments are highlighted, along with those two surprising tales that truly resonated.
Nakayama concludes the manga by expressing gratitude to those who shared their ghost stories and by sharing some of his own personal experiences. Without giving away any spoilers, readers are encouraged to dive into the manga themselves to discover its charm. The writer then poses a question: would readers like a review of a potential sequel? They also gently remind the audience that engaging with the content, such as liking and subscribing, comes at no cost.
DeadComet crafted this narrative in the third person.
Fuan no Tene represents a distinctive addition to the horror genre. This manga consists of a series of short vignettes, each featuring ordinary individuals encountering the supernatural. Some stories are incredibly brief, spanning just two pages. The books are organized into small sections, with clusters of stories revolving around a central theme, such as invasion, being followed, or shadows glimpsed out of the corner of one's eye.
To be straightforward, this collection initially struck me as somewhat underwhelming. While many of the concepts are solid, the execution seemed like it could have been better. As I read, I often felt that this type of jump-scare horror is constrained by the medium, particularly in the first volume. Many of the stories concluded in a similar fashion, which became monotonous. I believe the eerie chills conveyed in this manga would have been more effective in either film or video games, mediums that provide motion.
Nakayama's art style is notably clean, and instead of gore, readers encounter distortions of what's normal. I wouldn't say the entities in these stories are outright frightening, but rather they evoke an uncanny valley effect. They mimic human forms but clearly misunderstand them, resulting in a mockery of humanity. This artistic approach can be hit or miss; some depictions appear cartoonish and absurd, disrupting the tension built by the narrative.
Throughout my reading, I maintained a fairly neutral stance. Occasionally, a story would feature a panel that unsettled me, but overall, I remained indifferent. It wasn't until much later, standing in my kitchen during the early hours of the morning, surrounded by darkness, that the manga's impact truly hit me. For a week, I felt slightly more jumpy walking alone in the dark, so in a sense, the manga achieved its goal.
The horror in this series is understated, and on the surface, it may not seem very scary. It's an atmospheric collection that doesn't leave you shocked or horrified but instead instills a lingering sense of dread. Fuan no Tene roughly translates to Seeds of Anxiety, which perfectly encapsulates the stories. Each tale is a fleeting snippet, leaving you with an ellipsis and planting a small seed of worry about what might have happened next. It captures the dreadful sensation of drawing the attention of something you'd rather avoid.
It's also evident how Nakayama refines his premise across the three volumes, with each improving upon the last. Story pacing enhances, there's more variety among the tales, and occasionally, "after" panels depicting someone's reaction, some of which were amusing and helped relieve tension. This manga explores a different kind of horror, one that doesn't depend on extreme gore to elicit visceral reactions from readers. Instead, Fuan no Tene presents an intriguing form of horror rooted in paranoia, fear of the dark, and the unknown. Though not a fright fest, I appreciate the craftsmanship behind this manga.
I found this by searching "scariest manga" on Google. After reading the first story, I couldn't help but have a laugh out of sheer disappointment. The buildup was garbage, the conclusions were abrupt and ridiculous, with absolutely no suspense. It gets 3 points for being unintentionally comedic, and 1 more point for an unofficial cameo of Don Chinjao from One Piece.
A good horror should involve some suspense and create sympathy for the characters so we actually care about their fate. This is just plain pathetic. I'm certain even a young child who gets scared easily wouldn't feel like a daredevil after reading this.
Fuan no Tane stands out from the other horror manga I've encountered. While it remains a collection of short stories, akin to most in the genre, it doesn't quite feel tailored for the consumption of individual chapters. Some segments are brief, spanning around three pages, and occasionally border on the nonsensical. Yet, the collection as a whole transcends the sum of its parts.
When viewed collectively, the stories build a sense of mounting tension that surpasses anything I've experienced in similar works. It might seem odd to discuss pacing in such short segments, but by the end of each chapter, I found myself enveloped in an unsettling unease rarely felt while reading horror manga.
However, there are undeniable weaker elements. Time and again, a brooding, ominous mood is crafted within a few pages, only to be disrupted by the arrival of a predictable, generic monster. The adage that what you can't see is often more terrifying than what you can certainly holds true here. The supernatural entities range from spirits to disfigured humans, yet they largely fall flat. Nakayama Masaaki is not Junji Ito.
That said, if his monsters lack impact, Nakayama seems to have attempted to mimic Ito's penchant for abrupt endings. The difference lies in the fact that, rather than approaching the tales in Fuan no Tane with the investment required by Ito's more conventional "short story" format, readers quickly realize after a couple of chapters that they're not experiencing a traditional horror story but rather glimpsing through a grimy window onto a horrifying street.
For those who have indulged heavily in horror manga, Fuan no Tane offers a refreshing diversion. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone intrigued by the genre or weary of its homogeneity. It weaves its narratives differently, cultivating a profound atmosphere of dread and foreboding throughout.
I heard this was one of the scariest manga around, which is why I decided to check it out.
I read the entire thing in one sitting, not because I loved it, but because some of the stories were incredibly short.
Short as in a single page for some, while the longer ones had little to no dialogue.
The first story hooked me, and I was excited for a collection of chilling tales. Unfortunately, the better stories were greatly outnumbered by those where essentially nothing happened.
The artwork was solid, so some moments did manage to creep me out.
However, the art couldn't compensate for the lackluster chapters.
If you're searching for scares, you won't find much in this manga.
I believe the primary criticisms of this manga are that the stories are too brief, leaving insufficient room for character development. While these points are valid, I feel the tales are akin to campfire ghost stories, which are intentionally concise yet engaging. Personally, I think it achieves this goal quite effectively. If you approach these stories as quick, chilling anecdotes, you'll likely appreciate them more.
Definitely a good choice for a bedtime read when you're in the mood for a light dose of horror without committing an entire day to it. It doesn't demand excessive focus, making it perfect for casual consumption.
One drawback regarding the story length is that some were so short that it was difficult to grasp what was happening. Additionally, a few narratives felt repetitive. However, since they were so succinct, it wasn't much of an issue because a fresh story was just a page or two away.
The tales are quite unsettling in a non-violent manner.
I catch myself checking over my shoulder while reading this.
I would certainly recommend this manga to anyone seeking a chilling read.
Get ready for Cocktease the manga... The reason I'm giving this a 4 instead of a 3 is that I genuinely appreciate some of the artwork and ghost/monster designs. The issue I have with the story is that, while a collection of short stories in a manga can work, it's challenging to make it effective with only 2-5 pages per story. Unfortunately, this isn't one of those successes. There's no tension building, just shock—and not even particularly exciting shock.
It's safe to say that practically every short story in this collection follows a formula: "here's your setting and characters, which you'll know nothing about," "scary face or dead-all-along or I'll-ignore-the-big-bad," "end." There's little variation. One surprisingly wholesome short story stands out—it's about a brother who uses what seems to be a harmless cursed bear to share the beauty of the outside world with his sister who couldn't go outside. While the bear being "cursed" was likely meant to be creepy, it didn't feel that way and was funny enough to be the only short I felt had enough room to breathe.
Almost every other story feels like it could have been interesting if given time to immerse you and didn't end so abruptly. Instead, we get the punchline and the height of the action but nothing else. This might have been intentional, aiming to constantly show you the "peak" without resolution (perhaps another reason behind the name "Seeds of Anxiety"), but here, it doesn't work. It leaves you feeling like you're missing larger chunks of the story, like fast-forwarding through a movie to only the best bits and ignoring everything else.
All in all, if you're just looking to collect some spooky manga panels, this might offer what you're after. Don't expect good 5-10 second stories, though—you'll likely be disappointed.
I am writing this for anyone who comes across this manga and feels instantly disheartened, even though this review may never reach anyone's eyes.
While the top reviews do contain some truth, as one might easily mistake it for a straight horror anthology akin to Ito's work, when you look at the title of this collection (Seeds of Anxiety) and consider its content, I'm more inclined to think that the author's aim with most of these shorts was to depict small, naive anxieties or paranoias from our daily routines rather than to create an atmosphere for a ghost story. For instance, when late at night, you glance at your window or peephole expecting to see something there, imagine unspeakable horrors lurking in your communal spaces, or are tricked into sensing the supernatural due to your eyes' blind spots.
Because of this, I think the criticisms in other reviews, while valid, should be considered from this perspective.
Of course, I'm still not someone who would fiercely defend it tooth and nail. While it does have its share of interesting and creepy stories (five or six for me) that made it worthwhile, most of them were only mildly entertaining or even silly and not particularly memorable. However, it's a very quick read, so I'd say give it a try. I believe those prone to paranoia will certainly find resonance in this work.
Fuan no Tane (Seeds of Anxiety) presents 72 supernatural tales of differing intensity. These narratives echo urban legends or personal anecdotes shared among friends, each offering varying degrees of resolution. For those who grew up in the 90s, think "Freaky Stories" but with mature content and, naturally, in manga form.
The absence of introductions or conclusions encourages readers to craft their own. Some chapters will leave you questioning, a handful are heartwarming, others harrowing, and a few might have you rolling your eyes (yes, it can feel formulaic or repetitive at times).
Dig deeper, and you may uncover how the series examines themes of everyday life in ordinary settings, with nuanced commentary on societal attitudes toward isolation, loneliness, mental health, and suicide.
I particularly appreciated the inclusion of photographs of real locations scattered throughout the volumes. The idea that these unsettling events could have occurred in those very places heightens the tension (akin to "based on a true story"). After all, Nakayama does hint that "sometimes, there is some truth hidden in an urban legend."
Story: 8/10
Fuan no Tane is an anthology of horror short stories, ranging from ghostly encounters to urban legends and superstitions. The tales are concise, offering little to no explanation for the events that unfold, which is precisely what makes this manga exceptional. It's the unsettling atmosphere each story evokes that leaves a lasting impression.
Art: 8/10
The artwork is outstanding. Ghosts are crafted in deeply disturbing ways—some mere shadows, others faceless—and each spectral presence is uniquely terrifying in its own right.
Character: 7/10
There are no central characters in this manga, as it consists solely of short stories. However, all entities, whether monstrous or human, are vividly portrayed, bringing their chilling experiences to life.
Enjoyment: 8/10
I thoroughly enjoyed these narratives. They diverge from the conventional terrifying plots we often encounter. The brevity of the stories ensures that while nothing overtly horrifying occurs, they still leave readers with a lingering sense of unease and discomfort. These tales won't haunt your dreams, but they certainly won't leave you unaffected either.
Overall: 8/10
If you have a taste for horror, consider giving this manga a try—it's absolutely worth your time.
Popular Reviews
Nakayama concludes the manga by expressing gratitude to those who shared their ghost stories and by sharing some of his own personal experiences. Without giving away any spoilers, readers are encouraged to dive into the manga themselves to discover its charm. The writer then poses a question: would readers like a review of a potential sequel? They also gently remind the audience that engaging with the content, such as liking and subscribing, comes at no cost.
DeadComet crafted this narrative in the third person.
<p>
To be straightforward, this collection initially struck me as somewhat underwhelming. While many of the concepts are solid, the execution seemed like it could have been better. As I read, I often felt that this type of jump-scare horror is constrained by the medium, particularly in the first volume. Many of the stories concluded in a similar fashion, which became monotonous. I believe the eerie chills conveyed in this manga would have been more effective in either film or video games, mediums that provide motion.
Nakayama's art style is notably clean, and instead of gore, readers encounter distortions of what's normal. I wouldn't say the entities in these stories are outright frightening, but rather they evoke an uncanny valley effect. They mimic human forms but clearly misunderstand them, resulting in a mockery of humanity. This artistic approach can be hit or miss; some depictions appear cartoonish and absurd, disrupting the tension built by the narrative.
Throughout my reading, I maintained a fairly neutral stance. Occasionally, a story would feature a panel that unsettled me, but overall, I remained indifferent. It wasn't until much later, standing in my kitchen during the early hours of the morning, surrounded by darkness, that the manga's impact truly hit me. For a week, I felt slightly more jumpy walking alone in the dark, so in a sense, the manga achieved its goal.
The horror in this series is understated, and on the surface, it may not seem very scary. It's an atmospheric collection that doesn't leave you shocked or horrified but instead instills a lingering sense of dread. Fuan no Tene roughly translates to Seeds of Anxiety, which perfectly encapsulates the stories. Each tale is a fleeting snippet, leaving you with an ellipsis and planting a small seed of worry about what might have happened next. It captures the dreadful sensation of drawing the attention of something you'd rather avoid.
It's also evident how Nakayama refines his premise across the three volumes, with each improving upon the last. Story pacing enhances, there's more variety among the tales, and occasionally, "after" panels depicting someone's reaction, some of which were amusing and helped relieve tension. This manga explores a different kind of horror, one that doesn't depend on extreme gore to elicit visceral reactions from readers. Instead, Fuan no Tene presents an intriguing form of horror rooted in paranoia, fear of the dark, and the unknown. Though not a fright fest, I appreciate the craftsmanship behind this manga.
A good horror should involve some suspense and create sympathy for the characters so we actually care about their fate. This is just plain pathetic. I'm certain even a young child who gets scared easily wouldn't feel like a daredevil after reading this.
When viewed collectively, the stories build a sense of mounting tension that surpasses anything I've experienced in similar works. It might seem odd to discuss pacing in such short segments, but by the end of each chapter, I found myself enveloped in an unsettling unease rarely felt while reading horror manga.
However, there are undeniable weaker elements. Time and again, a brooding, ominous mood is crafted within a few pages, only to be disrupted by the arrival of a predictable, generic monster. The adage that what you can't see is often more terrifying than what you can certainly holds true here. The supernatural entities range from spirits to disfigured humans, yet they largely fall flat. Nakayama Masaaki is not Junji Ito.
That said, if his monsters lack impact, Nakayama seems to have attempted to mimic Ito's penchant for abrupt endings. The difference lies in the fact that, rather than approaching the tales in Fuan no Tane with the investment required by Ito's more conventional "short story" format, readers quickly realize after a couple of chapters that they're not experiencing a traditional horror story but rather glimpsing through a grimy window onto a horrifying street.
For those who have indulged heavily in horror manga, Fuan no Tane offers a refreshing diversion. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone intrigued by the genre or weary of its homogeneity. It weaves its narratives differently, cultivating a profound atmosphere of dread and foreboding throughout.
I read the entire thing in one sitting, not because I loved it, but because some of the stories were incredibly short.
Short as in a single page for some, while the longer ones had little to no dialogue.
The first story hooked me, and I was excited for a collection of chilling tales. Unfortunately, the better stories were greatly outnumbered by those where essentially nothing happened.
The artwork was solid, so some moments did manage to creep me out.
However, the art couldn't compensate for the lackluster chapters.
If you're searching for scares, you won't find much in this manga.
Definitely a good choice for a bedtime read when you're in the mood for a light dose of horror without committing an entire day to it. It doesn't demand excessive focus, making it perfect for casual consumption.
One drawback regarding the story length is that some were so short that it was difficult to grasp what was happening. Additionally, a few narratives felt repetitive. However, since they were so succinct, it wasn't much of an issue because a fresh story was just a page or two away.
<p>
I catch myself checking over my shoulder while reading this.
I would certainly recommend this manga to anyone seeking a chilling read.
<p>
It's safe to say that practically every short story in this collection follows a formula: "here's your setting and characters, which you'll know nothing about," "scary face or dead-all-along or I'll-ignore-the-big-bad," "end." There's little variation. One surprisingly wholesome short story stands out—it's about a brother who uses what seems to be a harmless cursed bear to share the beauty of the outside world with his sister who couldn't go outside. While the bear being "cursed" was likely meant to be creepy, it didn't feel that way and was funny enough to be the only short I felt had enough room to breathe.
Almost every other story feels like it could have been interesting if given time to immerse you and didn't end so abruptly. Instead, we get the punchline and the height of the action but nothing else. This might have been intentional, aiming to constantly show you the "peak" without resolution (perhaps another reason behind the name "Seeds of Anxiety"), but here, it doesn't work. It leaves you feeling like you're missing larger chunks of the story, like fast-forwarding through a movie to only the best bits and ignoring everything else.
All in all, if you're just looking to collect some spooky manga panels, this might offer what you're after. Don't expect good 5-10 second stories, though—you'll likely be disappointed.
While the top reviews do contain some truth, as one might easily mistake it for a straight horror anthology akin to Ito's work, when you look at the title of this collection (Seeds of Anxiety) and consider its content, I'm more inclined to think that the author's aim with most of these shorts was to depict small, naive anxieties or paranoias from our daily routines rather than to create an atmosphere for a ghost story. For instance, when late at night, you glance at your window or peephole expecting to see something there, imagine unspeakable horrors lurking in your communal spaces, or are tricked into sensing the supernatural due to your eyes' blind spots.
Because of this, I think the criticisms in other reviews, while valid, should be considered from this perspective.
Of course, I'm still not someone who would fiercely defend it tooth and nail. While it does have its share of interesting and creepy stories (five or six for me) that made it worthwhile, most of them were only mildly entertaining or even silly and not particularly memorable. However, it's a very quick read, so I'd say give it a try. I believe those prone to paranoia will certainly find resonance in this work.
<p>
The absence of introductions or conclusions encourages readers to craft their own. Some chapters will leave you questioning, a handful are heartwarming, others harrowing, and a few might have you rolling your eyes (yes, it can feel formulaic or repetitive at times).
Dig deeper, and you may uncover how the series examines themes of everyday life in ordinary settings, with nuanced commentary on societal attitudes toward isolation, loneliness, mental health, and suicide.
I particularly appreciated the inclusion of photographs of real locations scattered throughout the volumes. The idea that these unsettling events could have occurred in those very places heightens the tension (akin to "based on a true story"). After all, Nakayama does hint that "sometimes, there is some truth hidden in an urban legend."
<p>
Fuan no Tane is an anthology of horror short stories, ranging from ghostly encounters to urban legends and superstitions. The tales are concise, offering little to no explanation for the events that unfold, which is precisely what makes this manga exceptional. It's the unsettling atmosphere each story evokes that leaves a lasting impression.
Art: 8/10
The artwork is outstanding. Ghosts are crafted in deeply disturbing ways—some mere shadows, others faceless—and each spectral presence is uniquely terrifying in its own right.
Character: 7/10
There are no central characters in this manga, as it consists solely of short stories. However, all entities, whether monstrous or human, are vividly portrayed, bringing their chilling experiences to life.
Enjoyment: 8/10
I thoroughly enjoyed these narratives. They diverge from the conventional terrifying plots we often encounter. The brevity of the stories ensures that while nothing overtly horrifying occurs, they still leave readers with a lingering sense of unease and discomfort. These tales won't haunt your dreams, but they certainly won't leave you unaffected either.
Overall: 8/10
If you have a taste for horror, consider giving this manga a try—it's absolutely worth your time.
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