Gyo (rank 3)

Publisher: Viz 
Volumes: 2/2 or 1/1 Omnibus (Complete), In Print
Seinen
Genre: Horror, Body Horror

Summary: Tadashi and Kaori are on vacation, but it’s not going well. Between Kaori’s sensitive sense of smell and Tadashi getting fed up with her demands they are spending more time arguing than anything else. But what’s that terrible smell? Fish with legs? What’s happening? Is this how the world ends?

This also contains two short stories:
The Sad Tale of the Principal Post: The father of the house is somehow trapped under the house’s central supporting pillar.

The Enigma of Amigara Fault: This hole was made just for me! An infamous story about a newly exposed rock face that is full of human sized holes and those irresistibly drawn to them.

Review: This is a really weird horror story and it has several phases. The first phase is when they’re studying the walking fish. At first it seems like a Scifi story, somewhere between evolution and then later, a biological weapon that might have been unleashed. A lot of readers found this initial part of the story unintentionally funny and campy between Kaori ranting about bad smells and being chased by stinky fish with legs.

Mild Spoilers: (highlight to read)
But then the story takes a darker turn when it’s revealed the legs are parasitic, and carrying a deadly germ that kills its hosts and turns them into disgusting putrid bloated corpses. And finally, the legs seek their new hosts- humans. And then the story takes a turn for the supernatural as it is revealed the gas is alive and out for death and destruction.

All in all, it’s a really bizarre horror story. Personally, I found it more gross and disgusting than scary, except for a few notable parts of the story. But at the same time the inventive craziness of it all kept the story interesting as the stakes keep escalating in a bizarre, gross fashion. Also for better or worse this is definitely the weirdest fictional apocalypse I’ve ever read.

Recommended: This manga is well known for being considered somewhat unintentionally funny. It’s not a bad read at all, and still a wild ride. But it is one of Junji Ito’s lesser works to be sure. For new Junji Ito readers, it is better to start with Uzumaki, his most famous work, or some of his short story collections. Although the infamous Amigara Fault story is generally considered to be a must read, so at least read that one.

Other works by this mangaka (from most to least popular): Uzumaki, Tomie, Shiver, Smashed, Fragments of Horror, Dissolving Classroom, Junji Ito’s Cat Diary Yon & Mu, No Longer Human, Frankenstein, Flesh Colored Horror. And Venus in the Blind Spot, Remina (licensed but not published yet)

Age Rating: R: this story is extremely graphic, gross and disturbing.