Strange Pictures, Vol. 3

変な絵 [Hen na E] #3

by Uketsu, Aiba Noriyuki (Illustrator)

The chilling third volume manga adaptation of Uketsu’s bestselling horror phenomenon, brought to life by artist Aiba Noriyuki.

For fans of Junji Ito: this eerie mystery unravels in chilling childlike sketches and obscure clues that will haunt you long after the last page.

From Japan’s breakout horror sensation comes a chilling new manga experience.

Strange Pictures is the spine-tingling manga adaptation of Uketsu’s bestselling novel, brought vividly to life by artist Aiba Noriyuki. Uketsu – the enigmatic masked writer who has become one of Japan’s most talked-about authors – first captivated readers with a novel that sold in the millions. Now, the terror unfolds panel by panel.

At its core lie nine childlike sketches. A pregnant woman’s doodles on her blog conceal a dire warning. A boy’s simple drawing of his home hides a message no child should know. A murder victim’s final sketch becomes a clue that drags an amateur sleuth into a labyrinth of secrets. Each picture is innocent at first glance ­– yet when pieced together, they reveal a web of unsolved mysteries and shattered psyches.

For fans of Junji Ito and modern psychological horror, Strange Pictures transforms the mundane into the macabre. Some images fade, but these horrors will be etched in your memory.

This third volume delves into the past to follow a student reporter investigating a three-year old case where a drawing was made seemingly right before a victim was murdered. But with limited resources and almost no new leads, can the novice journalist find a scoop of truth buried beneath a painting of lies?

Genres: Manga, Mystery

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2025

About the author

Associated Names:
* Uketsu
* 雨穴
* อุเก็ตสึ (Thai Profile)

Reviews

[⋆｡˚꒰ঌ worm ໒꒱˚｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting to this point, it's reallyyyyy hard to say which is better- the manga or the novel? And I think both have their charms- it's really up to what each reader prefers. And this volume was really well done!

[Christian Luigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trovo che "Strani disegni" sia uno dei rari casi in cui il manga batte il libro. Format gradevole - anche se potenzialmente infinito, pericolo serializzazione che non finisce da nessuna parte - e ben disegnato. I casi affrontati sono interessanti e hanno quel grado di difficoltà che ti lascia di stucco. Non sono un giallista, quindi non mi reputo dotato di quegli strumenti critici-settoriali per comprendere se il modo con cui sono disseminati gli indizi e le deduzioni del protagonista siano davvero originali o ben posti. Il punto è che in alcuni punti mi sono stupito, ma non saprei dire se lo stupore in questione sia oggettivamente positivo o meno. Comunque, ottimo e consigliato.

[Nein · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fun to read the manga after reading the book. Waiting for next volume

[Lee Shain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right on the best part...

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le manga a tabassé le livre a cette partie

[Thao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr spannend! Aber was ist aus der Geschichte von Band 2 geworden? Oder war das alles?