Anji Matono’s manga series, “100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Death” (僕が死ぬだけの百物語, Boku ga Shinu dake no Hyakumonogatari), has reached its end. The final, 100th chapter was published on Friday, marking the conclusion of the horror manga series that began serialization in Shogakukan’s Shōnen Sunday S magazine in December 2020.
Manga Series Overview
“100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Death” is a Japanese manga series penned and illustrated by Anji Matono. The story revolves around a young boy, Yuuma, who recounts ghost stories, leading to eerie and sinister occurrences.
Publication Details
- Author: Anji Matono
- Magazine: Shōnen Sunday S (Shogakukan)
- Original Run: December 25, 2020 – March 2025
- Genre: Horror, Supernatural
- Demographic: Shōnen
- Volumes: 9
Premise
The manga opens with Yuuma contemplating suicide. His classmate, Hina, intervenes, introducing him to the legend of the 100 ghost stories. According to the legend, narrating 100 ghost stories summons a ghost upon completion. Intrigued, Yuuma embarks on this ritual, filming himself as he recounts a new ghost story each night, aiming to reach 100 tales. Each story is a standalone horror tale, with Yuuma providing introductions and concluding remarks.
English Release
Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the manga for English release in North America, with the first volume released in December 2024. Shogakukan Asia also handles the release in Southeast Asia.
Series Ending
In November 2024, it was announced that the manga would conclude in ten chapters, culminating in the 100th chapter released in March 2025.
Volume Information
Shogakukan has compiled the chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on August 12, 2021. As of December 12, 2024, nine volumes have been released.
Themes and Style
Narrative Structure
The manga adopts a pattern where Yuuma addresses the reader directly, introducing each ghost story before delving into the tale. After each story, Yuuma reappears to offer final words. The initial volume contains ten stories, marking one-tenth of the entire series.
Art Style
The manga’s art style varies with the scene’s emotions. Yuuma is often depicted with large, black eyes, a common motif in horror manga that conveys a sense of being dead inside or close to death. The art style shifts between the characters in Yuuma’s stories, enhancing the emotional impact.
Horror Elements
The ghost stories range from macabre and grotesque to weird and oddly funny. They include themes such as families fearing death due to missing “life lines” on their palms, haunted con men, and slasher killers. The cumulative effect of reading through the stories creates a creepy atmosphere.
