Kikō Aiba’s manga adaptation of Uketsu’s bestselling horror novel, Strange Pictures (also known as Henna E), is officially entering its final arc. The announcement was made in the November 4 issue of Futabasha’s Manga Action magazine, with the concluding arc set to begin in the November 18 issue.
The series, which launched on Futabasha’s Web Action manga website in October 2024, has captivated readers with its intricate and chilling mystery centered around unsettling drawings.
The Unraveling Mystery of Strange Pictures
Strange Pictures is a psychological mystery that delves into the disturbing connections between seemingly innocent drawings and a web of unsolved crimes and shattered lives. The narrative challenges readers to become detectives, piecing together clues hidden within various sketches.
From Bestselling Novel to Manga Adaptation
The manga is an adaptation of Uketsu’s debut novel, Henna E (which translates to Strange Pictures), originally published in Japan in October 2022 by Futabasha. The novel quickly became a global phenomenon, selling millions of copies and being translated into over 30 languages. Uketsu, an enigmatic masked writer and popular YouTuber, is known for their unique approach to horror and mystery.
The Premise: Drawings That Conceal Darkness
The core of Strange Pictures revolves around a series of unsettling illustrations:
- A pregnant woman’s doodles on a blog that hide a dire warning.
- A boy’s simple drawing of his home that contains a message no child should know.
- A murder victim’s final sketch that serves as a crucial clue for an amateur sleuth.
Each drawing, innocent at first glance, contributes to a larger, more sinister puzzle when examined closely and pieced together. The stories, initially appearing unconnected, ultimately reveal a years-long narrative of trauma, abuse, and hidden evil.
Publication and International Release
In Japan, Futabasha shipped the third compiled volume of the Strange Pictures manga on August 7, 2025.
For English-speaking audiences, Titan Manga is publishing the series. The first English volume is slated for release on June 2, 2026. Panini Manga has also licensed Strange Pictures – Seltsame Bilder for release in German-speaking markets, with the first volume expected in April 2026.
Fans eager to experience Uketsu’s unique brand of horror have also been introduced to another adaptation: Kyō Ayano’s manga, The Strange House (Henna Ie), based on a different novel by Uketsu, which debuted in January 2023. Seven Seas Entertainment is releasing The Strange House in English.
