Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

The time for ghosts, ghouls, witches and monsters to terrorise the night is almost upon us! A fantastic way to enjoy that hard-earned trick or treat candy is with a delicious dose of spooky yaoi! What’s that? You’re too old for trick-or-treating? Is that why I get all those stares every y-? I mean, great! That means you’re probably old enough to take a look at this list! Enjoy!

 

There are just a few things to note before you begin your scary boys’ love (BL) preparation. All of the manga and manhwa listed here is full on yaoi, meaning shounen-ai and hinted BL will not be included. I have nothing against such genres, in fact I love them just as equally as I do yaoi, but I had to draw the line somewhere (there are just so many!). Yaoi novels have also not been included for the same reason. This means that wonderfully wicked titles like Rust Blaster by Yana Toboso (the same mangaka who created Black Butler), Bloody Mary by Akaza Samamiya, Dictatorial Grimoire by Ayumi Kanou, Secret Moon by Shiira Gou and many others, won’t be included in this list. However, I definitely encourage BL fans to check out these titles if they are a fan of such stories!

 

Secondly, I wanted to state that all the titles listed here have been officially published in English by legitimate publishing companies. There will be no unofficial translations or fan-based scanlation groups listed here, and every manga will be available in English. I believe it is vitally important to promote and support the work of official publishers who fully want to give fans the manga they ask for. If you want yaoi manga in English, then buy it. You cannot support the industry by downloading illegal copies. To that end, I won’t be promoting any product that hasn’t been released by a legitimate English publisher.

 

Last but not least, I wanted to explain how I have ranked the titles below. Although all these mangas and manhwas have spooky themes (ghosts, monsters, vampires and the like), I have not rated them in terms of how frightening they are, but rather in how good I believe their stories to be. That isn’t to say that they’re not scary (or gory, for that matter). In fact, some of these are pretty intense! However, I believe good plots and characters have far more say in whether a manga is enjoyable to a reader or not, in opposed to how realistic drawings of blood splatter and mangled corpses are. So yes, as well as serial killer stories, you’re going to find silly, fluffy demon stories too! If you’re ok with that, feel free to continue!

 

10. Vampire’s Portrait by Hiroki Kusumoto

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

When young artist Lou catches the eye of the devastatingly handsome Sein on the street one afternoon, he thinks his new patron simply wants to commission a portrait for his wall… but what secret flickers within Sein’s piercing gaze? At the very moment that Lou draws closer to his brooding boss, an arrogant rogue named Adam crashes the party and pulls the curtain back on Sein’s blood-sucking identity. Lou realizes that his bond with Sein goes beyond mere portraiture and into the deepest recesses of his heart… but is this frightened boy truly ready to unleash an untamed beast?

Vampire’s Portrait was published in 2007 and could very well be my first experience of horror in yaoi. It has everything you could ever want in a vampire story: bats, blood, the ‘why do you have no reflection’ quip, blood, crosses, contracts, blood, wooden stakes, fangs, did I mention blood? There is also some very beautiful art, including a gorgeous coloured portrait of Sein on the inside cover. In the same vein the facial expressions, of which often fill an entire panel when a character is feeling particularly vicious, are always darkly alluring. The plot is entertaining, but is slightly cliché and suffers a little in terms of pacing. Nonetheless, Vampire’s Portrait is an excellent example of the handsome, brooding vampire falling in love with an innocent ‘maiden’ within a yaoi setting.

 

Vampire’s Portrait consists of two volumes and is published by Juné Manga. It is still available to buy via retailers such as Amazon, and is obtainable in both physical and digital forms.

 

9. The Devil’s Secret by Hinako Takanaga

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Father Mauro lived a peaceful life in a small town ministering to his community. That is, until he found a wounded demon in the bushes of the church garden. While Raoul looks like a demon, complete with horns and a tail, he doesn’t act like the typical demon. Playful? Yes! Mischievous? Yes! Outright evil? Well… that depends on the definition. Does seducing men of the cloth count as evil – especially if they like it?

The Devil’s Secret is a fun, light-hearted story of a kindly priest and a mischievous demon. It’s also written by one of my top five yaoi authors, Hinako Takanaga! Takanaga creates some of the sweetest, deepest yaoi stories I’ve ever read. Her art style is always very gentle, and she always manages to create quirky, interesting characters. The Devil’s Secret may not be the best example of depth, but certainly you can’t get much quirkier than a confused demon who turns into a crystal ball when depressed! This title is full of fluff, smut and feel-good moments. It also contains a number of other one-shots, including Let’s Do Something Useless (a romance between a student teacher and a high school student), Before Winter Comes (a romance between two college students) and The Demons’ Secrets (a hilarious romance between a demon and an incubus).

 

The Devil’s Secret consists of one volume and is published by 801 Media. It is still available to buy via retailers such as Amazon as a physical release.

 

8. A Strange and Mystifying Story by Tsuta Suzuki

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Akio’s family is tragically cursed. His bloodline has fallen prey to a mysterious fatal disease. When Akio’s own health starts failing, he desperately summons the spirit of a strange, protective beast… or is he a ravenous wolf-man?

In order to survive, Akio must trust his very life to a monster who enjoys nothing more than feasting on poisoned blood… with a cold glass of sake of course!

After falling terminally ill and becoming dreadfully lonely after the death of his grandfather, poor Akito then has to deal with a dangerous beast whose hobby is to tear, rip and eat black masses from Akito’s body! The animal appears as a growth from an old fossil tooth, and then crawls up from the floor with a terrifying black smile! Forget the curse, Akito almost died from fright! Although the relationship dynamic is nothing new, A Strange and Mystifying Story provides a refreshing plot and a whole host of unique and interesting characters. If you enjoy supernatural yokai stories with a yaoi twist, you will most certainly enjoy A Strange and Mystifying Story.

 

A Strange and Mystifying Story consists of three volumes and is published by Juné Manga. Due to its age, finding all three volumes can be a bit tricky. Some volumes are available on Amazon. Others might appear on eBay. It is also possible that Juné Manga may restock the series at some point through their online store.

 

7. Mister Mistress by Rize Shinba

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Fujimaru is your average adolescent boy – horny and girl-crazed. Like many guys his age, he enjoys spending “alone time” in the bathroom with erotic magazines, doing… you know. Unlike many guys his age, Fujimaru has a sexy demon incubus, Rei, lurking about his house. Rei wants nothing more than to feed off of Fujimaru’s perverted mind! Soon, Fujimaru’s life becomes an erotic nightmare. He’s just a normal boy whose raging hormones and wet dreams are the source of the incubus Rei’s ever-growing lascivious power.

Remember when I said some of these titles would be silly? Well, Mister Mistress is my number one silly, spooky yaoi manga! The majority of the plot is taken up by smut, but you would be wrong to think that that was all this manga had to offer! Actions from characters are genuinely chuckle-worthy. A perfect example of this comes from Fujimaru’s little brother. On first appearance, the younger Fujimaru is a sweet angel with a bit of a brother’s complex. In reality, little Fujimaru curses his bad luck for having such a ‘stupid’ brother who constantly needs his attention! There really is some hilarious back-and-forth and quite a few surprises!

 

Mister Mistress (Pink Version) consists of two volumes and was originally published by Deux. It is now being published digitally via Sublime Manga and can be bought from their site.

 

6. Midnight Stranger by Naono Bohra

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Roi, a black goat spirit, is getting bullied when out of nowhere he’s rescued by the beautiful fire god Xiu. Xiu gives Roi the ability to take human form, and a grateful Roi decides to serve Xiu as his new master. Now by Xiu’s side every day, Roi wishes to become more than just his servant. Painfully aware of just how ugly he is, Roi believes Xiu could never care about him, and one day something happens to bring Xiu’s wrath down on Roi. What must he do to gain the fire god’s favor?

Just like Hinako Takanaga, Naono Bohra is one of my favourite yaoi authors! One of Bohra’s trademarks is creating yaoi stories featuring middle-aged men, something rarely found in mainstream boys’ love manga. She also has a real knack for supernatural stories with spooky themes, making it impossible for me to not include a number of her books in this list! Featuring demons, vengeful spirits and angry gods, Midnight Stranger is a perfect example of a spooky yaoi manga. Roi is a gentle but chilling-looking ‘goat’ spirit. Featuring large black claws and razor-sharp teeth, one could almost understand why humans find him so frightening (I personally love Roi’s appearance, but hey-ho). Humans had cruelly captured and burned poor Roi alive. Thankfully the fire god, Xiu, takes pity on Roi and saves him just before the Grim Reaper takes him away. It has a rather sombre start, but Midnight Stranger very quickly turns into a sweet, touching romance that tugs on your heartstrings.

 

Midnight Stranger consists of two volumes and is published by Sublime Manga. Both volumes can be bought physically via retailers like Amazon.

 

5. Madness by Kairi Shimotsuki

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

In a distant future, violence has savaged a wild wasteland. Kyo, the leader of a ruthless group known as Madness, has spent the last few years imprisoned in a church, with no memory of his true nature. Tenderly cared for by Izaya, a gentle and beautiful young priest, Kyo’s life has become a tranquil one – until the day the church is attacked by an old enemy…

Madness is like no manga I have ever come across before. Although it is classed as yaoi, it can be equally classed as seinen with a healthy dose of horror and action mixed in. Even if you don’t like boys’ love, there’s still a good chance you’re going to enjoy this. This is because of the mangaka, Kairi Shimotsuki, who is probably best known for authoring the early Sengoku Basara mangas (one of favourite Japanese video games, by the way). She is an expert at creating action-packed fighting scenes, gory endings and busty, hourglass figure women. Not the most common of traits found in boys’ love manga, eh? Indeed, Madness is truly something special! If you love combat, gore, psychopaths who collect people’s faces, breasts, aggressive semes, innocent ukes and lots of murder, you will love Madness. I adore this series, but it’s not for the faint of heart!

 

Madness consists of two volumes and is published by the no longer running company, Blu. Physical copies of Madness can still be bought via retailers like Amazon.

 

4. Three Wolves Mountain by Naono Bohra

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Way up in the mountains, far from any major cities or towns, Kaya Susugi runs a small café by day and guards a haunted cemetery by night. Then, one night, he comes across werewolf brothers Tarou and Jiro. Cheerful but klutzy younger brother Jiro quickly falls head over heels for the capable loner Kaya. What results is a dive into the hot, tail-twitching delight of werewolf mating season!

Three Wolves Mountain is my second Naono Bohra recommendation, and with a theme like werewolves, can you really blame me? Three Wolves Mountain is a beautiful, heartfelt manga with numerous charming characters. Jiro’s enthusiasm towards the solemn Susugi is similar to a puppy running circles around its master by means of attention. He’s a little all over the place, but he always has the best of intentions. Ghosts and possessions are also on the table, along with some very sensitive and painful backstories. Family plays an important part in this story, and that includes wolf packs and dead relatives. There is definitely plenty to enjoy in this haunting yaoi manga!

 

Three Wolves Mountain consists of one volume and is published by Sublime Manga. It can be bought physically from retailers like Amazon, or digitally via the Sublime Manga online store.

 

3. Yokai’s Hunger by Naono Bohra

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Norito Ogami, an average student, has a tendency to attract demons. Koma appears before before Norito, in accordance with the “Sigil Oath,” a promise Norito made in his past life with Koma. The two are attracted to each other but Koma’s siblings and his beautiful archenemy stands in their way…!? Yokai’s Hunger is an enteral love story between a high school senior and a middle-aged beast brought together by fate!

Yokai’s Hunger is my final, and favourite, Naono Bohra recommendation. Just like with Midnight Stranger, gods and yokai are the stars of this manga. Reincarnation also plays a part, along with giant serpents, lions and wolves! Ogami is seemingly cursed and very lonely. If he gets close to anyone, speaks so much as a two words to another person, chances are that person is going to suffer greatly. The scars on Ogami’s wrists show that he has tried to put an end to the danger he poses to other people, but to no avail. Then suddenly, a man named Koma appears… It sounds like a very heavy story, and in some ways it is, but you would be surprised to see just how many jokes and laughable antics gets squeezed into this manga. The characters are what really make Yoaki’s Hunger special, with a number of ‘evil’ siblings rushing to Ogami’s side like moths to a flame. I only wish this manga had been longer. With so many characters it would have been nice to learn a bit more about them.

 

Yokai’s Hunger was originally published by Kitty Media and is now being sold digitally via Sublime Manga’s online store. It is still possible to find physical copies through sites like Amazon and eBay.

 

2. In These Words by TogaQ and KichikuNeko

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

Asano Katsuya is a US trained psychiatrist who was recruited by the Tokyo Police Department to provide a profile through the data of several murder victims. Based on Asano’s profile and recommendation, an elaborate plan was put into place to lure the serial killer out. Within months, the plan bore a successful result.

Three years and twelve victims later, Shinohara Keiji is finally in custody. Shinohara has promised a thorough confession, but Asano has to be the one to receive it.

Besides the curious request by the killer, whom Asano was only familiar with on paper, disturbing nightmares begin to plague him as soon as he is given the case…

In These Words is a title that will definitely send chills down your spine (both the good and the bad kind). This psychological thriller will make your head spin as you come face-to-face with infamous serial killer, Shinohara Keiji. This charming madman has the power to make your toes curl and your hair stand on end. His sick, torturous games are utterly despicable, and now his cruel eyes are set on Katsuya. Katsuya has incredible mental strength, but even he begins to crack under Shinohara’s obsessive attentions. It doesn’t make for the most comfortable of reading, but my goodness does it make an intriguing story! There are lots of twists and turns, gorgeous art and creative character developments. In These Words may not have ghosts and vampires, but it does have a very dangerous bogeyman!

 

In These Words is still ongoing and currently stands at two volumes. Published by GuiltPleasure, both volumes can be bought from their online store.

 

1. Core Scramble by Euho Jun

 

Top 10 Spooky Yaoi Manga

 

In a world plagued by monsters that swarm through portals from other dimensions, a brave group of soldiers, called Clarus Orbis, battles the threat. Unfortunately, when you’re a grunt like Chaeun, survival becomes a daily struggle, especially under the leadership of his sexually arrogant commander Gayoon. Abandoned on the battlefield, Chaeun desperately fights off a bug onslaught only to be rescued by a mysterious Core Hunter named Moonhoo. The strange man flirts with Chaeun, but Moonhoo and his renegades have insidious plans for the portals. And only Chaeun and his reckless leader Gayoon stand in their way.

Ever since he was a little boy, Chaeun has been petrified of the gruesome monsters that materialise around him. He thought he was the only one who could see them, until one day he meets a boy who can not only see the abominations, but kill them too. Chaeun hasn’t been able to get the boy, Gayoon, out of his mind ever since. Gayoon is no hero however, as Chaeun very quickly finds out!

 

Core Scramble is largely about character development and the progression of different relationships. There are badass, big brother-type commanders, strangers who are both utterly charming and worrying sly, and leaders who would rather throw their entire team to the mercy of monsters than get out of bed five minutes early. I love how diverse every single character is, and I admire how the mangaka managed to successfully create a complex, but convincing, sci-fi world with a supernatural twist. It may not be the scariest yaoi title out there, but fear is definitely an essential element that drives the entire series forward. If you’re in a bit of a yaoi slump and want to try something new and exciting, you really do need to check out Core Scramble!

 

Core Scramble consists of three volumes and is published by Net Comics. It can be bought both digitally and physically via Net Comics’ online store or through retailers like Amazon.

 

That’s it! That’s the entire list! I hope you were able to find something that suits your fancy. Some other spooky yaoi manga that narrowly missed out on being in the top ten include: Sweet Blood by Seyoung Kim, Roureville by E. Hae, Necratoholic by Maguro Wasabi and Pathos by Mika Sadahiro. Feel free to check them out if you want! Have a yaoi-tastic Halloween!

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