Titan Manga, an imprint of Titan Comics, has unveiled an exclusive first look at the English cover and select interior pages for the highly anticipated manga adaptation of Uketsu’s bestselling horror novel, Strange Pictures. The first volume is set to release on June 2, 2026.
The reveal provides fans with a glimpse into the chilling artwork by Aiba Noriyuki, bringing Uketsu’s intricate and unsettling mystery to life in manga form.
Diving into the World of “Strange Pictures” Manga
Strange Pictures (original Japanese title: Henna E) is a psychological mystery-horror series that originated as a hugely popular novel by the enigmatic, masked YouTuber Uketsu. The novel, first published in Japan in 2022 and translated into English in 2025, quickly became an international bestseller, lauded for its unique format and suspenseful storytelling.
The Enigmatic Author Uketsu
Uketsu, known for maintaining anonymity by appearing in a mask, has garnered significant attention as one of Japan’s most talked-about contemporary authors. His debut novel, Strange Pictures, captivated millions with its innovative structure, inviting readers to solve an interconnected mystery alongside the narrator through a series of embedded drawings.
The Art of Aiba Noriyuki
The manga adaptation, illustrated by Aiba Noriyuki (also known as Kikō Aiba), began serialization on Futabasha’s Web Action manga website in October 2024. Aiba Noriyuki’s work includes credits such as Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- side D.H & B.A.T, and their style is poised to amplify the eerie atmosphere of Uketsu’s narrative. As of August 2025, three tankobon volumes of the manga have been published in Japan.
Unraveling the Mystery: What to Expect
The core of Strange Pictures revolves around a collection of seemingly innocent, childlike sketches that, when pieced together, unveil a dark web of unsolved mysteries and shattered psyches. The narrative reportedly transforms mundane situations into the macabre, appealing to fans of modern psychological horror and renowned artists like Junji Ito.
Key Story Elements
- Cryptic Drawings: The story uses drawings and visual clues as central plot devices. These include a pregnant woman’s doodles on her blog that conceal a dire warning, a boy’s simple drawing of his home hiding a message no child should know, and a murder victim’s final sketch becoming a clue for an amateur sleuth.
- Interconnected Narratives: The novel, and by extension the manga, is structured around a series of seemingly disparate stories that gradually converge, revealing a larger, overarching mystery. This innovative structure challenges readers to act as detectives, piecing together clues across different timelines and characters.
- Themes of Trauma and Protection: At its heart, the series explores how trauma can be transmitted across generations and how the urge to protect can sometimes justify harm. It delves into complex themes such as the challenges faced by working mothers, the collapse of Japan’s economic bubble, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Publication Details and Pre-orders
The first English volume of Strange Pictures is a 160-page paperback retailing at $12.99. It is scheduled for release on June 2, 2026. Fans eager to delve into this chilling mystery can pre-order Strange Pictures, Volume 1 from major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and Forbidden Planet in the UK and Europe.
Titan Manga’s acquisition and upcoming release of Strange Pictures highlights its commitment to bringing compelling Japanese horror and mystery titles to English-speaking audiences.
