Junji Ito's horror properties are in active expansion across media: a live-action omnibus series is streaming internationally via HBO Max, a live-action film co-production is in development, and new Tomie art and merchandise continue to appear for the USJ Halloween Horror Night event.
Junji Ito's work is being adapted and merchandised at a rapid pace. The live-action omnibus series Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights, based on 13 of his manga stories, premiered on TV Tokyo on July 3 and will stream internationally via HBO Max this fall. The series saw a last-minute episode order rearrangement, moving "Lovesickness" (Part 1) to the premiere slot and postponing "The Mansion of Phantom Pain" without a new date. The cast includes Nijirō Murakami and Kanata Hosoda, with IVE performing the opening theme and 10CM the ending theme. Anime Expo screened the first two episodes, including a world premiere of the second.
Separately, a live-action film of Ito's 1988 one-shot The Long Hair in the Attic is in development as a co-production between Toei, Thailand's M Studio, and South Korea's Showbox, with Thai director Sitisiri Mongkolsiri attached. Filming is planned for 2027. On the merchandise front, Ito contributed new Tomie art for Universal Studios Japan's Halloween Horror Night, marking the first collaboration between Tomie and the event's Street Zombies. The event runs September 11 to November 8, with goods on sale September 9. A painted prototype of a Gyaru Tomie figure with Hello Kitty accessories also appeared at Good Smile Fest 2026, continuing the Sanrio crossover. Ito also appeared with Rumiko Takahashi in a Viz Media video, filmed in San Francisco in January, where both discussed a hypothetical horror collaboration.
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Universal Studios Japan's Halloween Horror Night returns for its 15th year on September 11, 2026, with a first-time collaboration between Junji Ito's Tomie and the event's Street Zombies. Ito drew new art of Tomie in a high school zombie uniform holding a Hamikuma plush. Merch goes on sale September 9 at Studio Style.
Universal Studios Japan announced new merchandise and food for its Halloween Horror Night seasonal event. The lineup includes a first-time collaboration between Junji Ito's Tomie and the event's Street Zombies, with original artwork by Ito. The Tomie goods go on sale September 9 at Studio Style, and the event runs from September 11 to November 8.
Hot Toys is launching a line of Fortnite merchandise at a free event in Akihabara, Tokyo, running from August 15 to September 13, 2026. The FORTNITE HOT TOYS GLOBAL LAUNCH EVENT at Bellesalle Akihabara will display the new John Jones the First 1/6 scale figure, limited to 3,000 units worldwide, and sell other items ahead of general release. The figure, priced at 55,000 yen, stands about 32 cm tall with over 25 points of articulation, an eye movement gimmick, and silicone arms for seamless joints. It includes weapons like a rocket launcher and tactical shotgun, plus accessories such as an Orange Flopper and a skin redemption code for the game. The event also features eight types of Cosbi deformed figures at 2,800 yen each, a 1/1 scale Victory Crown at 28,000 yen, three Mega Mi Style 1/9 scale statues at 9,800 yen each, and eight Petit Replica accessory packs at 3,800 yen each. All products except the John Jones figure will be sold at the venue before general sales.
Viz Media released an English-subtitled video featuring Rumiko Takahashi and Junji Ito discussing each other's work, possible collaborations, and industry changes. Ito suggested leaning toward horror, and Takahashi agreed, praising his style. Ito revealed the meeting was filmed in San Francisco in January.
HBO Max will stream the live-action omnibus series Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights internationally this fall. The series, based on 13 manga stories by Junji Ito, premiered in Japan on July 3. Anime Expo screened the first two episodes on Friday. The cast includes Nijirō Murakami, Kanata Hosoda, and others. IVE performs the opening theme.
The staff for the live-action omnibus series Strange: Junji Ito's Tales for Sleepless Nights announced on Sunday that they are rearranging the episode order. The episode "Lovesickness" (Part 1) will now premiere as the first episode, while the previously planned first episode, "The Mansion of Phantom Pain," has been postponed with no new airdate announced. The series premieres on TV Tokyo on July 3.
The July issue of Shogakukan's Big Comic Original Zōkan magazine published the final chapter of Masaru Satō's novelization of Junji Ito's Uzumaki horror manga on June 12. The compiled novel will ship later. Satō launched the novelization in February 2019.
TV Tokyo unveiled the teaser, key visual, and details for its live-action Junji Ito omnibus series, which adapts 13 of his manga stories. The series premieres July 3 on TV Tokyo, with South Korean act 10CM performing the ending theme. Anime Expo 2026 will screen the first two episodes, including a world premiere of the second episode.
A painted prototype of a new Junji Ito figure featuring Gyaru Tomie with Hello Kitty accessories appeared at Good Smile Fest 2026. The figure is part of the ongoing Sanrio characters x Junji Ito crossover. Tomie wears Hello Kitty-themed items including a red bow, socks, phone charm, and bag stickers. The figure uses a greyscale paint approach similar to the Uzumaki Kirie Nendoroid. No release date has been announced, but pre-orders are expected soon.
TV Tokyo revealed the cast for Strange -Junji Ito's Strange Stories for Sleepless Nights-, a live-action omnibus series adapting 13 Junji Ito manga stories. The series premieres July 3 on TV Tokyo's Drama 24 block. The cast includes Nijirō Murakami, Kanata Hosoda, Yōko Maki, and others. IVE performs the opening theme.
Toei, Thai studio M Studio, and South Korean Showbox are co-producing a live-action film of Junji Ito's 1988 one-shot manga The Long Hair in the Attic. Thai director Sitisiri Mongkolsiri will direct. Development is set to finish this year, with filming planned for 2027.