An Interview with Horror Manga Artist Anji Matono

Date: 2025 November 29 09:51

Posted by Joe

This year in Japan Expo in Paris one of the Japanese guests was horror manga artist Anji Matono. Best known for her work 100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Own Death it collects a series of gruesome horror stories which spans across multiple volumes of unsettling manga.

We were lucky enough to catch up with her while in Paris and find out about what it's like being a horror manga artist.

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Is this your first time in Paris?

Yes, it's my first time in Paris.

Will you be visiting any sights while you're here?

I'll go to the Louvre Museum and the Opera Garnier.

Do you intend to go to the catacombs in Paris?

I really want to go to the catacombs, but my trip to Paris this time is really short. So next time when I come I'll definitely check that out!

What do you think the international appeal of horror manga is?

In Japan the genre of horror isn't actually popular one, but in international events the genre is more popular. So I want my stories to be broadcast internationally.

Did you ever expect to be a guest in the largest anime convention in Europe?

I never thought I'd be invited! So I got very lucky and I'm very happy to be here.

Where did you get the idea for the concept of The Hundred Ghost Stories That Led to My Death?

I wanted to make a lot of small horror stories. In the end it sort of ties up together. I'm going for a concept where the main character is going through all these little plots, which in the end you're going to discover that they're all interconnected.

Did you have any trouble thinking of each story?

It's difficult every single time and it feels like I'm suffering each time I have to come up with a new story.

Which is your most favourite story?

There's a chapter called Nendoman, the characters very cute and I had a fun time writing it, it's a very approachable and adorable persona.

Which do you think the scariest story is?

In the 8th chapter there's a story where a group of friends have a fight and one of the friends appears with a different face and they're saying why are you appearing in this way?!

Originally you were considering becoming a comedy manga artist? Can you tell us more about this?

I enjoy writing funny stories, so I started off with that. However when I showed it to my publishers they told me my art style was more towards the horror style.

Do you think comedy stories and horror stories have a similar structure? You set them up, then you have the punch line or the fright of a horror story.

It's very similar, there's this very fine line where you reach towards a point where either you laugh or either you're frightened.

Can both happen?!

The more you're able to be frightened the more likely you're going to laugh as well. It's keeping that balance there and trying to manage both at the same time.

Have you had any trouble drawing things because they're too scary?

I really enjoy drawing lines. I'm always focusing on the idea of drawing something that's scarier and scarier. Then whenever it's scarier enough then I feel satisfied. It feels good to draw something terrifying!

Have you got any messages you'd like to send to the readers of the manga?

In the general category of horror, all of my characters are very deep and intertwined. They all have this complex persona to it. I want my readers to understand and enjoy the plots with the characters. If you don't read horror as much, I want them to give it a try!

What scary things do you think you'll find while you're travelling?

I'm not afraid of ghosts, but people who come towards you with a smile, but in reality have duel intentions.

How do you think events like Japan Expo compare to similar events in Japan?

I thought it would be really different, but when I got here I realised it's really similar. You gather people who like your work and like the same culture. So it's basically the same in every country.

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Otaku News would like to thank Anji Matono for giving us such awesome answers to our questions. We'd also like to thank the good folks at Japan Expo for arranging this interview for us and providing us with the opportunity to meet Anji Matono in person in Paris.

100 Ghost Stories That Will Lead to My Own Death is available in English from Seven Seas Entertainment.

Source: Otaku News