Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Hell Screen: The Manga Edition

A chilling horror story of artistic obsession and the price of perfection, based on the classic tale by Ryunosuke Akutagawa!

Hell Screen follows Yoshihide, a renowned but tormented artist who, despite his talent, is rude, lazy and avaricious. Known for his abrasive demeanor, Yoshihide’s one light is the deep affection he harbors for his daughter, Yuzuki. When she enters the service of the powerful Lord Horikawa, tensions rise between the artist and the lord’s court, especially after disturbing rumors of Yuzuki’s treatment emerge.

Tasked with painting a monumental screen depicting the torments of hell, Yoshihide’s dedication takes a dark turn as he pushes the boundaries of morality in his quest for authenticity. As his obsession with capturing human suffering intensifies, the line between creation and cruelty blurs, leading to devastating consequences.

Akutagawa’s story is a masterful exploration of the intersection between art and madness, power and exploitation. Revered as one of Japan’s greatest writers, Akutagawa’s work continues to influence modern storytelling, with Hell Screen standing out as a haunting meditation on the sacrifices demanded by art.

**Recommended for readers ages 16+ due to mature themes and graphic content.**

Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) is regarded as the father of the Japanese short story and Japan’s most prestigious literary prize, the Akutagawa Prize, is named after him. He wrote over 150 short stories, the most famous of which are Rashomon, In a Grove, Kappa and Hell Screen. He was a great fan of Natsume Soseki, and it was Soseki’s praise for his story The Nose that first brought Akutagawa to fame. In 1921, Akutagawa went to China as a newspaper reporter, a stressful experience that damaged his physical and mental health. Although he continued to write after his return to Japan, his health did not improve. He committed suicide at the age of thirty-five.

Mihiro (Manga Adaptor) is a is a Japan-based manga artist who specializes in the scary and the offbeat. More of Mihiro’s work can be seen on Instagram: @mihiro5884