Cat-Eyed Boy (Vol. 1) - Kazuo Umezz

Cat-Eyed Boy Vol. 1 introduces readers to a chilling world where grotesque creatures, cursed humans, and moral decay dominate the landscape. Created by legendary horror mangaka Kazuo Umezz, this volume collects several standalone horror stories all narrated by the Cat-Eyed Boy—a mysterious, mischievous child born of monsters, yet rejected by both humans and demons alike.

Rather than a hero or a villain, Cat-Eyed Boy acts as a bitter observer, sometimes helping the innocent, sometimes punishing the wicked. The stories blend folklore with body horror, moral fables, and an eerie sense of justice. Umezz’s unique art style heightens the surreal and unsettling mood, making each story linger long after reading.

Main Themes of the Book

• Alienation and Otherness: Cat-Eyed Boy’s status as an outcast reflects deeper social fears and rejection.
• Supernatural Justice: Each tale confronts human cruelty and greed through cosmic or monstrous punishment.
• Folklore and Yokai: Draws heavily on Japanese folklore with appearances from spirits, demons, and cursed beings.
• Psychological Horror: Explores guilt, fear, and madness alongside grotesque imagery.
• Morality Tales: Many stories end with poetic justice, reflecting karmic consequences.

Why you should read this manga

• Created by horror master Kazuo Umezz, a pioneer of the genre.
• Offers rare, dark fairy tale-style horror through a unique anti-hero.
• Rich with Japanese folklore and mythological creatures.
• Perfect for fans of Junji Ito, classic horror manga, and eerie anthology storytelling.
• Combines unsettling visuals with deep emotional and ethical questions.

Cat-Eyed Boy Vol. 1 is a haunting, poetic dive into the darker sides of humanity and the supernatural forces that punish it. With a narrator who straddles the line between empathy and detachment, Kazuo Umezz crafts a world where terror lurks behind every moral misstep. A must-read for anyone fascinated by classic horror with a folkloric twist.