Popular Junji Ito Pop-Up Shop Returns for 2026 with New Exclusive Merchandise

The Junji Ito “Scream” POP UP STORE is scheduled to take place at Hakaba Gallery Nakano during the summer of 2026, bringing another immersive celebration of the legendary horror creator’s work to fans.

Organized by CRAZY BUMP, a company known for producing and managing events focused on manga, anime, tokusatsu productions, and other areas of Japanese pop culture, the event continues a long-running tradition of Junji Ito collaborations at the venue.

Hakaba Gallery’s annual summer exhibitions have become known for playful rumors among visitors, including claims that temperatures inside the building somehow dropped by three degrees or that the chill experienced by guests came from something other than air conditioning.

Continuing that tradition, the 2026 event adopts the title “Scream” and promises to fill Nakano with echoes of horror throughout the hottest period of the year.

Junji Ito remains one of the most influential names in horror manga, earning worldwide recognition through decades of acclaimed work as well as collaborations with numerous brands and artists both in Japan and internationally.

His popularity continues to grow among overseas visitors exploring Nakano Broadway, where his name has developed a reputation almost like an urban legend among horror enthusiasts.

For many years, Hakaba Gallery has brought the unsettling atmosphere of Junji Ito’s stories into a real-world setting through special exhibitions and themed events.

The 2026 edition centers on the concept of “lingering screams,” representing the unsettling sensation that remains long after finishing one of Ito’s stories.

The theme reflects the way fear quietly resurfaces after the final page has been turned, allowing a sense of unease to continue echoing within the reader’s mind.

A specially created illustration produced exclusively by Junji Ito serves as the event’s key visual and forms the basis for numerous exclusive products.

The artwork combines elegance and discomfort in equal measure, capturing the distinctive atmosphere that has defined Ito’s body of work.

Stories have circulated that visitors drawn in by these lingering screams lose all restraint upon entering the venue and leave with far more merchandise than originally intended, although whether this phenomenon truly exists remains for guests to decide for themselves.

The merchandise selection focuses on apparel, accessories, collectibles, and lifestyle items inspired by some of Junji Ito’s most memorable creations, allowing visitors to take home a lasting reminder of the event’s eerie atmosphere.

Among the featured products are the Scream T-shirt, Painter T-shirt, Adopted Daughter T-shirt, Hanging Balloon T-shirt, and Souichi T-shirt, each priced at ¥5,500 (approx. $38 USD/ £29 GBP) and featuring distinctive artwork and color schemes that reinterpret Junji Ito’s horror imagery through contemporary fashion design.

The Painter T-shirt showcases a portrait of Tomie enhanced with vivid coloring that further emphasizes her mysterious charm and unsettling beauty.

The Adopted Daughter T-shirt combines bright visual elements reminiscent of 1980s city pop aesthetics with imagery associated with Tomie’s darker world.

The Hanging Balloon T-shirt incorporates the iconic image of a face-shaped balloon descending upon its target, presented through a bold and colorful layout.

The Souichi T-shirt balances a playful appearance with an underlying sense of madness and malice associated with the character.

A long-sleeved shirt based on “The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads” is available for ¥8,030 (approx. $55 USD/ £42 GBP) and features extensive printing across the front, back, and sleeves, using monochrome tones to reflect the story’s darker atmosphere while highlighting the tension between beauty and insanity.

The event also includes a specially designed Scream Jersey priced at ¥11,000 (approx. $76 USD/ £58 GBP), showcasing two versions of Tomie illustrated exclusively for the exhibition.

An all-over print Painter Aloha Shirt priced at ¥17,600 (approx. $121 USD/ £93 GBP) presents Tomie’s beauty and grotesque transformations across the entire garment in a striking display.

Additional merchandise includes a Tomie-themed waist bag priced at ¥5,500 (approx. $38 USD/ £29 GBP) and decorated with a collage of scenes from across the series.

The waist bag measures approximately 16 cm wide, 10 cm high, and 6 cm deep while providing enough storage space for everyday essentials.

A Tomie multi-case priced at ¥1,650 (approx. $11 USD/ £9 GBP) is designed for carrying small collectibles and personal belongings, includes numerous internal pockets, and measures approximately 14.5 cm wide, 20 cm high, and 2 cm deep.

The item is suitable for storing acrylic stands, cards, travel valuables, and other small possessions.

A Tomie Aquarium Glass Candle priced at ¥3,300 (approx. $23 USD/ £17 GBP) recreates an unsettling scene through artwork printed on transparent glass.

The candle measures approximately 7.5 cm in width and 7.5 cm in height, with the flickering flame intended to create an atmosphere that balances tranquility and unease.

Visitors will also find a B2 Poster featuring the event’s exclusive key visual, depicting Tomie and her reflection in a composition filled with hostility and tension, priced at ¥2,200 (approx. $15 USD/ £12 GBP).

This poster will be sold exclusively at the Hakaba Gallery Nakano location and will not be available through the online store.

Additional products are planned for announcement at a later date.

Customers who spend over 5,000 yen at the pop up store will receive a special bonus illustration card, selected at random from 6 exclusive designs.

The annual collaboration between Junji Ito and Hakaba Gallery once again seeks to immerse visitors in a world of psychological horror while celebrating the enduring appeal of the creator’s work.

Alongside the fear and discomfort associated with the exhibition’s central theme, the event also serves as a showcase for the passion and admiration that fans continue to hold for Junji Ito’s creations.

A social media campaign and a Junji Ito autograph signing event are also planned as part of the broader celebration.

Due to the large number of visitors expected during the opening period, special admission procedures will be implemented to help reduce congestion and lengthy queues.

Entry on July 2, July 3, July 4, and July 5, 2026, will require advance reservations using the LivePocket-Ticket system, with places allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Even after unrestricted admission begins, temporary entry limitations may still be introduced depending on crowd conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to monitor the official Hakaba Gallery Nakano social media account for operational updates and attendance information.

Applications for admission reservations will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. on June 19, 2026, until 8:00 p.m. on the day of each event session.

Advance admission registration does not guarantee the availability or purchase of event-exclusive merchandise or promotional items.

The Junji Ito POP UP STORE “Scream” will run at Hakaba Gallery Nakano and the Hakaba Gallery Online Store from July 2 through August 17, 2026.

Event Details

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