Penguin Random House India has announced the release of Strange Houses and Strange Pictures, two cult-horror bestsellers by Japanese writer Uketsu, translated by Jim Rion. The books mark the arrival of one of Japan’s most mysterious and intriguing literary voices on the Indian stage.

Known for his minimalist yet deeply unsettling style, Uketsu has gained a global cult following for transforming ordinary spaces into psychological landscapes of fear. His works explore the uncanny beneath everyday life — a hallmark of modern Japanese horror.

Strange Houses follows a couple who move into a new home, only to discover strange “dead spaces” scattered through the building — corridors that twist endlessly, rooms that shouldn’t exist, and doors that seem to open by themselves. In Strange Pictures, the horror turns visual: nine childlike drawings hold disturbing clues that connect to a larger, haunting mystery.

In recent years, Japanese literature has seen a growing readership in India, with writers such as Haruki Murakami, Sayaka Murata, and Michiko Aoyama finding a strong following among Indian audiences. With Uketsu, Penguin hopes to expand that readership into the realm of psychological horror.

“Uketsu’s stories capture fear in its quietest, most human form,” said a Penguin India spokesperson. “They remind us that the familiar can often be the most frightening.”

Shrouded in anonymity, Uketsu’s true identity remains unknown, adding to his cult status among fans of contemporary Japanese fiction.

Strange Houses and Strange Pictures will be published by Penguin Random House India in November 2025.