‘Tales of the Unusual’ Webtoon Review: The Unusual in the Ordinary

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Overview

Tales of the Unusual follows a series of eerie, self‑contained stories that show bizarre events in ordinary people’s lives. The unsettling mood feels like a toned‑down version of Junji Ito’s world, but the anthology format keeps readers moving through mini short stories that are easy to pick up and hard to put down.

Background

The webtoon is built around numerous short stories, grouped into different parts and presented as separate “tales.” Each tale delves into urban legends, old myths, or original horror scenarios, all delivered in an eerie, matter‑of‑fact way. Some stories have clear setups and payoffs, while others drop a strange event into an otherwise normal day and let readers fill in the blanks.

Across these episodes, human instincts and urges take bizarre, often horrifying turns. The series leaves plenty to the imagination, but the tension and surprise in each episode feel similar to reading a collection of twist‑heavy short stories.

Story, pacing, and structure

This is a true marathon‑length webtoon, but it never gets stuck on a single storyline. Most tales avoid unnecessary buildup, so the pacing generally matches the anthology structure very well. Some stories are extremely short, contained within a single episode, while others span 10 or more parts.

Only a handful of tales feel slow or forgettable; for the most part, the stories stay sharp and concise. The webtoon is already completed, and this review comes after a second full read‑through, which speaks volumes about its reread value. One standout is Tale 16, “Beauty Water,” which even received its own animated adaptation and easily has enough material to support a full, separate webtoon. The scope of that story goes beyond the short format it’s given here. You can check out the animated version here on – Smings World

Characters and relationships

Because Tales of the Unusual is an anthology, it features a large number of characters rather than one main cast. Instead of attaching to a single protagonist, readers tend to side with the tales they like best. The most consistent “relationship” in the series is actually between the readers and the characters. Each episode invites readers to judge these people for their choices, their selfishness, and their fate.

Many characters are either painfully naïve or openly cruel, and the webtoon rarely offers them convenient redemption. Through these extreme situations, the series constantly probes modern morality and ethics, asking what people might do when pushed past their limits. The result is a very entertaining collection of human dramas wrapped in strange, often disturbing scenarios.

Art, color, and readability

The visuals are clean but also have a detailed style that fits its horror tone. The grayscale colour palette matches the atmosphere and evokes that “soft Junji Ito” feeling, with just enough grit to make the imagery stick without becoming too over-the-top. Panelling stays clear and easy to follow, whether the story is in flashback or present time, and the flow down the vertical scroll feels natural without the need to go back and forth.

Character designs are precise to match the theme. Faces and silhouettes are distinct, grounded, and expressive, without going overboard, which enhances the impact of each twist. Readers who dislike overly stylised or overly vibrant artwork will likely appreciate how restrained and readable the visuals are. The designs support the story rather than distract from it, making long reading sessions comfortable on the eyes. The language is easy to understand (ref. English translation) and realistic, given the nature of the tales.

Themes and tone

The series leans into dark themes centred on human choices, especially greed, envy, fear, and sometimes just overwhelming emotions. The tone often feels grounded with subtle hints of despair running under many tales. As the episodes progress, the webtoon keeps showing both sides of human nature, but the endings rarely turn out purely positive; most wrap up on bitter, eerie, or quietly tragic notes!

Whether readers accept these endings or not, the structure makes it easy to move straight into the next tale, where a new emotion is ready to show its new depth!

Overall impression 4.5/5 – Oh, it’s sweet but a psycho, a little bit psycho!

Tales of the Unusual is a must‑read for horror fans and anyone who enjoys short, twisted stories. The compactness of each tale makes it perfect for reading at one’s own pace, whether in quick read or long binge sessions. As a “bedtime story” webtoon for fans of mystery and horror, it hits a sweet spot between creepy and accessible.

Readers do not need to be into webtoon lore to enjoy this series; its anthology format and straightforward presentation make it welcoming to newcomers as well. Overall, Tales of the Unusual stands out as an engaging, imaginative horror collection – highly recommended at 4.5/5.

Have you read Tales of the Unusual? Which tales left the biggest impression on you?

Mine are – Beauty Water, New Beauty Water, Oil Bug Diet, and A Webtoonist’s Dream ❤️

You can check out this Webtoon here: Tales of the Unusual by Seongdae Oh

Share your thoughts below! 🚀 SYA!