10 Yokai-Themed Anime Series to Add to Your Watch List
Trust me, it's a genre worth visiting.
1. "GeGeGe no Kitaro" (1968 – 2020)
"GeGeGe no Kitaro" is a cornerstone of Yokai anime, the whole franchise spanning decades and numerous episodes. The series follows Kitaro, the last survivor of the Ghost Tribe, on his adventures to maintain peace between humans and Yokai. A multitude of creatures make their appearances, including the quirky one-eyed father turned into an eyeball, Medama-Oyaji. Mizuki, the manga's creator, is a decorated World War II veteran, who translated his passion for folklore into this enduring series. With each new adaptation, "GeGeGe no Kitaro" offers an updated reflection on Japanese society through the lens of the supernatural. The most recent version, 2018 TV series, is perhaps the best option to ease into the franchise.
2. "Natsume's Book of Friends" (2008 – 2017)
This slice-of-life series introduces us to the world of Takashi Natsume, a boy who can see spirits. Inheriting a mysterious book from his grandmother, filled with Yokai names, he embarks on a journey to free these spirits from servitude. The tranquil rural setting complements the deep emotional undercurrents running through the series, creating a very particular "Natsume's Book of Friends" atmosphere and making it nothing less of iconic. The series has an impressive rating of 8.3 on IMDb, quite a feat for a quieter, more introspective anime.
3. "Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan" (2010 – 2011)
What happens when you're part human, part Yokai, and heir to a grand Yokai clan? You get Rikuo Nura, the young protagonist struggling to live in both worlds while dealing with his transformation at night into a powerful Yokai. Throw in a gang of quirky Yokai comrades and you get a series that balances action, comedy, and supernatural elements quite deftly. Hiroshi Shiibashi, the manga artist, previously worked as an assistant on "Death Note," another hugely popular series.
4. "Inuyasha" (2000 – 2010)
"Inuyasha" is a blend of historical, supernatural, and romantic elements that narrates the tale of Kagome, a modern-day girl, and Inuyasha, a half-demon from the Sengoku period of Japan. When Kagome falls into a well, she is transported back in time, where she frees Inuyasha from a 50-year-old spell, and together, they seek the shards of a powerful jewel. The series boasts a rich tapestry of Yokai, drawing from various Japanese legends and folklore. The four "Inuyasha" films collectively grossed over $20 million, a testament to its popularity.
5. "Mononoke" (2007)
Venturing into the Edo period, "Mononoke" introduces us to the Medicine Seller, who exterminates malevolent spirits known as Mononoke. However, he doesn't just slay these spirits. First, he investigates the Form, Truth, and Regret of the Mononoke, adding a detective-style twist to the traditional Yokai narrative. "Mononoke" is a spin-off of the anthology series "Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales," where the Medicine Seller character was first introduced.
6. "Mushishi" (2005 – 2006, 2014 – 2015)
Enter the world of Ginko, a "Mushi master," who studies and interacts with Mushi, primitive beings that exist without malevolence but can often cause harm due to their nature. If you are looking for slam-bang action, look elsewhere because this series is akin to a soothing, albeit a little eerie, walk in the woods. We journey with Ginko as he meets different people and Mushi, learning about the human condition along the way, a beautiful example of how sometimes the extraordinary helps us understand the ordinary.
7. "Hell Girl" (2005 – 2009)
Who you gonna call when you're wronged and seek vengeance? Hell Girl, that's who! In this series, people access a mysterious website at midnight, allowing them to send their tormentors straight to hell, but at a chilling cost – their souls are also condemned to hell after death. The series, chilling yet mesmerizing, raises questions about vengeance, forgiveness, and the price one is willing to pay for retribution. Rumor has it that the idea for the Hell Correspondence website in the anime inspired actual similar sites on the Japanese web!
8. "Yokai Watch" (2014 – Present)
Don't let the 'kiddy' aesthetics fool you. "Yokai Watch" is an entertaining romp through a world infested with Yokai, visible only through a special watch worn by our protagonist, Keita. It's an amusing blend of light-hearted humor and lessons about friendship and responsibility, all while Keita navigates friendships with different Yokai and battles evil ones. The franchise is massively popular, with video games, films, and even its own line of toys.
9. "Ghost Hunt" (2006 – 2007)
Adding a dash of the paranormal to high school life, "Ghost Hunt" follows Mai Taniyama, a high school student who, after a chance encounter, becomes involved with the Shibuya Psychic Research team and their cool, enigmatic manager, Kazuya. Together, they investigate various paranormal phenomena, dealing with ghosts and spirits that often have links to Japanese folklore. It's an engaging mix of horror, comedy, and romance, sprinkled with some intense ghostbusting.
10. "The Morose Mononokean" (2016 – 2019)
In "The Morose Mononokean," high schooler Ashiya, after being haunted by a Yokai, gets a part-time job at a tea room known as the Mononokean. Its owner helps Yokai who are stuck in the human realm return to the underworld. The interactions between Ashiya, his grumpy boss, and the various Yokai they assist are heartwarming and funny. The series is a delightful watch for those seeking a lighter, more feel-good interpretation of Yokai folklore.