As you probably already know, yokai – supernatural monsters, demons, or spirits – abound in Japanese folklore. Their nature is often spiteful or malicious, and they go by the names ayakashi, mononoke, or mamono.
Yokai, on the other hand, can be friendly and bring good fortune to those who meet them in some cases. These malevolent spirits from Japanese folklore, on the other hand, appear in a slew of anime shows.
Yokai in anime are usually amusing rather than malicious, which is why yokai shows are so popular and well-liked by fans. That’s why we decided to make this list: whether you enjoy yokai anime or are new to the genre, this list will introduce you to ten fantastic ayakashi-filled shows.
Because this is a revised list, don’t forget to scroll down to see the other ten yokai anime we discussed in the original article!
10. Kyoukai no Rinne (RIN-NE)
Sakura Mamiya has had the ability to see dead people since the day she vanished behind her grandmother’s house. If that wasn’t strange enough, she had another strange experience during her high school years: the desk next to her was occupied by a strangely dressed boy named Rokudou Rinne, who, like Sakura, can see dead people.
The strangest part is that Rinne can sometimes go unnoticed by others, so what is this strange boy hiding?
Kyoukai no Rinne is a yokai anime with comedy parts, supernatural elements, and an interesting cast of nice characters, created by the world-famous Rumiko Takahashi.
Even though the plot isn’t particularly unique, we can safely say that other elements make up for it, making this a very enjoyable show.
Expect a lot of gags and a little romance in this shounen series, aside from the demons, shinigami, and other otherworldly creatures!
9. Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi (Kakuriyo –Bed & Breakfast for Spirits–)
Aoi Tsubaki is a college student who has yokai vision. She inherited the ability from her grandfather and began living independently after his death.
When a demon appears in front of Aoi’s eyes, her life is turned upside down. Aoi’s grandfather apparently owed the demon a large debt, which Aoi will now repay by marrying the demon. She, of course, flatly refuses, but she does offer to repay the debt by working in exchange.
If you enjoy shoujo anime and yokai shows, this series may be right up your alley! Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi is packed with yokai in the form of attractive men who surround a sweet heroine.
When you want to watch a lighthearted yokai anime, this is the show to watch!
8. Fukigen na Mononokean (The Morose Mononokean)
Hanae Ashiya is about to start high school, and he’s worried that if he doesn’t make friends in the first week, he’ll be doomed for the rest of his life.
However, a yokai attaches itself to him on the first day of school and makes Ashiya so sick that he spends his first week of school in the infirmary.
Ashiya, fed up with wasting days feeling sick and dealing with a yokai who won’t leave him alone, decides to seek assistance. Haruitsuki Abeno is the best there is.
He owns the Mononokean Tea Room, but his real job is to guide yokai into the other world!
As the title suggests, Fukigen na Mononokean is about two boys who become friends after sending a yokai into the other world.
They gradually form a team to deal with all kinds of otherworldly creatures – some are very friendly and cute, while others are malevolent, as Japanese tradition dictates.
As a shounen anime, Fukigen na Mononokean is full of comedy and action. It won’t let you down, so give it a shot!
7. Otome Youkai Zakuro (Zakuro)
Kei Agemaki is the son of a famous general’s second lieutenant. His worst nightmare becomes a reality when he is reassigned to the Ministry of Spirit Affairs and forced to work and live with yokai.
Kei Agemaki is terrified of ghosts! He is paired up with Zakuro, a half-demon, to solve paranormal cases. Will he be able to overcome his fear of yokai, or will he have to flee?
As the title suggests, Otome Youkai Zakuro is a show in which yokai are the main characters. This is a seinen show that is both romantic and comedic.
In fact, despite his fear of spirits, Kei Agemaki falls in love with Zakuro, who saves him from the worst of circumstances. Along with them, there are other characters who add to the enjoyment of the show, so be sure to watch it!
6. Inu x Boku SS (Inu X Boku Secret Service)
Shirakiin Ririchiyo’s parents agreed to let her move out on one condition: she had to live in the “Ayakashi Kan” mansion, which only those with supernatural abilities can enter with the help of a Secret Service agent.
Shirakiin’s agent is Soushi Miketsukami, a kitsune yokai (fox spirit), and while she initially rejects him, the situation changes when Shirakiin discovers that Soushi is the yokai she previously saved.
Each human character in Inu x Boku SS has their own yokai to protect them, which is incredible. Despite the fact that this is a shounen anime, there are hints of romance, with Soushi adoring Shirakiin and her changing her behavior once she realizes who he is.
If you enjoy yokai shows, this is a must-see because the plot is intriguing and each character is unique in their own way.
5. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun (Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East-)
Shino Inuzuka and Sousuke Inukawa died when their village was burned to the ground, but fate intervened and brought them back to life.
Both of them had a peony-shaped birthmark and grew up in an orphanage with Hamaji, a sweet girl who shared a tragic past with them.
Shino and Sousuke’s lives are turned upside down one day when the Church appears in front of them, requiring them to locate the other six people who share the peony-shaped birthmark and the mystical gems with them. But what’s the reason for this?
Hakkenden is a shoujo anime about a group of beautiful boys who are all connected to yokai in some way. In fact, despite the fact that the eight protagonists died, they were brought back to life by benevolent spirits.
That’s not all; yokai appear throughout the series, and we learn about their backstories. But Hakkenden isn’t just a comedy. There’s plenty to ponder about life and how fleeting it is… but that’s what makes this show so special.
4. Gugure! Kokkuri-san
Kohina is a young girl who believes she is a doll. She decided to summon Kokkuri-san, a kitsune yokai (fox spirit) who should be able to answer any questions she had.
However, with the advent of the internet, Kokkuri-san has already become a useless spirit, as every answer is now just a click away.
Instead of fleeing, Kokkuri-san takes pity on Kohina, who is living alone, and takes on the role of her housekeeper and guardian. When more yokai appear one after the other, problems arise.
Gugure! Kokkuri-san is one of a kind, as it does a parody of everything that relates to Japanese culture and even other anime genres.
It is a wonderful show, that sadly went a bit unnoticed, but if you like yokai anime, and want to know more about Japan via parody, this show is what you’re looking for.
Those who should be malevolent spirits in Gugure! Kokkuri-san turn out to be like little kids fighting with each other over stupid things. Join Kohina and her adventure among them!
3. Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss)
Nanami Momozono has just been left full of debt by her gambler father, and is without a home, or money.
While wandering around the city, a solution appears in front of her eyes: she saves a mysterious man called Mikage who, seeing her situation, offers Nanami his own home.
Nanami, a skeptic, rushes to the address, but instead finds a shrine. A boy with fox ears appears just as she thinks she’s been duped. It’s Tomoe, Mikage’s former familiar, and he absolutely doesn’t want to accept Nanami as the new Land God.
If you like yokai in a cute form, Kamisama Hajimemashita will give you hot boys only. Starting from Tomoe, the handsome fox spirit, other yokai will begin surrounding Nanami.
A beautiful tengu who is a famous pop idol, a kind white snake shikigami, and other various gods. Kamisama Hajimemashita is a shoujo harem, but it’s the romance between Tomoe and Nanami that will steal your hearts!
2. Natsume Yuujinchou (Natsume’s Book of Friends)
Takashi Natsume is an orphan, and during his childhood years he jumped from one relative to the another. The reason is that he can see the spirits, so each relative found him just too strange to deal with.
Natsume’s life changes when he finds the Book of Friends, a notebook that belonged to his long-gone grandmother, Reiko, who could see the spirits, too.
It’s only when Natsume meets Nyanko-sensei that his journey begins: a journey bound to give those spirits written in the book, their names back.
Natsume Yuujinchou can touch the viewers deeply, as it makes them understand the loneliness of the yokai. Each spirit Natsume encounters usually hides loneliness that Natsume can really relate to.
This series is a roller coaster of emotions, and it offers food for thought. It’s a yokai anime with serious themes, debated lightly, with comedy parts balancing everything at best.
1. Mushishi (Mushi-Shi)
“Mushi” are the most basic form of life. They are everywhere, but they can’t always be seen, and they can’t be seen just by everyone.
Ginko is a Mushi-shi: he can see the spirits, and travels from place to place in order to study Mushi and the effects they have on people.
Like some sort of doctor, he also seeks for ways to treat people affected by them. During his wandering place to place, he will deepen his knowledge about Mushi, and come to know a lot of different people that will teach him something.
Mushishi never gained the popularity it deserved, but it is certain that it deserves at least our first position. Our main character is Ginko, and together with him we come to know different personalities, and different Mushis– evil ones, and good ones.
This seinen yokai anime is a real masterpiece, unique to its kind. It has a very solid plot, it’s inspiring in every way possible, and it can turn out to be heart-breaking as well. Give it a shot, we guarantee that it won’t fail you!
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