Best Yokai Anime: 16 Supernatural Anime With Ghosts & Spirits

Yokai or Youkai (妖怪) is a whole class of Japanese unworldly creatures: spirits, demons, gods, shapeshifters, and other supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore tradition. Manga and anime with Yokai themes are all about spiritual entities and humans who interact with them.

Some of these otherworldly beings are evil, some are mischievous but harmless, and all of them have a long history in Japanese folktales. Yokai influenced generations of artists and authors who reimagined them for modern audiences, so it’s no surprise that things that go bump in the night found their way into manga, anime, and other pop culture narratives.

So if you’re a Japanese culture aficionado, a fan of the supernatural, and intrigued by the unknown, then my list of 16 best yokai anime recommendations is for you. I’ve included all the info you’ll need to choose what to watch next: MyAnimeList ratings, plot summaries, mini-reviews, and streaming offers.

I’ve also made sure to include different genres that touch upon the Yokai mythology, so you’ll find horror, action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy, and slice-of-life anime. Enjoy and let these tales capture your imagination.

BEST YOKAI ANIME

1. Mononoke

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 12
Watch on: Netflix, Crunchyroll

What’s it about: A mysterious, unnamed “Medicine Seller” travels across feudal Japan, hunting down the unnatural, Ayakashi spirits called “Mononoke,” which bind themselves to negative human emotions. Before he can draw his “sword of exorcism,” he must first recognize the spirit’s form (Katachi), truth (Makoto), and reason (Kotowari).

What makes it good: Told through five standalone story arcs and rooted in Japanese folklore, Mononoke is your different breed of horror anime you don’t want to miss. The brilliantly written stories are deep, sometimes bizarre, and the psychedelic imagery and ambient sound only reinforce the tense atmosphere and help the stories unfold.

SEE ALSO: Must-Watch Anime for Mythology Buffs: Mononoke & More

2. Mushi-shi

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 26
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Hulu

What’s it about: Ginko is a healer with the ability to interact with the paranormal entities, the “Mushi”. The Mushi Mater is wandering from town to town, chasing rumors of Mushi-related occurrences to investigate the phenomenon, and ends up helping people whose lives have been unpleasantly affected by Mushi in the process.

What makes it good: Mushishi’s episodes are self-contained, each one a powerful tale inspired by East Asian folklore. This mystery anime combines yokai elements with realism, and its primary concern is humanity’s relationship to nature. It’s very relaxing to watch; the peaceful atmosphere, soothing sounds, and visuals make it one of the best iyashikei anime ever.

3. Noragami

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 25
Watch on: Hulu

What’s it about: Yato, a low-rent god without a shrine who wishes to be worshipped, is rescued from a speeding bus by a schoolgirl named Hiyori. She takes the hit for him, leaving her soul detached from her body and the unfortunate ability to see gods and spirits. To fix her predicament, Hiyori teams up with Yato and his spiritual weapon Yukine.

What makes it good: Noragami sure has a lot going for it. Supernatural elements rooted in Japanese Shinto tradition and a dark story give it a creepy vibe; it’s both action-packed and heartfelt, plus it has a nice comedy and romance touch. So, it’s no wonder this yokai anime about a minor deity determined to make it big is an entertaining watch from minute one.

4. Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 112
Watch on: Netflix, Hulu

What’s it about: Yusuke is a teenage delinquent who sacrifices himself to save a child from getting hit by a car. As a reward for his heroic act, Yusuke is given the opportunity to come back to life. But there’s a catch: he is now a Spirit Detective assigned to protect the spirit realm and the human world from powerful demons.

What makes it good: Yu Yu Hakusho is one of the best 90s anime, a 112-episode long battle shonen that still holds up today. Despite its length, the show never drags and it’s a blast to watch – it’ll hook you right from the start. It’s a classic for a reason: it comes with a lot of heart, humor, superpowered action, and incredible characters. Even the English dub is great!

5. Mob Psycho 100

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 25
Watch on: Netflix, Crunchyroll

What’s it about: Shigeo, nicknamed Mob (meaning “background character”), a 14-year-old boy with incredible psychic power, works as an assistant to a charlatan spirit-exorcist, Reigen Arataka. Mob makes every effort to keep his powers under control and avoid causing harm, but he just can’t seem to stay out of trouble.

What makes it good: MP100 somehow manages to perfectly balance comedy, drama, slice-of-life, action, and supernatural genres. Its strong and stylish animation, colorful and complex characters, kickass battle sequences, zany humor, and emotional impact make it a fun ride from start to finish. It’s no wonder it became an instant fan favorite.

6. xxxHolic

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 37
Watch on: Prime Video

What’s it about: Watanuki is a high schooler plagued by the ayakashi spirits only he can see and hear. One day he stumbles into a mysterious shop owned by a powerful and all-knowing witch named Yuko, who grants wishes for a price. She promises to rid him of the bothersome spirits, but he has to work in her store in exchange.

What makes it good: xxxHolic is a spooky yokai anime, but there’s plenty of humor to keep the lights on. It’s not action-packed or fast-paced; instead, it’s dialogue-heavy and focuses on morality stories. The animation is a little off-kilter, but it works in the show’s favor. So, if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, this dark fantasy anime is for you.

7. Natsume’s Book of Friends (Natsume Yuujinchou)

Seasons: 6 | Episodes: 74
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Prime Video

What’s it about: Natsume is an orphan who inherited the unfortunate ability to see yokai from his Grandmother Reiko. After discovering that his late Grandmother collected the names of spirits in a book to bind them to her will, Natsume decides to return the monikers from Reiko’s Book of Friends and release the spirits.

What makes it good: This is a supernatural slice-of-life anime focused on Natsume’s not-so-ordinary day-to-day life; the show is rich in Japanese lore, because Natsume encounters a different yokai with a different background story every episode. The heartfelt show boasts fantastic animation and a beautiful soundtrack, so make sure to add it to your watchlist!

8. Hozuki’s Coolheadedness (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 39
Watch on: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE

What’s it about: Hell is a bureaucracy, and demon Hozuki, a chief deputy to King Enma, the ruler of Hell, actually runs the show and ensures that everything is going smoothly. The calm and efficient bureaucrat handles day-to-day tasks and tries to resolve the issues that often arise in the overpopulated 16 divisions and 272 subdivisions of Hell.

What makes it good: Hozuki’s Coolheadedness is a dark comedy anime that portrays Hell as an exaggerated version of a Japanese company. The visuals incorporate classic Japanese art, and the story and the jokes contain references that require knowledge of Japanese culture. So, if you’re an experienced anime watcher, give this original and hilarious anime a go!

9. Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light (Hotarubi no Mori e)

Movie | 45 mins
Watch on: Amazon (available on Blu-ray)

What’s it about: When she got lost in an enchanted forest as a child, Hotaru was rescued by a yokai named Gin, who warned her that if a human ever touched him, he would vanish. Since then, the two meet every summer holiday, and feelings develop despite Hotaru growing up and changing, while Gin always remains the same.

What makes it good: This anime film is only 45 minutes long, but it’s packed with emotional moments. Hotarubi no Mori e has a magical, almost dreamlike feel thanks to the rich and vibrant animation that brings the forest inhabited by yokai to life. Still, keep your tissues close because this sad anime fairy tale of pure but impossible love will hit you like a ton of bricks.

10. Kamisama Kiss (Kamisama Hajimemashita)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 30
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

What’s it about: Nanami ends up on the street because of her father’s gambling debts. So when a man she helps offers her a place to stay, she immediately accepts. Nanami’s new home, however, turns out to be a shrine! She unknowingly took the job of a land god and found herself in a contract with a new guardian, a handsome fox spirit named Tomoe.

What makes it good: Kamisama Kiss is a cute love story set against the backdrop of the spiritual world of yokai, gods, and shrines. But it’s not all about being lovey-dovey; it’s also a story of finding a place to call home – your place in the world.  Add a bright animation, lighthearted tone, and a little bit of humor to the mix, and you get a perfect shoujo/romance anime watch.

11. InuYasha

Seasons: 7 | Episodes: 167
Watch on: Viz, Crunchyroll, Hulu

What’s it about: Teenager Kagome is a reincarnation of Kikyo, a betrayed priestess who guarded the mystical Shikon Jewel. After Kagome falls into an ancient well and accidentally frees the half-demon Inuyasha, the two are transported back in time to feudal Japan. They team up in order to find the culprit for Kikyo’s death and restore the broken Shikon Jewel.

What makes it good: The 167-episode isekai anime from the early 2000s features a magical quest, colorful characters, Japanese myths, creative ghost stories, and many intense yokai battles, but it’s never too scary. It perfectly blends fantasy adventure with romance and some much-needed comic relief, so there’s a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy.

12. Beyond the Boundary (Kyoukai no Kanata)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 17
Watch on: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE, Prime Video

What’s it about: Mirai is a blood-bending Spirit World Warrior destined to slay the creatures known as youmu. When her schoolmate Akihito tries to save her from what he thinks is a suicide attempt, she stabs him and reveals him to be an immortal “half-youmu.” After learning her tragic story, Akihito decides to help her regain her lost confidence to kill youmu.

What makes it good: This is a beautifully animated supernatural romance story about two high school outcasts, spiced with drama, action, moe cuteness, and offbeat humor. Yokai elements are strong; the mysterious spirit world intertwined with the human world is where the Beyond the Boundary truly shines, so you’re in for a real supernatural anime treat!

13. The Eccentric Family (Uchouten Kazoku)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 25
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

What’s it about: There are three kinds of societies in Kyoto: humans, tanuki shapeshifters, and tengu demons. Yasaburou is the third son of the dysfunctional Shimogamo tanuki family disguised as humans. The murder of his father left a huge void in his family, and Yasaburou is getting closer to discovering what happened to their patriarch.

What makes it good: The Eccentric Family is a whimsical and fun slice of life anime with family bonds at its center despite the dark undertones. It seamlessly blends Japanese mythology with the characters’ everyday life, and the beautiful animation makes the mystical Kyoto live and breathe. So if you’re looking for a SOL yokai anime to watch, this is a perfect choice!

14. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (Nurarihyon no Mago)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 52
Watch on: Viz, Prime Video, Hulu

What’s it about: Rikuo is a 12-year-old human by day and a powerful yokai by night, on his way to becoming the leader of his Nura clan. Rikuo wants to be an ordinary human but eventually embraces his yokai heritage and takes the position. Many factions aim to stop him as he struggles to find the balance between the yokai and the human world.

What makes it good: The animation is spot-on in this shonen anime, especially the creative yokai designs. There’s a whole lot of yokai lore, sword/katana fights, and political intrigue to keep things interesting. The subtle comedy will make you laugh throughout the show’s two seasons, and anime fans who enjoy a good love story will appreciate the romance part.

15. The Morose Mononokean (Fukigen na Mononokean)

Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 26
Watch on: Crunchyroll, Prime Video

What’s it about: After a mysterious yokai possesses him, Hanae’s health continues to decline. So the high schooler dials the number of a yokai exorcist he saw advertised, which leads him to Haruitsuki Abeno. The Monokean owner helps him, but Hanae can’t afford to pay, so he starts working for Abeno, guiding a variety of yokai back to the Underworld.

What makes it good: The Morose Mononokean combines the whimsical energy of Alice In Wonderland with a school setting slice-of-life comedy. The anime has an episodic structure, but at the heart of this underappreciated gem is an uplifting story about humans helping yokai. Not only is it a light-hearted and relaxing watch, but it also paints yokai in a positive light.

16. GeGeGe no Kitaro

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 97
Watch on: Crunchyroll

What’s it about: Kitaro is the last living member of the Ghost Tribe, tasked with taking care of the peace between yokai and humans in hopes of uniting their worlds. He has help from Mana, a human girl who summoned him, the remains of his father (a talking eyeball), and other yokai who are willing to help humans, such as catgirl Neko.

What makes it good: GeGeGe no Kitaro (2018) is the sixth installment of the legendary 1960s anime that introduced yokai to the medium. The mostly episodic anime has a solid mythical flavor, but it doesn’t shy away from current social issues. It has it all – a good dose of spooks, plenty of laughs, and intense action to keep you glued to the screen.

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