With spirits playing such a prominent role in Japanese culture, it’s no wonder that many fans want to know why Best anime about ghosts are. The supernatural occupies a popular place in pop culture for good reason. Audiences love to explore the world of the occult, whether to get some good, old-fashioned scares or of genuine interest. Whatever the reason, ghosts and spirits are never far away from the entertainment industry.
Some of the most iconic anime in history deal with the supernatural. Stories like Death note And Jujutsu Kaisen Take audiences into the dangerous world of the supernatural in a way that is fun and easily accessible. Sometimes the ghosts are friendly allies in the protagonist’s battle; Other times, they’re the cruelest of villains, but that’s what makes them fascinating. The best anime about ghosts show how truly diverse stories about the restless dead can be.
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Shaman King
Animated by Xebec & based on manga by Hiroyuki Takei
Shaman King Is a special case for fans growing up just like Shawn Jump Magazine was publishing volumes in North America, with many seeing its starkly manga’s completely compared to the toned-down anime. However, in 2021, Shaman King Got a fresh treatment from Studio Bridge released on Netflix. The series features a mashup of spiritual anime elements, including ghost possession, jiang shi and daoshi, necromancy, and more, To create a diverse and fascinating array of characters with vastly different fighting abilities.
Fans excited by Shaman King The concept will also be delighted to know that the series continues the adventures of the original protagonist, the offspring of Yoh Asakura. Yoh is a slacker protagonist and his family’s heir, whose fiance trains him to help him achieve his goal of becoming the titular Shaman King, the champion of the story’s Shaman Feat. The characters that Yoh meets along the way in this inaugural series of the franchise branch across international spiritual customs and even modern spins on classic macabre tales such as Faust itself.
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Blue Exorcist
Animated by A-1 Pictures and based on the manga Kazue Kato
Blue Exorcist has continuously built its presence as a popular yet approachable shōnen anime, with new content continuing to be released in 2024. Rin Okumura is the protagonist of the series, who discovers that he is one of Satan’s children and must train in the truth Cross Academy to defeat the powerful opponent. The world of the anime is split between the realms of human-inhabited Asia and Gehenna, the land of demons, as part of A visually engaging and compelling adaptation of the long-running Shueisha manga.
Blue Exorcist began its run in earnest in 2011, animated by A-1 Pictures, along with its 2017 follow-up, Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga. Start with Blue Exorcist: Shimane Illuminati Saga, The anime changed hands to Studio VOLN, animators of 2024 Beyond the Snow Saga and 2025s The Blue Night Saga. For viewers who are looking for a long-running series Persistently adding new anime content, Blue Exorcist is an increasingly strong value proposition.
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Ghost Stories
Animated by Pierrot and based on the novel series by Tōru Tsunemitsu
Absolutely iconic in the early days of anime fandom, Ghost Stories remains popular today. The plot concerns a group of schoolchildren who, with the help of a demon trapped in a cat, encounter many ghosts throughout their town and use a book to banish them.
Ghost Stories Works as a familiar children’s adventure and a subtle commentary on urbanization and the disregard for traditions. What made the series so iconic, however, was his irreverent dub, which absolutely skewered and mocked the series. The anime was successful in Western territories after the official parody dub was released, with fans and critics praising its dark humor and animation. Today, many consider Ghost Stories A cult classic and one of the best examples of ghosts in anime.
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Yu Yu Hakusho
Animated by Pierrot and based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi
Although Yu Yu Hakusho To casual viewers it may seem like another typical Shan battle series, the supernatural themes make it a perfect anime for every fan who wants a little fight with their ghosts. The story follows a young man named Yusuke who tragically loses his life to save a child. Fortunately for Yusuke, this last act of bravery bought him some favor with the spirit world, eventually leading him to return to life. However, as payment for his second chance, Yusuke is tasked with investigating supernatural activity.
While Yusuke’s time as a ghost detective was short-lived, Yu Yu Hakusho Still deals with all kinds of supernatural threats, making it a perfect introductory ghost anime.
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Anohana: The flower we saw that day
Original anime created by A-1 Pictures
Although the restless dead are often portrayed as villains, series vi Anohana Prove that they don’t always have to be. The series focuses on a group of friends reeling from the childhood loss of their friend Menma. Six years later, the ghost of Menma reappears to the former leader of the group, Jinta, in order to encourage the scattered friend group to reconnect and reforge the bond broken by grief.
One of the best sad anime, Anohana is about the grieving process and how it can often last a lifetime. Few ghost anime are as heartwarming and heartbreaking as AnohanaMaking it a must-watch.
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Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for spirits
Animated by Gonzo, based on the light novel series by Midori Yuuma & Laruha
An excellent Josei anime in its own right, Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for spirits Follows Aoi Tsubaki as a young college student who is soon kidnapped by Ayakashi, a form of yokai including a particularly beautiful ogre, Odanna. With Aoi being an unusual case in how she can perceive yokai like Odanna, her sudden change in living arrangements is a clear precursor to clashes with the Ayakashi. Still, the tension eases over time when she works at Odanna’s inn, the Tenjin-ya. soon, Aoi grows closer to the inhabiting spirit, namely Odana.
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for spirits Is among multiple anime featuring ghosts and spirits with a romantic edge, including kamisama kiss, What represents A more charming rather than spooky supernatural element. The Josey element results in a more nuanced portrayal of a budding romance and some general romantic wish-fulfillment. Despite the series ending its first season in 2018, there has been a seven-year wait for new content, with a new season due in 2025.
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Death note
Animated by Madhouse, based on manga by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata
Death Note follows high school student Light Yagami, who discovers a mysterious notebook that gives the power to kill anyone by writing their name in it. When Light uses the notebook to enact his own sense of justice, he attracts the attention of the enigmatic detective known as L, leading to a complex game of cat and mouse. The Japanese anime series explores themes of morality, power and the consequences of absolute authority.
- Figure
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Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vincent Tong, Ryō Naitō, Trevor Devall
- Release date
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October 21, 2007
- Seasons
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1
Death note is a massive anime franchise that is still popular to this day. The series follows Light Yagami, a teenager who discovers the mysterious “Death Note,” previously owned by the demon Ryuk, and gains the power to kill anyone whose name is written on the notebook’s pages. The anime features themes of justice, limits and escalation against a backdrop of increasingly blurred moral boundaries.
Light is one of the most complex and fascinating protagonists in animeBalancing his newfound responsibility with his connection to the worlds of humans and the supernatural.
14
Pokemon
Animated by OLM & based on the video game series created by Satoshi Tajiri & Game Freak
While Pokemon May not have ghosts or spirits every episode, it offers more than a few episodes based on the supernatural. More like most other anime, Pokemon Offers a family-friendly way for younger fans of anime to engage with ghosts and even some light horror without having to worry about seeing anything too scary or gruesome. Particularly powerful ghost episodes include episode 20 The Ghost of Maiden’s Peak, episode 23 Tower of Terror, and Black & White Episode 26 Fear in Litwick MansiAlthough even this is only the tip of the iceberg.
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Dark gathering
Animated by OLM & based on manga by Kenichi Kondo
Dark gathering Nails down the modern J-horror vibes of its gimmick and can be shockingly profound despite its macabre yet cute promotional veneerWhich is practically part of its sales pitch. The anime follows Keitarō Gentōga, whose traumatic past has left him with a visibly cursed arm and a particularly strong fear of the supernatural, knowing his potential. When he becomes a tutor to the precocious Iyoi, a young girl whose polycoria-afflicted eyes resemble small skulls, hinting at her fierce grasp on all things spiritual, Keitarō’s life is changed immensely.
Keitarō isn’t the only one with a traumatic past, with Yayoi’s particular quest driving her to capture and collect the spirits she encounters to track down the ghost that abducted her mother. With the series expertly animated by OLM, the same studio behind PokemonIt has a vaguely similar premise to Yayoi’s journey. However, the horror elements include Immensely creepy vibes and spine-chilling after terrific applications of its gory momentsPerfect for a Halloween anime binge.
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Mass Party: Tortured Souls
Animated by Asread & based on the video game series by Team GrisGris
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Mass Party: Tortured Souls Lives up to its creepy title. The plot follows a group of students who, after performing a seemingly harmless friendship charm, get transported to an alternate dimension haunted by vengeful ghosts to get them. Cruelty barely begins to describe Mass Party: Tortured Souls.
This series takes it completely to the next level, and uses the advantages of animation to create terrifying scenes that can haunt anyone’s dreams for life. Horror fans should come away satisfied from the four-episode series, as the graphic content and eerie setting make for a truly terrifying experience.
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Noragami
Animated by Bones and based on manga by Adachitoka
With Studio Bones behind Noragami Production, it’s no surprise that it is a popular and unique anime with mood and the afterlife. However, the anime has a much more fun appeal than many other contemporary editions, With a dedicated following and particular praise for its protagonist, Yato Noragami. Yato is a minor deity with great aspirations, deeming himself the “delivery god” until a chance meeting with a human girl named Hiyori changes the trajectory of his fate.
Noragami is a beloved anime for those who seek A fun and concise supernatural experience with a balance of humor and action. The second season of the series, Noragami AragotoLeans further in the direction of Yato’s continuous growth and is a worthwhile experience for viewers who want a satisfying 25-episode show. The series is often discussed as one of the best anime of its decade.
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Jujutsu Kaisen
Animated by MAPPA and based on manga by Gege Akutami
Another spookier take on the typical Shaun Battle formula, Jujutsu Kaisen is a hit anime series that isn’t afraid to dip into horror. Jujutsu Kaisen is about a world where cursed spirits haunt people and places, prompting special people known as jujutsu sorcerers to fight back. Even though the core of the series is like a great battle anime, that doesn’t mean its cursed spirits can’t be downright horrifying. With fun action and terrifying mood, Jujutsu Kaisen is a perfect ghost anime series.
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Death Parade
Original anime series animated by Madhouse and created by Yuzuru Tachikawa
With one of the most unique premises of any anime, Death Parade is truly one-of-a-kind. The show follows Decim, a bartender who works at the Quindecim bar, where people who have died simultaneously arrive. In this middle stage of the afterlife, the deceased compete in the Death Games, determining whether they will be reincarnated or have their souls sent to the void.
Death Parade is a unique take on the ghost genre. It features a clever version of the afterlife that allows it to explore themes of repentance and metaphysical ideas like reincarnation and immortality. The animation is top notch, adding a somber vibe to an already bleak storyline.
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another one
Animated by PA Work and based on the novel by Yukito Ayatsuji
The plan for the US another one Anime concerns Koichi Sakakibara, a new student who gets involved with a mystery when he arrives at his new school. Attracted to a quiet girl, Mei Misaki, and sensing a dangerous vibe, Koichi soon learns of a string of gruesome murders around the school. Like the best murder mysteries of all time, another one Takes his time with the story.
The show’s unnerving vibe dominates every episode, introducing an ever-present sense of dread. It features the right balance between horror, gore and suspense, delivering a show that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
6
bleach
Animated by Studio Pierrot and based on manga by Tite Kubo
One of the greatest Shaun Battle series of all time, bleach Takes the classic battle anime formula and adds a supernatural spin. The series focuses on a young man named Ichigo who becomes a Soul Shinigami, or Soul Reaper. As a Soul Reaper, Ichigo is tasked with taking out dangerous spirits known as Hallows that are a danger to humans. Although hollows are mostly the biggest threat in the shorter first arc of the series, elite hollows known as Arrancar become the focus of a later one.
With the conclusion of the series Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Recently bringing the hit Shon series back to the forefront of popular culture, there’s never been a better time to rewatch this spirited take on Shon battle anime.
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Hell girl
Original anime series animated by Studio Dean and created by Hiroshi Watanabe
Fans of troubled anime stories will hit the jackpot with Hell girl. The show centers on a mysterious website that people can only access at midnight. Entering a particular person’s name will cause the titular Hell Girl and her associates to torture and kill that person, sending them to Hell. In exchange, the person requesting the action will also go to hell at the end of their life.
Related
Juggling themes of revenge and repentance, Hell girl is really creepy. The visuals, accompanied by the eerie atmosphere, succeed in creating a series that packs a terrible punch. Horror fans will be very satisfied watching Hell girl.
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Crowd Psycho 100
Animated by Studio Bones and based on the manga by ONE
Esper abilities are a favorite of the supernatural genre, but few shows use it as effectively as Crowd Psycho 100. It centers on Mob, a powerful esper struggling to live a normal life despite his tremendous psychic powers. As one of the anime with a unique and eye-catching visual style, Crowd Psycho 100 is unforgettable from the get-go.
The premise successfully balances themes of the supernatural and the occult with an otherwise conventional story of self-discovery. Crowd Psycho 100 is among the best animeAnd one of the few has devoted himself completely to presenting his subjects in the most honest and unfailing way.
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Mononoke
Original anime series created by Toei Animation
Mononoke is one of the highest-rated horror anime in history, and it’s easy to understand why. The plot concerns the “Medicine Seller,” a mysterious man who travels around feudal Japan hunting dangerous spirits known as “Mononoke,” who are responsible for violent deaths.
Combining traits of the crime procedural with the intriguing knowledge of Japanese myth, Mononoke is the perfect horror anime. It delves deep into the backstory of each Mononoke, while maintaining its distinctive avant-garde animation, crafting a unique series that is as visually striking as it is entrancing.
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Ghost Hound
The spirit world takes center stage Ghost Hound. The plot follows three boys with severe childhood traumas living in a small, spirit-plagued town in a remote mountain area. The boys enter the spirit realm, the unseen world, discovering more about their past and the mysterious appearances of the spirits.
Ghost Hound Works as a dramatic character study and a great horror story. It also serves as a coming-of-age story, using the protagonists’ traumas to explore deeper ideas about the balance between the spiritual and the material world.