Yōkai are a staple of Japanese culture. This is what these mystical beings are, as well as some places in the anime world where they can be observed.
From time to time, one will come across an anime with strange creatures that have a spiritual nature. these andokai (妖怪, “strange apparitions”) appear throughout Japanese folklore. Many anime fans are familiar with terms like kyuubi, kitsuneand tengu; all of these creatures qualify as yōkai. There are many other cases of yōkai throughout the anime.
It is important to remember that yōkai they come in all shapes and sizes. While many of them are ghosts or at least spiritual in nature, they represent myths and rumors in general to the Japanese. As such, they can be anything from a woman with her mouth open (kuchisake–one) to giant sea monsters (Umibozu). In this sense, even in thatdespite being called demons or ogres in English, they qualify as Yokai. It’s best to think of them as fairy tale characters if at all. With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the biggest anime that feature them.
One of the most famous yōkai anime out there GeGeGe no Kitarō. Follow the eponymous Kitarō as he befriends and fights new yōkai on a regular basis. Dating back to the 1960s, Guitar could be called the progenitor of modern supernatural anime. It is definitely responsible for popularizing yōkai for the modern anime audience. However, due to its long history, it might not be the best place to start for those with a passing interest in Yokai.
A better place to start would be Yokai watch. The anime has its main characters interacting, fighting, and befriending various yōkai. This series plays a lot with the idea that yōkai They are responsible for unexplained phenomena. It is like Pokemon, but with Yokai.
Speaking of Pokemon, that franchise also features some yōkai-like monsters, and it’s not just Ghost-types. Naturally, Ninetails is based on the popular Kyuubi. Other fox-like Pokémon such as the Zoroark line, the Fennekin line, and Vulpix may be based on the Kitsune. Mawile is based on the futakuchi onna. Golduck and Lombre are based on Kappa. Froslass is based on the yuki-onna. The list goes on and on. For series like these where yōkai would not logically exist but are still a desirable plot device, such substitutions become necessary.
It turns out that the recent Wano Arc of One piece has a series of yōkai-as entities, especially during the Onigashima Raid. Several of the Homies that Big Mom made on the island are based on tsukumogamiobjects possessed by spirits that are often classified as yōkai; These include Bakezōri (animated zori flip flops), chochinobake (animated lanterns), and Kasa-obake (animated umbrellas). Black Maria by Tobi Roppo is based on a mix between a jorogumo and a tsuchigumotwo types of spider yōkai; his subordinates in the Pleasure Hall are also based on various yokai, including a rokurokubia akanameand a nure onna. It is also possible that Kaidō and Yamato are in that, although details on that front are still hazy; at least obviously they are settled down on in that. This dense collection of yōkai The references are likely a result of Wano taking inspiration from Japan.
A common trend in anime that features yōkai is to exorcise them, which makes them perfect for the battle shōnen genre. As such, many series of shonen jump prominently feature fighting characters yokai, Wicked spirits, Mononoke, demons, or whatever you want to call them. Popular supernatural anime under the shonen jump banner included jujutsu kaisen, Yuyu Hakusho, Hell Teacher Nūbēand nura: The rise of the Yōkai clan. Some lesser known ongoing series include Ayakashi Triangle, ayashimonand doron dororon. These types of series will often represent yōkai as malevolent beings that terrorize ordinary people; It is the duty of the main characters to stop those evil spirits and keep the peace.
I like yōkai, the anime that features them can come in all shapes and sizes. Other popular series that prominently feature these strange creatures include inuyasha, xxxHolic, Natsume’s book of friends, Ghost stories, Noragami, and Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san. One could watch some or all of these series and make a real hyakki yagyo (百鬼夜行, “Hundred Devils Night Parade”) of their soiree.
The folkloric nature of andokai It is what makes them so attractive. They can be anything from creepy monsters to playful goblins. They can be humanoid or they can be bestial. Some of them can even be cute and adorable. It’s about who tells the story, what they do yōkai perfect for anime.
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