Anime like Mononoke

Mushishi

Also known as MUSHI-SHI.

Studio: Artland , Marvelous Entertainment , Funimation , Delfi Sound
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Mystery , Psychological , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Neither good nor evil, they are life in its purest form. Vulgar and strange, they have inspired fear in humans since the dawn of time and have, over the ages, come to be known as "mushi." The stories of the Mushi and the people they affect are all linked together by a traveling Mushi-shi, or "Mushi Master," who seeks rare Mushi sightings and uses his shaman-like knowledge of Mushi to help the affected people.

What are the Mushi and what do they want?



Tags: Environmental , Iyashikei , Youkai , Mythology , Episodic , Philosophy , Travel , Rural , Male Protagonist , Outdoor Activities , Exorcism , Seinen , Tragedy , Eco-Horror , Historical , Animals , Wilderness , Urban Fantasy , Snowscape , Amnesia , Primarily Adult Cast , Coastal , Cult , Monster Girl , Time Skip , Suicide

Gankutsuou

Also known as Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo.

Studio: GONZO , NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan , GDH , Funimation , Media Factory
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Sci-Fi , Supernatural , Thriller

In the year 5053, French aristocrats Viscount Albert de Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay attend the festival of Carnival on the moon city of Luna. While Franz is just looking to have fun, Albert is seeking something more to fill his life—but he finds more than he bargained for in The Count of Monte Cristo, a mysterious and charming self-made nobleman who meets his gaze during an opera performance.

Through a few twists and turns, Albert befriends the Count and introduces him into French society. The Count, however, has more on his mind than just friendship; he plots to finally unleash his vengeance on those who wronged him years earlier. Gankutsuou follows Albert and the Count's intertwined destinies and the ultimate price paid for enacting revenge.



Tags: Revenge , Classic Literature , Urban , Tragedy , Anti-Hero , Male Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Heterosexual , Foreign , Space , Love Triangle , Anachronism , Space Opera , Transgender , Boys' Love , LGBTQ+ Themes , CGI , Military , Vampire , Dissociative Identities , Aliens , Tanned Skin , Bisexual , Demons , Incest , Crossdressing ,

Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei

Also known as The Tatami Galaxy.

Studio: MADHOUSE , Funimation , Sony Music Entertainment , Fujipacific Music
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Mystery , Psychological , Romance

When a college dropout stops for a late night bite at a mysterious ramen stand, he crosses paths with a self-proclaimed deity of matrimony. This bizarre meeting sends the young man hurtling through a horrifying flashback to his not-so-glorious college days when the influence of a cruel new friend turned him from a hopeless romantic into a mischievous “black cupid.”



Tags: Coming of Age , College , Surreal Comedy , Time Loop , Philosophy , Male Protagonist , Alternate Universe , Primarily Adult Cast , Episodic , School Club , Hikikomori , Time Manipulation , Achronological Order , Meta , Cult , Mixed Media , Heterosexual , Satire , Ensemble Cast , Mythology , Proxy Battle , Cowboys , Cycling , Tennis , Gods , LGBTQ+ Themes

Heike Monogatari

Also known as The Heike Story.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Dentsu , Fuji TV , bilibili , Pony Canyon , BS Fuji
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Supernatural

A young orphan named Biwa is taken in by the powerful Taira Clan—also known as the Heike—after their leader witnesses her extraordinary psychic abilities. Unfortunately, what she predicts is a future of bloodshed, violence, and civil war. Inspired by the 12th-century epic tale Heike Monogatari.



Tags: Tragedy , Politics , Classic Literature , Historical , War , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Samurai , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender

PUPARIA

Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Psychological

Independent Short by Shingo Tamagawa.

Tags: No Dialogue , Environmental , Denpa , Anachronism , Anthropomorphism , Female Protagonist , Animals , Agender

ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

Also known as Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales.

Studio: Toei Animation , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Psychological , Supernatural

A collection of three classic Japanese horror stories: "Yotsuya Kaidan," the story of a wife betrayed by her husband who seeks vengeance even in death. "Tenshu Monogatari," the story of forbidden love between a goddess and a human, and "Bakeneko," the story of a mysterious cat monster with a vendetta against a certain family.

Tags: Historical , Youkai , Anthology , Demons , Revenge , Tragedy , Philosophy , Ghost , Gods , Nudity , Travel , Exorcism , Heterosexual , Swordplay , Samurai , Love Triangle

Kuuchuu Buranko

Also known as Welcome to Irabu's Office.

Studio: Toei Animation , Sony Music Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Psychological

Many patients with different problems visit the psychiatric ward of Irabu General Hospital; a trapeze artist suffering from insomnia after suddenly failing his jumps, a gangster afraid of knives and sharp objects and a business man who has an erection 24 hours a day. They undergo counseling by Dr. Ichiro Irabu, who is the child-like son of the hospital director. His assistant is the sullen faced sexy nurse Mayumi. With his mysterious injections, and advice that does not make sense, Dr. Irabu confuses his patients. But at the end of his unique treatments, the patients are led to digging further into their souls to find peace of mind.



Tags: Denpa , Achronological Order , Surreal Comedy , Episodic , Medicine , Satire , Rotoscoping , Primarily Male Cast , Urban , Meta , Primarily Adult Cast , Educational , Male Protagonist , Mixed Media , Baseball , Kuudere , Psychosexual , Yakuza

Inu-ou

Also known as Inu-Oh.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Aniplex
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Music , Supernatural

Inu-Oh is born with unique physical characteristics. His parents cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, Inu-Oh meets a blind boy named Tomona, a biwa player. As Tomona starts to sing and play, Inu-Oh is amazed to discover he has an incredible ability to dance. The two become inseparable. Tomona and Inu-Oh start sharing their talent with audiences. Their performances quickly gain acclaim and draw crowds. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-Oh born looking like he does? A story about a legendary artist from 14th-century Japan, who defied fate to forge his own destiny. An anime in the form of a rock operetta with spectacular music and dance sequences.



Note: The film received an early premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2021.

Tags: Band , Musical Theater , Anachronism , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Dancing , Rock Music , Historical , Disability , Tragedy , Curses , Crossdressing , Acting , Time Skip , Ghost , Samurai , Gore , Demons

Mononoke: Karakasa

Also known as Mononoke The Movie: The Phantom in the Rain.

Studio: Twin Engine , EOTA
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

Asa and Kame strike up an immediate friendship when they arrive at the same time for their first day of duty at the Ooku, the splendid pleasure palace housing the harem of Lord Tenshi. The two young women are there to join the many hundreds of other maidservants—men are barred from entering, with immediate beheading the price of trespassing. It soon becomes clear that behind the luxurious lifestyle and ritualized routines of the Ooku lie sinister schemes and cynical rivalries. Meanwhile, a mysterious wandering potion-peddler known only as the Medicine Seller subtly insinuates himself into the Ooku, just as an uncanny, otherworldly menace begins to reveal itself.



Tags: Youkai , Ghost , Primarily Female Cast , Exorcism , Historical , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Bullying , Male Protagonist , Suicide , Female Protagonist , Royal Affairs , Cosmic Horror , Samurai , Matriarchy , LGBTQ+ Themes , Calligraphy , Writing

xxxHOLiC

Also known as xxxHOLiC.

Studio: Production I.G , Funimation , BMG Japan , Kids Station , Kodansha
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

Watanuki Kimihiro can see spirits and other assorted supernatural creatures, which is quite a bothersome ability he strongly dislikes. On the way home one day, while plagued by some spirits, he is inexplicably compelled to enter a strange house. There, he encounters Yuuko, a mysterious woman who claims to be able to rid him of the ability to see and attract the troublesome creatures – for a price. She demands for him to work at her "store" that grants wishes to people, and thus begins Watanuki's adventures through weird and wonderful events.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Youkai , Male Protagonist , Episodic , Philosophy , Seinen , Football , Curses , Work , Denpa , Animals , Ghost , Ensemble Cast , Orphan , Unrequited Love , School , Gods , Twins , Heterosexual , Archery , Witch