Anime like Mononoke: Hebigami

Mononoke

Also known as Mononoke.

Studio: Toei Animation , Asmik Ace , Sony Music Entertainment , Dentsu , SKY Perfect Well Think , Fuji TV , Discotek
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

In feudal Japan, evil spirits known as mononoke plague both households and the countryside, leaving a trail of fear in their wake. One mysterious person has the power to slay the mononoke where they stand; he is known only as the Medicine Seller, and he vanquishes the spirits using the power of his Exorcism Sword. However, in order to draw his sword he must first understand the Form, Truth and Reason of the mononoke. Armed with a sharp wit and keen intellect, the Medicine Seller wanders from place to place, striking down the evil spirits in his wake.



Tags: Youkai , Demons , Ghost , Historical , Detective , Exorcism , Ensemble Cast , Anthology , Philosophy , Body Horror , Male Protagonist , Gore , Ships , Pregnancy , Inn , Primarily Adult Cast , Cult , Mixed Media , Orphan , Samurai , Crime , Cosmic Horror , Travel , Incest , Trains , Time Skip , Oiran , Rakugo , LGBTQ+ Themes

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

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

Oooku

Also known as Ōoku: The Inner Chambers.

Studio: Studio DEEN , Netflix
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Romance , Slice of Life

In Edo period Japan (1603 to 1868), a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country's men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen to a quarter of the total female population. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the Shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected and the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the Shogun's Inner Chambers.



Note: The first episode has a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes.

Tags: Matriarchy , Historical , Politics , Pandemic , Tragedy , Royal Affairs , Achronological Order , Gender Bending , Samurai , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Shoujo , Crossdressing , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , LGBTQ+ Themes , Swordplay , Acting , Parenthood , Suicide , Tsundere , Religion , Matchmaking , Disability

Bakemonogatari

Also known as Bakemonogatari.

Studio: Aniplex , Shaft , Kodansha , Aniplex of America , Hanabee Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

First season of the Monogatari Series, part 1/6. Contains the arcs Hitagi Crab, Mayoi Snail, Suruga Monkey, Nadeko Snake, and Tsubasa Cat from the Bakemonogatari light novels.

Thanks to Meme Oshino, Koyomi Araragi, a high school student, is able to remain a human after coming across a female vampire... However, since the incident, Koyomi seems to meet girls who have an apparition-related issue. Hitagi Senjougahara doesn’t weigh anything, Suruga Kanbaru’s right arm becomes like that of a monkey’s, and a young girl, Mayoi, cannot find her way home no matter how many times she tries. Koyomi, a Mr. Nice Guy, ends up helping each and every girl solve her problem with the help of Meme Oshino.



Note: Only the first 12 episodes were broadcast on television; the remaining three episodes were distributed on the anime's website between November 3, 2009, and June 25, 2010.

Tags: Youkai , Ensemble Cast , Urban Fantasy , Surreal Comedy , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Kuudere , Coming of Age , Vampire , Primarily Female Cast , Ghost , Satire , Meta , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Dissociative Identities , Psychosexual , Gore , Curses , Exorcism , Monster Girl , Mixed Media , Rotoscoping , Gods , Love Triangle , Yandere , Parody , Tomboy , Nudity , Unrequited Love , Nekomimi , Female Harem , Tsundere , CGI , Seinen , School , Amnesia , Rehabilitation

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

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

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

Also known as The Apothecary Diaries.

Studio: Toho , OLM , TOHO animation STUDIO , Nippon Television Network , Imagica Infos , Dentsu , Shogakukan , Square Enix
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery

Maomao lived a peaceful life with her apothecary father. Until one day, she’s sold as a lowly servant to the emperor’s palace. But she wasn’t meant for a compliant life among royalty. So when imperial heirs fall ill, she decides to step in and find a cure! This catches the eye of Jinshi, a handsome palace official who promotes her. Now, she’s making a name for herself solving medical mysteries!



Tags: Female Protagonist , Medicine , Ancient China , Drugs , Historical , Detective , Conspiracy , Politics , Royal Affairs , Work , Foreign , Primarily Adult Cast , Adoption , Heterosexual , Episodic , Alchemy , Maids , Unrequited Love , Aromantic , Slavery , Makeup , Pregnancy , Food , Educational , Nekomimi , Chibi , Go , Suicide

Karasu wa Aruji wo Erabanai

Also known as YATAGARASU: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master.

Studio: NHK , Studio Pierrot , NHK Enterprises , Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

Welcome to Yamauchi, a world inhabited by the Yatagarasu, a race of three-legged ravens who shapeshift into humans. The land is divided into four regions—North, South, East, and West—each ruled by a noble family. Yukiya, the son of a leader in the North, is shocked by a call to attend to the Imperial Prince. Murder, mysteries, and an invasion from an unexpected enemy await in this epic fantasy.



Tags: Royal Affairs , Conspiracy , Shapeshifting , Politics , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Assassins , Estranged Family , Ojou-sama , Adoption , Philosophy , Swordplay , Ensemble Cast , Gore , Mythology , Anthropomorphism , Augmented Reality

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