Top Youkai Anime Recommendations

Jujutsu Kaisen

Also known as JUJUTSU KAISEN.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Supernatural

A boy fights... for "the right death."

Hardship, regret, shame: the negative feelings that humans feel become Curses that lurk in our everyday lives. The Curses run rampant throughout the world, capable of leading people to terrible misfortune and even death. What's more, the Curses can only be exorcised by another Curse.

Itadori Yuji is a boy with tremendous physical strength, though he lives a completely ordinary high school life. One day, to save a friend who has been attacked by Curses, he eats the finger of the Double-Faced Specter, taking the Curse into his own soul. From then on, he shares one body with the Double-Faced Specter. Guided by the most powerful of sorcerers, Gojou Satoru, Itadori is admitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Technical High School of Sorcery, an organization that fights the Curses... and thus begins the heroic tale of a boy who became a Curse to exorcise a Curse, a life from which he could never turn back.



Note: The first episode received an early web premiere on September 19th, 2020. The regular TV broadcast started on October 3rd, 2020.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Shounen , Super Power , Youkai , Male Protagonist , Primarily Teen Cast , Dissociative Identities , Urban , Demons , Body Horror , Orphan , Magic , Martial Arts , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Male Cast , Gore , Swordplay , School , Shapeshifting , Boarding School , Tragedy , Rotoscoping , Slapstick , Anthropomorphism , Mythology , Surreal Comedy , Twins , School Club , Baseball ,

Noragami

Also known as Noragami.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Supernatural

Minor god Yato is down on his luck. Fed up with his slacker lifestyle, his partner abruptly quits. He has no money, no worshippers, and no shrine to call home. But just when things are starting to seem hopeless, a bus accident forces him to cross paths with Hiyori Iki, a sweet and perky high school girl. After the accident, Hiyori's soul has a bad habit of slipping out of her body, and after enlisting Yato's help to get her back to normal, she begins to fall into the world of spirits and gods.

But Hiyori's not the only one who's keeping tabs on Yato. A god from Yato's past is back, and he's not interested in a friendly reunion.



Tags: Gods , Youkai , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Shounen , Mythology , Anti-Hero , Shapeshifting , Swordplay , Memory Manipulation , Found Family , Urban , Nekomimi , Shrine Maiden , Revenge , Outdoor , Age Gap , Bullying , Environmental

Ao no Exorcist

Also known as Blue Exorcist.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Supernatural

This world consists of two dimensions joined as one, like a mirror. The first is the world in which the humans live, Assiah. The other is the world of demons, Gehenna. Ordinarily, travel between the two, and indeed any kind of contact between the two, is impossible. However the demons can pass over into this world by possessing anything that exist within it. Satan the god of demons, but there's one thing that he doesn't have, and that's a substance in the human world that is powerful enough to contain him!! For that purpose he created Rin, his son from a human woman, but will his son agree to his plans? Or will he become something else...? An exorcist?

Tags: Demons , Shounen , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Youkai , Twins , Religion , Primarily Teen Cast , School , Urban Fantasy , Adoption , Swordplay , Tragedy , Body Horror , Wuxia , School Club , Guns , CGI

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi

Also known as Spirited Away.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

On the way to their new home, 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino's family stumbles upon a deserted theme park. Intrigued, the family investigates the park, though unbeknownst to them, it is secretly inhabited by spirits who sleep by day and appear at night. When Chihiro's mother and father eat food from a restaurant in the street, angry spirits turn them into pigs. Furthermore, a wide sea has appeared between the spirit world and the human one, trapping Chihiro, the sole human, in a land of spirits. Luckily for her though, a mysterious boy named Haku appears, claiming to know her from the past. Under his instructions, Chihiro secures a job in the bathhouse where Haku works. With only her courage and some new found friends to aid her, Chihiro embarks on a journey to turn her parents back to their original forms and return home.

Tags: Coming of Age , Female Protagonist , Youkai , Urban Fantasy , Magic , Shapeshifting , Isekai , Work , Mythology , Gods , Witch , Philosophy , Anthropomorphism , Memory Manipulation , Dragons , Travel , Primarily Child Cast , Twins , Trains

Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season

Also known as JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 2.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Supernatural

The second season of Jujutsu Kaisen.

The past comes to light when second-year students Satoru Gojou and Suguru Getou are tasked with escorting young Riko Amanai to Master Tengen. But when a non-sorcerer user tries to kill them, their mission to protect the Star Plasma Vessel threatens to turn them into bitter enemies and cement their destinies—one as the world’s strongest sorcerer, and the other its most twisted curse user!



Tags: Tragedy , Super Power , Shounen , Urban Fantasy , Male Protagonist , Demons , Magic , Primarily Teen Cast , Gore , Youkai , Urban , Ensemble Cast , Martial Arts , Body Horror , Henshin , Battle Royale , Primarily Male Cast , Revenge , Tokusatsu , Rotoscoping , Dissociative Identities , Reincarnation , Swordplay , Surreal Comedy , Super Robot , Survival , Cannibalism , Real Robot , Time Manipulation , Guns , Female Protagonist , Idol

Dororo

Also known as Dororo.

Studio: MAPPA , Tezuka Productions
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

Dororo, a young orphan thief, meets Hyakkimaru, a powerful ronin. Hyakkimaru's father, a greedy feudal lord, had made a pact with 12 demons, offering his yet-unborn son's body parts in exchange for great power. Thus, Hyakkimaru - who was born without arms, legs, eyes, ears, a nose or a mouth - was abandoned in a river as a baby. Rescued and raised by Dr. Honma, who equips him with artificial limbs and teaches him sword-fighting techniques, Hyakkimaru discovers that each time he slays a demon, a piece of his body is restored. Now, he roams the war-torn countryside in search of demons.

Tags: Demons , Revenge , Disability , Swordplay , Tragedy , Samurai , Estranged Family , Youkai , Anti-Hero , Orphan , War , Male Protagonist , Historical , Crossdressing , Rural , Travel , Urban Fantasy , Gore , Philosophy , Female Protagonist , Episodic , Body Horror , Tomboy , Kuudere , Shounen , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Ghost , Cannibalism , Heterosexual , Prostitution

Bakemonogatari

Also known as Bakemonogatari.

Studio: Shaft
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.



Tags: Ensemble Cast , Youkai , Urban Fantasy , Surreal Comedy , Male Protagonist , Kuudere , Philosophy , Primarily Female Cast , Denpa , Vampire , Coming of Age , Psychosexual , Satire , Meta , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Dissociative Identities , Monster Girl , Yandere , Love Triangle , Tomboy , Parody , Gore , Nekomimi , Female Harem , LGBTQ+ Themes , Tsundere , CGI , School , Amnesia , Rehabilitation , Aliens

Noragami ARAGOTO

Also known as Noragami Aragoto.

Studio: bones
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Supernatural

The second season of Noragami.

Life for minor god Yato isn't getting any easier. He's still broke, shrineless, and his partner-slash-sword-regalia has zero respect for him. Worse yet, Bishamon, one of the deadliest war gods, is after his life. Blaming him for the death of her past regalia, she won't stop until she kills him. But there's more to that story than she could ever realize. And as if that's not bad enough, there's someone working against her behind the scenes! Can Yato take on a god as powerful as Bishamon? Or will things take a more dangerous turn?

Between all of this godly drama and even more dangerous battles, Yato still needs to figure out how to help Hiyori. But all options lead to losing her, and he's not willing to make that choice – no matter what.

Five yen doesn't even begin to cover his trouble!



Tags: Gods , Mythology , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Urban Fantasy , Youkai , Found Family , Urban , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Shapeshifting , Anti-Hero , Revenge , Reincarnation , Nekomimi , Nudity

Mononoke-hime

Also known as Princess Mononoke.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

A calm village residing in the mountains comes under attack from a demon-possessed boar one day.

Ashitaka, a young man and prince of the tribe, engages the creature in an attempt to save his village. During the battle, the boar bites him on the arm, leaving it blackened and cursed. Following his village's traditions, Ashitaka is exiled and becomes a wanderer, looking for a solution to the curse before it engulfs him.

Iron Town is a fortress under the leadership of Lady Eboshi. Through the clearing of the surrounding forests, Iron Town produces large amounts of Ironsand, used for gunpowder and other machinery. However, because of the forests destruction, nearby animal clans seek revenge led by a human girl of the Wolf clan called San.

When Ashitaka comes to Iron Town, he discovers the area consumed in battle. Horrified, he attempts to create peace and befriend the Wolf Clan. However, after the forest's eradication and the ongoing war between Human and Beast, will the Spirit of the Forest be forgiving and accept Ashitaka's request to expel his curse?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tags: Environmental , Mythology , Animals , Philosophy , War , Gods , Eco-Horror , Rural , Youkai , Demons , Female Protagonist , Revenge , Historical , Male Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Guns , Disability , Travel , Archery , Primarily Adult Cast , Tomboy , Outdoor , Body Horror , Gore , Kaiju

Tonari no Totoro

Also known as My Neighbor Totoro.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Fantasy , Slice of Life , Supernatural

Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four-year-old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters, including a cat that doubles as a bus, takes them on a journey through the wonders of nature.



Tags: Family Life , Primarily Child Cast , Rural , Youkai , Female Protagonist , Urban Fantasy , Kids , Gods , Primarily Female Cast

Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun

Also known as Toilet-bound Hanako-kun.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Supernatural

"Hanako-san, Hanako-san... are you there?"

At Kamome Academy, rumors abound about the school's Seven Mysteries, one of which is Hanako-san. Said to occupy the third stall of the third floor girls' bathroom in the old school building, Hanako-san grants any wish when summoned. Nene Yashiro, an occult-loving high school girl who dreams of romance, ventures into this haunted bathroom... but the Hanako-san she meets there is nothing like she imagined! Kamome Academy's Hanako-san... is a boy!



Tags: Ghost , Youkai , School , Mythology , Female Protagonist , Afterlife , Primarily Teen Cast , Male Protagonist , Twins , Tragedy , Urban Fantasy , Episodic , Shounen , Ensemble Cast , Achronological Order , Slapstick , Heterosexual , Conspiracy , School Club , LGBTQ+ Themes , Femboy , Love Triangle , Mermaid , Boys' Love

Hotarubi no Mori e

Also known as Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light.

Studio: Brain's Base
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance , Supernatural

The story of Hotarubi no Mori e centers around Hotaru, a little girl who gets lost in an enchanted forest where apparitions reside. A young boy, Gin, appears before Hotaru, but she cannot touch him for fear of making him disappear.

Tags: Coming of Age , Youkai , Ghost , Tragedy , Rural , Urban Fantasy , Shoujo , Female Protagonist , Iyashikei , Time Skip , Age Gap , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist

Nisemonogatari

Also known as Nisemonogatari.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Ecchi , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural

First season of the Monogatari Series, part 5/6. Contains the arcs Karen Bee and Tsukihi Phoenix from the Nisemonogatari light novels.

In Bakemonogatari, the story centered on Koyomi Araragi, a third year high school student who has recently survived a vampire attack and finds himself mixed up with all kinds of apparitions: gods, ghosts, myths, and spirits. However, in Nisemonogatari, we pick up right where we left off and follow Koyomi as the psychological twists delve deeper and deeper...



Tags: Urban Fantasy , Ensemble Cast , Surreal Comedy , Primarily Female Cast , Male Protagonist , Incest , Philosophy , Primarily Teen Cast , Female Harem , Youkai , Urban , Nudity , Vampire , Achronological Order , Family Life , Feet , Meta , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Satire , Tomboy , Kuudere , Super Power , Gore , School

Mushishi

Also known as MUSHI-SHI.

Studio: Artland
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 , Youkai , Mythology , Episodic , Philosophy , Rural , Male Protagonist , Travel , Snowscape , Tragedy , Outdoor , Seinen , Historical , Coastal , Primarily Adult Cast , Amnesia , Urban Fantasy , Cult , Suicide

Dandadan

Also known as DAN DA DAN.

Studio: Science SARU
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Comedy , Drama , Romance , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

This is a story about Momo, a high school girl who comes from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult fanatic. After Momo rescues Okarun from being bullied, they begin talking. However, an argument ensues between them since Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens exist, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts exist.

To prove to each other what they believe in is real, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital where a UFO has been spotted and Okarun goes to a tunnel rumored to be haunted. To their surprise, they each encounter overwhelming paranormal activities that transcend comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to overcome these new dangers! Their fateful love begins as well!?

The story of the occult battle and adolescence starts!



Notes:
- Worldwide premiere of Episode 1 before the Japanese television premiere occurred at Anime Expo July 6, 2024.
- Episodes 1-3 titled as DAN DA DAN: FIRST ENCOUNTER was pre-screened in advance in theaters on August 31, 2024 in Asia, September 7, 2024 in Europe and September 13, 2024 in North America. The regular TV broadcast began October 4, 2024.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Youkai , Ghost , Aliens , Primarily Teen Cast , Surreal Comedy , Super Power , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Henshin , School , Gyaru , Cult , Love Triangle , Zombie , Nudity , CGI , Achronological Order

Monogatari Series: Second Season

Also known as Monogatari Series Second Season.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Romance , Supernatural

Second season of the Monogatari Series, part 1/2. Contains the arcs Tsubasa Tiger, Mayoi Jiangshi, Nadeko Medusa, Shinobu Time, and Hitagi End, from the Nekomonogatari White, Kabukimonogatari, Otorimonogatari, Onimonogatari and Koimonogatari light novels, respectively.

These stories take place after the end of the summer vacation when the apparition of the bee had left and the apparition of the phoenix avoided any consequences… Now that Koyomi Araragi and the girls were entering their new school terms, they were once again about to encounter supernatural beings…but this time, they may not be so easy to deal with.

Tsubasa Hanekawa, Mayoi Hachikuji, Nadeko Sengoku, Shinobu Oshino, and finally Hitagi Senjougahara. The girls’ loneliness, their confessions, and their departures… 5 new “stories” begin now.



Notes:
Includes 3 recap episodes from the TV version (Ep. 6, 11, 16).
The recap episodes were not included in the Blu-Ray version of the anime.

Tags: Urban Fantasy , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Youkai , Philosophy , Yandere , Primarily Female Cast , Achronological Order , Anti-Hero , Denpa , Gods , Love Triangle , Male Protagonist , Vampire , Tragedy , Heterosexual , Time Manipulation , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Dissociative Identities , Meta , Alternate Universe , Nekomimi , Post-Apocalyptic , Female Harem , Nudity , Zombie , Tomboy

Inuyasha

Also known as InuYasha.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Romance

Kagome Higurashi, an average ninth grader, gets pulled into an ancient well by a demon, bringing her 500 years in the past to the feudal era. There, she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon who seeks the Shikon Jewel to make himself a full-fledged demon. With Inuyasha and new friends, Kagome's search for the Jewel of Four Souls begins...



Tags: Reincarnation , Youkai , Historical , Demons , Female Protagonist , Love Triangle , Rural , Revenge , Magic , Swordplay , Isekai , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Shounen , Time Manipulation , Kemonomimi , Male Protagonist , Monster Boy , Archery , Shapeshifting , Shrine Maiden , Travel , Orphan , Age Gap , Necromancy , Kuudere , Body Horror , Primarily Teen Cast , Monster Girl , Episodic , Memory Manipulation

Mieruko-chan

Also known as Mieruko-chan.

Studio: Passione
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Horror , Slice of Life , Supernatural

She can see dead people…she just chooses to ignore them. That’s Miko’s plan, anyway, but it doesn’t seem to be working for her in this love letter to the horror genre that will send shivers down your spine—and occasionally tickle your funny bone.



Tags: Ghost , Female Protagonist , Primarily Teen Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Youkai , Urban Fantasy , Body Horror , Seinen , School , Gods , Nudity , Philosophy , Bullying

Kamisama Hajimemashita

Also known as Kamisama Kiss.

Studio: TMS Entertainment
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Romance , Supernatural

Nanami Momozono is alone and homeless after her dad skips town to evade his gambling debts and the debt collectors kick her out of her apartment. So when a man she's just saved from a dog offers her his home, she jumps at the opportunity. But it turns out that his place is a shrine, and Nanami has unwittingly taken over his job as a local deity!

Nanami has all kinda of new responsibilities she doesn't understand, dangers she's unaware of, and a cranky ex-familiar who's... actually pretty hot. What's a new-fledged godling to do?



Tags: Gods , Shoujo , Youkai , Female Protagonist , Kemonomimi , Heterosexual , Urban Fantasy , Age Gap , Episodic , Time Manipulation , Demons , Male Harem , School , Monster Boy , Love Triangle , Meta , Tsundere , Bullying , Slavery , Anthropomorphism

Yuu☆Yuu☆Hakusho

Also known as Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghostfiles.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Supernatural

Urameshi Yusuke, 14 years of age, is about as troublesome and violent as teenagers come. He is constantly ditching school, causing trouble, and getting into numerous fights everyday. One day however, he does the unexpected, sacrificing himself to save a young child. Such an action, was never ever expected, especially coming from someone as troublesome as Urameshi Yusuke. The afterlife is not prepared for Yusuke, as they never thought he would make such a sacrifice. Nowhere to go, and dead, Yusuke becomes a ghost and must earn his way back into existence.

Yusuke is "employed" by Koenma, who is in charge while his father and ruler of the afterlife, King Enma, is away. Under Koenma's command, Yusuke helps to stop menacing demons that threaten the lives of people everywhere; whether by stealing priceless and invaluable items and destructive weapons, or by wreaking havoc on humans everywhere.

Throughout Yusuke's journey, he is usually joined by; his arch-rival, and local bully, Kuwabara Kazuma. He is also joined by two demons named Hiei and Kurama, whom are ex-convicts of the afterlife that managed to escape from Koenma.

This group of unlikely allies goes on to participate and struggle in battles that have outcomes that determine the fate of humanity!



Tags: Coming of Age , Shounen , Demons , Philosophy , Super Power , Delinquents , Urban Fantasy , Martial Arts , Male Protagonist , Afterlife , Primarily Male Cast , Youkai , Tsundere , Cultivation , Dissociative Identities , Ghost , Heterosexual , Tomboy , School