Anime often features spooky stories about ghosts, inspired by Japan’s rich folklore and mythology involving spiritual beings. Ghosts are an important element in many anime series, offering a variety of suspenseful horror stories and intriguing mysteries. For fans, there are many anime about ghost hunting.
Ghost hunting anime come in a variety of genres, themes, and moods. Some are tense and action-packed, showing a group of hunters battling creepy ghosts and dark curses.
On the other hand, there are more in-depth and emotional ghost hunting series, which explore the human side of paranormal creatures. With such a wide variety of ghost hunting stories available, there’s bound to be a series to suit every type of fan you can imagine.
Recommended Anime about Ghost Hunting
Below are some anime recommendations about ghost hunting with various genres that you must watch if you are a horror lover.
13. Dark Gathering
Dark Gathering is a ghost hunting anime about Keitarou Gentouga, a college student who can see spirits. He meets Yayoi Houzuki, a girl who also has the same ability. Together, they try to unravel the mystery between the spirit world and humans.
This anime presents an interesting story with a plot that captivates and arouses curiosity in every episode. Dark Gathering tells the interaction between spirits and humans in a unique way. The animation is also of high quality, in keeping with the theme of the story.
12. Mob Psycho 100
Shigeo Kageyama, better known as Mob, is an 8th grade junior high school student who has the psychic ability of an esper. Although he looks ordinary and less sociable, he is actually an indigo child.
In his youth, Mob was able to bend spoons with the power of thought. However, over time, he lost awareness of his powers and realized how terrifying they were. Fearing the negative views of society, Mob chose not to use his powers in public.
Mob wants to live a normal life like other middle schoolers and tries to ask Tsubomi, the school’s prima donna, out on a date. However, he is always faced with problems. With the help of his mentor and self-styled ghost hunter, Reigen Arakawa, Mob goes on an adventure to find his true self and purpose in life.
11. Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen tells the story of Yuji who joins the Occult Research Club to relax and socialize. However, his seniors accidentally break the seal of a high-level curse amulet, which causes curse spirits to appear. One of them is Jurei, a monster-like creature born from negative human emotions.
Yuji, unable to defeat Jurei, ended up swallowing Ryomen Sukuna’s ‘finger’ curse charm, making him a vessel for the powerful spirit. He did this to protect his friends and seniors. Despite being possessed, Yuji can still control his body.
10. Mieruko-chan
The genres of horror and comedy, although different, can be combined well. An interesting example of a comedy horror anime is Mieruko-chan, released in 2021, about a high school girl who can see ghosts.
The series tells the story of Miko Yotsuya, who suddenly realizes her unique ability to see scary ghosts around her. Fearing the consequences if the ghosts learn of her ability, Miko chooses to live her daily life while pretending not to see them.
Miko tries to adjust to her new reality without revealing her secret. Despite the scary premise, the series presents the story humorously, showing Miko in various silly situations. The ghost hunting in the story is limited and only suspenseful at the end. Overall, Mieruko-chan offers a unique combination of comedy, horror, and entertaining paranormal elements.
9. Dusk Maiden of Amnesia
Dusk Maiden of Amnesia is a different anime in the ghost hunting subgenre, with the main protagonist a ghost named Yuuko Kanoe. Yuuko died mysteriously in the basement of Seikyou Private Academy and has no memory of her life or her death. In search of her identity and past, she leads the Paranormal Investigation Club.
The anime Dusk Maiden of Amnesia follows Yuuko as she interacts with various students in search of clues regarding her life and death. Together with her group, they uncover many mysteries and dark secrets at the Academy.
This series is one of the most creative paranormal titles available, giving a unique twist to the ghost hunting story. With darker overtones, the story presents a thrilling tragic mystery, leaving viewers with an overwhelming sense of suspense.
8. Ghost Sweeper Mikami
Furthermore, released in 1993, Mikami’s Ghost Sweeper is one of the oldest ghost-hunting anime that many people may not be familiar with let alone modern fans. Nonetheless, this comedy-based shounen series offers fun for viewers of all ages, set in a world filled with scary ghosts and genies.
The series follows Reiko Mikami, a professional Ghost Sweeper who hunts down and exorcizes evil spirits. She is assisted by Tadao, a high school student, and Kinu, a friendly ghost girl whom Mikami adopts at the beginning of the story.
The series follows the adventures of Mikami and his young assistant on various missions to save the day. With unique supernatural elements, hilarious humor, and thrilling action, Mikami’s Ghost Sweeper is ideal viewing for both old and new fans.
7. Mushi-shi
Most ghost stories are scary, but there are those that take a more subtle approach, like Mushi-shi. This anime offers thoughtful and slow-paced storytelling, providing a unique perspective on ghost hunting. Mushi-shi is an episodic historical story that focuses on an otherworldly entity called Mushi.
Mushi-shi tells the story of Ginko, a man who travels the land in search of and researching Mushi. As part of his journey, he moves from town to town, investigating various strange occurrences, and in doing so, uncovering the connection between these occurrences and the Mushi he encounters.
Far from the usual ghost hunting stories, Mushi-shi is a series that explores the psychological side of paranormal activity in a surreal and thought-provoking way, encouraging its readers to ponder the meaning of life.
6. In/Spectre
Furthermore, the In/Spectre anime is inspired by Japanese mythology and folklore, telling the story of Kotoko Iwanaga, who acts as the Goddess of Wisdom. She serves as a bridge between the human and supernatural worlds, investigating strange occurrences and paranormal activity. On her adventures, Kotoko is accompanied by Kurou Sakuragawa, and together they track down yokai and bring peace to the area.
In/Spectre is a paranormal series that blends ancient mythology with a modern twist, featuring spirits and ghosts inspired by mythological characters. The series offers a unique experience in ghost hunting.
5. Mononoke
Mononoke is a unique ghost hunting anime with a psychedelic style and bright visuals. Despite its vibrant appearance, the story presents heavy psychological themes and is very scary, making it one of the most surreal and frightening in the world, which has slowly attracted a fanatical following.
Set in Feudal Japan, Mononoke follows a mysterious man known as the Medicine Man. As a master of the occult, he scours the land to kill evil spirits, but must first learn all about the supernatural beings. The story presents psychological terror in an episodic format, offering a thought-provoking story about the supernatural.
4. Mob Psycho
The next anime about ghost hunting is mob pysco. Mob Psycho 100 is a unique and popular ghost hunting anime that follows Shigeo Kageyama, a young psychic with extraordinary powers. After being trained by Arataka Reigen, Shigeo’s normal life changes when he starts working as an exorcist. The series follows his adventures meeting various spirits and using his abilities to defeat them.
The Mob Psycho 100 anime is a unique paranormal series because it focuses on Shigeo’s personal growth. While it is filled with supernatural action and epic battles, its character development is the most impressive aspect of the story. Paranormal themes and classic ghost-hunting action drive the narrative, allowing Shigeo to explore his abilities and accept himself.
3. Yu Yu Hakusho
Yu Yu Hakusho is a 90s anime gem that is still popular today. This classic shonen series combines martial arts combat with supernatural and mythological elements, making it one of the most exciting ghost hunting anime. The story follows Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage delinquent who tragically dies after saving a child from an accident. He is then given a second chance at life as a Spirit Detective.
The Yu Yu Hakusho anime tells the story of Yusuke who collaborates with his former rival, Kazuma Kuwabara, as well as two powerful demons, Hiei and Kurama. They fight against evil spirits to protect humanity. As one of the pioneers in the shonen genre, this anime is a must-watch for fans of shonen and paranormal themes.
2. Ghost Hunt
Furthermore, Ghost Hunt is an anime that tells the story of ghost and spirit hunting. The story focuses on Mai Taniyama, a high school girl who is interested in the paranormal. After joining the Shibuya Psychic Research Company, her life is filled with creepy experiences as she encounters various ghostly apparitions.
In Ghost Hunt, Mai joins Kazuya Shibuya and a team of exorcists to explore the world of professional ghost hunting. She learns to exorcise evil spirits and investigate paranormal activity through various mysterious cases. With a lighter feel, this anime is suitable for fans who prefer humor over horror.
1. Dandadan
Last but not least, and premiering in Fall 2024, Dandadan is one of the most popular new anime. With its unique premise, thrilling action, and stomach-churning comedy, the series is poised to become a classic. Combining paranormal and space themes, Dandadan offers a ghost hunting story that takes the anime world by storm.
Dandadan tells the story of two young protagonists, Momo Ayase who believes in ghosts and Ken Takakura who is obsessed with aliens. The two meet unexpectedly and try to prove each other wrong.
The unlikely pair prove the existence of aliens and ghosts, causing chaos. On their journey, Dandadan follows the couple’s attempts to hunt down paranormal creatures and fix the supernatural problems that arise.
