Anime has always been a window into Japan’s culture, but nothing feels as enchanting as shows rooted in Japanese mythology and folklore. From mischievous yokai and vengeful spirits to gods who walk among humans, these series weave ancient legends into unforgettable anime experiences.
If you’ve ever searched for anime about Japanese mythology, anime with yokai, or folklore-inspired anime, this list will guide you to titles that truly bring myths to life.
1. Noragami (2014)
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Comedy
Studio: Bones
MAL Score: 7.94/10
What if a struggling delivery god was just one prayer away? Noragami follows Yato, a wandering minor deity who takes odd jobs in hopes of building his shrine. Blending Shinto mythology with modern-day struggles, it’s equal parts hilarious, emotional, and action-packed. If you love gods who feel all too human, this is a must-watch.
2. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan (2010)
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Demons
Studio: Studio Deen
MAL Score: 7.60/10
Rikuo Nura is part human, part yokai — and destined to lead a clan of spirits and demons. But he just wants to live as a normal kid. Packed with Japanese folklore creatures and epic battles, this anime feels like Inuyasha meets classic yokai legends.
3. Natsume’s Book of Friends (2008)
Genre: Slice of Life, Supernatural, Drama
Studio: Brain’s Base
MAL Score: 8.30/10
One of the most heartfelt anime about spirits you’ll ever watch. Takashi Natsume inherits a book that contains the names of bound yokai. Instead of controlling them, he chooses to set them free, finding kindness and loneliness in equal measure. If Studio Ghibli made a slice-of-life series, it would feel like this.
4. Hozuki’s Coolheadedness (2014)
Genre: Comedy, Supernatural, Fantasy
Studio: Wit Studio
MAL Score: 7.77/10
Hell isn’t all fire and brimstone — sometimes it’s just bureaucracy. Hozuki, the stoic and sharp-tongued aide to the King of Hell, navigates underworld politics and misadventures with demons. It’s witty, bizarre, and filled with references to Japanese and Chinese folklore.
5. Mononoke (2007)
Genre: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural
Studio: Toei Animation
MAL Score: 8.41/10
A visually stunning masterpiece. Mononoke follows the enigmatic Medicine Seller as he confronts malevolent spirits by uncovering their truth, form, and reason. Its experimental art style and eerie storytelling make it one of the most unique folklore-inspired anime ever created.
6. Mushi-Shi (2005)
Genre: Mystery, Horror, Supernatural
Studio: Toei Animation
MAL Score: 8.65/10
A visually stunning masterpiece. Mononoke follows the enigmatic Medicine Seller as he confronts malevolent spirits by uncovering their truth, form, and reason. Its experimental art style and eerie storytelling make it one of the most unique folklore-inspired anime ever created.
7. Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales (2006)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Anthology
Studio: Toei Animation
MAL Score: 7.37/10
An anthology of classic Japanese ghost stories, including the tragic Yotsuya Kaidan, the supernatural Tenshu Monogatari, and the eerie Goblin Cat (Bake Neko). Dark, atmospheric, and deeply rooted in folklore, it’s a must-watch for fans of traditional Japanese horror.
8. Konohana Kitan (2017)
Genre: Slice of Life, Fantasy
Studio: Lerche
MAL Score: 7.47/10
Set in a hot spring inn run by fox spirits (kitsune), this anime is all about warmth, healing, and little life lessons. Each episode feels like a folk tale sprinkled with cuteness and comfort. Perfect for fans of cozy, heartwarming anime.
9. Hell Girl (2005)
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Studio: Studio Deen
MAL Score: 7.60/10
What if you could send someone to Hell instantly — but at the cost of your own soul? Hell Girl explores Japanese ghost stories and moral dilemmas through Ai Enma, the mysterious girl who ferries grudges to the afterlife. Dark, eerie, and very folklore-inspired.
10. Kamisama Kiss (2012)
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Shoujo
Studio: TMS Entertainment
- MAL Score: 8.12/10
Homeless teen Nanami Momozono unexpectedly becomes a land god and must manage shrine duties with the help of the fox familiar Tomoe. Blending Shinto folklore, yokai, and divine rituals with heartwarming romance, Kamisama Kiss is a charming mix of myth and love.
11. GeGeGe no Kitaro (2018)
Genre: Supernatural, Comedy, Action
Studio: Toei Animation
MAL Score: 7.24/10
A true classic reborn. GeGeGe no Kitaro introduces a younger audience to yokai legends in a fun yet spooky way. Kitaro, a half-yokai boy, protects humans while navigating strange folklore-based adventures. If you want the OG yokai anime, this is the one.
12. Inuyasha (2000)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural
Studio: Sunrise
MAL Score: 7.87/10
A true classic in the folklore genre, Inuyasha follows Kagome, a modern-day schoolgirl who falls into a well and is transported to Japan’s Sengoku period. There, she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon, and together they embark on a quest to recover the shards of the powerful Shikon Jewel. Filled with yokai battles, ancient curses, and Shinto-inspired myth, this anime blends action, romance, and legend in a way that’s still beloved two decades later.
Bonus Pick: Hell’s Paradise (Jigokuraku)
While not a direct retelling of Japanese folklore, Hell’s Paradise draws deeply from mythological influences. The eerie island of Shinsenkyo feels like a twisted take on legendary hidden paradises from Japanese lore, while its grotesque guardians and Tao-based powers echo imagery of yokai, Buddhist demons, and Shinto mysticism.
This fusion of folklore aesthetics with a gritty survival story makes Hell’s Paradise a fascinating modern interpretation of how mythology still inspires dark fantasy anime.
Hell’s Paradise is returning with Season 2 in January 2026, so there’s no better time to dive in and catch up before the new season drops!
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