Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror - Recommendations

• Movie (1 ep x 25 min)
• 2012

At the Kokumondo book store, Suzuri will do whatever it takes to find the most rare and historic artifacts for his customers – in fact, the man has just procured a tale of a terrifying spider monster who ate the men of a village one by one. But when Suzuri's assistant Mizuki opened the book, little did the two know that the monster herself would be unsealed from the pages, nor that she'd be an adorable little girl!

• Movie (1 ep x 25 min)
• 2013

When two strangers find themselves trapped in a mysterious lounge with no memory of arriving, they're informed by the bartender that the only way to escape is play a game like their lives depend on it. With a spin of the roulette wheel, their fates are set: the men must play a game of pool, but it's no ordinary game! In a suspenseful, macabre twist, the balls aren't numbered but rather represent a different organ in each man's body. Just what kind of fate awaits the loser of this anything-goes game of billiards?

• TV (26 eps)
• 1999 - 2000

Tachibana Sakon is a skilled puppeteer with an unusual hobby: solving murders. Along with Ukon, a one-of-a-kind puppet made in the Meiji era, Sakon manages to find himself in a variety of life-threatening situations. Join the duo as they put their detective skills to the test in terrifying cases of revenge, malice, and murder.

• OVA (1 ep x 47 min)
• 2001

Ever since childhood, Kintoki (commonly known as Kai Doh Maru) has lived a difficult life of bloodshed, as a woman who was raised to be like a man. With the help of her mentor and comrades, she helps defend her city from evil spirits and beings that threaten it. However, Kintoki cannot forget her past, and soon, her past will catch up to her...

• OVA (3 eps)
• 2004

Kurahashi has never been the same since the hallucinations started. His condition is not medical in nature, and only seems to be triggered by an antique glass which shows him things he never would wish to see. For Kurahashi, figuring out the mystery of the Petit Cossette that appears to him in his waking dreams is a matter of life or death... and his sanity...

• TV (26 eps)
• 1997 - 1998

In the human world, there live demonic invaders named Shinma who prey upon the fragile souls of humans. The only hope for the humans is one of demonkind: Miyu, who is fated to destroy the Shinma and send them back to whence they came. Although half-human herself, as well as living amongst them as a typical high school student, she bears no compassion for those she saves, as well as condemns. Along with Larva, her subservient, Miyu sets out to destroy evil, one Shinma at a time.

• TV (12 eps)
• 2000

Strange things have been happening at a local high school... mysterious disappearances, strange powers and brutal murders all emerge amongst kids who, up till now, have been perfectly normal. Even the Shinigami (Angel of Death) herself has been sighted. What's happening? The answers lie in the mysterious creature known as Boogiepop...

• TV (12 eps)
• 2007

When Makoto saw Kotonoha on the train one day, he fell in love at first sight. Luckily, his classmate Sekai’s nosy personality ensures him an introduction to his crush, and soon the two begin to date. However, Kotonoha isn’t the only one with eyes for Makoto - a fact that any horny teenager would be delighted with. With endless temptations, lies and heartbreak at every turn, Makoto and Kotonoha’s relationship will soon be put to the ultimate test...

• TV (13 eps)
• 2004

From swordsmen to robots, from ancient tribal cultures to civilizations that reach the stars, there is one force that dominates all others: life. From birth to death, and rebirth again, it is life that permeates the soul and opens up to us the mysteries of the universe. Within this tale of the phoenix and those who would be touched by its beauty, we are shown the joys and tragedies that life sometimes hands us, and what we, as humans, must do to survive...

• TV (13 eps)
• 2012

Utakoi is a historical romance story based on Ogura Hyakunin Isshu's interpretation of a collection of 100 romance poems that are used in traditional Japanese karuta card/memory game Utakoi takes life based of the very liberal interpretation of the Hyakunin Isshu anthology of poems featuring 100 romantic poems from 100 different poets such as The Tale of Genji's Murasaki Shikibu. However this romantic – both in story and artistic design – series starts its focus with some twists and turns centered around the love between Fujiwara and her romantic interest Ariwara…