The rich, cultural tapestry of Japanese mythology has long been an inspiration for numerous anime.  3g494i

Many legends, folklore, and ancient beliefs have shaped the cultural and spiritual landscape of Japan, and as a result, anime. Over the years, creators have drawn inspiration from this wealth of mythical stories to craft compelling narratives. However, in the grand scheme of things, these 10 anime stand out for their incredible stories, and their ode to the fantastical world of Japanese mythology.

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Noragami is a no-brainer for fans of the supernatural genre. The anime follows Yato, a minor deity seeking recognition and a grand shrine. Operating as a delivery god for a mere five yen, Yato meets Hiyori Ikki, a girl with a unique connection to the spirit world after a near-death accident. Together with Yukine – a troubled spirit turned Regalia – they navigate the world of gods, spirits, and the supernatural. The series explores themes of divinity, human connections, and the consequences of forgotten gods.

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Mushishi is a supernatural anime that revolves around Ginko, a Mushi Master, as he travels through the world investigating mysterious creatures known as Mushi. These ethereal entities exist in between the natural and supernatural realms, influencing the lives of humans in various ways. Each episode unfolds as a standalone story, exploring the delicate balance between humanity and the unseen forces of nature, drawing from Shinto beliefs and Japanese folklore. 

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In Mononoke, viewers follow the enigmatic Medicine Seller as he confronts malevolent spirits known as Mononoke. Armed with a sword and the ability to see these supernatural entities, he seeks to unveil their Form, Truth, and Reason. The series is renowned for its unique art style inspired by traditional Japanese art, as well as its exploration of the concept of vengeful spirits, drawing inspiration from folklore.

Natsume’s Book of Friends 5s5l3m

Natsume’s Book of Friends is often regarded as one of the best shoujo anime around. Centered around Takashi Natsume, a high school student who can see spirits, the anime draws inspiration from various Japanese yokai (spirits) and yokai folklore. Inherited from his grandmother, Natsume’s ability to interact with yokai leads him to discover a book containing the names of spirits bound by a contract. Determined to return these names and help the spirits find peace, Natsume, accompanied by the powerful spirit Madara, embarks on a heartwarming journey. 

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Sarazanmai revolves around three middle school students, Kazuki Yasaka, Toi Kuji, and Enta Jinnai, who accidentally transform into Kappa creatures by a mysterious Kappa prince named Keppi. The trio is tasked with defeating zombie-like creatures called “Kappa Zombies” by extracting their Shirokodama, a mythical organ containing desires. As they navigate this surreal and symbolic world, the trio uncover secrets about themselves and their interconnected destinies. 

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A classic and favorite among otaku, Inuyasha follows Kagome Higurashi, a modern-day high school student who is transported to the Japanese Sengoku period through a magical well. There, she encounters Inuyasha, a half-demon with a troubled past. Together with a group of diverse characters including a monk, a demon slayer, and a fox, Kagome and Inuyasha embark on a quest to collect the scattered shards of the powerful Shikon Jewel. Rumiko Takahashi, the creator of InuYasha, certainly drew great inspiration from Japan’s medieval past, as well as mythology to bring the characters to life.

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This series revolves around the life of Rikuo Nura, a young boy with both human and yokai (demon) heritage. Initially reluctant to embrace his yokai lineage, Rikuo eventually takes on the responsibility of leading the Nura Clan, a powerful yokai group. As Rikuo navigates the intricate world of yokai politics and battles malevolent spirits, he strives to create harmony between the two worlds. Drawing from Japanese folklore, the anime explores the world of youkai and their interactions with the human realm.

Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits 2r6x2c

Kakuriyo follows Aoi Tsubaki, a college student who can see spirits. After her grandfather leaves her in debt to a supernatural inn, Aoi is taken to the hidden realm of spirits. To repay the debt, she agrees to work at the inn, where she encounters various yokai and spirits. As Aoi adjusts to her new life and job, her eyes are opened to the world where supernatural beings exist and live their lives. The anime explores the delicate balance between the human and spirit worlds.

Just like us, plenty of K-pop artists are fans of anime. BTS’ Jungkook even proved his love earlier this year when he expertly sang the Chainsaw Man opening during a live stream but, unlike us, some K-pop artists actually get the chance to sing anime openings and endings themselves.

Both the K-pop and anime industries are pop culture powerhouses in their respective countries so it’s no surprise when the two worlds collide, it leads to some great music. Here are 10 of our favorite anime openings and endings from our favorite K-pop artists.

10. “Eclipse” by Dreamcatcher (King’s Raid: Successors of the Will opening) 4t2ui

Shortly after Dreamcatcher debuted in 2017, fans immediately noticed the girl group’s music would fit perfectly into an anime. Finally, in 2020, the girls released “Eclipse,” the opening for the anime King’s Raid: Successors of the Will.

Before g on to sing the anime’s opening, Dreamcatcher actually released an EP, Raid of Dream, inspired by the King’s Raid mobile game in 2019. While not an official collaboration, the EP and its title track, “Deja Vu,” use some of the same themes and motifs of the game; perhaps this is what helped them land that official opening.

9. “In My Head” by CNBLUE (Supernatural: The Animation ending) 2i2q4g

“In My Head” is CNBLUE’s first single in Japan (and was my introduction to the band back in high school) and served as the first ending of the anime Supernatural: The Animation. As the name suggests, Supernatural: The Animation is an anime version of the TV series Supernatural starring Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.

I, for one, am shocked this anime exists, but maybe I shouldn’t be. When I really think about it, what is Supernatural, if not perfect anime material? Regardless, I hope you’ll agree the song’s a bop.

8. “Top” by Stray Kids (Tower of God opening) y403e

Stray Kids sang the first opening of Tower of God, the anime based on the popular Korean webtoon. The anime’s first season was aired simultaneously in Korea, Japan, and the United States and Stray Kids re-recorded “Top” in Korean, Japanese, and English for each release.

They did the same for the series’ first ending, “Slump.” It’s impressive to sing an anime opening in any language, let alone three!

7. “Brand New Days” by Apink (Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yosei no Door opening) 1j6e8

“Brand New Days” is both Apink’s first Japanese single and the opening of Rilu Rilu Fairilu: Yosei no Door (which probably explains the fairy wings in the music video). The group’s bubblegum pop sound was a perfect fit for an anime produced by Sanrio and Sega, filled with characters as cute as you’d expect from the two companies.

6. “Forget Me Not” by ENHYPEN (RE-MAIN opening) 5b1p5d

RE-MAIN is a 12-episode anime series from MAPPA about a water polo star who wakes up from an accident-induced coma with no memories of the sport or the last three years. Boy group ENHYPEN sings the series’ appropriately titled “Forget Me Not” as the series’ opening.

I haven’t personally watched this series yet, but if it’s anything like the melancholy yet uplifting opening theme, it’s definitely worth a watch!

5. “Zoom Zoom” by Aespa (Beyblade X ending) 11p9

Even though they haven’t officially made their Japanese debut, Aespa has already released two anime openings: the Korean opening of Pokémon: Liko and Roy’s Departure and the ending of the new Beyblade X anime, “Zoom Zoom.” It’s a fun, bouncy pop song to go along with the bright anime and shows Aespa has what it takes to sing anime songs with the best of them.

4. “Baby U!” by MBLAQ (Beelzebub opening) 536e2

Much-loved second-generation boy group MBLAQ sang Beelzebub’s fourth opening, “Baby U!” The song is a little dated, but that adds to its nostalgic charm; “Baby U!” sounds exactly like what a K-pop boy group would release in 2011 and it worked well with Beelzebub.

3. “Houkiboshi” by Younha (Bleach ending) 5b3m50

Younha is a K-pop singer who first debuted in Japan in 2004. Her second Japanese single, “Houkiboshi,” was the third ending of the anime “Bleach” and became a huge hit in Japan, peaking at number 12 on the Oricon charts. Younha has gone on to have a celebrated career in both Korea and Japan, but “Houkiboshi” is often considered one of her best singles to date.

2. “Every Heart” by BoA (Inuyasha Ending) 5c3w3b

One of BoA’s first Japanese singles, “Every Heart” was featured as Inuyasha‘s fourth ending. The song is not only a hit among nostalgic anime fans, it charted in the top 10 on Oricon and helped establish BoA’s domination in the Japanese market. BoA’s continued to lend her voice to anime over the years, including Fairy Tail‘s 15th opening, “Masayume Chasing.”

1. “We Are!” by TVXQ (One Piece) 6to42

TVXQ recorded their own version of One Piece‘s first opening, “We Are!” in honor of the anime’s 10th anniversary. The group also sang the show’s 11th opening, “Share the World,” which they also promoted as a single. While they were popular domestically, TVXQ was almost unfathomably successful in Japan. During their peak, they would consistently break sales records for foreign artists and had 29 Japanese singles before their lawsuit against SM Entertainment split the group.

Since 2014, fans of The Seven Deadly Sins have been taken on a large emotional roller coaster, as Meliodas and the gang fought to clear the name. While the beloved anime is indeed over, a spin-off, Four Knights of the Apocalypse arrives in October. Will that be enough to fill the void? Some fans aren’t so sure. One thing’s for certain, and it’s that Percival, who Meliodas es the baton to, seems like a worthy protagonist. 

However, even after Four Knights, more shōnen adventure is still required. There’s nothing quite like a young protagonist leading his friends into multiple battles and emerging victorious. That’s why this list of anime shows similar to The Seven Deadly Sins is necessary. It’ll serve to keep the momentum going, and introduce some exciting new anime characters you can’t help but root for. 

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Kiznaiver has a unique plot that would pique any otaku’s interests. The mini-series also has just 12 episodes, making for a truly thrilling binge watch. Kiznaiver takes place during the summer in a futuristic world. A group of teenagers are brought in to be experimented on in an effort to facilitate world peace. The experiment, however, is rather ghastly, and links the teenagers’ pain receptors together. So when one “Kiznaiver” is hurt, everyone linked feels it. Naturally, things begin to spiral out of control soon after.

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Hunter X Hunter is one of the most recommended anime of all time, especially for beginners. The series follows the lovable Gon Freecss, who ventures out to become a hunter, as well as find his father, one of the world’s most top ranked hunters. On his journey, he befriends other aspiring hunters, and together, they face a hoard of challenges along the way. 

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Sorcery and experimentation collide in Dorohedoro, an anime about a somewhat dystopian city that houses evil magic s. The city, called “the Hole,” is a hotspot for sorcerers who experiment on the innocent and leave them greatly disfigured. When Caiman ends up with a reptile head, he s forces with the full human, Niakidou, to hunt and kill the sorcerers and get his original look back. 

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood 532tg

Would it even be a list of determined protagonists if Edward and Alphonse Eric didn’t make an appearance? Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows the now-iconic duo who venture out to restore their physical bodies after an experiment gone wrong. It remains one of the most lauded anime ever, with a gripping storyline, brilliantly written characters, and incredible action sequences. 

YuYu Hakusho  1uy1m

YuYu Hakusho is another anime that deals with correcting previous wrongs. When a young delinquent, Yusuke Urameshi, is killed while trying to save a young girl, he is given another chance at life. However, he must continue on as a spirit detective and make new friends in the spirit world, in order to keep demons from constantly wreaking havoc.

Cowboy Bebop 2a4n3d

With just 26 episodes, Cowboy Bebop is one of the most fulfilling anime to binge through. Much like The Seven Deadly Sins, the iconic anime follows a group of underrated heroes who band together to defeat the actual criminals. Cowboy Bebop is widely heralded as one of the best anime in existence. Between its writing, action, and funky music, there’s more than enough to entertain.

Plunderer  2ye17

Plunderer ventures into psychological thriller territory during its 24-episode run. The anime takes place in a dystopian world where one’s life is linked to a “Count.” When the “Count” gets to zero, that life is sent to the Abyss. However, a young girl named Hina soon begins to discover that the world she lives in houses many dark secrets. 

InuYasha 6q4k2e

InuYasha is an older, but much appreciated anime about an epic adventure. When Lagome Higurashi is transported to the past, she encounters a half-boy, half-demon named Inuyasha. Although they butt heads at first, they unite on a journey to find the pieces of a very powerful jewel. Along the way, they face many obstacles and must rely on one another to make it through. 

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The Seven Deadly Sins and Fairy Tail are quite similar, thematically. The former is a magical tale about a band of aspiring top-ranking wizards who are enrolled in the titular guild. Together, these wizards train and become stronger, encountering many challenges, and sticking with each other through it all.

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Set in a dystopian 2126, Overlord is an isekai anime that follows Momonga, an office worker who logs into an old game for the last time. However, things take an unexpected turn when, instead of being logged out, he is transported to another reality. Now, he must venture on with his gaming guild to see all this new world has in store for them.

Netflix has an ever-changing roster of films and television shows available to watch, and as we welcome the new, so too must we say sayonara to the old. The start of August brings about such changes as the streaming platform will be removing many titles from its online library, including these classic anime movies.

On August 31, Netflix will be removing quite a swathe of content, including the InuYasha anime film series. InuYasha is a classic Shōjo meets Shōnen storyline, following two lead characters, the eponymous half-demon half-human InuYasha and the high schooler, Kagome, who is thrust into a parallel world resembling feudal Japan but with demons and magic.

Though the manga, written by Rumiko Takahashi, from which the anime was adapted was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday, thereby marking it as a shōnen storyline (one that predominantly follows a male protagonist who undergoes activities that usually see him get stronger). It heavily features themes of Shōjo style manga, that of a stronger female protagonist, and a consistent romance plot.

The first anime adaption aired between 2000 and 2004 with 167 episodes, and was then revived later on to cover more of the manga running from 2009 to 2010, consisting of another 26 episodes. It also received a spin-off/sequel later down the line with Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon airing in 2020. As with most well-loved anime, InuYasha also got a collection of films, four in total, one a year for the first four years of the anime’s release.

• 2001 – InuYasha the Movie: Affections Touching Across Time
• 2002 – InuYasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass
• 2003 – InuYasha the Movie 3: Swords of an Honorable Ruler
• 2004 – InuYasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island

These films have had a home on Netflix for some time now, but alas, that time is over. They will be removed at the end of the coming month. They aren’t the only titles being dropped, with cult classics such as Mean Girls, The Italian Job, and A Knight’s Tale also being removed from the platform. In their place, we will receive a number of new additions including many of the films from the Fast and Furious franchise, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, and Lost in Translation.

If you wish to watch the InuYasha movies after the above deadline, head on over the Crunchyroll or even Hulu, where they are still available to stream.

Even though it was considered taboo in any religion, humans have had an affinity for demons and the world of the supernatural for decades. You see a lot of it in popular culture: books, movies, TV shows, comics, and sometimes even anime. There’s just something about the blood, gore, horror, and insane abilities demons exhibit that has a way of keeping our eyes glued to the screen. Although American shows like Lucifer and Supernatural have definitely set a standard for the demon genre, they are nothing compared to some of the more popular demonic stories told in anime. Nowadays, demon anime has even gotten so good that it’s played an instrumental part in building the new anime wave sweeping the world. Thanks to that, young and old alike are now opening their horizons and looking for anime to binge-watch.

But just like your first time with anything, you want your experience to be fun and exciting enough to keep you interested. And of course, just like anything else, not every demon anime is created equal. So, to get you started on your road into the darker recesses of Japan’s animated phenomenon, we’ve compiled a list of the best demon anime to binge watch⏤so far.

Inuyasha/Yashashime 2k4v5c

One of the most classic anime in the genre’s history and the most popular demon story of all time, Inuyasha is guaranteed to take you on an extraordinary journey through the demon realm. 

Based on the popular manga by Rumiko Takahashi, Inuyasha follows the adventures of high school student Kagome as she roams feudal Japan with half-demon Inuyasha in search of the Sacred Shikon Jewel shards. The objective? Defeat the demon, Naraku, whose plots and schemes have been attributed to the increased demonic aura ravaging the land.

A story that spans 167 episodes and four films, Inuyasha has woven such a deep and compelling story in the world of demons that it has continued in the new anime series, Yashahime: Princess Half Demon, slated to return for its second season on October 2nd, 2021. It’s safe to say that the story of Inuyasha alone will be enough to satisfy your demon appetite for weeks.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba d535s

Kind-hearted Tanjiro sells charcoal for a living to help feed his mother and family of siblings. But when he comes home to find most of his family slaughtered by demons and his only surviving sister, Nezuko, has been turned into one herself, Tanjiro finds the resolve to become a demon slayer.

Hoping to find a way to turn Nezuko back to normal and kill the demon responsible, Tanjiro s the Demon Slayer Corps in their quest to finally defeat the Twelve Kizuki and their Demon King Muzan Kibutsujj.

Based on the best-selling manga by Koyoharu Gotuge, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba has been widely praised as one of anime’s most visual masterpieces for the way it perfectly balances its bold and beautifully drawn animated style over its often intense and detailed fight scenes.

One of the most popular anime in the world, Kimetsu No Yaiba just released its first film, Demon Slayer: The Mugen Train, and is slated to return for its second season sometime next month. If you’re looking for something more modern to make conversation about around the water cooler, then this would be the perfect time to start binge-watching the first season for free on Crunchyroll.

Blue Exorcist 1hw2c

All of his life, Rin Okumura and his twin brother Yukio have been raised by the Exorcist, Father Shiro Fujimoto. As far as he knew, he was a regular guy. But that all changed once he learned that he and Yukio were actually the Sons of Satan! 

Determined to defeat his father, Rin s his brother at the True Cross Academy to train in becoming an exorcist. With the group of friends he’s made at the school, he goes on a fantastic journey to defeat Satan’s hordes while controlling the demon within himself.

Based on the Japanese Dark Fantasy manga series by Kazue Kato, Blue Exorcist is a beautifully dark anime with intense action and great storytelling. A nice blend of humor and suspense, Blue Exorcist‘s unique take on the Underworld and Satan’s family is a refreshing change of pace after binge-watching a few episodes of Ushio & Tora.

Jujutsu Kaisen 6w491j

High schooler Yuji Itadori is a star athlete, far from what you would consider a nerd. But instead of sports, he’s quite happy hanging out with his nerd friends in the Occult Research Club. At least he was until a Cursed Spirit showed up and tried to kill them all!

In trying to protect his friends, Yuji is locked in a desperate battle with the Cursed Spirit and ends up accidentally swallowing one of the decayed fingers of the infamous demon Sukuna, the King of Curses. 

Granted with Sukuna’s powers and tasked with ingesting Sukuna’s remaining fingers, Yuji is now forced to walk the path of a Jujutsu sorcerer⏤exorcists trained in containing cursed spirits⏤before he ultimately is killed by them once he retrieves all of Sukuna’s fingers.

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Based on the manga by Kazuhiro Fujita, Ushio and Tora is an awesome buddy series with a unique and demonic twist on the “buddy” part. 

Ushio Aotsuk’s family has guarded a temple near the home for hundreds of years. And when Ushio accidentally opens a trap door to the temple’s basement, he finally finds out why: it has been keeping the infamous demon tiger, Tora, inside! Forced to free Tora to defend the town against various invading demons, Ushio becomes the wielder of the Beast Spear⏤a magical Weapon said to grant the superhuman abilities⏤and teams up with the demon tiger to protect the Ushio’s loved ones from harm. That is unless Tora decides to eat him for lunch!

Ushio & Tora is a hilarious, sad, and exciting ride into the histories of ancient demons and legendary warriors. Tora’s repeated attempts to sneakily eat Ushio and avoid being struck by the Beast Spear are anime comedic gold. Lighthearted and exciting, Ushio & Tora is a great throwback on your journey through the anime’s demon genre.