Welcome back to yet another spooky day of Otakutober 2025! And what better way to celebrate than a compilation series of exorcisms haha. It’s strange I, Star, didn’t watch this when it came out since it’s my kind of niche. But I’m glad I did and here’s why!
Mononoke is one of the prettiest anime I’ve seen in a while. It’s quirky and psychologically disturbing because of the truths it unveils. Some history behind the series is that it was blessed by the Japanese consulate as an accurate representation of Japanese history and culture. From the music, artistic direction and the cases of the exorcisms it’s been a treasured anime with a following.
The series follows a self-proclaimed Medicine Man who is actually on the hunt for what is called Ayakashi or Mononoke also known as Yokai. Spirits who tend to hold onto negative feelings and cause mischief to the living. The series is split into cases that are (at least) 3 episodes.
Artistically, this anime is one of the most beautiful horrors I’ve ever seen. It uses a LOT of traditional Japanese designs and uses a paper-like filter so make it look and feel like a storybook retelling. This is also some of the most colorful horrors I’ve watched. It’s so refreshing!
Storytelling wise, the cases that the Medicine Man solves is truth-seeking which means there’s many confessions from the characters who admit or share some pretty intense, traumatic, violent backstories that helped birth the Ayakashi. Many of these stories and cases is part of the dark history of Japan which makes it a horror and very jarring from the start.
Admittedly I didn’t watch the very first series called, Ayakashi and started with Monoke and loved it. The music, the art, the direction and the story was top-tier for my indie soul, haha. I’m a big lover of unique designs peppered in the clothes and backgrounds as well as boppin’ music which was a fun upbeat jazz with a traditional touch.
Then I watched the movies.
It was like the series but on steroids! It was like taking the series and adding a new coat of paint. It was brighter, extravagant, with the same equations. I wish the series gave as much time as the movies to each of the cases.
Anyways, if you like the unique, artistic, indie anime; I would give a 10 out of 10, 100% would recommend. Warning, the stories are disturbing so it’s not for sensitive souls.
AishiteLOVEru~
Star
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