Summary
Due to Japan’s cultural history of spirituality, demons, ghosts, and exorcists often appear in popular media, like manga and anime. Authors often take inspiration from Western religious institutions while also incorporating native Shinto mythos and legends into their stories, which create interesting environments and settings. The result is a fun and engaging story.
Part of the reason manga and anime about exorcists remain popular is that they’re predisposed to intense storytelling and high-action fight sequences. They are incredibly entertaining and appeal to a wide audience, especially because they includesupernatural or horror elements. It’s no wonder why there are so many of these stories.
A Fun Story About A Girl Bullying Ghosts
Although exorcisms involve ghosts and spirits, many exorcist manga and anime are actually very funny. Rather than lean into horror, stories likeBad Girl Exorcist Reinafocus on the absurdity of spooky situations. This manga puts a bit of a contemporary twist on exorcism that divorces itself from the spiritual nature of fending off spirits.
Reina isseen as a delinquentfor verbally harassing her peers and causing damage to school property, but she’s not trying to be mean. When ghosts are haunting the stalls or possessing dolls, sometimes the most effective thing to do is bully them into submission. She’s a little rough around the edges, but she truly means well.
11Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
A Great New Manga With A Refreshing Protagonist
As a manga that only recently started being published,Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshihas already proven to be fun, entertaining, and enjoyable with just about twenty chapters. The story stars Kiyoshi Harai, who has just graduated from Exorcist Academy as valedictorian, the youngest ever to do so. Despite all of his accolades and great skills, he’s a timid and awkward kind of guy.
To make it clear, Kiyoshi is incredibly overpowered, and he can even rival veteran exorcists with his innate talent. However, he’s neither cocky nor confident. He projects himself confidently, but his inner monologue is a mess of fears and worries. This manga doesn’t take itself too seriously and focuses on being fun. He even maintains a classic shōnen protagonist’s optimism.
10Twin Star Exorcists
A Great Example Of Dual Protagonists
As the title suggests, this manga has two protagonists. Rokuro and Benio are both exorcists who fight kegare. However, they have different pasts that make it hard for them to understand each other. Because of their skill, they are fated to be wed and produce the ultimate exorcist. As young teenagers, they are more occupied with becoming stronger.
This manga is highlighted by its great character growth. Rokuro and Benio progressively work through their trauma, learning to be confident and regaining their motivation to be exorcists. With some slice-of-life arcs scattered through the plot, the story becomes more than just fighting demons and getting revenge.
9Make The Exorcist Fall In Love
A Romance With A Unique Protagonist
Rather than Eastern-style demons and exorcism, some authors prefer to use the aesthetics and traditions of Western religion.Make the Exorcist Fallin Loveis one example. After being raised by the church as the strongest exorcist, the protagonist lives his life devoted to fighting demons and stopping Satan. However, amid all his duties, he’s stillcurious about “love.”
This manga is a pleasant surprise that challenges the traditional shōnen protagonist. While he holds many of the same traits, the protagonist’s journey in this story isn’t about revenge or an ultimate ending. It’s about coming to terms with his feelings and finding his reason for living. It ends up questioning some primarily masculine concepts that are prevalent in manga.
8Kekkaishi
Exorcism Done In A Different Way
In Japan, demons and evil spirits go by many names. Ayakashi are demons from a different realm, and they are handled by warriors called Kekkaishi. In this story, Sumimura Yoshimori is tasked with protecting Karasumori High School from ayakashi. The land under the school is known to make ayakashi stronger, so it’s his job to prevent that from happening.
Kekkaishiis another traditional shōnen action story involving demons and spirits. While it may not seem like much on the surface, it has a lot to provide in terms of entertainment. It uses magic and spiritualism in a unique way that isn’t solely about power. Unfortunately,anime from the 2000soften struggled with pacing, especially early on, andKekkaishiis no exception.
7D. Gray-Man
A Notorious Action Anime From The 2000s
In folklore, demons are often the result of a person’s negative emotions taking form, but inD. Gray-Man, they are purposefully made. By using the souls of the dead as its core, a monster called an akuma can be made. The only thing that can exorcise the souls from their prison is a weapon called “Innocence.” Allen Walker is a new exorcist who uses his arm as his weapon.
D. Gray-Manis a series that gained popularity in the 2000s. It has since fallen off but was still one of the most popular titles about exorcists at the time. Although it’s slow to start, this anime tells a compelling story filled with great action sequences and a unique aesthetic. Unfortunately, like other anime from that time, filler arcs add a lot of unnecessary clutter.
6The Morose Mononokean
A Fun Story About Supernatural Fixers
Not all demons are malevolent. Sometimes they’re just misunderstood creatures who are trapped in the mortal realm.The Morose Mononokeanfollows Hanae Ashiya as he works with Haruitsuki Abeno, an exorcist and owner of a magic tearoom called a “Mononokean.” Together, they solve the problems of demons who come to Haruitsuki for help and send them back to the underworld.
Unlike other manga and anime concerning exorcism, this story takes a more slice-of-life approach to demons and yokai. The focus is on the growing friendship between Haruitsuki and Hanae, using episodic conflicts as a vehicle for development. It’s a pretty innocent and wholesome story. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a bigger picture, so it feels rather simple.
5Beyond The Boundary
A Refreshing Mix Of Daily Life And Action
Sometimes, authors don’t use the term “exorcism” in their world-building, even though what happens in the story is similar. For example, inBeyond The Boundary, they aren’t called exorcists but spirit world warriors. They essentially have the same job. This manga follows Mirai Kuriyama, a warrior, as she completes her mission.
Rather than a completely action-focused narrative, the mangablends school life stories with spirit hunting. Mirai meets Akihito Kanbara, an immortal youmu, who she tries to kill, but in failing to do so, they become friends. With their other friends from school, they work together to build Mirai’s confidence as a warrior. It’s a touching story with many great twists and surprises.
4Blue Exorcist
An Iconic Story About Satan’s Sons
Blue Exorcistis probably one of the most popular manga about demons and exorcism. The story follows two brothers, Rin and Yukio, who are the sons of Satan, the demon king and enemy of humanity. When their foster father is possessed by Satan and killed, they both seek revenge, becoming exorcists under the Knights of True Cross. However, their demonic heritage must be kept hidden.
This manga checks all the boxes for a classic shōnen manga; an impulsive protagonist with a hidden power, a main cast of mysterious and unique characters, and a villain that looms over every part of the plot. Although it starts predictable,Blue Exorcistseparates itself withvast world-buildingand great character development.
3Mob Psycho 100
A Surprisingly Heartwarming Story Of A Psychic’s Life
Middle school is often when protagonists discover their innate powers, starting a journey to discover themselves. Shigeo Kageyama is in eighth grade when he starts exorcising spirits for Arataka Reigen. Nicknamed “Mob” by most, he has a reserved personality because he’s constantly suppressing his emotions to keep his psychic powers in check.
Not only isMob Psycho 100a fun, action-packed anime withstunning visuals and animation, but it’s also a great story about mental health and maturing. The story is filled with gag characters and hyperbolized situations, but amid all of that, Mob is able to build meaningful relationships with his peers and open up to his family.
