Essential Insights
- Ghost characters in manga serve diverse roles across various genres including horror, romantic comedies, and more.
- Unique relationships between human characters and ghosts create compelling narratives in supernatural manga.
- Ghostly protagonists frequently incorporate humor while demonstrating significant character development.
In the realm of manga, a character’s demise typically signifies the conclusion of their narrative journey. However, for certain characters, death can serve as a fresh beginning rather than an ending. This theme is prevalent in fantasy and supernatural manga, where spectral figures take center stage. Whether these are spirits returning for vengeance or souls stuck between life and death, ghosts make for fascinating protagonists.
While many manga features ghostly presences or supernatural beings, few make these entities the main characters. Despite their unconventional nature, ghost protagonists can adapt to a multitude of storytelling formats, including traditional shonen, supernatural slice-of-life, and darker seinen narratives.
7 Miss Okiku Wants To Possess
An Unlikely Pairing: Ghost Meets Exorcist
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Release Date |
July 18, 2021 |
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Number of Chapters |
14+ |
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Author |
Chiri Yuino |
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Japanese Title |
I want to meet Okiku-san |
Typically, ghosts are portrayed as vengeful spirits returning for malice-filled reasons. Yet, the character of Okiku flips this trope, as she roams the living world primarily out of a desire to flirt. This engaging premise positions Miss Okiku Wants to Possess at the intersection of Girls Love themes and supernatural slice-of-life storytelling, blending lightheartedness with deeper emotional undercurrents.
6 Possessed By A Ghost
BL Romance With A Supernatural Twist
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Release Date |
June 19, 2013 |
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Number of Chapters |
6 |
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Author |
Una Donburi |
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Japanese Title |
Yurei-kun’s success |
Possessed by a Ghost introduces a unique BL premise through the charming and lighthearted relationship between Gyou Ryouta and his ghostly companion, Taiga Yamakawa. Their dynamic is unexpected yet endearing, showcasing a nuanced take on ghost-human relationships that is not commonly explored in the anime scene.
5 The Most Powerful Haunted House And The Guy With No Spiritual Sense
Horror-Comedy with a Ghostly Lead
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Release Date |
January 26, 2023 |
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Number of Chapters |
28+ |
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Author |
Keisuke Ikeda |
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Japanese Title |
The latest Jiko Bukken to Reikan Zero Otoko no Hanashi |
The Most Powerful Haunted House and the Guy With No Spiritual Sense draws humor from the peculiar interactions between a spirited protagonist and a human who is blissfully unaware of the supernatural. Beyond its comedic premise, the manga delves into character development, providing background stories that enrich the reader’s understanding of its ghostly cast.
4 Dusk Maiden Of Amnesia
Investigating Paranormal Mysteries with Occult Themes
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Release Date |
April 22, 2008 |
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Number of Chapters |
54 |
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Author |
Maybe |
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Japanese Title |
Tasogare Otome x Amnesia |
Dusk Maiden of Amnesia tells the story of Yuko Kanoe, a spirit who haunts an abandoned section of Seikyou Academy after a tragic death. Freshman Teichi Niya encounters her spirit and dedicates himself to uncovering the mystery behind her untimely demise, all while forming a profound emotional bond with her. Although the romance between ghosts and humans is a well-trodden path, this manga offers a fresh and engaging interpretation of that familiar trope.
3 Yuuna And The Haunted Hot Springs
A Playful Ensemble of Ghostly Characters
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Release Date |
February 8, 2016 |
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Number of Chapters |
214 |
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Author |
Tadahiro Muira |
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Japanese Title |
Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs |
Focusing on exorcist Kogarashi’s life at a haunted hot spring, Yuuna and the Haunted Hot Springs shifts attention to Yuuna, a ghost with whom Kogarashi strikes a bargain. Rather than exorcising her, Kogarashi embarks on a journey to help Yuuna fulfill her desires, which ultimately allows her to find peace. The charming representation of Yuuna, marked by her vibrant and cheeky personality, elevates this manga within the ever-growing supernatural genre.
2 Yu-Gi-Oh!
A Clever Ghost at the Forefront
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Release Date |
September 17, 1996 |
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Number of Chapters |
343 |
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Author |
Kazuki Takahashi |
Yu-Gi-Oh! fundamentally revolutionized the realm of card battle manga in the late ’90s while intertwining supernatural themes through its character, Yami Yugi. Possessing Yugi after the discovery of the Millennium Puzzle, Yami Yugi—once a Pharaoh—partners with Yugi in a series of high-stakes card duels that would result in dire consequences. His ghostly influence remains pivotal throughout a significant part of the series.
1 Toilet-Bound Hanako-Kun
A Human-Ghost Duo Interconnected by Destiny
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Release Date |
December 18, 2014 |
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Number of Chapters |
119+ |
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Author |
Iro Aida |
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Japanese Title |
Hanako-kun, the first Shounen |
Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun artfully blends urban legend horror with comedic storytelling. As the title suggests, Hanako is a ghost bound to a school toilet, one of several haunting mysteries at Kamome Academy. After a run-in with a magical item puts first-year student Nene Yashiro in a precarious situation, she seeks Hanako’s assistance, leading to a series of supernatural adventures that explore the various mysteries plaguing the academy.
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