Key Takeaways
- Exorcist manga and anime use fun and entertaining storytelling, appealing to a wide audience.
- Some exorcist stories focus on comedy and absurdity rather than horror, offering a unique twist.
- Themes in exorcist media involve intense battles, spiritual elements, and blending Western and Shinto mythology.
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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.
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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 include supernatural or horror elements. It’s no wonder why there are so many of these stories.
12 Bad Girl Exorcist Reina
A Fun Story About A Girl Bullying Ghosts
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- MyAnimeList Score: 7.42
- Chapters: 78
- Published: 2018 to 2021
- Genres/Theme: Comedy, Supernatural, School
- Author: OTOSAMA
- Illustrator: OTOSAMA
Although exorcisms involve ghosts and spirits, many exorcist manga and anime are actually very funny. Rather than lean into horror, stories like Bad Girl Exorcist Reina focus 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 is seen as a delinquent for 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.
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11 Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi
A Great New Manga With A Refreshing Protagonist
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.01
- Published: Jun 24, 2024 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Gag Humor
- Author: Shouichi Usui
- Illustrator: Shouichi Usui
As a manga that only recently started being published, Ultimate Exorcist Kiyoshi has 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.
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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.
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10 Twin Star Exorcists
A Great Example Of Dual Protagonists
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- MyAnimeList Score: 7.87
- Published: 2013 to 2024
- Genres/Theme: Action, Fantasy, Mythology
- Author: Yoshiaki Sukeno
- Illustrator: Yoshiaki Sukeno
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.
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9 Make The Exorcist Fall In Love
A Romance With A Unique Protagonist
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.67
- Published: 2021 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology
- Author: Aruma Arima
- Illustrator: Masuku Fukayama
Rather than Eastern-style demons and exorcism, some authors prefer to use the aesthetics and traditions of Western religion. Make the Exorcist Fallin Love is 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 still curious about “love.”
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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.
8 Kekkaishi
Exorcism Done In A Different Way
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.59
- Episodes: 52
- Aired: 2006 to 2008
- Studios: Sunrise
- Genres/Theme: Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Mythology
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.
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Kekkaishi is 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 2000s often struggled with pacing, especially early on, and Kekkaishi is no exception.
7 D. Gray-Man
A Notorious Action Anime From The 2000s
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.00
- Episodes: 103
- Aired: 2006 to 2008
- Studios: TMS Entertainment
- Genres/Theme: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mythology, Super Power
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In folklore, demons are often the result of a person’s negative emotions taking form, but in D. 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-Man is 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.
6 The Morose Mononokean
A Fun Story About Supernatural Fixers
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- MyAnimeList Score: 8.16
- Chapters: 93
- Published: Sep 12, 2013 to Apr 22, 2021
- Genres/Theme: Comedy, Supernatural
- Author: Kiri Wazawa
- Illustrator: Kiri Wazawa
Not all demons are malevolent. Sometimes they’re just misunderstood creatures who are trapped in the mortal realm. The Morose Mononokean follows 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.
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5 Beyond The Boundary
A Refreshing Mix Of Daily Life And Action
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.72
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: 2013
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Genres/Theme: Action, Supernatural, School
Sometimes, authors don’t use the term “exorcism” in their world-building, even though what happens in the story is similar. For example, in Beyond 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 manga blends 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.
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4 Blue Exorcist
An Iconic Story About Satan’s Sons
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.58
- Published: 2009 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Supernatural, Mythology, School
- Author: Kazue Katou
- Illustrator: Kazue Katou
Blue Exorcist is 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.
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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 Exorcist separates itself with vast world-building and great character development.
3 Mob Psycho 100
A Surprisingly Heartwarming Story Of A Psychic’s Life
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.49
- First Aired: 2016
- Studios: Bones
- Genres/Theme: Action, Comedy, Supernatural
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.
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Not only is Mob Psycho 100 a fun, action-packed anime with stunning 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.
2 Dandadan
The Best Buddy Cop Duo For Ghost Crimes
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.39
- Published: 2021 to Present
- Genres/Theme: Action, Comedy, Supernatural
- Author: Yukinobu Tatsu
- Illustrator: Yukinobu Tatsu
Supernatural topics are often divided into two categories; scientific and spiritual. Most stories focus on one or the other, but Dandadan brings them together in a fun adventure between two unlikely friends. Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura connect over their belief in the occult, and in a misplaced desire to prove the other wrong, they become embroiled in a haunting that changes their lives.
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Dandadan is like the X-Files but without any skeptics. Each arc involves a new supernatural being or mysterious circumstance that needs to be investigated. Of course, the selling point of this manga is the humor. It’s fun to read because so many absurd things are happening. Private parts are stolen, old women break the sound barrier, bats are used for exorcisms, and that’s just the beginning.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen
Thrilling Anime Series That Took Over The Internet
- MyAnimeList Score: 8.58
- First Aired: 2020
- Studios: MAPPA
- Genres/Theme: Action, Award Winning, Supernatural, School
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With its anime debut, Jujutsu Kaisen made a huge impact on the anime community. The fluid animation and expertly choreographed fight scenes drew in many people, creating a huge fanbase for years to come. The story of Yuji Itadori’s life after eating a mummified finger was both exciting and thrilling. The combination of interesting characters and the unique magic system brought much discussion.
At its base, Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t do much to separate itself from traditional shōnen archetypes, but there is an appeal to the human condition that adds some complexity to the story. Like exorcists, the sorcerers in this story find and defeat cursed spirits that are born of human negativity, confronting the worst of humanity in the form of monsters.
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Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime
