by DAN DA DAN is the first recommendation for viewers who enjoy supernatural action mixed with comedy, horror, and romance. Written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu, the manga is serialized on Shueisha’s digital platform Shonen Jump+.
The story follows two high school students, Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, who have completely different beliefs about the supernatural.
Momo comes from a family with a spiritual background and believes in ghosts and spirits. However, she does not believe in aliens. Her classmate Ken, whom Momo nicknames Okarun, is an enthusiastic occult fan who believes in extraterrestrial life but doubts the existence of ghosts.
To prove that the other person is wrong, they each investigate a location associated with the supernatural. Their experiments take an unexpected turn when both discover that ghosts and aliens are real.
This strange encounter draws them into a series of dangerous and hilarious adventures involving powerful supernatural entities, extraterrestrial creatures, and mysterious paranormal phenomena.
Meet the Strange Creatures of DAN DA DAN
One of the biggest attractions of DAN DA DAN is its collection of unusual supernatural characters. Instead of relying on traditional ghosts and monsters, the series introduces creatures inspired by Japanese urban legends, folklore, and paranormal stories.
Some of its most memorable supernatural beings include:
- Turbo Granny: A terrifying and extremely fast spirit who becomes one of the most recognisable supernatural characters in the series. Her frightening appearance and unpredictable behaviour also create some of its funniest moments.
- Acrobatic Silky: A mysterious spirit whose story combines supernatural horror with an emotional and tragic background.
- Evil Eye: A dangerous supernatural entity associated with a mysterious curse and an unsettling presence.
The series constantly introduces new threats, ensuring that Momo and Okarun rarely get a chance to enjoy an ordinary school life.
Why Is DAN DA DAN Perfect for Halloween?
What makes DAN DA DAN especially suitable for Halloween is its unusual balance of horror and comedy.
The series can move from a genuinely frightening encounter to an absurdly funny situation within moments. Its supernatural creatures are often disturbing, but their personalities and interactions create plenty of entertaining scenes.
The relationship between Momo and Okarun is another major attraction. Their friendship gradually develops into something more meaningful, with awkward romantic moments, emotional conversations, and plenty of misunderstandings.
Beyond its action and humour, the anime also explores the tragic backgrounds of several supernatural beings. Some creatures initially appear frightening, but their stories reveal loneliness, suffering, and unresolved emotions.
This combination of emotional storytelling and supernatural battles gives the series more depth than a conventional monster-of-the-week anime.
Anime details:
- Original creator: Yukinobu Tatsu
- Original manga publisher: Shueisha
- Manga platform: Shonen Jump+
- Animation studio: Science SARU
- Main characters: Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura (Okarun)
The first two anime seasons are available through several streaming services, including ABEMA in Japan. Another exciting development for fans is that a third season has been confirmed for 2027, giving viewers more supernatural adventures to look forward to.
Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube – A Teacher Who Protects His Students from Evil Spirits
For viewers who enjoy traditional Japanese ghost stories, school mysteries, and supernatural action, Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube is an excellent Halloween choice.
The series is based on the manga written by Sho Makura and illustrated by Takeshi Okano, which was originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1993 to 1999.
The story follows Meisuke Nueno, commonly known as Nube, a teacher who works at Domori Elementary School. At first glance, he appears to be an ordinary, friendly, and sometimes clumsy teacher.
However, Nube has a remarkable secret: he is a psychic teacher who protects his students from supernatural threats.
His most unusual ability is the powerful demon residing in his left hand, commonly known as the Demon Hand or Oni no Te. This supernatural power allows him to fight dangerous spirits and monsters that ordinary people cannot see.
Whenever mysterious incidents threaten his students, Nube uses his spiritual abilities to confront the creatures responsible.
Japanese School Ghost Stories and Terrifying Yokai
A major attraction of Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube is its use of Japanese folklore, urban legends, and traditional ghost stories.
The series introduces a variety of supernatural beings, including yokai, evil spirits, cursed objects, and mysterious creatures connected to school legends.
For readers unfamiliar with Japanese folklore, the word yokai refers to a broad category of supernatural beings. They can include strange monsters, mischievous spirits, mysterious animals, and other unexplained entities.
Some yokai are dangerous, while others are simply unusual or misunderstood. This variety allows the series to explore different types of supernatural stories.
Many episodes begin with an apparently ordinary situation at school before revealing something frightening. A strange rumour, a mysterious object, or an unexplained incident can quickly turn into a dangerous supernatural encounter.
However, Nube is always ready to protect his students, even when doing so means putting his own life at risk.
What Makes Nube Different from Other Supernatural Anime?
Unlike many supernatural action series that focus primarily on powerful heroes and large-scale battles, Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube combines horror with the everyday experiences of schoolchildren.
The students are not simply background characters. Their fears, friendships, curiosity, and mistakes often become important parts of the supernatural incidents.
Nube’s role as a teacher also gives the series an emotional foundation. He does not fight spirits only because he has special powers; he does so because he genuinely cares about his students.
This mixture of school comedy, horror, action, and emotional storytelling has helped the franchise remain popular across generations.
The New Anime Adaptation Returns After Approximately 26 Years
The original television anime aired from 1996 to 1997. In 2025, the franchise received a new television anime adaptation, introducing Nube and his students to a new generation of viewers.
The new series premiered on July 2, 2025, with a special two-episode opening broadcast. It is produced by Studio KAI and features a modern presentation while retaining the central appeal of the original manga.
The new adaptation also updates elements of the setting and characters to better reflect contemporary times.
The series continued with its second cour in January 2026, allowing the new adaptation to explore more supernatural incidents and stories.
Anime details:
- Original story: Sho Makura
- Manga: Takeshi Okano
- Original manga publication: Weekly Shonen Jump
- Animation studio: Studio KAI
- Main character: Meisuke Nueno (Nube)
- Genre: Supernatural, horror, action, comedy
For Halloween viewers who enjoy creepy school legends, mysterious creatures, and a hero who fights to protect children, this series is a particularly good choice.
Natsume’s Book of Friends: A Gentle Supernatural Fantasy Filled with Spirits and Emotions
Not every supernatural anime needs terrifying monsters or intense battles. Natsume’s Book of Friends offers a completely different experience, focusing on kindness, loneliness, friendship, and the emotional connections between humans and spirits.
Based on the manga by Yuki Midorikawa, serialized in Hakusensha’s LaLa magazine, the series follows a young boy named Takashi Natsume, who has been able to see supernatural beings since childhood.
Unlike most people, Natsume can see yokai and spirits that remain invisible to ordinary humans. Because of this unusual ability, he has struggled to fit in and has often felt isolated.
His life changes when he inherits an unusual object from his grandmother, Reiko Natsume.
This object is known as the Book of Friends.
What Is the Book of Friends?
The Book of Friends is a mysterious collection containing the names of numerous yokai.
Natsume’s grandmother, Reiko, had the ability to see spirits just like him. During her lifetime, she challenged various yokai and collected their names in the book.
By possessing a spirit’s name, Reiko gained a degree of control over that being.
After inheriting the book, Natsume discovers that many spirits are still connected to it. He decides to return their names so that they can regain their freedom.
To accomplish this, he is accompanied by Nyanko-sensei, a powerful supernatural being who takes the appearance of a round, adorable cat.
Although Nyanko-sensei initially agrees to act as Natsume’s bodyguard, their relationship gradually becomes one of the most entertaining and heartwarming aspects of the series.
Meet Nyanko-sensei: The Unusual Guardian
Nyanko-sensei is one of the most beloved characters in Natsume’s Book of Friends.
Despite his cute cat-like appearance, he is actually a powerful yokai known as Madara. He takes the form of a small, round,d cat-like creature and often behaves in a selfish, humorous, and occasionally mischievous manner.
He agrees to protect Natsume in exchange for eventually receiving the Book of Friends.
However, as their journey continues, the relationship between the two becomes more complicated. Nyanko-sensei gradually develops a stronger attachment to Natsume, even though he rarely expresses his feelings openly.
His funny reactions and unusual personality provide a welcome contrast to the more emotional stories involving the spirits.
A Supernatural Anime About Kindness and Understanding
The biggest strength of Natsume’s Book of Friends is its emotional storytelling.
Each encounter with a yokai offers an opportunity to explore a different experience. Some spirits are lonely, some have lost someone important, and others simply want their names returned so that they can move forward.
Through these encounters, Natsume gradually learns more about the supernatural world and develops meaningful relationships with both humans and spirits.
The series frequently explores themes such as
- Loneliness: Natsume’s childhood experiences make it difficult for him to trust others, but he gradually learns that he does not have to face everything alone.
- Friendship: His relationships with his human friends and supernatural companions help him develop a sense of belonging.
- Kindness: Returning names to spirits becomes an act of compassion rather than an opportunity to gain power.
- Memories and loss: Many episodes explore the pain of separation and the importance of remembering people who have influenced our lives.
- Understanding: Natsume learns that supernatural beings, just like humans, can have complicated emotions and personal struggles.
Although the anime includes mysterious and occasionally frightening creatures, its overall atmosphere is gentle, nostalgic, and comforting.
This makes it an excellent choice for viewers who want something supernatural without constant horror or intense action.
A Long-Running Anime Loved Across Generations
The first television season of Natsume’s Book of Friends premiered in 2008. The franchise has since expanded into multiple television seasons, specials, and a theatrical film.
Its seventh television season, Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 7, aired in 2024, continuing Natsume’s journey through more encounters with the supernatural world.
The series has maintained a loyal fanbase because of its distinctive storytelling style and its ability to create emotional connections through relatively simple encounters.
Anime details:
- Original creator: Yuki Midorikawa
- Original manga publisher: Hakusensha
- Manga magazine: LaLa
- Main character: Takashi Natsume
- Companion: Nyanko-sensei (Madara)
- Genre: Supernatural fantasy, slice of life, drama
For Halloween, this series offers a softer alternative to traditional horror anime. Its mysterious spirits and beautiful nighttime atmosphere make it ideal for viewers who prefer emotional supernatural stories.
How to Enjoy These Anime on ABEMA
ABEMA is a Japanese streaming and television platform offering a wide selection of anime, including classic favourites and newer productions.
The three titles featured in this Halloween recommendation are highlighted as supernatural anime available through the platform.
Viewers can explore the titles through ABEMA’s anime catalogue and check the individual programme pages for current viewing options.
It is worth remembering that streaming availability can change depending on the title, episode, viewing period, and subscription plan. Some programmes may be available for free for a limited time, while others may require an ABEMA subscription.
International availability can also differ, so viewers outside Japan should check their local streaming services rather than assuming that the Japanese ABEMA catalogue is accessible in every country.
Celebrate Halloween with Three Unique Supernatural Worlds
From terrifying paranormal encounters to traditional Japanese ghost stories and heartwarming meetings with spirits, these three anime demonstrate just how varied supernatural storytelling can be.
DAN DA DAN offers an energetic combination of horror, action, comedy, and romance. Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube brings classic Japanese folklore and school ghost stories back to the screen through the adventures of a courageous teacher. Meanwhile, Natsume’s Book of Friends provides a peaceful and emotional journey through the relationships between humans and mysterious supernatural beings.
Each series approaches the supernatural genre from a different perspective, making them suitable for different kinds of anime fans.
Whether you want to experience a frightening encounter with a yokai, laugh at an unexpected supernatural situation, or enjoy a touching story about friendship and memories, these three anime offer plenty of entertainment for Halloween.
So, this October 31, turn off the lights, prepare your favourite Halloween snacks, and enter the mysterious worlds of ghosts, aliens, demons, and spirits with ABEMA’s supernatural anime recommendations.
