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Horror and shojo are two unlikely genres many anime fans don’t expect to see coupled together. But when they are mashed together, the end result can be incredible. Ghost Hunt is one of the lesser-known gems in the horror and shojo scene.
Ghost Hunt is recognizable in the west through the 2006 anime series. For those who have only experienced the anime adaption, there is plenty of content cut from both the manga and light novels.
What is Ghost Hunt About?
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The Ghost Hunt series follows the story of Mai Taniyama, an orphaned high school freshman with a keen interest in the paranormal. Mai soon meets teenage supernatural investigator, Shibuya Kazuya, who just happens to be the director of Shibuya Psychic Research (SPR). When she breaks an expensive camera, injuring Kazuya’s assistant in the process, Mai becomes Kazuya's new assistant.
Kazuya shows his true colors and earns the nickname “Naru” for his narcissistic behavior. Along the way, they meet fellow paranormal investigators who will soon make up the remaining members of SPR. The other members include Ayako Matsuzaki, a self-proclaimed shinto shrine maiden; Houshou Takigawa, an ex-monk; an Australian Catholic priest named John Brown and Masako Hara, a celebrity medium.
Accompanying ghosts and other paranormal phenomena, the characters have great supernatural abilities which the story explores as it goes on. Mai is described to have “latent psychic abilities” by Naru. The series heavily focuses on Mai's ability to see relevant scenarios and clues pertaining to SPR’s current cases while she sleeps. In her dreams, Mai is guided by a spirit who looks a lot like her handsome boss, Naru. Despite Naru's prickly and sarcastic personality, Mai still develops a crush on him because of the kindness he shows her in her dreams.
Where to Read the Ghost Hunt Light Novels
The Ghost Hunt novel series was written by Fuyumi Ono, first published in 1989 and ending in 1992. The series was originally titled Akuryo Series. A two-volume series, under the new name, Ghost Hunt, was created in March 1994, ending a month later.
The Ghost Hunt novel series is quite difficult to find online and in stores. Since the novels were originally written in Japanese, there are multiple fan translations online -- but it’s important to keep in mind these aren’t official translations. For those who know how to read Japanese, volumes one to seven can be found second hand through websites like eBay.
Where to Read the Ghost Hunt Manga
The Ghost Hunt manga was illustrated by Shiho Inada in July 1998, ending on Sept. 30, 2010, with twelve volumes. A sequel manga under the name Akumu no Sumu Ie: Ghost Hunt was created in 2012, ending four years later in 2016. Multiple copies of the manga online on Amazon and eBay.
Where to Watch the Anime
The Ghost Hunt anime was written by Tsutomu Kamishiro and directed by Akira Mano. The anime aired from October 3, 2006, to March 27, 2007, with one season made up of twenty-five episodes. The anime leaves out the final arc of the story. Some fans would say the Ghost Hunt manga is better than the anime because of this.
This is a major criticism among fans of the series, and it's unknown if Ghost Hunt will receive a reboot anytime soon. Due to its unpopularity among general anime and manga fans, it's unfortunate to say Ghost Hunt may never get a reboot. Although some manga fans are unhappy with the anime ending before the final arc, many fans who have only watched the anime have enjoyed its content and give the series praise.
Unlike the manga and the light novel series, the anime is a lot easier to find online. You can find the English dub and subbed versions of Ghost Hunt on the official Funimation website. The complete anime series can be found second hand on eBay.