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Abere: The Marsh Demoness of Melanesia

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Waiting in the swamps of the Melanesian Islands in the Pacific Ocean, the cannibalistic Abere demon lures men to their death by posing as a seductive woman. 

Across the scattered islands and lush, humid marshlands of Melanesia, ancient legends tell of creatures both beautiful and unspeakably cruel. Among the most unsettling is the story of Abere, a beguiling demoness who dwells in the swamps and wetlands, preying upon the foolish and the lovestruck. 

To those unfamiliar with her legend, she appears as a wild and stunning woman, but to the elders of Melanesia, she is a flesh eating monster older than memory — a cunning predator who devours those seduced by her beauty.

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The Allure of the Marsh

Abere is said to reside deep within the marshes and stagnant waterways, in places where the reeds grow tall and the mist clings low to the water’s surface. It’s said that the mimia reed grows around her to hide her from her victims.

Melanesia is a region in Oceania, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, west of New Guinea to Fiji Islands and include Vanuatu and Solomon Islands as well. Although the Melanesians are a group of people with different cultures, mythologies and languages, they share a long history of cultural exchanges. 

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She is not alone, for countless tales describe her surrounded by a group of young, beautiful female attendants — women who themselves may be victims turned thralls, or spirits bound to Abere’s service.

Those who wander too close to her domain often find themselves inexplicably drawn to the otherworldly beauty of these figures, unaware of the mortal danger awaiting them.

Reeds sprout and twist unnaturally, growing rapidly around the victim until they are trapped, ensnared in a living prison of marsh grass. The more they struggle, the tighter the reeds wind themselves. Once the unfortunate soul is bound and helpless, Abere reveals her monstrous nature — shedding her illusion of beauty and devouring her captive alive.

An Ancient Warning from the Swamps

Like many demoness figures in regional folklore, Abere serves as both a supernatural terror and a cautionary figure. What is she really? A vampire, a particularly vicious mermaid species? Something demonic? In the isolated, waterlogged regions of Melanesia where survival depended upon sharp instincts and respect for nature’s hazards, Abere personified the unseen dangers of straying too far into the unknown.

Melanesian Mythology: A common theme in Melanesian tales is the risk for humans to be eaten alive by non-humans: either ghosts, spirits, or dangerous animals. Mentions of human cannibalism – where humans are eaten by other humans – are much rarer, but they exist in some stories. // source

Whether interpreted as a metaphor for the treacherous marshes themselves or as a caution against reckless desire, her legend endures, whispered by elders to warn children against wandering alone, and to remind them that not all beauty should be trusted.

Though Abere may not be as widely known outside of Melanesia, she remains a potent figure within the folklore of the islands. Her story survives in oral traditions and regional myths, a chilling reminder of the shapeshifting, hungry spirits that populate the world’s forgotten places.

In the modern age, tales of encounters with ghostly women along misty waterways still surface now and then. And for those who walk the marsh paths of Melanesia under the cover of night — there’s always the chance that the rustle in the reeds isn’t the wind, but Abere, waiting.

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References:

Rose, Carol (1998). “A”. Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns and Goblin. The Abere is a particularly vicious mermaid species. Norton. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-393-31792-3. 

Coulter, Charles Russell; Turner, Patricia (4 July 2013). Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities. Routledge. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-135-96397-2.

ABERE – the Melanesian Demoness (Melanesian mythology)

Melanesian mythology – Wikipedia

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The Haunting of the Irish Fetch – the Living Ghost

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The Irish Fetch is a ghost from the underworld, coming as a bad omen to warn the living about an impending death. The ghost is said to take the shape of the person that is going to die. 

Within the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and mythology, the mysterious concept of the “fetch” has captured the imagination of generations. This supernatural phenomenon, deeply rooted in Irish tradition, represents an eerie duality—an apparition or spectral double of a living person that often heralds impending doom and is seen as a deadly omen. The sighting of a fetch is foretelling the imminent passing of its living counterpart.

The Spectral Twin and Bad Omen

A fetch is described as an exact, spectral replica of a living human being. Its appearance is uncannily similar to that of its earthly counterpart, creating an eerie sense of déjà vu for those who encounter it. 

The presence of a fetch is typically seen as a portent of the person it mirrors nearing the end of their life journey. If the person is dying in a fire, the fetch will look burnt. If the person is drowned, it would not be able to breathe. 

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

However, there is an intriguing twist to this belief. According to John and Michael Banim, if the apparition appears in the morning rather than the evening, it is interpreted as a sign of a long and extended life awaiting the individual. This dual nature of the fetch sets it apart as a harbinger of both hope and dread, reminiscent of the Germanic doppelgänger and certain interpretations of the British wraith.

Sometimes the fetch will not be like a mirror of yourself, but sometimes they appear like someone that has just died, just casually walking amongst the living and their loved ones. Although they look like they did in life, they are seemingly very distant and will vanish into the air in the edn. 

The Obscure Origins of the Name

The etymology and origins of the term “fetch” remain shrouded in mystery. While it is often suggested that it may be linked to the verb “fetch,” the true source of this enigmatic word remains elusive. 

The puzzle deepens with the existence of an Old English word, “faecce,” found in the Corpus Glossary and the First Cleopatra Glossary. Although “faecce” is presumed to be a Latin word, it defies classification, as no such Latin term exists. This conundrum led some scholars to propose that “faecce” may actually be an Old Irish word, shedding light on the potential link between Old Irish and Hiberno-English fetch traditions. The ambiguity surrounding this term continues to perplex researchers, and a definitive consensus has yet to be reached.

Fetch-Like Portents in Early Irish Literature

While the fetch may be a unique and intriguing concept, echoes of similar portents of death can be traced back to early Irish literature. These ominous predictions were associated with the Old Irish term “fáith,” denoting a seer or prophetess. 

In legendary tales such as Táin Bó Cuailnge, prophetic visions of impending demise were issued by individuals like Fedelm. Cormac Connloinges witnessed sinister visions in Bruiden Da Choca, including a mysterious woman washing bloodstained chariot wheels. A hag foretold the demise of Conaire in Togail Bruidne Da Derga, while in Cath Maige Tuired, the Mórrigán herself prophesied death. 

These early Irish traditions, steeped in mysticism and foreboding, laid the groundwork for the development of the fetch concept.

The Norse Connection: Fylgja and Vikings in Ireland

To gain a deeper understanding of the Irish fetch, it is essential to explore the Norse influence on Irish tradition. Within Norse mythology, the concept of the “fylgja” emerges—a personal alter ego, often taking the form of an animal, intricately linked to an individual’s fate. 

Unlike the Irish fetch, the fylgja is almost invariably portrayed as female. The prominence of the Vikings in Ireland during this era makes the Norse connection highly relevant. Scholar William Sayers has proposed a fascinating theory—that the term “fetch” may have evolved from the Hiberno-English adaptation of the Old Irish “fáith.”

Another thing that makes them different is that the Fetch, although scary and a bringer of bad news, they don’t really hurt anyone. The Icelandic Fylgja, though, is said to have killed people for vengeance as well as just getting a companion.  

The Mirror Ghost

The Irish fetch remains an enigmatic and captivating facet of Irish folklore, entwined with centuries of tradition and belief. Its duality as a harbinger of life and death, its obscure origins, and its connections to early Irish prophecies and Norse influences have imbued it with a sense of intrigue that continues to captivate those who dare to delve into the supernatural realm. 

While the true origins of the term “fetch” may remain elusive, the phenomenon itself stands as a testament to the enduring power of folklore and the human fascination with the inexplicable.

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References:

The Fetch | Emerald Isle Gods and Monsters 

Fetch (folklore) – Wikipedia 

Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen in Irish Folklore? 

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The Lost City of Kilstuitheen at The Cliffs of Moher

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In the watery depths off the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, it is said that the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears every seven years. There are still legends that it will return for those that holds the key.

Between the picturesque towns of Lahinch and Spanish Point lies the Liscannor Bay. Its tranquil surface hints at the mysteries concealed beneath its waters, and one of its most intriguing enigmas is the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen. 

The coastline of County Clare has been shaped by nature’s fury over millennia. Ancient earthquakes and tidal waves have left their mark on this rugged terrain. In the bay’s vicinity, once-verdant forests and bogs have become submerged, and the dramatic events of centuries past split Mutton Island into three separate isles during the tsunami of approximately 800 AD.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

This could explain the legends of the lost city of Kilstuitheen. It is also called Kilstapheen, Kilstiffen or Cill Stuifin and is supposedly an ancient city that is now lost outside the coast. It is said that the city sank down into the ocean when the chieftain lost its golden key in a battle. According to the legend, the city will not return until the key is found. 

The Cliffs of Moher: The cliffs are well known for its legends. In addition for the legends about the lost city, there are also legends about mermaids, witches, a corpse eating eel as well were the pagan deities took refuge when Christianity came to Ireland.

The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s Forgotten Splendor

Long ago according to legend, the city of Kilstuitheen was a place of unparalleled magnificence and riches. Its skyline was adorned with golden turrets that graced castles and glistening spires that adorned churches. These structures were a testament to the prosperity of its inhabitants, particularly the Chieftain and his esteemed clan.

However, even the most prosperous of places can succumb to the capricious whims of fate. Kilstuitheen’s fortunes took a dire turn when defeat befell the Chieftain in a fierce battle. What followed was a calamity of epic proportions—an immense tidal wave surged forth, engulfing the island and all its inhabitants. The once-mighty Kilstuitheen lay buried beneath the turbulent waters, its glory swallowed by the relentless sea.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories on Haunted Islands

There is a legend telling how to find the island though. It used to be a key which opened the door  that the chieftain had lost during the fateful battle. It was later believed to be entombed beneath a towering monolith on Mount Callan.

When the long-lost golden key is unearthed and returned to its rightful place, it is said that Kilstuitheen shall rise once more from the depths of the sea. The valiant Chieftain, now relegated to the annals of history, will reawaken to lead his people anew, and the island’s golden splendor will once again grace the surface.

Glimpses of a Submerged City

Over the centuries, fishermen have claimed to catch fleeting glimpses of The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s submerged city beneath the restless waves of Liscannor Bay. Every seven years, the phantom island performs a tantalizing upsurge, just enough to be visible from the shores of Lahinch. 

This is also the case with the mythical phantom island of Brasil said to be off the coast of Ireland as well. 

However, this remarkable sighting comes with a dire warning: those who behold the lost island from the shore shall not live to witness its reemergence and will die before The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears again.

The Mysteries Beneath the Waves

As we ponder the legends of Kilstuitheen and its submerged treasures, we are reminded that the sea has long been a capricious mistress, capable of concealing the most remarkable of secrets. In the heart of Liscannor Bay, The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s lost splendor lies beneath the waves, its golden turrets and spires hidden, awaiting the return of the golden key that may one day resurrect its glory. The enigma of Kilstuitheen endures as a testament to the enduring mysteries of Ireland’s coastal landscapes, where legends and history are eternally intertwined.

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A Legend of the Cliffs of Moher – The Lost City of Kilstiffen > What Boundaries? Live Your Dream! County Clare: 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles

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The Caleuche – The Chilean Ghost Ship

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Outside the shores of Chile, there a tales of a ghost ship that will take you away if it gets you to make you one of their crew. Could you join to sail the sea forever with The Caleuche?

Outside of the Chiloé Archipelago, the group of islands outside of mainland Chile, rich folklore and mystical myths of the sea that surrounds the islands thrives. Here they believe in the great battle of the two serpents of earth and sea that created the area. 

Fishing and sailing were the main thing the locals did for a living, and the mythology of the place reflects it. And when the fog comes creeping up to the shores of the canals, bright lights and the sound of jolly music can be heard from the sea. Just a fishing boat passing playing loud music? Or can it be The Caleuche, a ghost ship that collects the drowned and enslaves people to work on the ship forever?

Background of the Mythology

The Caleuche is a ghost ship from Chiloé mythology in southern Chile that has a pretty distinct mythology different from the rest of Chile as a mixture of the indigenous people and the Spanish settlers. It in particular reflects just how important the sea is in the life of Chilotes. 

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The word Caleuche comes from the Mapuche word Kalewtun, meaning to transform or to change and che, meaning people. It is also called The Enchanted Ship, Barcoiche or The Warlock Ship and has many different variations to the legend. 

It has many similarities to the Flying Dutchman in the sense of being a ghost ship you can sail with for an eternity. 

According to Chiloé mythology, it is Millalobo that is both the creator and owner of the ship, the second most important being of the sea after Caicai, God of water. 

Ghost Ship of Never Ending Partying

The Caleuche is a ghost ship of music and light that sails along Chiloé canals. It has an extraordinary speed. You can not always see the ship, but in certain weather, like on a foggy day, you can both sense as well as see the ship. 

People have always had a fear of being captured by The Caleuche and there are particular trees that you can hide behind that will give protection of being spotted, such as the Chilean wineberry and the olivillo. The reason being that in some versions of the legend, you can be enslaved and cursed to work on the ship forever. 

The Caleuche: From the fog light can be seen and the sound of music can be hears. According to Chiloé mythology and folklore it is the ghost ship The Caleuche, filled with enslaved sailors, drowned bodies or evil sorcerers depending on what version you hear.

One of the things the ship is known for is the music and sound of partying. In some legends, it is to lure the people to them so that they can be forced to work as a crewmember for eternity. 

It is not always for a sinister reason that the party music is so loud from the ship however. In many of the versions it is a ship that recovers the dead bodies from those who drowned at sea, and offers them a place as a crewmate on the ship. They will then be able to spend the rest of eternity partying and celebrating. 

Making Pacts with Sorcerers

Another version of the tale is that it is in fact a ship that transports the sorcerers. It is said that they make a voyage every 3 months to gain more power. It is from this legend the idea of merchants trading with these sources to gain wealth quickly, and explaining when a person in Chiloé becomes rich quickly, they have made a pact with the crew on The Caleuche. 

It is not a very old myth that never gets told anymore. In the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, or the Great Chilean earthquake, there were many fires, landslides, tsunamis and floods in the area after the initial shock of the quake. Many houses were left untouched by the natural disasters and rumors and talks about a pact having been made with The Caleuche were told. 

In the same decade stories about the sound of an anchor being dropped outside of the houses of many prosperous and rich merchants in the area. According to the legends they would lend out their houses to The Caleuche for a party location and other dark purposes. Although many could probably put the blame and the reason for getting rich on normal and mortal smugglers.  

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The Accursed Mountains of Albania

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The mysterious mountains in Albania is a place known for its myths and legends. Strange tales are told of this place and has been named The Accursed Mountains. 

“I could not help feeling that they were evil things– mountains of madness whose farther slopes looked out over some accursed ultimate abyss.”
– H. P. Lovecraft: At the Mountains of Madness

The Albanian Alps, officially called Prokletije is a breathtaking sight in the Balkans with glacial features, pointed peaks and weathered landscape, stretching from northern Albania, all the way to Kosovo and Montenegro. The lush green valleys and thick forests filled with wolves, old traditional stone villages makes you feel you really are in a fairy tale like place.

But the beauty of the accursed mountains comes with a bittersweet aftertaste when learning what the translated name of the mountain is. In English Prokletije is roughly translated to the Accursed Mountains and has a legend and myth that rests amongst the mountain peaks. And according to legends, it was the devil himself who created the mountains. As the name suggest, the legends surrounding The Accursed Mountains are more sinister than fairytale like.

For more mystical mountains, read about Fengdu Ghost City:

Fengdu Ghost City

The Fengdu Ghost City in China is steeped with the paranormal and cultural afterlife as well as being a big tourist attraction. Weird?

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It is difficult to understand why such a serene place has been dubbed a cursed one, because how could the devil create such a beautiful thing? Anyway, that is the tale, and that is the mountains origin story.

From then on, the mountain range has been cursed and synonymous with blood feuds and bandits as well as natural disasters like avalanches. From 1946 to 1992, the country was under a harrowing communist regime with closed borders to keep people out as well as in. The Accursed Mountains were used as patrolling spots with buried landmines and bunkers for wars. So it’s not only because of its legends they are known as the accursed mountains, but because of their history as well.

It is a sparsely populated place, home to Albanians as well as Serbs, Bosniaks and montenegrins. It is a secluded place that is cut off from the rest of the world for weeks during the winter months. This is a place where the shepherds take their flock during the summer rather than staying for a the whole years.

The Legend of the Brothers and the Fairy

The legend of it being the devil himself who created these mountains is not the only legend of why this mountain range is supposedly cursed. The other legend is steeped much more in Albanian folklore than Christian religion and really comes out from a fairytale.

The Fairy Myth: According to legend, the name is from that one fairy tale were the mother of hunters cursed a fairy from Albanian folklore.

A long time ago three brothers went out hunting. Up in the mountains they met a fairy. The brothers found her so beautiful and wanted her. This turned into a fight about who saw her first, who she belonged to and escalated to become quite violent. So violent that it ended in their death.  

The fairy was watching from afar, but had no way of helping and couldn’t choose for them. She hoped for an agreement, but when her brothers died, she ran and hid behind the peaks of the mountain.

The Accursed Mountains

Days went by for the mother without a word from the sons. When none of the brothers returned from their hunting trip, their mother took up the search. She went up to the mountains and found all of her sons dead. She wailed as she buried her sons, her cries echoing through the mountain range. 

The fairy heard her and went to her and told her what happened, that it was because of her that they had argued and died. But the mother didn’t want to hear the reason and only looked at the fairy as the cause of their death. The mother cursed both the fairy and the mountains, blaming them for her son’s deaths. And ever since then, the place has been called the Accursed Mountains and known for its mystery. 

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An interesting story hidden under the name of Prokletije Mountains 

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Makeup and Ghost Stories

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The trend of “Get Ready With Me” Youtube videos has been extremely popular the last years. Even celebrities through well established fashion magazines are doing it, but it all started on Youtube with independent creators. The Youtubers would go through their morning of make-up routine while telling a story, everything from what I did this summer, to questions and answers. But a more fun and creative way was when great story tellers started telling great scary stories. Here are some of the content creators that has some great scary GRWM videos.

Bailey Sarian

Perhaps one that put a new and high standard to these videos was the ever so wonderful Bailey Sarian with her “Mystery & Makeup” series. Not a paranormal ghost story channel exclusively, but the dramatic looks and macabre stories she does is definitely aligning with the horror aesthetic. She has also done a couple of paranormal stories, like talking about her haunting in her own house,Elizabeth Bathory, the exorcism of Anna Ecklund, Candyman among others. And hopefully, this Halloween will inspire her to tell more scary stories, as her way of telling them are great.

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Robert Welsh

One content creator that does ghost stories exclusively in his story time is, Robert Welsh. He is a professional makeup artist on Youtube that does a lot of tutorials and gives out helpful makeup advise, but he is as an avid paranormal fan as well. He has this series Ghost Stories & Makeup  where he reads out his subscribers own ghost stories they send him. And with the matching makeup, you will definitely get some inspiration to your Halloween look.

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Glam&Gore

This Youtuber is a self taught SFX artist, that has worked her way through the Hollywood movie sets before starting her own Youtube channel. And although she is on an undefined hiatus per now (2021) from posting videos, there is a lot of them to go through if you haven’t already. Her she reviews horror movies while doing an impressive cosplay of a character from the movie, doing her makeup in haunted places and going on ghost hunts.

If horror movies are more your thing than haunted locations, she also has done a couple of videos that are her reviewing and putting her film degree to use, various bad horror movies. And while at it, making a really great look from those movies.

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PinupDollAshleyMarie

This Youtuber is mostly doing her vintage hair tutorials, clothing hauls and makeup tutorials. But she as well tried out the make up and ghost stories trend in a playlist called FREAKY FRIDAY. Sadly it ended with the 16 episode, but if you are in the mood for a Pin Up look as well as a ghost story, you should check them out.

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Ashlee Lillie

Every look this girl does will definitely fit with a Halloween vibe, and although she has morphed into more of a drama channel the last year, she still has her paranormal ghost stories up there. What the difference is with hers though is that they are her own experiences.

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Danielle Kirsty

This British Youtuber is mostly doing a true crime version of GRWM videos sorted with Zodiac oriented playlists, but there are also some horror-related stuff on her channel of the more gorey cases. Like the Candyman story, the origin of American Horror Stories’ Murder House and the story behind the true Jigsaw killer.

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The Beauty Breakdown

This Youtuber is mostly focused on wholesome GRWM videos, Hauls and many Korean Skin-care and makeup videos. In addition to this she has a Folklore and Fairytale Friday playlist. Her she focuses on more Asian oriented legends from Asia, everything from mermaids, the Nine Tailed Fox, goblins and Asian ghosts and demons. Sadly, there haven’t been any Friday updates since January, but hopefully they will make their comeback for more.

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Anime Horror Anthology Series

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Sometimes you just need a bite size story to get your filling of dread and horror, and therefore these horror anime in anthology format is just perfect for that. Here are some of them. Some are listed as stand alone episode with nothing connecting the episodes together but the genre, and some have more of a red thread, but still have that episodic feel to it. Here are some of the anime horror stories in anthology series.

Yamishibai: Japanese Ghost Stories | 闇芝居

Aired: 2013-2019
Episodes: Nine seasons with 13 episodes each.

This long running anime horror story anthology series covered a lot. Every week at 5 p.m. an old man in a yellow mask shows up at a children’s playground and tells them ghost stories based on myths and urban legends of Japanese origin. The man tells the stories on the back of his bicycle using a traditional kamishibai (Paper Drama) method and features a new tale each week.

A series of short horror stories, Yami Shibai begins with a bachelor who, after moving into a new apartment, immediately starts sensing a malevolent glare being pressed into him. A single talisman rests on his ceiling, but he has no way of knowing it is one of the few safeguards that separate him from a bottomless pit of suffering. Each story is more terrifying, more appalling, and more sickening than the last as the Storyteller’s audience find themselves being sucked into the vicious world of his words.

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Kousetsu Hyaku Monogatari: Requiem from the Darkness |  京極夏彦　巷説百物語

Aired: 2003
Episodes: 13

One of the anime horror story anthology series that goes a little meta is the Requiem From The Darkness series. It is about Yamaoka Momosuke, a writer that usually writes riddles for children. However, he’s tired of it and want something with a bit more action to it. He wants to write an anthology series called Hyakumonogatari (“One Hundred Tales”) of scary and macabre stories. When he goes into the world to gather these stories he encounters a strange trio that are called: the Ongyou. They are also chasing the same stories and legends, but not to write about them, but to bring justice. This is the set up for Momosuke who must face horrible truths and fight with and against his own morals each time he meets the trio of detectives.

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Junji Ito Collection |  伊藤潤二「コレクション」

Aired: 2018
Episodes: 12

A collection of animated horror stories based on the works of Japanese artist Junji Ito. And although his fans rather preferred his manga work, this is a quick way to digest his work like Tomie, an immortal girl. And don’t worry, if this adaptation is not to your liking, his work has been adapted to live action and anime series several times.

In the light of day and in the dead of night, mysterious horrors await in the darkest shadows of every corner. They are unexplainable, inescapable, and undefeatable. Be prepared, or you may become their next victim.

Sit back in terror as traumatizing tales of unparalleled terror unfold. Tales, such as that of a cursed jade carving that opens holes all over its victims’ bodies; deep nightmares that span decades; an attractive spirit at a misty crossroad that grants cursed advice; and a slug that grows inside a girl’s mouth.

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Hell Girl | 地獄少女

Aired: 2005-2006
Episodes: 26

This anime horror story series continued with four additional seasons, but the beginning is perhaps the ones with the more episodic feels. When someone wants revenge, they post about it on a special website at midnight. Then Hell Girl appears to do their bidding. Those with a powerful grudge may only access this mysterious website at midnight, allowing them to enter anyone’s name and have that person be ferried straight to hell.

Ai Enma, the Hell Girl, will not judge whether or not the chosen target deserves punishment; she will merely exact revenge on them for you. Not much is known about this young girl other than that she swiftly carries out her tasks with the help of three straw dolls. There is just one catch, however—as payment for carrying out such a request, the user must condemn themselves to an afterlife in hell.

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Mushi-shi | 蟲師

Aired: 2005-2006
Episodes: 26

This anime horror story series started out as a manga from the mangaka Yuki Urushibara. This is the adaption of the award winning manga with 26 episodes based on the chapters of the manga. The episodes of the anime aired differently than what order they were published in the manga, wich says some about how episodic it all is. One episode sequel Mushishi: Hihamukage and a ten episode series called Mushishi Zoku Shou in 2014.

Ginko is a so called Mushishi, those who research the thing called Mushi. It is a mysterious entity of ‘beings’. They are removed from good and evil, but inhabits the earth by manifesting in things like plants, animals and diseases to just mention a few things they appear as. Ginko wonders about the reason behind their existence, and in doing so, perhaps finding the reason for life itself.

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When They Cry: Higurashi | ひぐらしのなく頃に

Aired: 2006
Episodes:

This anime horror story was originally a game with several storyline and outcomes, the anime solved it by resetting the timeline again and again, it also have countless sequels, sidequels, specials, OVA’s and so on. So for this reason, let’s call it an anthology.

Keiichi Maebara has just moved to the quiet little village of Hinamizawa in the summer of 1983, and quickly becomes inseparable friends with schoolmates Rena Ryuuguu, Mion Sonozaki, Satoko Houjou, and Rika Furude. However, darkness lurks underneath the seemingly idyllic life they lead.

As the village prepares for its annual festival, Keiichi learns about the local legends surrounding it. To his horror, he discovers that there have been several murders and disappearances in the village in the recent years, and that they all seem to be connected to the festival and the village’s patron god, Oyashiro. Keiichi tries to ask his new friends about these incidents, but they are suspiciously silent and refuse to give him the answers he needs. As more and more bizarre events occur, he wonders just what else his friends might be keeping from him, and if he can even trust them at all.

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xxxHOLiC | ホリック

Aired: 2006
Episodes: 24

This one season anime horror story series centers around Kimihiro Watanuki, a boy that can see spirits and other supernatural creatures. One day he encounters a woman named Yuuko he finds in a house he can’t help but enter. She is a woman claiming to be able to help him stop seeing spirits, which is something he hates. But to help him he must work for her in her shop that grants peoples wishes, and horror ensues.

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Petshop of Horrors (ペットショップ・オブ・ホラーズ)

Aired: 1999
Episodes: 4

This short, but scary anime horror story series centers around Count D, not to be confused with Dracula. He is a pet shot owner in Chinatown that sells rare, but special pets. They come with a strict contract that the owners must follow. If they do, they’ll be fine, and if they break the rules of the contract… well, the pet shop cannot be held responsible for anything that happens. In this anime horror series The episodes leads a homicide detective called Leon Orcot, to the shop. He is following a string of strange deaths and they all seems to point to Count D and his shop.

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Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales | 怪

Aired: 11
Episodes: 2006

In this anime horror anthology series we find a fine selection of three classic Japanese horror stories: “Yotsuya Kaidan“, the story of a wife betrayed by her husband who seeks vengeance even in death. “Tenshu Monogatari”, the story of forbidden love between a goddess and a human, and “Bakeneko”, the story of a mysterious cat monster with a vendetta against a certain family.

Mononoke | モノノ怪

Aired: 2007
Episodes: 12

This anime horror story is a sequel to the Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror anthology series, were we meet Kusuriuri in the Bakano episode. He is a traveller called The Medicine Seller, a master of the occult in search of evil spirits called Mononoke to kill. But one day he encounters a spirit he cannot kill. His journey to find a way to defeat the monster, he meets Shino, a pregnant woman in an inn. There she encounters the Zashiki Warashi, the monster he is hunting down. And so the hunt begins.

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