Mole's Blog

Anime: Tonari no Yokai-San Released: 2024 Genre: Drama, Slice-of-Life

This is not a “review”, because that gives the impression that I know what I'm talking about. Here's my thoughts on this anime instead. I aim to avoid spoilers beyond introductions / first episodes. Let me know what you think if you watch it!

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I imagine a Japanese viewer of Tonari no Yokai-San will have a lot more of a confused reaction than I did when I watched it.

The series opens with Buchio, beloved elderly cat of the Ooishi family, waking up one day having become a Nekomata. Nekomata in Japanese folklore are supernatural creatures that manifest as a cat with two tails. Nekomata are known, amongst other things, to kill & eat humans; raise the dead and control them using dances; and disguise themselves as a family's dead relatives to haunt them. One might think, then, that the family will react with horror and fear.

Instead, we see the family overjoyed that their elderly cat will not only keep living, but able to talk to them, interact with them, and therefore become even more of a member of the family than before. Buchio's eyes swell with tears of gratitude, and he begins his new life.

That interaction defines the setting & characters of Tonari no Yokai-San. Over the series, we see and interact with (amongst others) Tengu (spirits of the mountains), Kappas (river-based Yokai), and Tsukumogami (tools or machines that have gained a soul). All of which are living out their own lives, facing their own struggles, none of which intend any harm on the humans who live amongst them.

I loved the main characters of Tonari no Yokai-San. The bubbly and full-of-life child Mu, gentle and sensitive Buchio, and the wise and fatherly Jiro. I found joy both from them overcoming their obstacles, but also from living their lives together in the peaceful village with its wonderful community feel. They support each other without judgement and are quick to forgive.

Some of the characters of Tonari no Yokai-San: Nekomata Buchio, Tengu Jiro and Tazenbou, drinking tea together.

Whilst the series is billed as a Slice-of-Life, the Drama aspect is much more prevalent as the series progresses. Once we have been introduced to the characters in the first couple of episodes, we see them tackle their various demons (if you will) such as estrangement from their family or the struggles of immortal beings living amongst mortal humans. It even contains some queer themes which are just there – part of a character, but not lingered on or turned into drama – which I really appreciated.

Where the series struggled for me was with pacing. The 13-episode series has a lot of stories to tell, and each are incredibly impactful for their characters. But without room to breathe, the emotional gut punches don't have the impact that they should have. When each episode has such a climax, it ends up mitigating the impact of all of them.

Buchio is a rather emotional character.

There's also a LOT of side characters, some of which don't get to have their moment in the spotlight and I wished I could have seen more of. I think the series would have benefitted from a longer run, with more of the gentle slice-of-life interludes and more depth on their side characters, which would both to bring a smile to your face between the drama and make the hard-hitting moments hit even harder.

Despite that, the series has tricks up its sleeve which kept me emotionally invested to keep coming back and to keep caring about the lives of these strange creatures as the plot bubbles along to its conclusion.

I didn't hear about this series at all when it came out; but if you enjoy character-driven dramas, I would encourage you put aside any preconceptions you may have about Yokai and come along for the ride. And if you're the type to get emotionally invested, perhaps keep some tissues nearby.