Gegege no Kitarou (1968)

Kitaro negotiates a supernatural baseball match to recover a magical bat from human children.

A boy named Donpei discovers a baseball bat in a graveyard that grants him perfect aim, leading to school fame. The bat actually belongs to a Youkai baseball team, who enlist Kitaro to retrieve it. When human children refuse to return the item, Kitaro proposes a high-stakes baseball game at 3am to resolve the dispute. The terms dictate that if the humans win, the Youkai abandon their claim, but if the Youkai win, the human children must surrender their lives. Donpei’s team agrees to the challenge. However, the match is abruptly canceled before completion because the Youkai wish to avoid exposure to sunlight. The conflict concludes with the Youkai reclaiming their bat while the human children retain their lives.

Kitaro battles the soul-stealing demon Yasha who uses a possessed guitarist to trap children in balloons.

Yasha is a demon that steals children's souls by possessing a person and playing hypnotizing music on a guitar. These souls are stored in balloons to be eaten later. The demon's true form is hair. Kitaro's soul gets stolen as well but his father brings his soul back to him before he is killed. In a fight with Yasha, Kitaro calls for his Youkai Lamp, a fire spirit, and burns Yasha to death. The souls of the children are returned.

Kitaro confronts Rat-man and a youkai castle demanding monthly child sacrifices.

Nezumi-otoko removes the seal on a youkai castle, which then demands children from a nearby village to be transformed into youkai. Kitaro encounters this situation and offers assistance by lending a girl as bait. Nezumi-otoko arrives to collect the girl, surprising Kitaro since they are acquainted. Known for his greed and selfishness, Nezumi-otoko aids the castle youkai merely for amusement. After the girl is taken, Kitaro engages in multiple battles against the castle's inhabitants. He is ultimately flattened, and his magic chanchanko is stolen by Nezumi-otoko. Kitaro projects his consciousness into the vest, threatening to suffocate Nezumi-otoko remotely until he agrees to reseal the castle. With assistance from his father, Kitaro restores his body and rescues the girl before morning arrives.

Kitaro Suspects Vampire in Paris as Global Threat Emerges

In Paris, Princess Katarina becomes the thirteenth victim of a vampire draining blood from his fingers at the Opera Hotel. French authorities mistakenly attribute these deaths to an unknown disease, while news of the tragedies reaches Japan, causing public fear. Kitaro identifies the true supernatural cause and distances himself from oblivious humans. Meanwhile, global yōkai recognize Kitaro’s reputation for good deeds. Feeling threatened by this legendary figure, the French vampire decides to travel to Japan to assassinate Kitaro before he can interfere with future plans.

Kitarō travels to New Guinea to study the ancient yōkai Zeokuronodon with skeptical researchers.

Researchers request Kitarō's assistance in New Guinea to investigate Zeokuronodon, a yōkai that has resided in the region for 3 million years. While the team seeks his expertise, Shūichi Yamada, one of the participating researchers, is reluctant about Kitarō's involvement. Yamada identifies as a man of science and remains unconvinced that supernatural entities can provide any useful assistance for their study. This skepticism creates tension within the group as they prepare to examine the ancient creature, highlighting the conflict between scientific methodology and the existence of yōkai.

Kitaro Returns to Japan After Being Transformed by Shuichi

Shuichi transforms Kitaro into a sea monster, allowing him to return to Japan. Before Kitaro can reach his home, Shuichi persuades the Prime Minister to deploy the army to eliminate him.

Nezumi-Otoko proposes a haunted attraction featuring authentic yōkai to demonstrate their reality to humans.

Nezumi-Otoko laments that modern humans no longer fear yōkai, claiming he profits from fabricating monsters and myths. Kitarō counters that this lack of fear indicates a more peaceful world. When Nezumi-Otoko demands proof of real yōkai, Kitarō introduces him to a genuine spirit hiding among fakes at a haunted attraction. Nezumi-Otoko conceives a plan to operate a venue using only authentic yōkai to frighten visitors. Kitarō instructs the spirits to restrain their intensity to maintain secrecy. The scheme proceeds smoothly until two humans enter the attraction. Unimpressed by the scares, these men verbally and physically abuse the yōkai. This mistreatment prompts Kitarō and his companions to devise a strategy for revenge against the perpetrators.

Kitaro investigates a cursed mirror that steals faces, leading to a battle with Kagami-Jijii.

Kitaro and Nezumi-Otoko discover a cursed mirror sold by an antique shop owner. After the buyer's daughter Kaori vanishes into the glass, Kitaro investigates the Ōyama household. He learns the mirror was discarded by a maid and bought by a strange old man. Following clues to Mt. Dekoboko, they find Nezumi-Otoko trapped inside the mirror by the yōkai Kagami-Jijii. Kitaro enters the mirror world to rescue Kaori and his friend. He battles Kagami-Jijii, who steals his physical form. Nezumi-Otoko temporarily possesses the villain's body but refuses to help. Kitaro regains control, smashes the mirror, and restores everyone's image. He declines a reward, stating he fights evil to improve the world.

Chūsuke Disrespects a Ghost Mailbox and Hikes Mt. Irazu Alone

While cycling, Chūsuke scolds his friends for lagging behind. The group discovers a strange object in the woods, which Nezumi-Otoko identifies as a ghost mailbox belonging to GeGeGe no Kitarō. Despite his friends' fear, Chūsuke dismisses the warning, kicks the mailbox, and pulls it from the ground. Later, after lunch, Chūsuke decides to hike Mt. Irazu alone. He intends to verify the truth of a farmer's earlier warning that the mountain is dangerous. This solo expedition serves as a test of his own courage against the alleged threats of the terrain, ignoring the potential risks associated with the location.

Western Youkai Plan to Relocate to Japan Amidst Cathedral Demolition

London police investigate a strange glow in an abandoned cathedral, only to be hypnotized by a large one-eyed youkai. News of this incident reaches Japan, where Medama-Oyaji warns Kitarou that Western youkai will not accept the planned demolition of their gathering spot. While the London youkai consider a retaliatory attack, Backbeard dismisses the idea as insufficient. Instead, he proposes a grander scheme: moving the entire youkai population to Japan to remove humans and establish a kingdom exclusively for youkai on the island.

Kikaia Island Battle Intensifies as Backbeard Orders Human Massacre

The conflict on Kikaia island escalates as western Yōkai prove more resilient than expected, inflicting heavy losses on Japanese forces. Kitarō suffers severe weakness after his Chanchanko is stolen, while Nezumi-Otoko remains under Backbeard’s mental control. In a final act of defiance, Kitarō strikes Backbeard’s eye with his last strength before collapsing. Seizing the opportunity, Backbeard commands a retreat to regroup. Nezumi-Otoko reports Kitarō’s unconscious state to his leader. Consequently, Backbeard issues a new directive to eliminate all humans on the island before Kitarō regains consciousness, raising the stakes for the remaining defenders.

Kitaro investigates mysterious explosions across Japan while Nezumi-Otoko seeks candy money.

Strange explosions are occurring throughout Japan, leading Kitaro to suspect the involvement of a malevolent yōkai. While Kitaro investigates, Nezumi-Otoko departs to play pachinko, promising to return with candy for Kitaro only if he is paid. Simultaneously, Jakotsu-Babaa alerts the yōkai responsible for the explosions, Nurarihyon, that Kitaro has been investigating nearby. This warning sets the stage for potential conflict between the investigating boy and the powerful yōkai leader. The narrative focuses on the unfolding mystery of the explosions and the interactions between Kitaro, Nezumi-Otoko, and the yōkai community as they navigate these suspicious events.

Kitaro spots wanted bank robbers on Ghost T.V while they head toward his cottage

During a late-night police pursuit, bank robbers escape capture. Kitaro observes these fugitives on his Ghost T.V device, but his father Medama-Oyaji dismisses the vision as excessive screen time. After Nezumi-Otoko visits with forgotten news, the criminals reach an old graveyard. There, a farmer warns them of danger and mentions Kitaro’s nearby cottage, claiming the boy can send them to hell. Ignoring these warnings, the men proceed directly to the cottage, intending to use it as a hideout.

Suiko releases a trapped water tiger while visiting her parents' grave with her dog Jiro.

Suiko visits her parents' grave accompanied by her dog, Jiro. A sudden gust of wind carries a cry for help, prompting Suiko to investigate despite Jiro's attempts to restrain her. She approaches a rock pile where the voice originated, causing the stones to collapse and reveal a hidden hole. Jiro flees the scene, leaving Suiko to descend into the opening to assist the trapped individual. Inside, she discovers only a sealed jar rather than a person. Upon retrieving the container and opening it, Suiko inadvertently frees a water tiger that had been confined within the vessel.

Bat-Playing Vampire Threatens Hanabishi Chairman After Hospital Attack

A vampire capable of controlling bats with his guitar assaulted the chairman of the Hanabishi Conglomerate. Although the chairman survived and was taken to the hospital, the vampire enjoyed the taste of his blood so much that he sent flowers and a letter declaring his intention to return for more. Rather than involving the police, the chairman sought the assistance of Gegege no Kitaro to handle the supernatural threat.

Medama-Oyaji seeks a yokai doctor while Kitaro follows the Vampire Elite using his clogs

The Vampire Elite has reduced Kitaro to a puddle, but Medama-Oyaji remains convinced his son is alive and can be revived. While Medama-Oyaji formulates a plan to transport Kitaro to Mount Osore to consult a yokai doctor, Kitaro utilizes his clogs to trail the Vampire Elite and Nezumi-Otoko. This sequence highlights the desperate efforts to restore Kitaro while he independently pursues the antagonists who defeated him. The narrative focuses on the parallel actions of the father attempting a medical rescue and the son engaging in his own investigation using his unique footwear.

Nezume-otoko attacks Cats' Barrow and seeks Kitaro's aid after a bulldozer accident.

The Highway co. chairman demands straight roads and orders the destruction of Cats' Barrow, a sacred site protected by Neko-Sennin. Despite hesitation from other workers, Nezume-otoko forces his way onto a bulldozer to demolish the barrow. He loses control of the vehicle and is attacked by a horde of cats. Wounded in the incident, Nezume-otoko goes to Kitaro for assistance. This event highlights the conflict between the company's desire for comfortable infrastructure and the spiritual significance of the location to cats. The narrative focuses on the immediate aftermath of the accident and the subsequent plea for help from the injured worker who initiated the destructive action against the protected grounds.

Kitaro and Nezumi-Otoko encounter a witch who recruits Naoko during a festival stay.

Kitaro and Nezumi-Otoko enjoy a festival and choose to spend the night at a hotel. The innkeeper’s daughter, Naoko, is startled by a strange noise outside. Her mother dismisses the sound as festival drums and encourages her to go play. Naoko investigates the noise alone and travels to an area outside of town. There, she meets a witch who offers to take Naoko in as an apprentice. The witch promises to train her to become a witch herself. This encounter marks the beginning of Naoko’s new path under the guidance of the mysterious sorceress she met during her solitary exploration away from the inn.

Kitaro Helps Old Man Turning Into Tree in Okuyama Village

A weary traveler who has traveled a great distance finally locates Kitaro and urgently requests his assistance. Kitaro observes that the man's feet are transforming into roots. Before the transformation into a tree is fully complete, the old man instructs Kitaro to travel to the Mountains of Nagano to rescue his village of Okuyama. The community there is enduring a severe epidemic, causing the entire town to slowly turn into red Vampire Trees. This urgent plea sets the stage for Kitaro to intervene in the supernatural crisis threatening the residents of Okuyama and their unique botanical affliction.

Amefuri-Kozo seeks Kitaro's help regarding a lethal order from Lord Yama.

Amefuri-Kozo visits Kitaro’s residence to request guidance on a troubling dilemma. He received a directive from Lord Yama, also known as Enma-Daiō, commanding him to execute a human responsible for misdeeds. Despite the target's wickedness, Amefuri-Kozo lacks the resolve to take a life. Medama-Oyaji clarifies that Sanchu, demons residing within every human, report these evil acts to Yama and sometimes designate suitable yokai to carry out the execution. Fortunately for Amefuri-Kozo, Neko-Musume arrives and volunteers to assume this duty on his behalf, relieving him of the burden.

Kitaro faces the 808 Tanuki and a fake moon threatening Japan

Construction near the 808 Tanuki’s home in Shikoku releases the creatures, who create a fake moon over Tokyo. Kitaro identifies the deception, but is attacked by Dansaburō and his clan. After being rescued by Nezumi-Otoko, Kitaro learns the moon is an egg for the beast Kōryū. The tanuki leader Gyōbu-Danuki captures Kitaro and the secretary, demanding Japan’s surrender. Kitaro agrees to help the secretary temporarily, receiving a kiss that causes him to transform into a tanuki. Medama-Oyaji and Nezumi-Otoko break the tanuki seal to reverse the curse, only to be recaptured. Kitaro returns to normal and travels to Tokyo via Bake-Garasu. There, Kōryū hatches from the egg in Tokyo Bay and begins a rampage, ignoring military missiles.

Kitaro battles Koryu and Onamazu while Tanuki rule Tokyo in this dramatic second part.

Koryu burrows to Tokyo, forcing the government to surrender to Gyobu-Danuki. Kitaro and Ittan-Momen attack but are defeated; Kitaro is swallowed by Onamazu after Medama-Oyaji is threatened. Nezumi-Otoko allies with the Tanuki, while Ittan-Momen feigns death to kill Dansaburō and strangle Gyobu-Danuki. Kitaro touches a cursed capstone, turning to stone, but recovers after Gyobu-Danuki’s defeat. Ittan-Momen is cut up, but reassembles after absorbing water, saving Nezumi-Otoko from execution. Kitaro is crushed by Koryu, melting both into a puddle, but separates using Resurrection Powder. The Hokkaido army fails against Onamazu, so Kitaro, reshaped from his puddle form, enters the beast. He steers Onamazu to the Arctic, freezing it. Medama-Oyaji reseals the Tanuki cave, turning them to stone. Umi-Jijii finds the frozen Kitaro and Ittan-Momen, who are taken to a hospital for recovery.

A supernatural entity inhabits the mountain pass

Hakusanbo