Hanae Ashiya begins his high school career in a very unusual fashion. He has a growing attachment from a spirit that is physically and mentally debilitating. In and out of the nurse’s office and collapsing on campus, he is frustrated that nobody but he seems to be able to sense the fuzzball spirit that keeps growing in size. When Hanae comes across a flyer advertising exorcism, he decides to seek it out. He is helped but then cannot pay the bill. To square this debt, Hanae goes to work for the Mononokean, Haruitsuki Abeno, who surprisingly turns out to be his classmate. Empathizing with many of the spirits they come across, Hanae joins Abeno as he performs the duties of the title Mononokean. The Mononokean is a youth with a glum demeanor that contrasts considerably with the carefree nature of Hanae. These two make for an odd-couple dynamic that invites comedy. Hanae knows nothing of spirits other than his awful week, so he has a lot to learn while they complete their requests.

Hanae and Abeno have the same apprenticeship and mentor role that Muhyo and Rouji have, even if Hanae is there because he has to pay off his debt. Abeno and Muhyo are both masters of a craft, while Hanae and Rouji follow their counterparts and trust their direction and knowledge. Like the practice of magical law in Muhyo to Rouji, Abeno has skill and responsibility meant to guide spirits to the underworld. The creatures encountered in Fukigen na Mononokean have different motives, like those in Muhyo no Rouji. This anime is an enjoyable weekend watch that keeps things light and happy. The story is never too dense, and the next laugh is usually nearby.

Atop the school library at Saint Marguerite Academy, is a botanical garden and conservatory that is the haunt of one Victorique de Blois, rumored “golden fairy” of the library. Kazuya Kujou, a new Japanese student at Saint Marguerite, visits the school library to search for ghost stories when a glint of gold from above catches his attention. Spurred by curiosity, Kujou soon meets Victorique and a new adventure begins. With exceptional wit, Victorique reconstructs “fragments of chaos,” which present themselves as unsolvable mysteries by police and detectives. From theft to suspicion of the supernatural, Victorique and Kujou find themselves faced with bigger and bigger questions. Though Kujou is a fierce friend and protector of the frail Victorique, are their problem-solving skills enough to grapple with the inevitable?

Like Muhyo to Roji, the impressive deductive abilities of Victorique, and her ability to outdo every puzzle that crosses their path makes for a great story that keeps surprising. Like Muhyo, Victorique has a small stature, a large brain, an even bigger ego, and boundless confidence. Kujo, like Roji, spends time cleaning up after and protecting his counterpart. The comedic dynamic of the main characters in both Gosick and Muhyo to Roji is one of the more similar themes. They both work strange cases that cross their paths. If this doesn’t make you want to try Gosick, it’s interesting to note that our heroine’s movement is restricted by parental control and she solves some mysteries from the conservatory, and then with only the facts relayed in conversation. If you like main characters whose personality traits are so different that they have an aspect of comedy, and you love being impressed by deductive skills, this is for you.

Expelled from his orphanage, Atsushi Nakajima is abandoned and starving on a riverbank. He decides that he must steal from others to get food and survive. At this moment, a man floats, legs up, down the river. Without much strength to spare, Atsushi jumps in and saves the man, Osamu Dazai… or rather, Atsushi l has interrupted the strange man’s latest suicide attempt. After a belly-full of food as a reward, it becomes clear that this man may be bizarre, but Atsushi has a few unusual things about himself. Atsushi comes to work with Dazai at the Armed Detective Agency.

Something unusual about this anime is that it has a large cast of characters, all of whom are interesting. Named and made to look like their classic author inspirations, characters who are “gifted” have a power individual to them. For example, Margaret Mitchell has the power “Gone with the Wind,” and Fyodor Dostoevsky has a power named “Crime and Punishment.” This anime inspires a want to learn more Japanese literature and have fun knowing the basis of the main characters!

Like Muhyo to Rouji, Bungou Stray Dogs is about a group of people who protect where they live from supernatural crimes. This anime also has shounen elements. More importantly, there is a character with whom the Muhyo fan should become acquainted, and his name is Ranpo. This character is the brains behind the Armed Detective Agency. Just as Muhyo always seems to know the answer, even when the going gets tough, Ranpo uses his Ultra-Deduction ability to close cases. Instead of napping and reading manga like Muhyo, Ranpo spends his leisure time lazing about with a large pile of candy and snacks. Every character in Bungou Stray Dogs is interesting, but Ranpo is someone the Muhyo fan will get enjoyment from watching throughout the series. With two other seasons, a movie, and plenty of plans in production stages, there is a lot to love about Bungou Stray Dogs.

Walking quietly from place to place with a cigarette ready to light, Ginko seeks those afflicted by the influence of mushi, obscure supernatural entities. Imperceivable by most, mushi wander predominately in nature but have severe effects on those with whom they come into contact. Often unknowing of their affliction, or not wanting help, Ginko treads softly in his efforts to assist those whose lives have been changed because of the mushi.

Though Mushishi is less buoyant and more serious than Muhyo to Roji, both main characters do a job which ultimately helps those who are not able to help themselves. (This is really shining through in season 2 of Muhyo & Roji!) They solve cases of supernatural interference. Something else to enjoy about Mushi-shi are the creative illustrations of the mushi. If supernatural-themed anime are a thing for you, this anime is full of delicate depictions of spirits, whose impact on the world around them is obscure and mysterious.

While visiting his cousin at a hospital, Kurou Sakuragawa encounters Kotoko Iwanaga. At first, both seem unlike the rest of the world, but it becomes clear that neither of these individuals is entirely human. With the loss long ago of one leg and one eye, Kotoko is referred to as “The Goddess of Wisdom” by the supernatural world. She seeks to mediate and maintain order between the worlds of humans and spirits. Kurou is Kotoko’s sometimes begrudging boyfriend. With his own supernatural abilities that come from something other than humans, he assists in her efforts to mediate situations between the supernatural world and the world of humans.

Kotoko has pride and insight reminiscent of Muhyo. Similarly, their efforts to maintain order over strange supernatural occurrences makes this an excellent choice for someone who enjoys Muhyo to Rouji. Kyokou Suiri was published as a Crunchyroll original anime in 2020 and like many current anime, some of the color decisions are strikingly beautiful. The coloration of Kotoko’s eyes is something to admire when watching Koykou Suiri. The published manga contains more story than season one could fit in. No word yet on a season 2, but if you have not yet enjoyed watching an anime whose manga you read, this could be a great opportunity to hop on board!

Last, but certainly not least, we have Natsume Yuujinchou. Takashi Natsume inherits a book of his grandmother’s which contains names of yokai. Natsume’s possession of these names causes him to be sought after by spirits looking to gain an amount of freedom by getting their name back. While most anime with supernatural themes tend to be about fights, Natsume Yuujinchou has a different path. Instead of fighting to keep these names, Natsume gives them back. What follows is a heartwarming adventure complete with many unusual characters that centers around the joy of learning about family who have passed on. .Natsume’s companion is a cat-camouflaged yokai who believes giving names back for free is a fool’s errand.

Natsume Yuujinchou and Muhyo to Rouji are both fun anime to watch if you enjoy stories that involve creative depictions of spirits. Like Rouji, Natsume is an upbeat character that almost always keeps his levity. The relationship between Natsume and his jaded cat-companion is similar to Myhyo and Rouji also. Natsume Yuujinchou is a fun watch and a good option if you are already enjoying Muhyo to Rouji.