Ghost Stories (2000)
The cult Japanese anime where young students take on vengeful spirits — and the English dub rewrote the rules of localization forever.
Ghost Stories - Series Information
- Original Title: 学校の怪談
- First Air Year: 2000
- Last Air Year: 2001
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 19
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: October 22, 2000 (United States - NR), October 22, 2000 (Brazil - 16), October 22, 2000 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Alternative Titles: 學校怪談 (TW), Povești cu fantome (RO), Histórias de Fantasmas (BR), 학교괴담 (KR), Historias de fantasmas (MX), حكايات أشباح المدرسة (AE), Gakkô no kaidan (JP), Ghost Stories (US)
- Production Companies: Pierrot
- Production Countries: Japan
Ghost Stories - Plot
When nearby construction disturbs a spiritual resting place, its disgruntled denizens do what any supernatural beings would do after a rude awakening: they terrorize the local school. And that means it's up to a scruffy band of young ghostbusters to expel their satanic schoolmates before everyone gets sent to permanent detention! So join Satsuki, her crybaby brother, the resident class stud, the school nerd and "physical researcher," a born-again beauty, and a resentful, demon-possessed cat in the funniest, scariest school you've ever enrolled in.
Ghost Stories - Trailer
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Ghost Stories - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Tomoko Kawakami
- Kotono Mitsuishi
- Kumi Sakuma
- Kurumi Mamiya
- Makoto Tsumura
- Takako Honda
- Ryusei Nakao
- Takehiro Murozono
- Ayako Kawasumi
- Fumiko Orikasa
Writers
- Hiroshi Hashimoto
- Ryota Yamaguchi
- Akatsuki Yamatoya
- Hiroko Naka
- Masashi Sogo
Ghost Stories - FAQs
Where can you stream Ghost Stories online?
Ghost Stories is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, and Philo. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, Retrocrush, Cineverse, and Plex. You can also purchase episodes on Amazon Video. Options vary by region.
Why is the Ghost Stories English dub so famous?
ADV Films was given creative freedom to rewrite the script entirely when licensing the series, since the original Japanese version had poor ratings. The result is a wildly irreverent, adult-humor-filled dub packed with crude jokes, pop culture references, and outrageous character dialogue that bears little resemblance to the original.
Is Ghost Stories based on a true story or book?
The anime is adapted from a series of Japanese children's books by Toru Tsunemitsu titled Gakkou no Kaidan, which draws on traditional Japanese ghost folklore and urban legends. The stories are rooted in well-known supernatural myths from Japanese culture rather than any single true event.
How many episodes does Ghost Stories have?
Ghost Stories consists of 19 episodes across its single season, which aired from October 2000 to March 2001 on Fuji TV in Japan. There are also 3 additional special episodes available, bringing the total content to 22 episodes including the specials.
Who are the main voice actors in Ghost Stories?
The Japanese cast features Tomoko Kawakami as Satsuki, Kotono Mitsuishi as Kayako, Kumi Sakuma as Momoko, Kurumi Mamiya as Keiichirou, Makoto Tsumura as Reo, Takako Honda as Hajime, and Ryusei Nakao voicing the demon cat Amanojaku.
What is Ghost Stories actually about?
After construction near their town disturbs ancient spirits, a group of elementary school students must confront ghosts and supernatural creatures terrorizing their school. Armed with a book of exorcism spells left by Satsuki's late mother and a reluctant demon-possessed cat, the kids battle a new ghost each episode.
What content rating does Ghost Stories carry?
Ghost Stories carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The English dub in particular features adult humor, crude language, and dark comedy that pushes well beyond the tone of the original Japanese version.
What anime series are similar to Ghost Stories?
Fans of Ghost Stories often enjoy Twin Star Exorcists and Kemono Jihen for their supernatural action, or SCHOOL-LIVE! for horror with a school setting. Yu Yu Hakusho and A Certain Magical Index offer similar blends of paranormal adventure and youthful protagonists facing otherworldly threats.
More About Ghost Stories
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