Review of Ghost Hunt

Oh my, I cannot say enough good things about this anime. I actually watched the anime first before reading the manga; I watched it, fell in love, and had to find out if there was more so went a-searching (lucky for you all, the manga is continuing... I am desperately waiting for a second season but until then, I read on!). First and foremost, this falls under the horror category, and it is spectacular in that aspect. It is one of the only anime (that I could find) that focuses on paranormal research in the aspect that you might see on TV (Ghost Hunters, Destination Truth, etc(think Ghostbusters!)) but with a true horror, chill-down-your-spine feeling to it.

The anime, like the manga, is split into a few episodes that span over specific cases the company encounters. And let me tell you, there were two cases in particular that did NOT let me sleep well at night.

The story is case-based, meaning, the anime focuses on the cases that come through to the Shibuya Psychic Research Company. Only near the end of the anime do you begin to learn more of the main characters' background story.

Normally, I would like more character development but what is special in this anime is that the cases are so interesting, you get wrapped up in each episode. There are also moments of light, comedic moments that make you laugh but the chill factor with the episodic villains (the paranormal ghoulies) temper that comedy perfectly. You finish an episode and want to turn on the light (that tells you, you have a good horror story in your hands). I also like that we learn about the characters through their interactions with each other than back-flashes to the past or something like that.

The art is great and lets face it, there are many bishies in this one (Kazuya FTW). The music though is one of my favorites. The opening theme was so good, I have the OST now. Both the opening and ending themes give you a perfect creep factor that lingers after any episode. Also, the sound effects for those scare moments really get to you. If you get the doll or Urado episode, good luck. Scared me out of my damn mind (every time I watch it!).

I love a good horror story. And this is actually my hands down favorite horror animes. I love that it's different from all the others. For this anime, it's not a gore factor that makes it scary, it's the thought behind it, the story behind the horror, and that makes me love it all the more.

Watch it. You'll love it. And you'll stalk the manga while waiting for an announcement for a hopeful second season (we really need more manga for that, really....).