現代
1989 - Present
The contemporary era spanning the Heisei (1989-2019) and Reiwa (2019-present) periods. Characterized by economic stagnation ('Lost Decades'), technological innovation, natural disasters, and the globalization of Japanese pop culture.
The era of global anime, manga, and video games. Japanese pop culture became a worldwide phenomenon, with yokai as beloved characters rather than feared spirits.
Yokai became global pop culture icons. Pokemon (1996) drew on yokai folklore, Studio Ghibli's 'Spirited Away' (2001) won an Oscar, and 'Yo-kai Watch' (2013) introduced a new generation to supernatural Japan. Modern urban legends like Kuchisake-onna continue the tradition.
Hayao Miyazaki's animated film wins the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Level-5's game and anime franchise becomes a cultural phenomenon in Japan.
赤マント
Aka Manto is a famous Showa-era urban legend about a malicious masked spirit who appears in school and public toilets. The spirit asks every victim the same trick question — "Red paper or blue paper?" — and punishes both answers with a matching death.
樹木子
Jubokko is a vampire tree yokai that grows on old battlefields where many people once lost their lives. It is mostly known from the works of manga artist Mizuki Shigeru.