Anime Like Windy Tales

One morning, as Kobayashi prepares for work, she is startled to find a dragon's head peering at her from the balcony. The creature quickly transforms into a lively, curvaceous young woman dressed in a maid outfit who introduces herself as Tooru. The night prior, a drunk Kobayashi had encountered this dragon in the mountains and, out of pity, offered her a place to stay. Tooru has now arrived to honor that promise, eager to repay Kobayashi's kindness by serving as her maid. Although Kobayashi regrets her intoxicated decision and initially hesitates, she eventually allows Tooru to remain, driven partly by guilt and partly by Tooru's impressive dragon abilities. While Tooru proves capable in her duties, her unconventional methods often horrify Kobayashi and create more problems than they solve. Furthermore, Tooru's arrival on Earth stems from complex reasons, as she carries deep emotional burdens and painful past experiences. Complicating matters, Tooru's presence draws other mythical creatures to their home, each possessing unique quirks and personalities. As Kobayashi attempts to manage this chaotic household, she discovers she is ill-prepared for the challenges of living with a dragon maid.

In the world of Mushi-Shi, Mushi embody the fundamental forces of life, existing beyond any moral framework as neither good nor evil. They appear in countless forms, mimicking natural elements ranging from plants and diseases to atmospheric phenomena like rainbows. Yet, this simple description barely touches the surface of their true nature; labeling them merely as life forms fails to capture their full essence. Knowledge regarding Mushi remains scarce, as most people are unaware of their existence. Ginko, a Mushishi, devotes himself to studying these creatures and their place within the natural world. He pursues leads concerning events linked to Mushi, driven by the belief that unraveling their mysteries may reveal the deeper meaning of existence.

In Wolf Children, Hana, a hardworking college student, encounters and falls in love with a mysterious man who attends her classes without being officially registered. He is revealed to be the last surviving werewolf, capable of transforming under a full moon. Undeterred by his supernatural condition, Hana remains devoted, and they decide to start a family together. Hana gives birth to twins: Ame, born on a rainy day, and Yuki, born amidst snowfall. Both children inherit their father's power to shift into wolves. Tragically, their father passes away unexpectedly, leaving Hana to raise these extraordinary offspring alone. Finding it increasingly difficult to manage their wild instincts in a densely populated city while concealing their true nature, Hana resolves to relocate to the countryside. There, she hopes to provide Ame and Yuki with a more open existence, shielded from societal judgment. This moving tale illustrates the struggles a single parent endures while navigating the complexities of the modern world.

As Tooru strives to perfect her role as the ideal maid and Kanna Kamui adjusts to elementary school, the Kobayashi household remains filled with lighthearted antics. A massive landslide near the location where Kobayashi first encountered Tooru uncovers immense draconic power. With no known dragon claiming responsibility, Ilulu, a formidable Chaos Dragon, descends from the heavens. Possessing strength comparable to Tooru's, she initially condemns Tooru's bond with humanity and challenges her to a fatal duel. Yet, intrigued by Kobayashi's unique capacity to befriend dragons, Ilulu decides to remain, seeking to understand what sets Kobayashi apart. The arrival of this new troublemaker injects even more excitement into Kobayashi's already bustling life with her dragon maid.

In Natsume's Book of Friends, Takashi Natsume has long felt isolated because of his unique ability to see youkai. After being passed between various foster homes, he grew up in loneliness, learning to distance himself from others since he realized they would never accept his experiences. His life changes when he accidentally breaks a spiritual seal, releasing Madara, a powerful spirit who takes the form of a beckoning cat. Madara notices that Natsume strongly resembles his grandmother, Reiko Natsume, who was shunned for creating the Book of Friends—a tome capable of summoning the youkai whose names she had taken. Now holding this book, Natsume has no desire for its power; he simply wants to keep it as a memento of his grandmother and protect it from malicious youkai. He strikes a deal with Madara: once Natsume's life ends, Madara will claim the book, but until then, Madara will serve as Natsume's unofficial guardian, known as Nyanko-sensei. Determined to release the youkai that Reiko trapped, Natsume begins building connections between the human and youkai worlds, strengthening his bonds with both realms.

Kuroto Nakano is a stressed and overworked salaryman who struggles daily under the weight of his demanding job and unending fatigue. This strain manifests as an inner darkness that, if left unchecked, could ruin his life—a condition only visible to fox deities. These divine beings have the responsibility of saving those at risk. To help Kuroto, Senko-san, an 800-year-old fox goddess, intervenes, taking it upon herself to alleviate his burden through her persistent and compassionate support.

In a world where the misshapen beings known as Mushi are regarded with fear and suspicion by humans, despite having no ill intent, the series "Mushishi Zoku Shou" follows Ginko, a Mushishi who works to help humans coexist peacefully with these mysterious creatures. Ginko's journeys bring him to various people whose lives are connected to the Mushi, some burdened by their presence and others maintaining a delicate balance. The story examines whether humanity, including both the blessed and the afflicted, can endure the weight of living alongside the unseen world. As a Mushishi, Ginko must also deepen his understanding of the Mushi and determine if he has the right to intervene in the complex relationships that develop between them and humans.

In the world of Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 2, the ancient and elusive beings known as Mushi continue to cause mysterious changes in human lives. The traveling Mushishi, Ginko, persists in addressing these perplexing and unnerving occurrences. From time loops to living shadows and mind-reading, the effects of Mushi interference are evident, yet Ginko also investigates more subtle signs that appear over extended periods as he moves between various communities. Accidentally, Ginko finds himself acting as a judge, determining whether Mushi are blessings or curses. However, the distinctions he tries to make are subjective. Some individuals prefer to utilize their newly acquired powers even as they are overwhelmed by them; others urgently wish to be rid of conditions that are, in fact, safeguarding them from disaster. Those who come into contact with Mushi must learn to reconcile with improbable consequences of their actions and mend wounds they were unaware of. Failure to do so may lead to incomprehensible fates.

In Natsume's Book of Friends Season 3, Takashi Natsume, a young boy who can see youkai, keeps working to free spirits trapped in the "Book of Friends," with help from his guardian Madara, also known as Nyanko-sensei. As Natsume grows more at ease with his ability, he stops seeing it as a curse. He values his time with both human and youkai friends, realizing that joy does not mean having to pick between the human world and the spirit realm.

In Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou, Takashi Natsume, a young boy born with the ability to see youkai, carries on his quest with his youkai guardian Madara, better known as Nyanko-sensei. The story follows Natsume as he works to give back the names recorded in the "Book of Friends"—a family heirloom left by his grandmother Reiko—to the youkai they belong to in his village. Along the way, Natsume encounters a range of youkai, from those who are kind to those who want to steal the book or even harm him. Through these experiences, Natsume grows to understand more about himself and the special connection he shares with the hidden world of youkai.

In "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 4," Takashi Natsume, a reserved but capable youkai handler who holds the Book of Friends, continues his journey of self-discovery and acceptance with the support of both familiar and new allies. His closest companion remains Madara, a self-proclaimed wolf spirit who is both greedy for food and sake and fiercely protective of Natsume, though he often passes himself off as a harmless, plump cat called Nyanko-sensei. One day, while briefly separated from Nyanko-sensei, Natsume is captured by a mysterious group of masked, monkey-like youkai who are desperately searching for the Book of Friends. When Nyanko-sensei learns of Natsume's capture, he quickly gathers Natsume's youkai friends to launch a rescue effort. However, the monkey spirits' forest is filled with dangers, including run-ins with the notorious Matoba Clan, Natsume's long-standing rivals. From the Matoba Clan's imposing fortress to Natsume's childhood home, Natsume Yuujinchou Shi revisits a world full of peril and camaraderie, leading Natsume to confront the lingering shadows of his past.

During Valentine's Day, Tohru tries to give Kobayashi chocolates laced with a love potion, but Kobayashi quickly sees through her scheme. Even so, Kobayashi ends up eating some of it after mixing it up with chocolate meant for Kanna, but the love potion is neutralized by the alcohol already present in that chocolate. Later on, Makoto invites everyone for a trip to a hot springs inn, where Tohru presents Kobayashi with ordinary chocolates. This is episode 14, which was not aired and comes included with the volume 7 BD/DVD release of Kobayashi-san Chi no Maidragon.

In "Natsume's Book of Friends Season 6," Takashi Natsume continues navigating his encounters with youkai, guided by the Book of Friends—a collection of youkai names bound by contracts made by his grandmother, Reiko Natsume. Through each interaction, Natsume gains insights into the youkai, his grandmother, and himself. The Book of Friends holds significant power over youkai, making it a coveted object among both youkai and exorcists. Despite his desire for a peaceful daily life, Natsume frequently faces disruptions due to its influence. To resolve these ongoing issues, Natsume must explore the depths of the book's secrets and the exorcist realm, while also learning to trust those who offer their support.

Season 5 of Natsume's Book of Friends follows Takashi Natsume, who can see youkai but conceals this ability to keep peace with his family and friends. Still, he shows kindness to gentle spirits and uses the Book of Friends from his grandmother Reiko to give them back their names. The Matoba clan of exorcists keeps pursuing Natsume because of his powers. But he refuses their offers, aware that unlike his ally Shuuichi Natori, most exorcists do not respect youkai—they just seal any spirit they meet. Frustrated by Natsume's rejection, Seiji Matoba compels him to attend a major assembly of influential exorcist families. Facing dangers from both humans and youkai, Natsume firmly stands against the exorcists' brutal methods and clings to his belief that humans and spirits can live together.

Across the countryside, people stop at noon to observe a rare solar eclipse, which is said to offer a chance to see Mushi. While the crowd gazes in wonder, those familiar with Mushi brace themselves for what follows this celestial event. Prompted by a prophecy from Tanyuu Karibusa, the Mushishi Ginko arrives at a doomed farming village. Right after the eclipse, a strange black cloud appears overhead, plunging the village back into darkness. Suspecting that a Mushi called Hihami is responsible, Ginko aims to free the village from its endless shadow. Yet some villagers seem hesitant to welcome back the light.

In "How to Keep a Mummy," high school student Sora Kashiwagi is accustomed to receiving unusual gifts from his father, who travels the world. These presents often come with a shock, but when a large package arrives from Egypt, it contains Mii-kun, a tiny and adorable mummy. Though initially cautious, Sora soon learns that Mii-kun is gentle and longs for companionship. The two navigate everyday life together, meeting others who also have extraordinary pets along the way. As their bond grows, Sora faces the difficulties of caring for Mii-kun but remains dedicated to nurturing the affectionate mummy.

Souta Tawara leaves behind the chaos of Tokyo, returning to his hometown in Kagawa Prefecture, where the memories of his family remain despite their absence. When he visits his childhood home and the family-run udon shop, he discovers a small, disheveled boy sleeping inside the restaurant. At first, Souta simply gives the boy some food and clothes without much thought. But then the child suddenly develops furry ears and a tail, revealing himself to be the legendary shape-shifting tanuki that has lived in Kagawa for centuries. Feeling compassion for the seemingly lonely being, Souta decides to take the boy in and names him Poko. "Poco's Udon World" follows the growing relationship between Souta and Poko. As they spend more time together, Souta reflects on his past, the home he left behind for city life, and his connection with his father.

During a bright summer, a young boy hears cheerful bell sounds coming from the nearby mountains. Many years afterward, on the same mountain, the mushishi Ginko comes across a strange girl whose body is sprouting weeds. Shortly after, Ginko encounters Yoshiro, now an adult, as he departs from the mountain. With Yoshiro's assistance, Ginko starts to solve the mystery of the mysterious girl and what happened to her. This story adapts the final arc from the manga, Mushishi Zoku Shou: Suzu no Shizuku, and follows Ginko's remarkable journey into the supernatural as he tries to comprehend the girl Kaya and the mountain that has become her home.

In a world where mysterious lifeforms called "Mushi" exist outside the laws of nature and frequently cause inexplicable events, there are individuals known as Mushishi who devote themselves to studying and managing them. Long ago, a powerful and malicious Mushi threatened to annihilate all life, prompting the formation of the Minai clan—descendants of those who defeated this menace. Bound by duty, the Minai clan serves the Karibusa family, who keep the sealed evil Mushi contained. Ginko, a traveling Mushishi, is summoned by Tanyuu Karibusa to oversee the Minai clan leader, Kumado Minai, as he investigates an abandoned village where dead wood and structures inexplicably transform into lush vegetation. Despite their extensive knowledge, the Minai clan displays a brutal demeanor that distinguishes them from other Mushishi. They also show a marked indifference to beauty and emotion. Tanyuu suspects there may be deeper causes behind this attitude. As Ginko works alongside Kumado, they explore the "Path of Thorns"—a region dense with unique and dangerous Mushi that flow from unknown sources into the mortal world. Within those treacherous reaches lies the key to understanding the true purpose and nature of the Minai clan's unwavering commitment to their ancient mission.

Specials included with the BD/DVD release of Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon.

This Natsume Yuujinchou OVA originally aired on February 5, 2014. The Blu-ray and DVD release also includes the Chapter ~ SOUND THEATRE x Natsume's Book of Friends ~, a sound play that was recorded live on September 28. In the story, Natsume goes for a walk to enjoy the season's first snowfall and encounters a snow-woman youkai who is searching for something she has lost but cannot recall. Anything she touches freezes, and since it remains unclear what she is looking for, Natsume decides to help her search.

In "Natsume's Book of Friends Movie: Ephemeral Bond," Takashi Natsume and his feline spirit companion Nyanko continue their task of returning the names of spirits recorded in the Book of Friends, an inheritance from his late grandmother, Reiko Natsume. One afternoon, Takashi encounters a wandering spirit named Monmonbou, who recognizes his grandmother's name and shares memories of her. Driven by curiosity, Takashi travels to a secluded town linked to his grandmother's history. There, he forms a bond with Yorie Tsumura, one of his grandmother's old acquaintances, and her son Mukuo, gaining insights into Reiko's past. Meanwhile, Nyanko wanders off in search of food and discovers a peculiar "Spirit Seed." Overnight, the seed grows into a fruit-bearing tree, and unable to resist, Nyanko eats the fruit, resulting in his split into three separate entities. To reverse this unusual transformation, Takashi and his new companions work together, unraveling further mysteries within the town.

In "Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid S: Japanese Hospitality (The Attendant is a Dragon)," Kanna Kamui, after befriending a girl named Chloe during her trip to New York, invites her to Japan for a sightseeing visit. When Chloe arrives at the airport, Kanna, accompanied by Kobayashi, Tooru, and their other companions, takes Chloe to explore various Japanese landmarks, beginning with Akihabara. With Tooru leading the group, they enjoy their tour of the city before returning home to welcome Saikawa and continue the festivities. On Chloe's final day in Japan, Kobayashi arranges a farewell party so everyone can share one last memorable gathering before Chloe returns to the United States.

Inaba Yuushi lost his parents during middle school and went to live with his relatives, who cared for him but made him feel like a burden. When he graduated, he was excited to start high school in a dormitory, but the dorm burned down just before he could move in. Unwilling to impose further on his reluctant family, Yuushi struggles to find affordable housing. His search leads him to an appealing old building that seems too good to be true. The catch is that it's a Monster House, where humans and yokai share living space. Yuushi meets Akine, a fellow high school student who finds the supernatural residents perfectly normal and can even exorcise evil spirits. Yuushi's high school experience takes an unexpected turn, becoming far stranger than he imagined.