Best Supernatural Anime of 2003

In the chaotic 1920s, when a sudden wave of demonic attacks struck America, the holy Order of Magdalene was founded to fight these creatures. Operating out of the New York branch are the hot-headed Sister Rosette Christopher and her partner Chrno. Though they often leave a trail of destruction, they are exceptionally skilled at eliminating demonic threats. Their mission is driven by personal loss: Rosette seeks her abducted brother Joshua, taken by the sinister Aion, while Chrno bears his own grudge against the same foe. As they confront the growing demonic menace, they also work to uncover the truth behind Joshua's disappearance and the true source of the invasion.

Shiki Tohno suffered a severe injury during his childhood, and as a result, he was sent away from the Tohno family home to live with a relative. Years later, while Shiki is attending high school, his father—the head of the Tohno household—passes away, and Shiki is ordered to return by his sister Akiha, who has taken over as the new head of the family. But Shiki carries a heavy secret. Since that injury, he has been able to perceive lines on everything around him, and only a special pair of glasses allows him to suppress this ability. He also has very little memory of the time before the accident. On the day he moves back to the Tohno estate, he encounters a woman named Arcueid Brunstud and, in a momentary loss of control, stabs her through the neck with his knife, seemingly killing her. However, when she later appears beside him unharmed and asks him to become her bodyguard, Shiki's quest to uncover the truth about his past begins.

In the series Zatch Bell!, a disinterested teenage boy named Takamine Kiyomaro suddenly becomes the caretaker of a small demon named Gash Bell. Unbeknownst to Kiyomaro, Gash is involved in a contest to decide who will rule the demon world. Each demon must find a human companion on Earth and compete against other demons until a single winner is left. Kiyomaro ends up as Gash's designated partner, and through their many fights together, he learns the importance of friendship and courage.

Kaleido Star is famous around the world for its stunning acrobatics, creative performances, and elaborate costumes and sets, giving audiences a truly magical experience. Sora Naegino dreams of joining this legendary circus as an acrobat and becoming part of the wonder it creates. Leaving Japan behind, Sora travels to California to try out for the circus. She quickly learns that having natural talent is only the first step; becoming a professional performer requires intense challenges, demanding physical feats, and the constant danger of injury from any mistake. To succeed on the Kaleido Stage, Sora must undergo hard training, take on unusual tasks, face tough rivals, and deal with the tricks of a mischievous spirit named Fool. Can Sora reach new heights, make friends, overcome her fears, and push past her limits to earn her place as a Kaleido Star?

In a desperate attempt to revive his faltering writing career, Momosuke Yamaoka embarks on a journey across Edo-period Japan to gather one hundred ghost tales. During his travels through the mountains, he encounters a monk named Mataichi. Despite warnings to turn back, Momosuke presses on and inadvertently witnesses Mataichi and his two companions committing a murder. It becomes clear that this group acts as vigilantes, investigating paranormal incidents and meting out justice to the guilty. As Momosuke continues his quest for stories, he repeatedly crosses paths with the trio, becoming increasingly enmeshed in their activities. Gradually pulled into the dark world they inhabit, he grapples with the moral complexities of their actions and the thin line between human and supernatural realms.

In "Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok," the trickster god Loki from Norse mythology is banished to the human world after a careless prank, transformed into a child as punishment. To regain passage back to the divine realm, he must collect the malevolent energies corrupting human souls. He sets up a detective agency for this purpose, assisted by Mayura, a human girl with a passion for solving mysteries who contributes her own abilities. Complications emerge when various other Norse gods start appearing, many seeking Loki's destruction for reasons that remain mysterious at first.

In their continued journey westward, the Sanzo Ikkou—consisting of the priest Genjo Sanzo and his companions Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku—works to prevent the revival of the mighty demon Gyoumao. As their reputation, whether notorious or celebrated, precedes them, the group endures constant assaults from demon killers. At the same time, internal discord risks weakening their bond as they face a powerful enemy.

Beautiful sisters Ai, Mai, Mii, their android maid Mea, and a slippery pet ferret named Unagi embark on an extraordinary journey through time and space, all while never leaving their beloved mansion. Following the clues of the mysterious dandelion-like "Popotan," the girls are theoretically searching for the one who holds the answers to their deepest personal questions. Yet, they seem to have plenty of time for detours, making new friends, visiting hot springs, and occasionally running the X-mas shop stored within their house along the way. However, the girls' ultimate fate holds more than a few surprises, and not every moment is filled with laughter, as traveling through time means having to leave friends behind.

As spring arrives and Yuuichi is reunited with Ayu, everyone's life returns to a familiar rhythm. However, when Mishio visits Makoto's hometown, she observes a miraculous occurrence taking place before her very eyes.

In the 37th year of the Meiji Era (1904), during the Russo-Japanese war, the small Japanese army receives aid from a special flying ship, the Amanohara—kept aloft thanks to a benevolent demon—and uses it to strike at Russia's key base in Port Arthur (Lushun). Umakai Shintaro, a Japanese-born Russian diplomat, defects and travels to Sapporo to teach at a girls' academy. But this academy is far from ordinary: it is located aboard the Amanohara, and the five girls he instructs form the Raimu Unit—young women capable of summoning powerful beings to fight on their behalf. Shintaro soon becomes both their teacher and their battlefield commander, and the six of them set off on a strange and excessively erotic journey. Along the way, Shintaro helps the girls overcome their weaknesses, grow stronger for the final showdown at Lushun, and come to understand the motives behind the "Russian Spiritual Corps" that aids the enemy—a corps that, unfortunately, includes a member Shintaro once knew well...

When Kamogawa Asumi was merely an infant, her mother suffered severe injuries after a rocket crashed to earth. Five years later, after remaining in a coma throughout that entire period, Asumi's mother finally passes away, leaving the young girl to grapple with the loss of a parent she barely recalls. Amidst this emotional turmoil, Asumi encounters "Lion-san," a mysterious figure donning a lion mask who claims to be a ghost. Lion-san assists Asumi in burying her mother's ashes, and through this process, Asumi arrives at a firm resolution: "When I grow up, I'm going to be a rocket pilot."

This anthology series from Rumiko Takahashi explores the difficulties that arise when essentials such as housing, work, and personal connections are put at risk. Ranging from penguin habitats to marriage ceremonies and absent-minded partners, each episode places ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The collection highlights the distinctive mix of drama and offbeat humor that has made the celebrated creator of InuYasha, Ranma 1/2, and Urusei Yatsura a widely recognized name.

Based on the erotic game by NekoNeko Soft. An older brother and his younger sister live in a house from which their parents are often absent. Yuki, the younger sister, secretly yearns for her brother Kenji. However, one night, a girl appears from the closet in Kenji's room. Her body is transparent, and she looks like a ghost. Her name is Hiyori, a childhood friend of theirs. Though Kenji and Yuki are bewildered by Hiyori's strange appearance, they are happy to be reunited. However, as Kenji and Hiyori grow closer, Yuki's heart is shaken, and the pain she held in her childhood is recalled. In childhood, Yuki was going to pass the light blue toy ring that Kenji had to Hiyori in exchange for Hiyori's yoyo. However, because Hiyori fell ill and moved away, the promise was never fulfilled. Those childhood events seem to be connected to Hiyori's appearance before them. A painful love story of Kenji and two girls progresses.

A whole city lies in ruin after a clash between two colossal, all-powerful entities. Scientist and cult leader Genzou Kuruma aims to awaken God, but to do so requires a rare type of blood. His own son, Shinichi Kuruma, and a young girl named Ayaka Sanders both carry that blood, and Genzou will stop at nothing to capture them and use it for God's Awakening—dooming humanity in the process. Shinichi, together with Ayaka and Tomizoro (nicknamed Tommy), flees from Genzou Kuruma's "New Humans"—genetically altered people who can transform into monsters—while Shinichi's only desire is vengeance against his father. Like the other "New Humans," Shinichi possesses the ability to summon various beasts from his own body. With this power, he will fight until he kills Genzou Kuruma with his own hands.