Best Supernatural Anime of 2010

In the lively Ikebukuro district of Tokyo, whispers abound regarding enigmatic gangs and perilous individuals, with the most notorious tale centering on the "Black Rider," a headless specter speeding through the streets on a black motorcycle. Mikado Ryuugamine yearns for the thrill of urban living and relocates to Tokyo after an invitation from a childhood friend. Upon his arrival, he catches a glimpse of the Black Rider, suggesting his desire for adventure may finally come to pass. However, as bizarre incidents begin to surface, Mikado and other ordinary citizens find themselves entangled in the turmoil sweeping Ikebukuro, sharing the stage with the area's most eccentric inhabitants.

In The World God Only Knows, Keima Katsuragi, hailed as the "God of Conquest" within the sphere of dating sim games, thrives in a virtual landscape where charming any girl is merely another challenge to overcome. In the real world, however, Keima remains a dedicated otaku who prefers the predictable, controlled atmosphere of galge games. His excessive confidence prompts him to accept a mysterious wager designed to prove his mastery of dating simulations, only to discover that this agreement binds him to Elucia "Elsie" de Lute Ima, a mischievous demon dispatched from hell to capture rogue spirits that have slipped into the human realm. Keima soon learns that the sole method for capturing these spirits is to win the unpredictable hearts of real, living women. Compelled by a lethal collar enforced by Elsie, Keima must confront his greatest fear—actual relationships—and apply his formidable skills to woo various girls, subjecting his legendary reputation to its ultimate trial.

On a chilly December morning, Kyon arrives at school anticipating another adventure with his SOS Brigade companions. Instead, he is shocked to discover a drastically altered reality: Haruhi Suzumiya and Itsuki Koizumi have vanished; Mikuru Asahina has no recollection of him; Yuki Nagato seems to be an ordinary human; and Ryouko Asakura has inexplicably returned. Although accustomed to the extraordinary, Kyon is deeply unsettled by these shifts and resolves to investigate independently. Recognizing that he is the sole individual retaining memories of the former reality, Kyon faces a critical choice: accept the mundane existence he once desired or attempt to reverse time to restore his chaotic yet familiar world.

In the secluded village of Sotoba, where every resident is familiar with one another, tranquility is shattered by an inexplicable tragedy: the death of Megumi Shimizu, a spirited young girl. As the oppressive summer heat intensifies and further mysterious fatalities occur, Dr. Toshio Ozaki grows convinced that a sinister force lies behind the incidents. Toshio teams up with the introverted teenager Natsuno Yuuki and the Tanaka siblings, Kaori and Akira, who were close friends of Megumi, to probe the bizarre deaths afflicting the town. Their joint investigation eventually reveals a terrifying secret tied to the family that has recently moved into the Kanemasa mansion.

In Kuroshitsuji II, the story focuses on Alois Trancy, the young master of the Trancy household. While Alois now lives in luxury, his history is marked by tragedy: he was once kidnapped and held prisoner before being rescued and returned home, only to witness the death of his beloved father soon after. His legitimacy as heir and the conditions of his return face suspicion from those who believe the Trancy estate conceals dark secrets. Central to these doubts is Claude Faustus, Alois's mysterious black-clad butler. As deception spreads throughout the mansion, the true nature of the bond between Claude and Alois emerges, and their alliance is tested to its limits when demonic forces endanger their world.

During his summer stay at his aunt's house, the fragile young boy Shou makes a remarkable discovery: while chasing the family cat through the bushes, he spots a tiny girl, no larger than his finger! She introduces herself as Arrietty and explains that her kind, known as "Borrowers," survive by taking small items from humans. Arrietty reveals that she lives in the house's basement with her parents, Pod and Homily. Shou is thrilled to have such extraordinary neighbors, but he doesn't fully grasp the difficulties they face. In addition to keeping their existence hidden, they must make dangerous trips around the house and garden to gather what they need. Despite her parents' caution, Arrietty forms a connection with Shou, setting off a chain of events that may deeply impact both of their lives. This enchanting and heartwarming story explores the budding friendship between two distinct worlds, bridging the gap between humans and Borrowers.

Sakurai Tomoki has grown accustomed to his daily life alongside the two angeloids, Ikaros and Nymph, and is having a great time. Still, he keeps experiencing strange dreams and asks all his friends to help him figure out what is causing them. Nymph creates a device that allows humans—but not angeloids—to enter other people's dreams. The gadget initially malfunctions, but eventually they manage to reach what should have been Tomoki's dream, only to find that something is seriously off about it. Later, a meteor crashes down from the sky at the spot beneath the large cherry blossom tree where Tomoki first discovered Ikaros. A blonde angeloid with a very large figure and a massive sword steps out of the meteor and begins looking for Tomoki!

Rikuo Nura is a half-human, half-youkai youth destined to become the next head of the Nura Clan, a gathering of diverse youkai. While he considers the clan his family, most of his peers view youkai as terrifying monsters from folklore who prey on children and revel in violence. Determined to live a normal human life, Rikuo struggles against this identity. His aspirations are challenged by his youkai companion Tsurara Oikawa, who attends school with him; the young onmyouji Yura Keikain; and his devoted friend Kiyotsugu, who seeks to prove the existence of youkai. These relationships are further tested by rival youkai and other dangers threatening those Rikuo cares about. To protect his loved ones, Rikuo must embrace his true heritage as the grandson of the legendary Nurarihyon and learn to transform into a youkai each night, preparing to lead the Nura Clan as its successor.

Amano Yukiteru, a second-year middle school student, struggles to make friends and sees himself as nothing more than a bystander, recording everything he encounters in his cell phone diary. Tormented by solitude, he begins imagining a companion named Deus Ex Machina, who claims to be the Lord of Time and Space. Seeing Yukiteru's miserable state, Deus grants him a new ability: his diary now records events that will occur in the near future. Yukiteru is then forced to participate in a game where the winner becomes Deus's successor. This short OVA was bundled with the limited edition of the eleventh volume of the manga.

In the city where Yuuto Amakawa lives, his life is fairly ordinary aside from his cat allergies and attending school with his neighbor, Rinko. However, everything takes a dramatic turn on his 16th birthday when an Ayakashi, a supernatural creature, attacks him due to his ancestors' misdeeds. Himari, a secretive swordswoman with cat ears, saves him and reveals that Yuuto is destined to carry on his family's legacy as a demon hunter. With the protective charm that shielded him from the supernatural now failing, Himari must become his guardian. "Omamori Himari" chronicles Yuuto's journey as he faces numerous supernatural threats and deals with a growing group of women who come into his life, each with their own sinister motives. Will Yuuto embrace this new and exciting existence, or will the sins of his ancestors haunt him?

In "Dance in the Vampire Bund," Mina Tepes, the ruler of the vampires, publicly announces the existence of vampires on live television and proposes establishing a sanctuary in Japan called the Vampire Bund. Using her family's immense wealth, she settles the country's debts and secures the rights to build a haven for vampires. However, her declaration sparks opposition from humans who doubt her intentions for peace. Akira Kaburagi, a skeptic of vampires, feels uneasy when discussions about them arise, though he cannot explain why. Living a carefree life since suffering a head injury a year prior, Akira's world changes when he meets Mina, who awakens his buried memories and compels him to protect her without knowing the reasons. Unbeknownst to Akira, he holds an extraordinary secret: he is a werewolf, destined from birth to safeguard the vampire queen at the cost of his own existence. As Mina and Akira navigate the dangerous environment of the Vampire Bund, they uncover the deep nature of their bond.

In the film "Bleach the Movie: Hell Verse," souls who have committed terrible sins are erased from the Soul Society's cycle of rebirth and cast into Hell for all eternity. Three of these condemned beings, referred to as the Sinners of Hell, manage to escape their eternal punishment and appear in Karakura Town, sparking an intense battle with substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends. After the clash, the Sinners' leader, Shuren, kidnaps Ichigo's sisters in an attempt to draw Ichigo in and break free from Hell's control. With assistance from one of the Sinners, Kokutou, Ichigo ventures into Hell on a dangerous mission to save his sisters. However, the Soul Society forbids this rescue, fearing it could disrupt the fragile equilibrium between the human world and the afterlife. As loyalties grow uncertain, Ichigo faces his greatest trial yet—a choice that could plunge all three realms into chaos.

Set in 1864 Japan, Hakuoki ~Demon of the Fleeting Blossom~ centers on Chizuru Yukimura, a young woman searching for her missing father, Koudou, a doctor who is seldom at home. After months without any word from him, Chizuru disguises herself as a man and travels to Kyoto hoping for clues. While evading suspicious ronin, she accidentally happens upon a brutal scene where those ronin are viciously killed by crazed white-haired beings. The Shinsengumi step in, eliminate the attackers, and then capture Chizuru, debating whether to kill her or let her live. When Chizuru reveals her father’s name, the Shinsengumi decide to protect her, since they too have been looking for Koudou. It emerges that Koudou shares a deep link with the Shinsengumi, drawing Chizuru into the group’s struggles against their enemies and the political turmoil gripping Kyoto.

In "Durarara!! Specials," Celty Sturluson accepts a delivery job for a mysterious red handbag, which quickly draws the attention of various shadowy factions. As she navigates through Ikebukuro, she is pursued by enigmatic strangers speaking an unfamiliar language, and her package becomes a source of chaos among the city's inhabitants. Elsewhere, renowned actor Yuuhei Hanejima visits Ikebukuro for a unique TV segment designed to find the ideal couple to feature in one of his upcoming films. It is later disclosed that Yuuhei Hanejima is actually the alias of Kasuka Heiwajima, Shizuo's younger brother. When an anonymous online figure threatens to eliminate the famous actor, they come to understand the extent of their family ties. Moreover, Shizuo discovers that the person behind the assassination attempt is someone he deeply despises.

Haruka Ozawa's second year of high school is taking a terrifying turn. One of her friends has become possessed, another has died by suicide, and Haruka herself may be next to fail the test of staying alive. Her only escape from this potentially deadly dead end is Yakumo Saito, a mysterious student born with a strange red eye that lets him see and communicate with the dead. But the deceased don't always stay quiet, and some killers are more than ready to kill again to prevent the dead from revealing any more secrets. This doesn't stop Haruka's talent for unearthing buried secrets, and there are even more signs of bodies being exposed through both Yakumo's police contact and an investigative journalist who has a newly made corpse hidden away. Can this pair of anything but ordinary paranormal detectives solve the ultimate cold case files, or will they end up in permanent storage themselves?

The official Kuroshitsuji website provides details for six OVAs that are included across various DVD releases. DVD 2: Ciel in Wonderland (Part 1) The characters from Kuroshitsuji II are reimagined as figures from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. DVD 3: Welcome to the Phantomhive Mansion This segment is structured like a simulation game where Elizabeth invites a lady (possibly the viewer) to attend a ball held at the Phantomhive residence. DVD 5: The Making of Kuroshitsuji II An insider documentary styled after Hollywood features behind-the-scenes conversations with Sebastian, Ciel, Claude, Alois, and other members of the cast. DVD 6: Ciel in Wonderland (Part 2) Continuing the theme, the Kuroshitsuji II cast is once again portrayed as characters from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. DVD 8: The Tale of William the Shinigami William and Grell take on the role of trainers for new shinigami recruits, reminiscing about their own time as training partners. DVD 9: The Spider's Intention This OVA focuses on life within the Trancy household and the dedication of those who serve under Alois.

Second Lieutenant Kei Agemaki, born to a distinguished general, has long concealed his deep-seated terror of supernatural entities. This fear is put to the test when he and two fellow officers are reassigned to the Ministry of Spirit Affairs, where they must coexist and work alongside youkai. As Kei confronts his greatest fears directly, he relies on the fox spirit Kushimatsu to manage his new duties with the youkai maidens Zakuro, Susukihotaru, Hoozuki, and Bonbori, handling paranormal matters. Set in an alternate period of Japan's westernization, Otome Youkai Zakuro explores the tensions and alliances that emerge when Eastern and Western cultures clash, native and foreign worlds intersect, and women and men interact. The unlikely partnership between the youkai maidens and human officers strives to function effectively in a rapidly changing society.

The story of Fortune Arterial centers on protagonist Kohei Hasekura, who transfers to a prestigious public institution offering a combined six-year junior and senior high school curriculum modeled after British educational traditions. This school is located on Tamatsu Island, an island situated off the coast of mainland Japan and accessible solely via boat. Shortly after his arrival, Kohei learns that Erika Sendo, a girl in the classroom next to his, is actually a vampire.

Occult Academy centers on Maya, daughter of Waldstein Academy's former headmaster, and Fumiaki Uchida, a time-traveling agent. In 2012, aliens attacked Earth, prompting time travelers to be sent back to 1999 with the mission of locating and destroying the Nostradamus Key—an artifact predicted by Nostradamus to trigger the apocalypse. The narrative shifts to 1999, where Maya intends to take over her father's role as principal and shut down the academy. Her plan is disrupted when she meets Fumiaki, who warns her of the impending catastrophe. Initially doubtful, Maya eventually teams up with Fumiaki to search for the Nostradamus Key. Time agents receive customized mobile phones to assist in their quest. By picturing destruction and photographing a potential key, the user can assess its nature—a calm future in the photo indicates the object is the Nostradamus Key, while images of ruin suggest otherwise. Maya and Fumiaki employ these phones to investigate the series of supernatural events unfolding around them.

Yuki Sakurai, an orphan raised without knowledge of his family, struggles with a sense of purpose and a peculiar ability to sense others' painful memories through touch. Anonymous letters urging him to end his own life deepen his inner turmoil. Unbeknownst to Yuki, his life is watched by both those who wish to harm him and those who seek to protect him. One misty evening, Yuki's life is unexpectedly saved by a striking man with silver eyes and raven-black hair—someone Yuki recognizes despite never having met. The appearance of this enigmatic figure stirs Yuki's dormant memories and reveals the true meaning of his existence. "Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru" follows Yuki as a teenager uncovering his identity and origins, all while navigating friendships, encountering betrayal, and gradually unraveling the mysteries of his past.

Following the events of Hakuoki, Chizuru Yukimura and the Shinsengumi are forced to leave Kyoto and sail to Edo. With Isami Kondou no longer leading them, Toshizou Hijikata steps up as commander. The weight of this new role puts immense pressure on Hijikata, causing concern among his allies, and he struggles with a sudden, uncontrollable bloodlust that also drives others in the unit to madness. When Kondou returns, he brings orders from the emperor to protect the castle and renames their group the Kouyou Chinbutai. But in wartime, loyalties can shift quickly. In Hakuoki Hekketsuroku, Chizuru fights alongside the Shinsengumi as she continues searching for her missing father, while her bond with Hijikata deepens.

Ten years following the events of xxxHOLiC Shunmuki, a melancholic Kimihiro Watanuki has assumed control of the shop once managed by the mysterious Yuuko, honoring a promise he made to her. He resides there in relative contentment alongside his companions Maru, Moro, and Mokona, while familiar faces occasionally drop by: Shizuka Doumeki, a former rival who has become a steadfast friend, and the former psychic prodigy Kohane Tsuyuri. As Kohane studies folklore under Doumeki's guidance at university, the pair stumbles upon a case perfectly suited for the shop's master. Eventually, Doumeki's grandfather, Haruka, visits Watanuki with a request to investigate his grandson's dreams. Venturing into the dream world, Watanuki witnesses how their past adventures unfolded from Doumeki's perspective. This journey reveals truths from a decade ago and uncovers secrets regarding the bonds that define their friendship.

In the mountain town of Jouga, 15-year-old Hiroshi Kuzumi has relocated due to his father's work, and surprisingly finds himself well-liked by his peers. Despite the typical challenges of settling into a new environment, he easily befriends Isuzu Tsumuhana, his overly affectionate and clingy neighbor, and Kaname Asagiri, another newcomer to Jouga. Life appears uneventful until residents begin vanishing without explanation, with the official account being that they have moved or transferred schools. Suspicious of these disappearances, Hiroshi starts to suspect foul play. At night, beneath a crimson moon, mysterious masked figures led by a girl wielding a scythe prowl the town's shadowy streets. These enigmatic hunters raise questions: who are they, and can anyone in Jouga feel secure from their threats?

In this short prologue OVA, released alongside the tenth manga volume, Elsie receives a mission from Dokurou Skull, the chief of hell's countermeasures division, to go to Earth and capture the evil spirits that have escaped from hell.

In the additional Blu-ray/DVD episode 13 found in volume 7, a unique parody segment is presented. Kakeru and the team find themselves in a "Pink Night" rather than the typical red one. Here, the "Black Knights" transform into the "Pink Ero-Rangers," with Lisolette stepping into the role of a bondage driver. Each member’s abilities undergo an erotic twist: Kakeru acquires X-ray vision that sees through clothing; Yuka can turn boys into girls; Misuzu's swords morph into vibrators; Kukuri gains the ability to speak, though only to say and draw lewd content; Yukiko becomes sexually excited upon removing her glasses; and Takahisa can shoot a small water jet from his finger. This episode serves solely as a parody and does not tie into the primary narrative.

At Ishiyama High School, Tatsumi Oga is constantly challenged and feared by his classmates, but his real concern is caring for Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, the child of the Demon Lord. His maid, Hildegard Hilda, explains that the baby has bonded with Oga because of his extraordinary power. Now, Oga must raise the future ruler of the underworld or face death at Hilda's hands—unless he can find someone stronger to take the infant. He considers recruiting one of the Tohoshinki, the four most powerful fighters at Ishiyama High, to adopt Beel.

On a lively December afternoon at Ashford Academy, students enthusiastically prepare for the annual school festival. Their excitement is interrupted when the academy comes under attack by remnants of the Neo-Chinese Federation, causing a lockdown with students taken hostage. Unbeknownst to the assailants, among the captives are two extraordinary individuals: Lelouch Lamperouge, who possesses the Geass ability, and Britannian soldier Suzaku Kururugi. To protect their school and bring about peace, Lelouch and the other student council members must once again unite to create a miracle.

Akutabe, the renowned detective, has an assistant named Rinko Sakuma who is studying how to summon demons. The narrative revolves around the mishap that occurs when she unexpectedly succeeds in calling forth two demons.

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the grim reaper Grell Sutcliff finds herself caught in the harem situation she has always dreamed of. While she is busy preparing chocolates for the demon butler Sebastian Michaelis, her plans are disrupted when several handsome men burst into the room through the window. Fellow reaper William T. Spears arrives first, offering only harsh criticism. Soon, however, all attention shifts to Sebastian Michaelis. The chaos intensifies as the space fills with more visitors: the Phantomhive household servants, the English branch manager of a Chinese trading firm Lau, the licentious Viscount Druitt, the Queen’s butler Ash Landers, and the regal pair Prince Soma and Agni. The atmosphere becomes even more romantic when The Undertaker appears, styling himself as the "Valentine’s Fairy."

Hiyorimi Hiro moves to a new city to live with his older sister, but dies before he can reunite with her. He is then reborn as a servant to the Princess of the Monster Realm, where his sister is already employed. Since the princess is a possible successor to the throne, monsters begin to target her, forcing Hiro to protect her, even if it means repeatedly giving up his life.

This special flash episode is part of the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion - Kiseki no Birthday DVD/Blu-ray release. It is separate from the nine Omake Flash extras that appear in the Code Geass R2 DVD/Blu-ray set.

Four short spin-off episodes appear on the DVD and Blu‑ray volumes. Episode 1 is よろしくツッチー (Yoroshiku Tsucchi) on Volume 2, Episode 2 is なかよしツッチー (Nakayoshi Tsucchi) on Volume 3, Episode 3 is がんばれツッチー (Gambare Tsucchi) on Volume 4, and Episode 4 is さようならツッチー (Sayonara Tsucchi) on Volume 5.

A short Mini Flash anime included with the limited-edition DVD volumes (covering episodes 1–6) and the Blu-ray Box (covering episodes 1–8, with episodes 7 and 8 being exclusive new additions to the Blu-ray box).

This particular installment was presented during the 2010 Jump Super Anime Tour and subsequently added as an extra with the initial Blu-ray box set of Nurarihyon no Mago.

Picture dramas included with the first and third limited edition DVD volumes.

A special episode included on the Chainsaw Maid DVD.

Six minutes long CGI anime of Moyashimon, bundled with the limited edition of the manga volume 9.

The anime's narrative centers on Hanako, a girl dwelling in a supernatural realm separate from ours. She emerges whenever schoolchildren find themselves in distress, representing a kindhearted variation of the classic Japanese urban legend of Hanako—a ghost said to inhabit a school restroom.