The fourth incarnation of the supernatural-themed GeGeGe no Kitaro (Spooky Kitaro) anime series is due to hit the small screen on Animax this month. The series is based on the Habako no Kitaro (Kitaro of the Graveyard) manga series created in 1959 by Shigeru Mizuki.
The first series aired in Japan from 1996 to 1998, so while the animation may look a little dated, the show will still send chills up your spine. It's the story of Spooky Kitaro and his band of yokai (spirit-monster) friends, and their quest to protect humans from evil yokai.
Spooky Kitaro and his father are the last surviving members of a tribe of ghosts. Although Kitaro is missing his left eye, it doesn't prevent him from fighting evil spirits as he is armed with some incredible mystical weapons. These include a pair of flying sandals, a vest that protects him and his friends from danger and an ocarina that turns into a sabre.
Last year marked the 40th anniversary of a franchise that includes five anime series, 10 anime movies, a live-action film, and 13 video games. In fact, the franchise's popularity saw a road in Mizuki's birthplace of Sakaiminato lined with statues of yokai from his manga, and renamed Shigeru Mizuki Road in his honour.
Spooky Kitaro 4 premieres at 7pm on Animax next Monday. Before you watch, check under the bed for things that go bump in the night.