Tonari no Youkai-san

Tonari no Youkai-san began as a web manga serial published on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) starting in 2018. Created by the artist known as noho, the series was conceived as a gentle, slice-of-life exploration of the relationship between humans and mythological creatures, or yokai, in a rural Japanese town. Its quiet success online led to a serialized publication by East Press, which collected the chapters into physical volumes, solidifying its place as a modern entry in theiyashikei, or healing, subgenre of manga.

The visual language of the series emphasizes warmth and community, with noho utilizing soft lines and character designs that balance folklore tradition with contemporary aesthetics. The narrative focuses on the subtle changes and daily lives of residents living alongside spirits like cats who have transformed into nekomata or ancient tengu. This grounded approach to the supernatural was well-received for its empathetic tone and lack of intense conflict, eventually serving as the source material for an anime adaptation that further expanded its reach.