Gugure! Kokkuri-san

Gugure! Kokkuri-san is a humorous and heartwarming anime series aired in 2014 on the Anime Network, demonstrating the traditional Japanese folklore of Kokkuri with a whimsical twist. The show artfully combines comedy, supernatural elements and slice-of-life to portray a story which, while being hilariously entertaining, also touches upon themes like friendship and family.

The anime centers on Kohina Ichimatsu, a peculiar elementary school girl who claims to be a doll. To suit her self-proclaimed doll status, Kohina lives a life of solitude and strict regimentation, involving cupnoodles for every meal. However, her over-simplistic, doll-like existence takes an unexpected turn when she plays Kokkuri-san, a game somewhat similar to the western ouija board that is rampant in Japanese folklore. Drawing upon this game, the anime fuses the traditional with the contemporary to create a novel, belly-laugh plotline.

By casually playing the game, Kohina unwittingly ends up summoning the spirit of Kokkuri-san, a fox spirit. In Japanese legends, Kokkuri-san is known to haunt people and answer any questions about the future. This fox spirit, also named Kokkuri-san, is unlike the terrifying ghost one might imagine at the mention of a spirit. Instead, he is good-hearted, caring, and a bit of a busybody.

Kokkuri-san is taken aback when he sees the doll-like life that Kohina lives. Appalled by her lonely living arrangements and unhealthy cupnoodle diet, he takes up the role of her supervisor to make sure she leads a healthy, normalized life. The spirit's goal is to help Kohina grow as a human rather than allow her to continue living as a puppet. His hilarious attempts to mother Kohina and the young girl's nonchalant responses wield a belly-laugh humor that remains consistently funny throughout the series.

As the narrative unfolds, many other spirits are inadvertently summoned and end up living with the duo. These include the masochistic dog spirit, Inugami, who claims to be in love with Kohina, and the carefree, old tanuki spirit, Shigaraki, known for his lazy and rotten personality. Their continuous bickering and clashes to win over the affection of their preferred human roommate adds multiple layers of comedy to the show.

However, Gugure! Kokkuri-san isn’t merely built on laughs and humorous escapades — it also imparts a profound sense of emotionality. Over time, these supernatural beings become an unusual yet loving family for Kohina, peeking into the heartwarming theme of kinship. The eccentric guardians invest themselves in caring for Kohina, illuminating how bonds of friendship and family can transcend the typical and branch into the extraordinary. That every member of this accidental family has their unique quirks and insecurities only highlights the message that family is who accepts you as you are.

Visually, Gugure! Kokkuri-san is a treat — it uses vibrant colors and quirky animations to enhance storytelling. The cute, chibi-style art often used during comedic scenes is a perfect fit for the show's overall tone. On a similar note, the character design is quite appealing and well-reflected on their personality traits. Meanwhile, the background score and opening theme songs lend suitable rhythm and tune to embolden the anime series' ambiance.

In conclusion, Gugure! Kokkuri-san is a delightful amalgamation of humor, eccentric characters, and a dollop of heartfelt sentiment. It is an endearing tale of an oddball family living together, exploring the mishaps, shared laugh, and eventual bonds they build. While it uses elements of the supernatural, it never loses focus on the human connections at its core. Watching this anime will not only offer bouts of laughter but also leave you with thoughtful insights into the bonds we forge with those who become our chosen family.

Overall, if you appreciate anime titles that beautifully balance comedy, sprinkles of supernatural elements, and heartfelt moments wrapped within the complexities of an atypical family setting, Gugure! Kokkuri-san is significantly worth the watch.