Otome Yōkai Zakuro is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Lily Hoshino. It began serialization in November 2006 in the monthly seinenmangamagazineComic Birz. The first tankōbon volume was released by Gentosha in January 2008; as of March 2015, ten volumes have been released. An anime adaptation produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Chiaki Kon airing in Japan from October to December 2010. The author announced in October 2016 that she was putting all her manga on hiatus to take care of her newborn son. Hoshino added she hopes to return to her regular work as soon as possible.
Plot
During the Westernization of an alternate Japan, humans and spirits coexist. To maintain harmony between the two, the Ministry of Spirits is established and humans and spirit representatives are chosen. Lieutenants Kei Agemaki, Riken Yoshinokazura, and Ganryu Hanakiri are chosen to be the human representatives and are partnered with Zakuro, Susukihotaru, and Bonbori and Hozuki, respectively. However, Zakuro cannot stand humans who accept Jesuit practices so easily and Agemaki has a severe fear of spirits.
Characters
Main characters
;Zakuro ;Kei Agemaki ;Susukihotaru ;Riken Yoshinokazura ;Bonbori and Hozuki ;Ganryu Hanakiri ;Mamezo ;Kushimatsu ;Amaryoju ;Sakura and Kiri
Antagonists
;Takatoshi Hanadate ;Daidai and Byakuroku ;Rangui
Media
Manga
The Otome Yōkai Zakuro manga is written and illustrated by Lily Hoshino. It has been serialized in the seinen manga magazine Comic Birz since the January 2007 issue released on November 30, 2006, with publication ongoing. The chapters have been collected by Gentosha in tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on January 24, 2008; as of March 2015, ten volumes have been released.
Volume list
Anime
An anime adaptation produced by J.C.Staff and directed by Chiaki Kon began airing in Japan on October 5, 2010. The series is simulcast by Crunchyroll, making the anime available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Portugal. In a press release, the Crunchyroll Vice President of Licensing Rob Pereyda stated: "These kind of unique adventure titles, full of intricate exposition and engaging plotlines, are just what Crunchyroll needs. What we love about Otome Yokai Zakuro is the very combination of intriguing concept, exciting story and fantastic animation the title has. We look forward to an overwhelmingly positive fan reaction forthcoming." Opening theme song for Otome Yokai Zakuro is "Moon Signal" performed by Sphere. NIS America announced on March 5, 2012 that they have licensed the anime and will be releasing it on DVD in the US on June 12, 2012 as the Zakuro Complete Series in a premium edition.
