Ghost Slayers Ayashi (天保異聞 妖奇士) is a Japanese anime television series, created and written by Shō Aikawa and produced by Bones. Directed by Hiroshi Nishikiori, it featured character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto. It was broadcast for twenty-five episodes on MBS–TBS from October 2006 to March 2007.

Plot

In 1843, the fourteenth year of the Tenpō Era, ten years before the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry and the Black Ships, Edo is under attack by beasts from the underworld, known as Yōi (妖夷). Members of the Bansha Aratamesho, called the Ayashi (奇士), are assembled to repel the emergence of these yoi.

Characters

Ayashi of the Bansha Aratamesho

South Edo Magistrate

Shogunate government

Other characters

Broadcast and release

Ghost Slayers Ayashi first aired in Japan on October 7, 2006 in the 6pm Saturday prime-time slot on MBS and TBS. It was originally slated to be 52 episodes; however, due to low ratings during its broadcast run, the series' length was cut in half, to 25 episodes. From episodes 1-12, the opening theme is "Ryūsei Miracle" by Ikimono-gakari while the ending theme is "Winding Road" by Porno Graffitti. From episodes 13–25, the opening theme is "Lone Star" by Captain Straydum, while the ending theme is "Ai Toiu Kotoba" by Saki. A five-part OVAs titled Tenpō Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi: Inferno were released, set six months after the events of the TV series.

Manga adaptation

A manga adaptation by Yaeko Ninagawa was serialized in Square Enix's seinen manga magazine Young Gangan from September 15, 2006, to July 20, 2007. Square Enix collected its chapters in two tankōbon volumes, released on February 24 and October 25, 2007. In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Bandai Entertainment. The volumes were released on September 16 and December 16, 2008.