TV series
Yamishibai is a picture-story style of animation whose motif is surrounded and based off the rumors, and urban legends throughout the history of Japan.
Availability
Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai premiered July 15, 2013. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Yamishibai is a picture-story style of animation whose motif is surrounded and based off the rumors, and urban legends throughout the history of Japan.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Teranishi is invited to attend a wedding ceremony in a village where he is on a business trip. But the village has an unusual custom of holding a funeral and a wedding at the same time...
Written by Hiromu KumamotoGuest stars Ryo Shinoda, Masaki Sawai, Tsubasa Kizu
Episode 2
Rika is a teacher who spends her late nights reading children's essays. When she reads one of the children's essays, she finds a horrible ending...
Written by 佐佐木充郭Guest stars Miho Okasaki
Episode 3
Hayakawa is a university student and his friend Irie. Irie, who suffers from insomnia, mentions the mysterious existence of the "44th sheep". That night, when Hayakawa can't sleep, he casually counts the sheep...
Written by 佐佐木充郭Guest stars Masaki Sawai, Tsubasa Kizu
Episode 4
Mizuki starts working as a pet-sitter. She takes on the job of walking "Umeta", a dog protected by an old woman living in a deserted village. However, there are a number of incidents in the village...
Written by Nishioka to NeilGuest stars Nishioka to Neil
Episode 5
Shigeyuki has just lost his beloved son in an accident. His wife has left him in shock, and he finds himself staring at the papier-mâché tiger he made with his son the day before the accident...
Written by Hiromu KumamotoGuest stars Miho Okasaki
Episode 6
Koichiro wakes up from a long nap. In the kitchen, his wife, Akiko, is cooking dinner, and Koichiro's favorite dishes are on the table. As he eats, Koichiro realizes that he had a similar day yesterday...
Written by 石上加奈子Guest stars Toshimasa Niiro
Episode 7
A bass player named "Chicken-kun" joins a band. Mikio, a member of the band, is curious about the mysterious behaviour of "Elder Boy". Who the hell is he?
Written by 佐佐木充郭Guest stars Masaki Sawai, Tsubasa Kizu
Episode 8
A company man lives happily ever after with his wife and son. One day, he receives an old wooden horse from his parents' house. That night, the man begins to wander through a labyrinth of memories...
Written by 佐佐木充郭Guest stars Emi Okamoto
Episode 9
Ami is invited to her husband's parents' house for the first time. She is welcomed by her in-laws and her younger brothers, and is allowed to stay at their house for the night. She falls asleep and is woken up in the middle of the night to be told that they are celebrating her birthday...
Written by 石上加奈子Guest stars Ryo Shinoda, Toshimasa Niiro, Nishioka to Neil, Tsubasa Kizu
Episode 10
Nao is a shy girl who has moved from Tokyo to a primary school in the countryside. She can't fit in with her class, and is lonely, planting winter peonies in her garden. When a strange girl comes to talk to her...
Written by Nishioka to NeilGuest stars Nishioka to Neil, Miho Okasaki
Episode 11
Yusuke is invited to go night fishing by Takayuki, his senior at work. When Yusuke is left alone to buy a drink, a strange old man approaches him and calls out to him. Yusuke goes back to Takayuki to report the incident, but Takayuki is looking down with a dark face...
Written by 石上加奈子Guest stars Ryo Shinoda, Toshimasa Niiro, Masaki Sawai
Episode 12
Natsuki has recently transferred to Chiaki's class. One day, when Chiaki is alone with her in the classroom after school, she tells him a strange story about a "monkey match"...
Written by Hiromu KumamotoGuest stars Ryo Shinoda, Miho Okasaki
Episode 13
Naoyuki is an art designer at a major design firm. His junior colleague, Mitsutaka, tells him a strange story about the real reason why cats were not included in the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac, and that there are actually people in the world who are in the year of the cat...
Written by Nishioka to NeilGuest stars Ryo Shinoda, Toshimasa Niiro, Masaki Sawai
Episode information updated Sep 12, 2026
Available now in United States
These shows are available now and closely match Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai.
Kanji TsudaStoryteller (voice)
Yūto IkedaThe Boy (voice)
桃ノ井理子(voice)
Ryouta Muraipolice reporter (voice)
小泉ようEita (voice)
Ryō HiranoTooru (voice)
Risa AizawaAsako (voice)
白石るりThe Dawn Girl (voice)
AT-XJapan
TV TokyoJapan
ILCAJapanTV TokyoJapan
