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{{Short description|2000 anime series}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Ghost Stories
| name = Ghost Stories
| image = Gakko no Kaidan vol 1.jpg
| image = Gakko no Kaidan vol 1.jpg
| caption = Cover art for the first volume of the anime series, published by [[Aniplex]], featuring the main characters
| caption = Cover art for the first DVD release
| ja_kanji = 学校の怪談
| ja_kanji = 学校の怪談
| ja_romaji = Gakkō no Kaidan
| ja_romaji = Gakkō no Kaidan
| genre = '''''Original:'''''<br>[[Horror fiction|Horror]], [[supernatural fiction|supernatural]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Theron|first1=Martin|title=Ghost Stories DVD 2 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-2|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=May 30, 2018|date=January 12, 2006}}</ref><br>'''''US version:'''''<br>[[Comedy]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Theron|first1=Martin|title=Ghost Stories DVD 3-5 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-3-5|publisher=Anime News Network|accessdate=May 30, 2018|date=June 19, 2006}}</ref>
| genre = {{ubl|'''Original:'''|[[Horror fiction|Horror]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gakko no Kaidan|url=https://en.pierrot.jp/archive/2000/tv00_04.html|publisher=[[Pierrot (company)|Pierrot]]|access-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309075829/http://en.pierrot.jp/anime_2000s.html#anime_004|archive-date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="ANN-DVD3-5"/>| [[Supernatural fiction|Supernatural]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Theron|first=Martin|title=Ghost Stories DVD 2 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-2|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=30 May 2018|date=12 January 2006|quote=Without the alterations you're watching a run-of-the-mill family-oriented supernatural series which is unlikely to be fully appreciated by anyone who didn't grow up in Japan|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607220718/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-2|url-status=live}}</ref>|'''ADV English version:'''|[[Black comedy]]<ref name="ANN-DVD3-5"/>|[[Horror comedy]]<ref name="ANN-DVD3-5">{{cite web|last=Theron|first=Martin|title=Ghost Stories DVD 3-5 - Review|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-3-5|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=30 May 2018|date=19 June 2006|quote=the Japanese subtitled version offers up a "horror lite" story about children dealing with ghosts, while the English dubbed version is a dirty-minded topical comedy with horror overtones.|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602094321/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/ghost-stories/dvd-3-5|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| type = tv series
| director = [[Noriyuki Abe]]
| director = [[Noriyuki Abe]]
| producer = Yuriko Nakamura<br>Hideo Katsumata<br>Ken Hagino
| producer = {{ubl|Yuriko Nakamura|Hideo Katsumata|Ken Hagino}}
| writer = Hiroshi Hashimoto
| writer = Hiroshi Hashimoto
| music = [[Kaoru Wada]]
| music = [[Kaoru Wada]]
| studio = [[Studio Pierrot|Pierrot]]
| studio = [[Pierrot (company)|Pierrot]]
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[A.D. Vision#Divisions|ADV Films]] <small>(former)</small><br>[[Discotek Media]]}}
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=[[Discotek Media]]}}
| network = [[Fuji TV]]
| network = [[Fuji Network System|FNS]] ([[Fuji TV]])
| network_en = {{English anime network|US=[[Anime Network]]|SEA=[[Animax (Asian TV channel)|Animax Asia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mega Zone|url=http://www.animax-asia.com/megazone/default.asp|publisher=[[Animax (Asian TV channel)|Animax Asia]]|access-date=22 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040926014414/http://www.animax-asia.com/megazone/default.asp|archive-date=26 September 2004}}</ref>}}
| network_en = {{English anime network|US=[[Anime Network]]}}
| first = October 22, 2000
| first = 22 October 2000
| last = March 25, 2001
| last = 25 March 2001
| episodes = 20
| episodes = 20
| episode_list = List of Ghost Stories (anime) episodes
| episode_list = List of Ghost Stories (Japanese TV series) episodes
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}


{{Nihongo|'''''Ghost Stories'''''|学校の怪談|Gakkō no Kaidan|{{lit.}} "School Ghost Stories"|lead=yes}}, also known as '''''Ghosts at School''''', is a Japanese series of children's novels written by {{ill|Tōru Tsunemitsu|ja|常光徹}}. It was published by [[Kodansha]], starting in 1990. The series is a collection of popular school ghost stories in Japan, rewritten specifically for a [[Children's anime and manga|young demographic]].<ref name="cbr" /> A four-part film series based on the books was produced from 1995 to 1999. Additionally, it was adapted into a television series in 1994 and an [[anime]] produced by [[Pierrot (company)|Pierrot]] and [[Aniplex|SPE Visual Works]] in 2000.<ref name="webjapan">{{cite web|title=School Ghost Stories|website=WebJapan|year=1999|access-date=1 March 2022|url=https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/99-07-09/kaidan.html|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030105/https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/99-07-09/kaidan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A video game was also produced.<ref name="slashfilm" />
{{Nihongo|'''''Ghost Stories'''''|学校の怪談|Gakkō no Kaidan|lit. "School Ghost Stories"}}, also known as '''''Ghosts at School''''', is a 20-episode [[anime]] series created in 2000 by [[animation]] [[studio]] [[Studio Pierrot|Pierrot]] and [[Aniplex]] for [[Fuji Television]], based on a book series by Tōru Tsunemitsu.


The books were received positively in Japan upon release.<ref name="webjapan"/> The first film received a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 19th [[Japanese Academy Awards]]. Sources conflict as to whether the anime's original run was successful or not, though there is evidence of it having a relatively successful run.<ref name="slashfilm">{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Deshawn|date=10 December 2021|title=Why Everyone Thinks The Cult Classic Anime Ghost Stories Bombed In Japan — When It Didn't|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/703353/why-everyone-thinks-the-cult-classic-anime-ghost-stories-bombed-in-japan-when-it-didnt/|access-date=1 March 2022|website=[[Slashfilm]]|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030102/https://www.slashfilm.com/703353/why-everyone-thinks-the-cult-classic-anime-ghost-stories-bombed-in-japan-when-it-didnt/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, it received [[cult following|notoriety]] in the succeeding years with its official English [[dubbing (filmmaking)|dub]], which mostly replaced the original script for the series with pop culture references and [[dark humor]].<ref name="cbr">{{Cite news|last=Gramuglia|first=Anthony|date=25 January 2020|title=The Most Offensive Anime Dub Ever Has to be Heard to be Believed|url=https://www.cbr.com/ghost-stories-failed-anime-became-most-offensive-dub-ever/amp/|access-date=1 March 2022|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030109/https://www.cbr.com/ghost-stories-anime-dub-most-offensive/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The series was licensed for the [[North America]]n market by [[ADV Films]] whose English dub replaced the original script with a comedic one. It was also aired in [[Latin America]] by [[Cartoon Network]], which had broadcast the entire series unedited on October 1, 2005. The series was also picked up by the anime television network, [[Animax (TV network)|Animax]], who broadcast the series with a different English dub unedited and uncensored under the title ''Ghosts at School'' within its respective networks across the world in [[Southeast Asia]], [[South Asia]], and other regions.


==Plot==
==Synopsis==
''Ghost Stories'' tells the tale of Satsuki Miyanoshita, who moves with her family to the hometown of her deceased mother. On her first day of school, Satsuki; her brother Keiichirou, a first-grader; their neighbor Hajime Aoyama; Momoko Koigakubo, an older schoolmate; and Leo Kakinoki, a classmate and friend of Hajime's with a penchant for the [[paranormal]] visit the abandoned [[school]] building adjacent the current school complex and discover that the building is [[ghost|haunted]].
''Ghost Stories'' follows Satsuki Miyanoshita, who moves with her family to the hometown of her deceased mother. On her first day of school, Satsuki, her brother Keiichirou (a first-grader), Hajime Aoyama (their neighbor), Momoko Koigakubo (an older schoolmate), and Leo Kakinoki (a classmate and friend of Hajime's with a penchant for the [[paranormal]]) visit the abandoned [[school]] building adjacent the current school complex and discover that the building is [[ghost|haunted]].


It is soon after revealed that Satsuki's mother was responsible for sealing several ghosts who haunted not only the school but also the town, and now they are released due to the [[urbanization]] taking place in the surrounding area. Satsuki's mother left behind a book detailing how to [[exorcism|exorcise]] the ghosts once and for all. In her first confrontation, Satsuki faces a [[demon]] called Amanojaku, but in the process Amanojaku is sealed within Satsuki's pet [[cat]], Kaya. Although Amanojaku does not want to help Satsuki at first, the danger soon threatens to envelop the town and it is left up to Satsuki, her friends and Amanojaku to stop the ghosts. At last, with the help of Amanojaku, the friends finally are able to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] the ghosts.
It is soon after revealed that Satsuki's mother was responsible for sealing several ghosts who haunted not only the school but also the town, which are now inadvertently being released due to [[urbanization]] taking place in the surrounding area. Satsuki's mother left behind a book detailing how to [[exorcism|exorcise]] the ghosts once and for all. In her first confrontation, Satsuki faces a [[demon]] called Amanojaku, but in the process, he is sealed within Satsuki's pet cat, Kaya. Although Amanojaku does not want to help Satsuki at first, the danger soon threatens to envelop the town and it is left up to Satsuki, her friends, and Amanojaku to stop the ghosts. With Amanojaku's help, the friends finally are able to [[Exorcism|exorcise]] the ghosts.


==Characters==
==Characters==
;{{nihongo|Satsuki Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 さつき|Miyanoshita Satsuki}}
;{{nihongo|Satsuki Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 さつき|Miyanoshita Satsuki}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Tomoko Kawakami]]|[[Hilary Haag]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Tomoko Kawakami]]|[[Hilary Haag]]}}
: Satsuki is the main character of the show. She moves with her father and her little brother Keiichirou to the hometown of her deceased mother, where she finds that her mother confronted several evil entities that haunted the town, which included Amanojaku, and wrote all her supernatural experiences in a diary, which is entitled "The Ghost Journal". Satsuki is very strong, brave and determined within, but sometimes a bit moody, mostly because of Hajime's reckless behavior. She has a crush on Hajime. Her nickname in the Animax dub is ''Suki'' (from Satsuki). Her name means "May".
:Satsuki moves to the hometown of her deceased mother with her father and her little brother Keiichiro, where she finds that her mother confronted several evil entities that haunted the town, which included Amanojaku, and wrote all her supernatural experiences in a diary, which is entitled "The Ghost Journal". Satsuki is very strong, brave and determined within, but sometimes a bit moody, mostly because of Hajime's reckless behavior.
;{{nihongo|Momoko Koigakubo|恋ヶ窪 桃子|Koigakubo Momoko}}
;{{nihongo|Momoko Koigakubo|恋ヶ窪 桃子|Koigakubo Momoko}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kumi Sakuma]]|[[Monica Rial]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kumi Sakuma]]|[[Monica Rial]]}}
: Momoko is a 6th grader and Satsuki's best friend. She seems to fear nothing, even in dangerous situations, and is very brave when it comes to helping Satsuki and the gang confront the ghosts. She also has a psychic connection with Satsuki's mother. In the ADV's English dub, she's a [[born again]] [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]], and almost every sentence she utters contains a not-so-subtle reference to Christianity. Her name means "peach child". Momo means peach and -ko, a typical ending for female names, means child.
:Momoko is a sixth-grader and Satsuki's best friend. She seems to fear nothing, even in dangerous situations, and is very brave when it comes to helping Satsuki and the gang confront the ghosts. She also has a psychic connection with Satsuki's mother. In the ADV English dub, she is a [[born again]] [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical Christian]] from a posh family, and almost every sentence she utters contains a thinly-veiled reference to Christianity. She mentions that she was a heavy drug user and a sex addict prior to becoming a Christian.
;{{nihongo|Hajime Aoyama|青山 ハジメ|Aoyama Hajime}}
;{{nihongo|{{vanchor|Hajime Aoyama}}|青山 ハジメ|Aoyama Hajime}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Takako Honda]]|[[Chris Patton]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Takako Honda]]|[[Chris Patton]]}}
: Hajime is Satsuki's neighbor. He is strong and courageous, but has cowardly tendencies. Despite this, he is one of the most reliable of Satsuki's friends. In the ADV's English dub, Hajime has a big ego and is much more perverted with his comments and dialogue. His name means "beginning".
:Hajime is Satsuki's neighbor. He is strong and courageous but has cowardly tendencies. Despite this, he is one of the most reliable of Satsuki's friends. In the ADV English dub, Hajime is a stereotypical anime protagonist with a slightly horny streak.
;{{nihongo|Leo Kakinoki|柿ノ木 レオ|Kakinoki Reo}}
;{{nihongo|Leo Kakinoki|柿ノ木 レオ|Kakinoki Reo}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Makoto Tsumura]]|[[Greg Ayres]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Makoto Tsumura]]|[[Greg Ayres]]}}
: Reo is Hajime's friend and has a big obsession with paranormal themes, and proclaims himself as a respected paranormal researcher. However, whenever Reo finds a clue pertaining to the existence of supernatural entities, it seems that the clue turns against him. Like Hajime, he tries to be brave, but most of the time shows cowardice. In the English dub by ADV, his name was romanized as "Leo", and he is Jewish. His name means "lion".
:Leo is Hajime's friend and has a big obsession with paranormal themes, and proclaims himself as a respected paranormal researcher. However, whenever Leo finds a clue pertaining to the existence of supernatural entities, it seems that it turns against him. Like Hajime, he tries to be brave, but most of the time shows cowardice. In the ADV English dub, he is portrayed as a dorky teenager from a [[Jewish]] family.
;{{nihongo|Keiichiro Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 敬一郎|Miyanoshita Keiichirō}}
;{{nihongo|Keiichiro Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 敬一郎|Miyanoshita Keiichirō}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kurumi Mamiya]]|[[Christine Auten]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kurumi Mamiya]]|[[Christine Auten]]}}
: Keiichiro is Satsuki's younger brother. He is easily frightened and often cries, but periodically shows courage in defeating the ghosts. He creates a special friendship with the ghost Amanojaku. In the ADV's English dub, his speech becomes incomprehensible to anyone but his sister in times of stress. He is often referred to as half-retarded.
:Keiichiro is Satsuki's younger brother. He is easily frightened, fooled, manipulated, and often cries, but on rare occasions shows courage in defeating the ghosts. Because of his weaknesses, he often creates situations that the other characters have to solve. He creates a special friendship with the ghost Amanojaku. In the ADV English dub, his incompetence is elevated to that of being mentally challenged. He is often referred to as having dyslexia and is seen applying to the [[Special Olympics]]. He will often respond with a [[Non sequitur (literary device)|non sequitur]] and in times of stress, his speech will turn into a childish babble. He behaves oddly and randomly bursts into laughter, tears, or squeals.
;{{nihongo|[[Amanojaku]]|天の邪鬼}}
;{{nihongo|[[Amanojaku]]|天の邪鬼}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Ryusei Nakao]]|[[Rob Mungle]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Ryusei Nakao]]|[[Rob Mungle]]}}
: Amanojaku is a powerful entity that, long ago, was sealed by Satsuki's mother in a tree in the mountains, but was finally released from his magic prison due to urbanization. However, he did not have his freedom long, as Satsuki accidentally sealed him in the body of her pet cat, Kaya. At first, Amanojaku is hostile toward the kids and takes great pleasure in seeing them in trouble, but throughout the series he develops an attachment to them (especially Satsuki and Keiichirou).
:Amanojaku is a powerful entity that, long ago, was sealed by Satsuki's mother in a tree in the mountains, but was finally released from his magic prison when that tree was cut down during urbanization. However, he did not have his freedom long, as Satsuki accidentally sealed him in the body of her pet cat, Kaya. At first, Amanojaku is hostile toward the kids and takes great pleasure in seeing them in trouble, but throughout the series, he develops an attachment to them (especially Satsuki and Keiichiro) and starts helping them in giving clues and sometimes gives direct help to the kids. He is the typical tsundere anime character. In the ADV English dub, he retains his antagonism towards the kids and will often break the fourth wall complaining about the poor animation, lazy writing or not being paid enough.
;{{nihongo|Mr Sakata|坂田}}
;{{nihongo|Mr. Sakata|坂田}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Yutaka Aoyama]]|Tommy Drake}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Yutaka Aoyama]]|Tommy Drake}}
: Mr Sakata is the teacher of the class where Satsuki, Hajime and Reo attend. Despite not believing in ghosts, he suffers as a victim from many supernatural incidents. Mr Sakata is often possessed, cursed and kidnapped by ghosts. A running gag in the English Dub has him exclaiming his hatred for an unseen teacher named Ms. Hadley.
:Mr. Sakata is the teacher of the class where Satsuki, Hajime, and Leo attend. Despite not believing in ghosts, he suffers as a victim of many supernatural incidents. Mr. Sakata is often possessed, cursed, and kidnapped by ghosts. A running gag in the ADV English dub has him exclaiming his hatred for an unseen teacher named Ms. Hadley.
;{{nihongo|Reiichirou Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 礼一郎|Miyanoshita Reiichirō}}
;{{nihongo|Reiichirou Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 礼一郎|Miyanoshita Reiichirō}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Takehiro Murozono]]|[[Illich Guardiola]]}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Takehiro Murozono]], [[Daisuke Sakaguchi]] (young)|[[Illich Guardiola]]}}
: Reiichirou is Satsuki's father. He has no clue about his daughter's supernatural duties and also doesn't believe in ghosts. His nickname is ''Ray'' in the Animax dub.
:Reiichirou is Satsuki's father. He has no clue about his daughter's supernatural duties and does not believe in ghosts. In the ADV English dub, he is a largely absent and inattentive father. It is implied that he is a cross-dresser.
;{{nihongo|Kayako Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 佳耶子|Miyanoshita Kayako}}
;{{nihongo|Kayako Miyanoshita|宮ノ下 佳耶子|Miyanoshita Kayako}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kotono Mitsuishi]]|Marcy Bannor}}
:{{Voiced by|[[Kotono Mitsuishi]]|Marcy Bannor}}
: Kayako is Satsuki's and Keiichirou's deceased mother. Through her diary it is revealed that she was an avid exorcist during her childhood. She possesses Momoko two times throughout the series to aid Satsuki against the Piano Ghost and Kutabe and once helped Satsuki and the others to escape from a powerful haunting called Anamnaneki. Her maiden name was Kamiyama. She's made a lesbian/bisexual in the ADV English dub, and her name in the Animax Dub was "Karen".
:Kayako is Satsuki's and Keiichiro's deceased mother. Through her diary, it is revealed that she was an avid exorcist during her childhood. She possesses Momoko two times throughout the series to aid Satsuki against the Piano Ghost and Kutabe, and once helped Satsuki and the others to escape from a powerful haunting called Anamnaneki. Her maiden name was Kamiyama. It was revealed that she is haunting The Ghost Journal that she made for Satsuki (this was proven when The Ghost Journal content disappeared after Satsuki exorcised all ghosts that she dealt with during her childhood) and assisting her through the diary or possessing Momoko. In the ADV English dub, she is either [[bisexual]] or [[lesbian]].

==Ghosts==
*[[Amanojaku]]
*[[Aka Manto|Akagami Aogami]]
*Kutabe
*[[Ludwig van Beethoven|The Piano Ghost]]
*Datto
*Babasare
*Utsushimi
*[[Datsue-ba|Datsueba]]
*Shirotabi
*The Taxi Driver
*Mary
*[[Death]] [[Nurse]]
*[[Leonardo da Vinci|Da Vinci]]
*Mrs.Shizuko
*Yamime
*Soma
*[[Yuki-onna|Yuki]]
*Akane
*The Headless Biker
*Lord Ohma
*[[Kuchisake-onna]] (censored episode)


==Media==
==Media==
{{main|List of Ghost Stories (anime) episodes}}
{{main|List of Ghost Stories (Japanese TV series) episodes}}


===ADV dub===
===ADV Films dub===
Fuji TV, who owned the series' Western distribution rights, approached ADV Films to produce an English dub.<ref name="Ranker"></ref> Fuji TV gave the ADV Films staff very few constraints when writing the new version, the only rules were "don't change the character names (including the ghosts); don't change the way the ghosts are slain (a reference to Japanese folklore) and, finally, don't change the core meaning of each episode".<ref name="cbr"/>
On the weekend of August 19, 2005, at the [[Otakon|2005 Otakon]] anime [[Fan convention|convention]], ADV Films announced an October 2005 release of ''Ghost Stories'' on [[DVD]] for North American distribution.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} ADV's dubbed version retains the basic plot structure and storyline, but alters much of the dialogue into [[comedy]] written by ADV [[screenwriter]] Steven Foster and [[ad-lib]]bed by the voice actors.<ref name="aikon2007">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfhrhM09zI|title=
Vic Mignogna and Greg Ayres Q&A at Ai-kon 2007|work= HikaruRyuu|date=2007|accessdate=2015-03-22}}</ref> The original Japanese audio and literal subtitle translation are also included on the DVD. The dub received favorable reviews and the original Japanese licensor, [[Aniplex]], approved the changes.{{citation needed|date=January 2008}} Volume one of ''Ghost Stories'' went on sale on October 22, 2005.


The English dub deviates significantly from the original script. While preserving the basic plot structure and storyline, the new script revolved around topical pop-culture references, [[political correctness|politically incorrect gags]], and [[Fourth wall|fourth wall breaking]] jokes about the original show's low animation quality, anime clichés, and poor lip-sync.<ref name="Ranker"></ref>
On August 28, 2013 [[Discotek Media]] announced that they licensed the series and would release it in 2014 with the ADV dub and the Japanese audio with English subtitles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-28/discotek-licenses-ghost-stories-tv-anime|title=Discotek Licenses Ghost Stories TV Anime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=August 28, 2013|accessdate=September 13, 2014}}</ref> The entire series was released on a 3-disc set on March 25, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discotekmedia.com/ghost_stories.htm|title=Ghost Stories: Complete Collection|publisher=Discotek Media|accessdate=September 13, 2014}}</ref>


The English script was written by Steven Foster and Lucan Duran and allowed for [[ad-lib]] by the English voice actors.<ref name="Ranker">{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Hannah|title=The Story Behind 'Ghost Stories:' The Funniest (And Most Offensive) Anime Dub Ever Made|url=https://www.ranker.com/list/story-behind-ghost-stories-terrible-english-dub/hannah-collins|access-date=23 February 2021|website=Ranker.com|publisher=Ranker|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030104/https://www.ranker.com/list/story-behind-ghost-stories-terrible-english-dub/hannah-collins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfhrhM09zI|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bZfhrhM09zI|archive-date=2021-12-21|url-status=live|title=Vic Mignogna and Greg Ayres Q&A at Ai-kon 2007|work= HikaruRyuu|date=2007|access-date=2015-03-22}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Foster, whoever showed up to the recording studio first for any given episode could improvise anything they wanted, those that came later had to build upon the tone and jokes established earlier.<ref name="cbr"/>
⚫
===Music===

⚫
*Opening Theme "Growup"
On the weekend of 19 August 2005, at the [[Otakon|2005 Otakon]] anime [[Fan convention|convention]], ADV Films announced a North American [[DVD]] release of ''Ghost Stories'' for the following October.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-09-13/adv-launches-ghost-stories-october-25|title=ADV LAUNCHES GHOST STORIES OCTOBER 25|website=[[Anime News Network]]|language=en|access-date=2019-07-19|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030109/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-09-13/adv-launches-ghost-stories-october-25|url-status=live}}</ref> The original Japanese audio and literal subtitle translation are also included. Volume 1 was released on 22 October 2005.
⚫
**Music and Lyrics: Takuya

⚫
**Arrangement: Sakuma Masahide, [[Hysteric Blue]]
On 28 August 2013, [[Discotek Media]] announced that they acquired the series' license and would release it in 2014 with the ADV dub and the Japanese audio with English subtitles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-28/discotek-licenses-ghost-stories-tv-anime|title=Discotek Licenses Ghost Stories TV Anime|date=28 August 2013|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030107/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-08-28/discotek-licenses-ghost-stories-tv-anime|url-status=live}}</ref> The complete series was released on a three-disc set on 25 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discotekmedia.com/ghost_stories.htm|title=Ghost Stories: Complete Collection|publisher=Discotek Media|access-date=13 September 2014|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030608/http://www.discotekmedia.com/ghost_stories.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ghost Stories'' and its dub were also released on the anime streaming platform RetroCrush in February 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pineda|first1=Rafael Antonio|title=RetroCrush Adds More City Hunter Anime, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, More|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-27/retrocrush-adds-more-city-hunter-anime-the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-more/.168833|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=29 August 2022|language=en|date=27 January 2021|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901030608/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-01-27/retrocrush-adds-more-city-hunter-anime-the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-more/.168833|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫
**Artist: [[Hysteric Blue]]

⚫
*Ending Theme "Sexy Sexy,"
==Reception==
⚫
**Lyrics: MASASHI, TAMA
Dhruv Sharma of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' praised the characters of ''Ghost Stories'' and their developments as "well-written", though he wrote that the animation style was "a bit dated".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sharma|first1=Dhruv|title=10 Best Not-So-Scary Horror Anime For Genre Beginners|url=https://screenrant.com/best-horror-anime-beginners-not-too-scary/|website=[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=29 August 2022|date=1 June 2021|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829011249/https://screenrant.com/best-horror-anime-beginners-not-too-scary/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[/Film]]''{{'}}s Hoai-Tran Bui called the dubbed version of ''Ghost Stories'' the "best and worst anime dub", describing it as "raunchy, wildly inappropriate, [and] self-aware".<ref name="slashfilmquar">{{cite web|last1=Bui|first1=Hoai-Tran|title=The Quarantine Stream: No Thoughts, Head Empty, Just Watching Clips Of 'Ghost Stories,' The Most Outrageous Anime Dub Ever|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/580468/the-quarantine-stream-ghost-stories-dub/|website=[[/Film]]|access-date=29 August 2022|date=13 April 2021|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829011250/https://www.slashfilm.com/580468/the-quarantine-stream-ghost-stories-dub/|url-status=live}}</ref>
⚫
**Composer: MASASHI

⚫
**Arrangement: [[Cascade (band)|CASCADE]], Cozy Kubo
⚫
==Music==
⚫
**Artist: [[Cascade (band)|CASCADE]]
⚫
* Opening theme "Grow Up"
⚫
** Music and lyrics: Takuya
⚫
** Arrangement: Sakuma Masahide, [[Hysteric Blue]]
⚫
** Artist: Hysteric Blue
⚫
* Ending theme "Sexy Sexy"
⚫
** Lyrics: MASASHI, TAMA
⚫
** Composer: MASASHI
⚫
** Arrangement: [[Cascade (band)|CASCADE]], Cozy Kubo
⚫
** Artist: CASCADE


==See also==
==See also==
* ''[[School Ghost Stories]]'', the film from which the series was adapted
* ''[[School Ghost Stories]]'', the film from which the series was adapted
* [[List of ghost films]]
* [[List of ghost films]]
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{{Portalbar|2000s|Anime and manga|Horror}}


==References==
==References==
Line 115: Line 102:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*[http://en.pierrot.jp/anime_2000s.html#anime_004 Studio Pierrot's ''Gakkou no Kaidan'' website]
* {{Official website|https://pierrot.jp/archive/2000/tv00_04.html|''Ghost Stories'' official website at Pierrot}} {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Official website|https://en.pierrot.jp/archive/2000/tv00_04.html|''Ghost Stories'' official website at Pierrot}} {{in lang|en}}
*{{ann|anime|1736|Ghost Stories}}
* {{Anime News Network|anime|1736|Ghost Stories|noparen=true}}
*{{IMDb title|0285368}}
* {{IMDb title|0285368}}
*[http://www.theblackmoon.com/Watching/ghost.htm Review] at The Black Moon


{{Gakkō no Kaidan}}
{{Gakkō no Kaidan}}
{{Noriyuki Abe}}
{{Noriyuki Abe}}
{{Pierrot (company)}}
{{Pierrot (company)}}
{{Ghosts}}


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{{Portal bar|Anime and manga|Speculative fiction/Horror}}
[[Category:2000 anime television series]]

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[[Category:Gakkō no Kaidan]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:Animax shows]]
[[Category:Aniplex]]
[[Category:Aniplex]]
[[Category:Comedy anime and manga]]
[[Category:Dark comedy anime and manga]]
[[Category:Discotek Media]]
[[Category:Fiction about urban legends]]
[[Category:Fuji Television shows]]
[[Category:Fuji TV original programming]]
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[[Category:Gakkō no Kaidan]]
[[Category:Horror anime and manga]]
[[Category:Horror anime and manga]]
[[Category:Pierrot (company)]]
[[Category:Pierrot (company)]]
[[Category:Supernatural anime and manga]]
[[Category:Supernatural anime and manga]]
[[Category:Fiction about urban legends]]
[[Category:Anime film and television articles using incorrect naming style]]

Latest revision as of 19:29, 9 September 2024

Ghost Stories
Cover art for the first DVD release
学校の怪談
(Gakkō no Kaidan)
Genre
Anime television series
Directed byNoriyuki Abe
Produced by
  • Yuriko Nakamura
  • Hideo Katsumata
  • Ken Hagino
Written byHiroshi Hashimoto
Music byKaoru Wada
StudioPierrot
Licensed by
Original networkFNS (Fuji TV)
English network
Original run 22 October 2000 – 25 March 2001
Episodes20 (List of episodes)

Ghost Stories (Japanese: 学校の怪談, Hepburn: Gakkō no Kaidan, lit. "School Ghost Stories"), also known as Ghosts at School, is a Japanese series of children's novels written by Tōru Tsunemitsu [ja]. It was published by Kodansha, starting in 1990. The series is a collection of popular school ghost stories in Japan, rewritten specifically for a young demographic.[5] A four-part film series based on the books was produced from 1995 to 1999. Additionally, it was adapted into a television series in 1994 and an anime produced by Pierrot and SPE Visual Works in 2000.[6] A video game was also produced.[7]

The books were received positively in Japan upon release.[6] The first film received a nomination for Best Screenplay at the 19th Japanese Academy Awards. Sources conflict as to whether the anime's original run was successful or not, though there is evidence of it having a relatively successful run.[7] Nevertheless, it received notoriety in the succeeding years with its official English dub, which mostly replaced the original script for the series with pop culture references and dark humor.[5]

Synopsis

[edit]

Ghost Stories follows Satsuki Miyanoshita, who moves with her family to the hometown of her deceased mother. On her first day of school, Satsuki, her brother Keiichirou (a first-grader), Hajime Aoyama (their neighbor), Momoko Koigakubo (an older schoolmate), and Leo Kakinoki (a classmate and friend of Hajime's with a penchant for the paranormal) visit the abandoned school building adjacent the current school complex and discover that the building is haunted.

It is soon after revealed that Satsuki's mother was responsible for sealing several ghosts who haunted not only the school but also the town, which are now inadvertently being released due to urbanization taking place in the surrounding area. Satsuki's mother left behind a book detailing how to exorcise the ghosts once and for all. In her first confrontation, Satsuki faces a demon called Amanojaku, but in the process, he is sealed within Satsuki's pet cat, Kaya. Although Amanojaku does not want to help Satsuki at first, the danger soon threatens to envelop the town and it is left up to Satsuki, her friends, and Amanojaku to stop the ghosts. With Amanojaku's help, the friends finally are able to exorcise the ghosts.

Characters

[edit]
Satsuki Miyanoshita (宮ノ下 さつき, Miyanoshita Satsuki)
Voiced by: Tomoko Kawakami (Japanese); Hilary Haag (English)
Satsuki moves to the hometown of her deceased mother with her father and her little brother Keiichiro, where she finds that her mother confronted several evil entities that haunted the town, which included Amanojaku, and wrote all her supernatural experiences in a diary, which is entitled "The Ghost Journal". Satsuki is very strong, brave and determined within, but sometimes a bit moody, mostly because of Hajime's reckless behavior.
Momoko Koigakubo (恋ヶ窪 桃子, Koigakubo Momoko)
Voiced by: Kumi Sakuma (Japanese); Monica Rial (English)
Momoko is a sixth-grader and Satsuki's best friend. She seems to fear nothing, even in dangerous situations, and is very brave when it comes to helping Satsuki and the gang confront the ghosts. She also has a psychic connection with Satsuki's mother. In the ADV English dub, she is a born again Evangelical Christian from a posh family, and almost every sentence she utters contains a thinly-veiled reference to Christianity. She mentions that she was a heavy drug user and a sex addict prior to becoming a Christian.
Hajime Aoyama (青山 ハジメ, Aoyama Hajime)
Voiced by: Takako Honda (Japanese); Chris Patton (English)
Hajime is Satsuki's neighbor. He is strong and courageous but has cowardly tendencies. Despite this, he is one of the most reliable of Satsuki's friends. In the ADV English dub, Hajime is a stereotypical anime protagonist with a slightly horny streak.
Leo Kakinoki (柿ノ木 レオ, Kakinoki Reo)
Voiced by: Makoto Tsumura (Japanese); Greg Ayres (English)
Leo is Hajime's friend and has a big obsession with paranormal themes, and proclaims himself as a respected paranormal researcher. However, whenever Leo finds a clue pertaining to the existence of supernatural entities, it seems that it turns against him. Like Hajime, he tries to be brave, but most of the time shows cowardice. In the ADV English dub, he is portrayed as a dorky teenager from a Jewish family.
Keiichiro Miyanoshita (宮ノ下 敬一郎, Miyanoshita Keiichirō)
Voiced by: Kurumi Mamiya (Japanese); Christine Auten (English)
Keiichiro is Satsuki's younger brother. He is easily frightened, fooled, manipulated, and often cries, but on rare occasions shows courage in defeating the ghosts. Because of his weaknesses, he often creates situations that the other characters have to solve. He creates a special friendship with the ghost Amanojaku. In the ADV English dub, his incompetence is elevated to that of being mentally challenged. He is often referred to as having dyslexia and is seen applying to the Special Olympics. He will often respond with a non sequitur and in times of stress, his speech will turn into a childish babble. He behaves oddly and randomly bursts into laughter, tears, or squeals.
Amanojaku (天の邪鬼)
Voiced by: Ryusei Nakao (Japanese); Rob Mungle (English)
Amanojaku is a powerful entity that, long ago, was sealed by Satsuki's mother in a tree in the mountains, but was finally released from his magic prison when that tree was cut down during urbanization. However, he did not have his freedom long, as Satsuki accidentally sealed him in the body of her pet cat, Kaya. At first, Amanojaku is hostile toward the kids and takes great pleasure in seeing them in trouble, but throughout the series, he develops an attachment to them (especially Satsuki and Keiichiro) and starts helping them in giving clues and sometimes gives direct help to the kids. He is the typical tsundere anime character. In the ADV English dub, he retains his antagonism towards the kids and will often break the fourth wall complaining about the poor animation, lazy writing or not being paid enough.
Mr. Sakata (坂田)
Voiced by: Yutaka Aoyama (Japanese); Tommy Drake (English)
Mr. Sakata is the teacher of the class where Satsuki, Hajime, and Leo attend. Despite not believing in ghosts, he suffers as a victim of many supernatural incidents. Mr. Sakata is often possessed, cursed, and kidnapped by ghosts. A running gag in the ADV English dub has him exclaiming his hatred for an unseen teacher named Ms. Hadley.
Reiichirou Miyanoshita (宮ノ下 礼一郎, Miyanoshita Reiichirō)
Voiced by: Takehiro Murozono, Daisuke Sakaguchi (young) (Japanese); Illich Guardiola (English)
Reiichirou is Satsuki's father. He has no clue about his daughter's supernatural duties and does not believe in ghosts. In the ADV English dub, he is a largely absent and inattentive father. It is implied that he is a cross-dresser.
Kayako Miyanoshita (宮ノ下 佳耶子, Miyanoshita Kayako)
Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi (Japanese); Marcy Bannor (English)
Kayako is Satsuki's and Keiichiro's deceased mother. Through her diary, it is revealed that she was an avid exorcist during her childhood. She possesses Momoko two times throughout the series to aid Satsuki against the Piano Ghost and Kutabe, and once helped Satsuki and the others to escape from a powerful haunting called Anamnaneki. Her maiden name was Kamiyama. It was revealed that she is haunting The Ghost Journal that she made for Satsuki (this was proven when The Ghost Journal content disappeared after Satsuki exorcised all ghosts that she dealt with during her childhood) and assisting her through the diary or possessing Momoko. In the ADV English dub, she is either bisexual or lesbian.

Media

[edit]
Main article: List of Ghost Stories (Japanese TV series) episodes

ADV Films dub

[edit]

Fuji TV, who owned the series' Western distribution rights, approached ADV Films to produce an English dub.[8] Fuji TV gave the ADV Films staff very few constraints when writing the new version, the only rules were "don't change the character names (including the ghosts); don't change the way the ghosts are slain (a reference to Japanese folklore) and, finally, don't change the core meaning of each episode".[5]

The English dub deviates significantly from the original script. While preserving the basic plot structure and storyline, the new script revolved around topical pop-culture references, politically incorrect gags, and fourth wall breaking jokes about the original show's low animation quality, anime clichés, and poor lip-sync.[8]

The English script was written by Steven Foster and Lucan Duran and allowed for ad-lib by the English voice actors.[8][9] According to Foster, whoever showed up to the recording studio first for any given episode could improvise anything they wanted, those that came later had to build upon the tone and jokes established earlier.[5]

On the weekend of 19 August 2005, at the 2005 Otakon anime convention, ADV Films announced a North American DVD release of Ghost Stories for the following October.[10] The original Japanese audio and literal subtitle translation are also included. Volume 1 was released on 22 October 2005.

On 28 August 2013, Discotek Media announced that they acquired the series' license and would release it in 2014 with the ADV dub and the Japanese audio with English subtitles.[11] The complete series was released on a three-disc set on 25 March 2014.[12] Ghost Stories and its dub were also released on the anime streaming platform RetroCrush in February 2021.[13]

Reception

[edit]

Dhruv Sharma of Screen Rant praised the characters of Ghost Stories and their developments as "well-written", though he wrote that the animation style was "a bit dated".[14] /Film's Hoai-Tran Bui called the dubbed version of Ghost Stories the "best and worst anime dub", describing it as "raunchy, wildly inappropriate, [and] self-aware".[15]

Music

[edit]
  • Opening theme "Grow Up"
    • Music and lyrics: Takuya
    • Arrangement: Sakuma Masahide, Hysteric Blue
    • Artist: Hysteric Blue
  • Ending theme "Sexy Sexy"
    • Lyrics: MASASHI, TAMA
    • Composer: MASASHI
    • Arrangement: CASCADE, Cozy Kubo
    • Artist: CASCADE

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Gakko no Kaidan". Pierrot. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Theron, Martin (19 June 2006). "Ghost Stories DVD 3-5 - Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2018. the Japanese subtitled version offers up a "horror lite" story about children dealing with ghosts, while the English dubbed version is a dirty-minded topical comedy with horror overtones.
  3. ^ Theron, Martin (12 January 2006). "Ghost Stories DVD 2 - Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2018. Without the alterations you're watching a run-of-the-mill family-oriented supernatural series which is unlikely to be fully appreciated by anyone who didn't grow up in Japan
  4. ^ "Mega Zone". Animax Asia. Archived from the original on 26 September 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d Gramuglia, Anthony (25 January 2020). "The Most Offensive Anime Dub Ever Has to be Heard to be Believed". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  6. ^ a b "School Ghost Stories". WebJapan. 1999. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  7. ^ a b Thomas, Deshawn (10 December 2021). "Why Everyone Thinks The Cult Classic Anime Ghost Stories Bombed In Japan — When It Didn't". Slashfilm. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Collins, Hannah. "The Story Behind 'Ghost Stories:' The Funniest (And Most Offensive) Anime Dub Ever Made". Ranker.com. Ranker. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Vic Mignogna and Greg Ayres Q&A at Ai-kon 2007". HikaruRyuu. 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  10. ^ "ADV LAUNCHES GHOST STORIES OCTOBER 25". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Discotek Licenses Ghost Stories TV Anime". Anime News Network. 28 August 2013. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Ghost Stories: Complete Collection". Discotek Media. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  13. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (27 January 2021). "RetroCrush Adds More City Hunter Anime, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, More". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  14. ^ Sharma, Dhruv (1 June 2021). "10 Best Not-So-Scary Horror Anime For Genre Beginners". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  15. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (13 April 2021). "The Quarantine Stream: No Thoughts, Head Empty, Just Watching Clips Of 'Ghost Stories,' The Most Outrageous Anime Dub Ever". /Film. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
[edit]
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