The term Onmyoji sounds familiar, right? If so, Netflix is dropping the first-ever anime adaptation of Baku Yumemakura’s renowned Onmyoji novel for fans of fantasy, supernatural, and historical genres to binge-watch. The novel has inspired two manga adaptations, but where can you read the Onmyoji manga online?
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What Does Onmyoji Mean?
You probably heard about the term “Onmyoji” from various games and Asian TV dramas out there.
It refers to gifted individuals intimately familiar with souls, fate, yokai, spirits, the movement of stars, and even the phases of the celestial sphere and human life.
They are sometimes referred to as fortune tellers, illusionists, or even shamans. They are also famous for mastering the Yin and Yang.
Not only can they tell the future, but they can also command illusions and teach people lessons with spells. They can also curse someone to die, so beware!
One of the most famous Onmyoji during the Heian Period is Abe no Seimei. He is an onmyoji who was trained in the arts of onmyodo from a very early age.
At a time when people believed in the existence of the supernatural and co-existed with the Oni and the Mononoke, Abe no Seimei sure had a lot on his plate.
Baku Yumemakura’s Onmyoji Novel and Its Manga Adaptations
Baku Yumemakura’s Onmyoji is a series of historical fantasy short stories and novels. It reimagines the Heian Period's Onmyoji Abe no Seimei in a fictional world where the people believed in the existence of the supernatural.
The author describes the Heian Period as an era of truly dark days, contrary to the real world, where it is considered the peak of Japanese culture, particularly for art and literature.
The word Heian also means peace or tranquility, which makes it ironic.
The Onmyoji novel has inspired two manga adaptations, in addition to three live-action films.
The first adaptation was written by Reiko Okano from 1993–2005, having released 13 volumes.
It was first serialized in Schola’s Comic Burger magazine, then transferred to Hakusensha’s Melody magazine.
The first manga adaptation gained more prominence after it received the Grand Prize at the 2001 Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prizes. It also received the Seiun Award in the category of best science fiction comic back in 2006.
The series was even included in Paul Gravett’s 2011 book, 1001 Comics You Must Read Before You Die.
Reiko Okano released a sequel entitled Onmyoji: Tamatebako. It ran from December 2010 to April 2017, having released seven volumes. It was serialized in Hakusensha’s Melody magazine as well.
Later, the Japanese manga artist Munku Mitsuki released another manga adaptation entitled Onmyoji: Taki Yasha Hime.
It ran from September 13, 2012, to January 13, 2016, and it was serialized under Tokuma Shoten’s magazine, Monthly Comic Ryu.
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Where to Read the Onmyoji Manga Online
Currently, there’s no place online where you can read the Onmyoji manga legally. The closest thing you can find online is its paperback editions, which you can purchase from manga retailers.
You can visit the official website of Hakusensha and Monthly Comic Ryu for more information about the Onmyoji manga, but bear in mind that both of these websites are not in the English language.
The Onmyoji novel started out as individual short stories, the first of which debuted in the September 1986 issues of Bungeishunju’s magazine, All Yomimono.
The stories were then republished in collections, which include novels and picture books.
Netflix will drop the Onmyoji anime on November 28, 2023. It is directed by Soubi Yamamoto, and studio Marvy Jack is in charge of its production.
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