Kemono Jihen

When a series of animal carcasses that decay completely overnight appears in a secluded mountain village, Tokyo occult detective Kohachi Inugami is dispatched to investigate. His inquiries lead him to Kabane, a quiet boy who works the fields rather than attending school and who carries the taunting nickname Dorotabo. Kabane is reserved but oddly attuned to the strange phenomena, and he forms an uneasy partnership with Inugami to trace the origin of the killings. As they dig deeper the case intertwines with yokai lore, shifting loyalties and moral ambiguity, and hints that Kabane may not be entirely human while the larger supernatural picture keeps tightening around them.

Released in 2021, the TV anime was created by Noboru Kimura and Shō Aimoto and presented a dark, folkloric take on supernatural mystery. The series features voice performances by Natsumi Fujiwara, Junichi Suwabe, Ayumu Murase and Natsuki Hanae, whose work gives emotional weight to the central characters and the show's bleak atmosphere.

The series did not rack up major industry awards, but it secured a steady fanbase and solid user ratings, reflecting consistent viewer interest. On user polls the show averages about 7.578 out of 10, an indicator that many fans appreciated the cast, creature design and tonal mix even if it wasn't a sweep at award season.

Kemono Jihen leans heavily on yokai imagery and rural folklore, and the Dorotabo nickname quickly became a talking point among viewers. Its creature designs, blend of modern detective elements with traditional myth, and morally grey characters inspired fan art, theory threads and cosplay activity across online communities.

Critical and audience response tended toward the positive, with particular praise for voice acting, creature visuals and the balance of mystery and action. The series centers on themes of identity, belonging and prejudice, asking what it means to be human in a world where kemono and people share uneasy boundaries.