The Morose Mononokean

Freshman Ashiya spends his first week in the school infirmary as a youkai clings to him, making life miserable. At the edge of campus, he meets the owner of a tiny tea shop named Mononokean and pleads for relief. The owner, a gloomy, prickly host, agrees to help banish wandering youkai to whatever afterlife awaits. The arrangement blends their constraints of school life with supernatural chores, balancing humor with the odd, eerie clients who cross their doors. The tone alternates between light hearted banter and encounters, painting a world where between the human and spirit realms a small tea room becomes a gateway. Newcomers to the routine may discover that each case hints at Abeno's past and Hanae's loyalty.

Created by Kiri Wazawa and Takawo Yoshioka, The Morose Mononokean is brought to life by a voice cast led by Tomoaki Maeno as Abeno Haruitsuki and Yuki Kaji as Ashiya Hanae. It aired in 2016 and draws on original material.

Despite its warm fan response, The Morose Mononokean has not earned major nominations or wins from the big award bodies. It skews toward a niche audience, but viewers praise the show's offbeat premise, comic timing, and the dynamic between the morose proprietor and his human helper on screen today globally.

Among fans the show is known for its quirky premise and the way a quiet tea room becomes a hub for youkai business. Memorable exchanges and the contrast between Abeno's grim mood and Ashiya's earnestness have helped it stand out in its niche anime community. Online forums keep chatter alive.

Critically the series lands in a comfortable middle ground with audiences giving it a 7.4 out of 10 on average, reflecting its approachable humor and gentle mystery. Themes center on friendship between humans and spirits, responsibility, and making a mundane life feel magical through unlikely work.