Daisuke Namikawa
Abe Seimei (voice)
Overview
In the gilded enclave of the imperial court, Minamoto Hiromasa befriends the mystic Abe Seimei, solving tricky cases rising from the demonic realm.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 13 episodes
- First aired
- Nov 28, 2023
Cast
6 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Ghosts We Carry
I’ve always been drawn to stories where the past isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing thing, coiled around the present like ivy on a crumbling wall. Onmyoji, Netflix’s 2023 anime adaptation of Baku Yumemakura’s novel series, understands this instinctively. Set in a fictionalized Heian-era Japan, it follows the unlikely friendship between Abe Seimei, a legendary onmyōji (a practitioner of divination and occult arts), and Minamoto Hiromasa, a court official whose cheerful demeanor belies a sharp mind.
Together, they navigate a world where demons aren’t just monsters to be slain but manifestations of human regret, jealousy, and longing. The series doesn’t just ask what haunts us; it asks why we let those ghosts linger.
The first thing that strikes you about Onmyoji is its commitment to atmosphere. The Heian period, with its rigid courtly hierarchies and obsession with aesthetics, is rendered in lush, painterly detail. The imperial palace feels like a gilded cage, its corridors echoing with the whispers of intrigue and the rustle of silk robes.
The animation, produced by Marvy Jack, leans into this historical richness, though not without hiccups. Some sequences feel stiff, almost like a moving scroll painting where the figures occasionally freeze mid-gesture. It’s a minor quibble, but one that pulls you out of the moment just enough to notice the seams.
Still, when the series commits to its visual language—like a demon’s face dissolving into a swirl of ink or a lantern-lit procession winding through a misty forest—it’s breathtaking in the truest sense. You don’t just see the world; you feel its weight.
The heart of Onmyoji lies in its central duo, and here, the series finds its footing. Abe Seimei, voiced by Daisuke Namikawa, is a fascinating study in contradictions. A legendary figure in Japanese folklore, Seimei is often depicted as a near-mythic sorcerer, but this version grounds him in something more human.
He’s cold, analytical, and initially dismissive of Hiromasa’s warmth, yet there’s a vulnerability beneath his aloof exterior. Namikawa’s performance is a masterclass in restraint—his voice is smooth, almost hypnotic, but there’s a tension in his delivery, as if he’s constantly holding something back. Hiromasa, on the other hand, is all open-hearted enthusiasm, a foil to Seimei’s detachment.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsNetflix’s Onmyoji (2023): Behind the Scenes of the Supernatural Anime
Netflix’s Onmyoji (2023) dropped last November with a mix of historical intrigue and demonic mystery, but the behind-the-scenes story is just as compelling. Based on Baku Yumemakura’s novel series, the anime follows Minamoto Hiromasa, a nobleman who teams up with the enigmatic mystic Abe Seimei to tackle supernatural cases plaguing the imperial court. latestnetflix.com's view is that while the show’s premise is rich with folklore, its production details remain surprisingly scarce—though what we do know hints at a carefully crafted adaptation.
A Netflix-Backed Anime with Star Power
The series marks Netflix’s latest foray into anime, a genre the streaming giant has aggressively expanded into over the past few years. Produced by Marvy Jack and directed by Soubi Yamamoto (The Night Beyond the Tricornered Window), Onmyoji leans into the platform’s global reach, targeting fans of historical fantasy and supernatural thrillers 
. The cast is stacked with veteran voice actors, including Daisuke Namikawa (Attack on Titan), Shintaro Asanuma (My Hero Academia), and Yui Ishikawa (Demon Slayer), whose performances likely added depth to the show’s central duo 
.
But while Netflix has been vocal about its anime investments—often greenlighting multiple seasons upfront—Onmyoji’s future remains unconfirmed. No renewal announcements or second-season teasers have surfaced, leaving fans in the dark about whether Hiromasa and Seimei’s adventures will continue .
Adapting a Beloved Novel Series
Baku Yumemakura’s Onmyoji novels have been a staple of Japanese supernatural fiction since the 1980s, blending Heian-era politics with yōkai lore. The anime’s decision to adapt this sprawling saga was a bold move, given the source material’s complexity. Early reactions suggest the show captured the novels’ eerie atmosphere, though some purists may have quibbled with pacing or character interpretations .
One unanswered question: How much creative input did Yumemakura have? The author’s involvement in anime adaptations varies—sometimes he’s hands-on, other times he takes a backseat. The evidence doesn’t clarify his role here, so for now, it’s a mystery as opaque as Seimei’s own spells .
The Challenges of Historical Fantasy
Anime set in Japan’s Heian period (794–1185) face a unique challenge: balancing historical accuracy with supernatural spectacle. Onmyoji’s production team likely grappled with this, especially given the era’s rigid courtly customs and the loose, often contradictory nature of yōkai mythology. The show’s visuals—from the imperial court’s opulence to the grotesque designs of its demons—suggest a team that took world-building seriously .
But was it enough? The evidence doesn’t include critical reception or audience scores, so we can’t say for sure how well the anime landed. What is clear is that Netflix and Marvy Jack aimed for a polished, high-stakes fantasy—one that could stand alongside hits like Demon Slayer or Mushishi .
**What’s Next for Onmyoji?**
For now, the biggest unanswered question is whether Onmyoji will get a second season. Netflix has a habit of canceling anime after one season if viewership doesn’t meet internal metrics, but the platform has also surprised fans with late renewals (see: Baki or Kakegurui). Without official word, speculation is all we have .
One thing’s certain: If Onmyoji returns, it’ll need to deepen its lore and give its leads more room to shine. The first season laid the groundwork, but the novels offer plenty more material to explore—assuming Netflix is willing to take the risk.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
Series
Similar Series
Related series ranked by rating and popularity.
