Ayakashi: Japanese Classic Horror

The only two anthology anime that I am aware of where Japanese classics (novels in Aoi Bungaku; plays in Ayakashi) were adapted into mini-series/arcs; each with their own director/staff and art style changes. Outside of that, the biggest link they share is that only DARK stories were adapted: in the case of Ayakashi because it's a horror-themed series, and in the case of Aoi Bungaku because the title translates into 'Blue Literature' (fun fact: a lot of the authors of the novels adapted killed themselves). Every episode of Aoi Bungaku had a live-action intro, where an actor would delve into the back-stories of each author, while the Yotsuya Kaidan arc of Ayakashi had something similar in the form of a quirk where its dead author's spirit provided fourth wall breaking insights into how the ghost story became a sort of urban legend over time. The only fully original / non-adapted content in both series are Ayakashi's Goblin Cat arc and, in Aoi Bungaku, Kokoro's second episode, as well as most of the Hashire Melos episodes. Aoi Bungaku had a more impressive budget (a Madhouse production; the art often being reminiscent of Death Note), as well as its opening four episode No Longer Human arc ranking highly among anime's best with its relatable glance into suicidal despair. After that, though, only largely unsatisfying one-two episode adaptations followed. Ayakashi's claim to fame, on the other hand, lies with its arsty-stylish Goblin Cat arc, which would later be turned into a full series of its own titled Mononoke. The Yotsuya Kaidan arc did, however, have Final Fantasy character designer Amano design its characters.  read more 

As obvious as this recommendation may be, the fact that only the last three episodes of Ayakashi relate to it and the first eight are entirely unrelated make it worth making, if only for the sake of clarity. Ayakashi is a collection of three totally different samurai period horror stories. Only the third and final arc links into Mononoke, which is an episodic 'supernatural case of the week' series where a traveling medicine man exorcises vengeful spirits after playing out 'whodunnit?' murder scenarios. Ayakashi's Goblin Cat arc is best described as being equivalent to a US TV pilot--it obviously proved popular enough for a full series to be made after its test-run in Ayakashi. The full series is, of course, Mononoke. The artsy screen-filter effect, murder mystery structure, main character, exorcism items: EVERYTHING remained identical. A supporting character even made a cameo appearance. Since Mononoke was just an extension of what was in Ayakashi with added episodicness, in my holy opinion Ayakashi's Goblin Cat arc bettered all of Mononoke's, which quickly grew stale.  read more 

Both features ancient Japanese ghost stories Ayakashi is more like literature while Hundred Stories are collection of ghost stories rumored in the Edo period. 

Tenshu Monogatari shows the forbidden love between a mortal and a celestial, much like Kaguya, but Kaguya is worlds better. 

Both are anime consisting of several short horror stories, if you enjoy the episodic storytelling nature of one, you are likely to enjoy the other. 

Ghosts and parallel stories. Both terror 

Set in past japan, mushishi also employs a lot of elements of japanese folklore. Both have a somewhat mysterious and immersive atmosphere. 

Although the two are very different in terms of the tone, they are both about ghost stories. They are both semi or at least semi-episodic. Ayakashi is aimed at an older audience than Ghost Stories. They also have an element of mystery solving with the different stories. 

Both animes are about Ayakashi or Yōkai in the world of humans. They both highlight the incompatibly of humans and Yōkai with each other. Natsume is somewhat episodic while Ayakashi is collection of three classic Japanese horror stories. If you like the Book of Friends and horror anime you will love Ayakashi. 

Both shows deal with classical Japanese culture, mythology, superstition, spirits, and mysticism. The characters Kusuriuri and Yuuko Ichihara both have similarities in personality and knowledge as well! The more I watched the more I started to equate the two of them  

Stories are told in that same calm manner, like typical Japanese ghost storytellers do. There is little drama in the narration which is good, since it lets the anticipation build up slowly and the mind gets to run around freely on its own. That's how I like my ghost stories. However, in Ayakashi, the stunning visuals speak for themselves. In Kaidan Restaurant, your imagination is merely aided along by the friendly subtle scenes which comes across as creepy rather than full-blown scary. 

Both adapt classic japanese stories: Uta Koi is an interpretation of love poems and Ayakashi adapts three horror stories. 

Ayakashi and Shigurui are both cruel anime; however, Ayakashi is about legends and Shigurui is about humans not about ghosts. Both anime include the samurai way of life and their women who suffer a lot. 

they have the same style of animation...i can't help but noticed from the first scene.. the mysterious male lead (ayakashi's neko/cat story) with mind-boggling events/things happening... only difference is that gankutsuou is a full-blown story..whereas ayakashi is a collection of stories..i think i can say gankutsuou is also a little of the horror genre 

Demons, helping people get rid of them. 

Both are great horror shows that focus on classic Japanase horror stories. 

Odd and unhappy destinies