Gegege no Kitaro S6 episodes recommendationNote:
- I’ve only watched this series after I watched Gegege no Nazo movie, so my impression is also affected by the movie somehow
- I haven’t watched all 97 episodes, probably only around 1/3 of them, and I heavily relied on the episodes recommendation from this site: https://tariho10281.hatenablog.com/entry/2020/03/30/123746
- I hope this review could interest you into watching Kitaro season 6 because it’s so good

1. Ep 1: The Day Yokai Awoke
Aside from it’s the introduction of the Kitaro series in modern digital era (it already starts off with a case focusing on SNS rumor), you can also see a frame of flashback where Mizuki holds baby Kitaro when Medama Oyaji explains the reason Kitaro helps human...

2. Ep 7: Ghost Train
Probably one of the early darker episodes in this series. Tackles heavy social issues like power harassment at work and bullying, also shows the merciless side of Kitaro as an agent of hell. Moreover, the surprise at the ending is executed nicely and gives a perfect impact for this kind of episode.

3. Ep 68: Capital Punishment exiled to the Underworld
The episode that gives another perspective of how Ghost Train can be used. The first half might be like the stereotype “Hell’s torture” uncomfortable scenes, BUT the plot development and the plot twist at the end immediately turned this into one of the memorable heartwarming episodes.

4. Ep 14: Makura-Gaeshi and The Fantastic Dream
While the most popular reputation for this episode is the appearance of human version Medama Oyaji, personally the part that hit me in the feels the most is how “Kitaro doesn’t have child-like dreams”... Especially when followed by flashback of Medama Oyaji keeping Kitaro survived after being pulled from grave, saying “I never give you chance to experience a proper childhood...”
I think that’s what makes the following scenes of human form Medama Oyaji appearance give more impact: Unlike other adults in the dreamland who want to go back to childhood, his dream is to be a proper father figure to protect and give dreams to Kitaro.

5. Ep 34: Emperor Backbeard
Personally, the action scenes of Kitaro here are one of the coolest in this series Especially because he has to fight against his friends who got brainwashed by Backbeard Also Nezumi Otoko did an unexpected actions which I have to admit is surprisingly cool too.

6. Ep 38: New Year's Man-Eating Fable Kasha
The good ol’ body switching trope episode, but also, it’s interesting to see Kitaro acting like a bad guy, lmao.

7. Ep 78: The Moryo of Mukuro Village
This episode feels like reading a good Showa-era/early Heisei-era horror story, which combines both monster horror and human psychology horror. If you like Kyogoku Natsuhiko’s “Moryo no Hako”, chances are you’ll like this episode too.

8. Ep 40: The Final Ballad Sara-Kozo
Moral-of-the-story-wise, it deals with same theme like ep 78 on how ugly can a human desire be, but less of a horror and more about human drama. However, precisely because it’s more realistic and closer to our daily lives, that probably the ending would be painfully relatable to some of us.

9. Ep 45: The Truth Lies in The Thicket of The Mannen-Dake
Another mystery-themed episode which resolution and plot twist feel like classic detective series, where “humans are the real monster” is the punchline.

10. Ep 47-49: Nanashi case conclusion arc
The arc which gives a good background story and role for Mana, the token human friend of Kitaro in season 6. It gives a proper lore on how Mana could easily attract and get involved in youkai cases and affair, which goes back to her ancestor, and establish her nicely as the key person in this arc.

11. Ep 54: Dorotabo, Life and Earth
A very good episode that shows Kitaro’s conflict about having to attack fellow youkai to protect humans. That the “justice” he’s been protecting isn’t as easily divided as ‘good’ and ‘evil’ when both sides are on gray area and have precious things they would protect with their life. The scene where Kitaro shouted angrily at the humans is still lingering in my mind...

12. Ep 58: The Han-Gyojin's Strange Kamaboko Tale
Watch it for the absurdity of Kitaro getting turned into a giant squid, and then into 100 pieces of kamaboko, and after he regained back his body, he wears a maid uniform as a part of his revenge.

13. Ep 93: The Phantom Train
An episode with solid storytelling that feels like watching a whole movie, personally this is a must watch The scriptwriter being the same as Gegege no Nazo movie is even more convincing.
The desperate time looping trope with a great climax, the bittersweet conclusion of the emotional conflict... Honestly this episode really shows all the goodness of Neko Musume’s character, and how strong she is both physically and mentally. I can’t help but grew to like and rooting for her after watching this episode. Not to mention the subtle change in Kitaro’s expressions everytime the new lap of the time loops happen... the changes in Neko Musume’s phone wallpaper too.. aaaaaaaaa *clenches chest*

14. Ep 76: Nurarihyon's Ambition
A nice introduction episode for the last boss villain of this season. Modern day Nurarihyon who held the power of underground world in human society and exploit it to reach for his ambition. You can really feel how his way of doing things are clearly the opposite of Kitaro, which makes him the appropriate antagonist for the last story arc.

15. Ep 95-97: The Second Great Youkai War conclusion arc
Nurarihyon forming an alliance with Backbeard to get rid of Kitaro and taking over the country sounds to be expected as the closing arc of this season, but personally it’s not just that. The way this arc shows Kitaro’s answer for the everything he fight for until this day, and how his actions affect and move everyone around him, are told nicely and giving it a good closure for this season.
This is just my speculation, but I think Gegege no Nazo was written in mind to be related to this last arc. We didn’t get to see how his fathers raise him, but I can feel this is how Kitaro would grow up to be under Gegero and Mizuki’s parenting: A strong and determined boy with compassion to both youkai and human, yet he won’t bend his principle and always bravely stand against injustice. The last episode showing that one scene of Mizuki holding baby Kitaro again as a part of Kitaro’s precious past prove it even more.