The editorial department of Anime! Anime!, with an unending passion for anime and manga, presents our column **＜Recommended Manga Notebook＞**, where we introduce manga we highly recommend, especially those not yet adapted into anime. This time, we’re spotlighting **Phantom Busters (FanBus)**, serialized in Jump SQ by Neoshoko-sensei.
The Stage is Kamakura! With Authentic Horror Elements
High school first-year Korekishi Yuujin (Korekishi) is an honor student with zero spiritual sensitivity who doesn’t believe in ghosts. However, his high school life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Shishikuno Mogari (Mogari), an eccentric fellow student from Kamakura Ryuo High School who exorcises ghosts by *devouring* them. While it’s a refreshing youth comedy about high school boys banishing evil spirits, the undeniable atmosphere of “Japanese horror” is a major draw. The historic streets and temples of Kamakura serve as eerie battlegrounds for their encounters with sinister spirits, creating a palpable sense of tension and realism.
Personally, I adore the scenes where Mogari, who grew up in the mountains, gets excited by Kamakura’s beaches and the delicious food stalls along Komachi-dori. The ghosts they encounter are also deeply rooted in history, from fallen samurai to princesses, making each chapter a thrilling discovery. You’ll constantly wonder what kind of specter will appear next!
A Snappy Read: Youth x Exorcism Battle
FanBus‘s greatest charm is its incredibly comfortable story pace! Each chapter delivers a solid highlight, keeping readers engaged. The straightforward battle style of “eating” ghosts provides a thrilling sense of speed. Despite incorporating horror elements, the manga skillfully maintains the exhilarating feeling of a vibrant youth story. The unique dynamic of Korekishi being the only one without spiritual sensitivity, unable to see the spirits Mogari and his companions are fighting, adds a wonderfully surreal and humorous layer that sets it apart from other series.
The action scenes are perfectly paced, resolving incidents without dragging on, which is another compelling aspect of FanBus. As someone who sometimes finds long battle sequences a bit tedious, I truly appreciate how the excellent pacing combined with Neoshoko-sensei’s expressive artwork and clear compositions makes this manga a truly breezy read.
Unique Characters Bringing Ghost Extermination to Life
Undoubtedly, the biggest appeal of this work lies in its incredibly diverse cast of characters. The four form the “Phantom Busters” and dedicate themselves to exorcism activities.
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Korekishi Yuujin (Korekishi): A realist who doesn’t believe in ghosts. Praised as a prodigy since childhood, he serves as the common-sense anchor of the group. He deeply respects his grandmother, who treated him as a normal child, but her unfulfilled promise to “come back as a ghost if she died” made him adamantly disbelieve in spirits.
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Shishikuno Mogari (Mogari): A wild and unconventional character who exorcises ghosts by “devouring” them – a truly unprecedented style. Hailing from a long line of spiritual mediums, he chose to come to Kamakura to seek out youth and build his power by exorcising spirits across the city, rather than train in his family’s mountains in Akita Prefecture.
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Kanzaki Kaoru (Zaki): Possessing the ability to see spirits since childhood, he has endured numerous misfortunes due to lingering ghosts attaching themselves once they realize he can perceive them. Despite his flashy appearance, he’s actually an otaku at heart, making his gap moe between outward flair and inner passion utterly charming.
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Tamon Koutarou (Tamon): Blessed with the unique ability to only perceive the voices of spirits. Often viewed strangely by others, he struggles to even make eye contact with living people without feeling unwell. He strives to avoid conflict with those he can communicate with, preferring peaceful exorcism methods, highlighting his gentle and kind nature.
It’s incredibly enjoyable to see how these seemingly disparate four individuals form a perfectly balanced team. Their chaotic, energetic “wacha-wacha” high school boy vibe is simply the best!
Each character also carries their own burdens and pasts, which add significant depth to the story. Mogari’s past, particularly as depicted in the latest fifth volume, was truly heartbreaking. The heavy backstories, occasionally interwoven into the bright youth comedy, create an addictive contrast. It will be fascinating to see how Mogari’s family home, Shishikuno Reizan, will play into the story’s future. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Beyond the core four FanBus members, the student council president, their club advisor, and the troubled ghosts featured in each episode are all wonderfully unique characters. It’s safe to say you’ll definitely find your favorite among this captivating cast!
And for an extra treat, a voice comic has also been released! The voice actors’ performances align perfectly with the characters, making us eagerly anticipate an anime adaptation with this very cast!
This work has garnered significant attention, ranking second in the “Nationwide Bookstore Staff’s Recommended Comics 2025” and fourth in the “Manga We Want to See Animated Ranking 2025.” It’s definitely not too late to start reading now in anticipation of an anime adaptation. We hope you’ll feel, “Wow, I never knew such an interesting manga existed!” when you dive in.
＜Recommended Manga Notebook＞
The Anime! Anime! editorial department, full of love for anime and manga, introduces our top manga recommendations! We bring you the highlights of highly anticipated original works that have been adapted into anime, as well as exciting and trending titles that haven’t yet received an anime adaptation but are so good you’ll be desperate to read more.
《Kai》
