Ghost Sweeper Mikami
Ghost Sweeper Mikami is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Takashi Shiina. It was published in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday from May 1991 to September 1999, with its chapters collected in 39 volumes. It follows the exploits of a group of exorcists who try to combat supernatural forces in an effort to get paid. The series explores some folk religion themes such as possession, exorcism, shamanism,, and.
A 45-episode anime television series adaptation by Toei Animation was broadcast on the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation from April 1993 to March 1994. An anime film premiered in August 1994. The anime series was licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks.
In 1993, Ghost Sweeper Mikami won the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award in the category.
Plot
In modern Japan, rampant urban development has displaced countless spirits from their ancestral homes, creating widespread supernatural disturbances. This crisis gave rise to Ghost Sweepers —private exorcism agencies that operate in a highly competitive market, offering their services to the highest bidders. Among these firms, Mikami GS stands out, led by the formidable 31-year-old Reiko Mikami alongside her two assistants: Tadao Yokoshima, a 17-year-old apprentice, and Okinu, a ghostly companion.The stories balance episodic exorcism cases with longer narrative arcs, seamlessly blending traditional Japanese folklore with contemporary urban life. While the overarching plot follows Reiko's ongoing conflict with the powerful demon Ashtaroth, the focus remains firmly on character development, particularly the growth and interactions of the core team members as they navigate both supernatural threats and the challenges of running a business in this unique profession.
Characters
Mikami GS Agency
; Reiko Mikami; Tadao Yokoshima
; Kinu Himuro / Okinu
;Kenki-kun
; Shibusaba Artificial Ghost no. 1
Karasu's Church
; Kazuhiro Karasu / Father Karasu; Pietro de Bloodeau / Pete
Doctor Chaos' Lab
; Doctor Chaos; Maria
; Teresa
Ogasawara GS Agency
; Emi Ogasawara; Tiger Torakichi
Rokudō family
; Meiko Rokudō; The 48th generation of Rokudō
Occult G Men
; Teruhiko Saijō; Michie Mikami
Other Yokoshima's family members
; Daishū Yokoshima; Yuriko Yokoshima
Other Mikami's family members
; Hinome Mikami; Kimihiko Mikami
Other spiritualists
; Yukinojou Date; Mari Ichimonji
; Kaori Yumi
; Megumi Marin
; Tamamo
; Shiro Inuzuka
Gods
; Shōryūki; Seitentaisei
; Hyakume
; Medusa
Demons
; Ashtaroth; Mephisto Pheles
; Dogura Magura
; Luciola
; Vespa
; Papilio
Others
; Yakuchin; Aiko
; Kobato Hanato
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Takashi Shiina, Ghost Sweeper Mikami debuted as a one-shot in Shogakukan's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Sunday on May 8, 1991. The manga was then serialized in the same magazine from July 17, 1991, to September 22, 1999. Shogakukan collected its chapters in 39 volumes, released from March 18, 1992, to November 18, 1999. Shogakukan re-released the series in a 20-volume edition, published from December 16, 2002, to July 15, 2004; a 20-volume edition from June 16, 2006, to March 16, 2007; and a 23-volume edition from August 18, 2016, to June 15, 2018.Volumes
Anime
A 45-episode anime television series adaptation, produced by Toei Animation, was broadcast on the Asahi Broadcasting Corporation from April 11, 1993, to March 6, 1994.In North America, the series was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in 2010. The series was released on four DVD sets, in Japanese with English Subtitles, from November 23, 2010, to May 3, 2011.
Episodes
Film
A 60-minute anime film, produced by Toei Animation, premiered on August 20, 1994. In the film, Mikami is tasked by samurai ghost Akechi Mitsuhide to stop vampire Nosferatu, who possesses Oda Nobunaga's corpse. Given a Spirit Stone-tipped spear, Mikami battles Nosferatu and his spider-demon servant Mori Ranmaru. After Nosferatu captures her allies, Mikami defeats him with the spear, and Akechi seals him away.The film was released in North America by Manga Entertainment on June 25, 2002.
Video games
A video game for the Super Famicom, Ghost Sweeper Mikami: Joreishi wa Nice Body, published by Banalex, was released on September 23, 1993. Another video game for the PC Engine Super CD-ROM², simply titled Ghost Sweeper Mikami , published by Banpresto, was released on July 29, 1994.Reception
In 1993, Ghost Sweeper Mikami, along with Yaiba, received the 38th Shogakukan Manga Award for the category.Reviewing the anime series, Giancarla Ross of THEM Anime Reviews dismissed it as a shallow, inferior counterpart to Phantom Quest Corp, criticizing its characters, weak animation, and plots. While acknowledging some humor, Ross concluded the series was mediocre and overshadowed by better occult comedies.