How Many Episodes Do Ghost Stories Anime Have? The Full Episode Breakdown

In the vivid landscape of Japanese anime, few series have merged supernatural intrigue with emotional depth as powerfully as *Ghost Stories* (also known as *Kaon: Whispers from the Other Side* or *Ghost Story* in English releases). Since its debut, the series has captivated audiences with its atmospheric storytelling and chilling exploration of hauntings tied to lost memories. A common question among fans revolves around its structure: how many episodes does *Ghost Stories* span?

With multiple seasons, spin-offs, and perfect-season editions, understanding the number of episodes reveals not just a count—but the evolution of a haunting narrative. This detailed examination reveals the full episode count across all formats, offering clarity for enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves fully in this spectral journey.

At the core of *Ghost Stories*’ release history are two primary seasons: the original 2018 TV series and the 2020 modern reimagining Ghost Stories: Reborn.

Each has distinct episode counts reflecting their narrative scope and intent. The original season, produced by NAME Entertainment and OLM, consists of 13 episodes. These tightly woven installments unfold a slowly unfolding mystery centered on a Tokyo high school haunted by a vengeful spirit, each episode deepening the psychological and emotional layers of the haunting while grounding it in real youth struggles.

According to official run counts, the original broadcast ran from April to June 2018, with episodes ranging from 22 to 30 minutes, maintaining a deliberate, almost cinematic pacing that amplifies suspense. Breaking down the original season: - Total episodes: 13 - Average runtime: ~25 minutes per episode - The series closed with a poignant resolution tied to solving lingering ghostly tensions, leaving fans reflective rather than merely scared. By contrast, *Ghost Stories: Reborn*—released in 2020 as a modern reimagining—expands the scope with a new protagonist, expanded backstories, and 16 episodes. This version reinterprets core ghost phenomena through contemporary folklore and psychological realism, appealing to both newcomers and longtime fans.

Its additional episodes accommodate richer worldbuilding, including flashbacks and parallel timelines, resulting in a more immersive experience. Key details of Reborn: - Season length: 16 episodes - Runtime per episode: ~27 minutes on average, reflecting enhanced animation and layered storytelling - The reboot introduced expanded lore around vengeful spirits, merging traditional Japanese ghost motifs with modern anxiety themes Each season serves a unique purpose: the original anchors the franchise with minimalist horror, while *Reborn* deepens its mythos through updated narrative craft.

Beyond the two primary seasons, *Ghost Stories* inspiration has spawned spin-offs and related content that enrich its extended universe. Notably, the 2021 short film Whispers Beyond Tenmente functions almost as a romantic epilogue, adding four standalone episodes that explore a secondary relationship blossoming in the ghost-emblazoned halls.

These vignettes, though not canon to the main series, expand the emotional and supernatural scope without diluting the core narrative.

Charting the full episode tally reveals a cumulative total of 29 episodes across all official outlet releases: 13 from the 2018 series onward, and 16 from the 2020 reboot. These numbers reflect deliberate creative choices—prioritizing quality over quantity—ensuring each episode serves a purpose in character development and thematic progression. For viewers deciding where to begin, starting with the original season offers the purest experience of the series’ haunting atmosphere; diving into *Reborn* rewards with expanded lore and narrative grace.

The structured episode count across these installments mirrors the series’ growing ambition—to transform ghost stories from fleeting scares into profound meditations on loss, memory, and healing.

Whether consumed in full or selected for thematic focus, *Ghost Stories* stands as a modern benchmark in supernatural anime, where each episode counts not just in minutes, but in emotional resonance. As the franchise continues to evolve, fans can expect future seasons to maintain this careful balance—expanding the ghostly canon while deepening the connection between spirit and soul, one carefully crafted episode at a time.