What makes anime with telling of ghost stories so appealing?

The brevity. Since they are short, they can quickly deliver a spooky punch. You don't have to invest a lot of time, and yet you can get a satisfying horror experience.

The short format. It allows for a quick and intense dose of spookiness. You can get the full experience of a ghost story without having to invest a lot of time.

The humor in them makes it appealing. When you combine the spooky elements of ghosts with funny situations or characters' reactions, it creates a unique contrast. For example, in 'Ghost Stories', the ghosts' attempts to be scary are often thwarted by the characters' nonchalant or comical responses.

The unique art style. Anime has the ability to create really strange and otherworldly looking ghosts through its distinct art. For example, in 'Another', the distorted and pale faces of the characters in the spooky scenes are very effective in creating a sense of dread.

Ghost stories often tap into our deepest fears. Fear of the dark, fear of the afterlife, and fear of the unexplained. They make us feel a range of emotions, from spine - tingling chills to heart - pounding scares. Also, they are a great way to bond with others. People love to gather around and share these spooky tales, creating a sense of community.

The mystery. In 'Yami Shibai' and similar anime, there are always things that are not fully explained at first. This mystery draws the viewer in, making them want to know more about the ghosts and the strange situations.

The suspense. In horror anime stories, they often build up the tension slowly. For example, in 'Another', they keep dropping hints about the mystery which makes you keep watching to find out what's really going on.

They also offer a form of catharsis. When we watch these sad stories, we can release our own pent - up emotions. For example, in 'A Silent Voice', the story of a bully who tries to make amends to a deaf girl he once tormented. The complex relationships and the characters' growth through pain are engaging. We can cry along with the characters and feel a sense of relief afterwards. Moreover, the art and music in sad anime are usually very well - crafted to enhance the emotional impact.

Complex characters. Anime love stories often have complex characters with their own backstories and personalities. For example, in 'Fruits Basket', the characters' past traumas and how they overcome them while falling in love make the story engaging. The development of relationships is also multi - faceted and not always straightforward, which keeps the viewers interested.

The beautiful art and animation in romance anime stories are appealing. The detailed drawings of the characters and the sceneries create a visually pleasing experience. For example, in 'Your Lie in April', the scenes of the piano performances are not only accompanied by great music but also shown with amazing visuals. Another factor is the development of the relationships. We get to see the characters grow and change as they fall in love, like in 'Toradora!', where the two main characters start off disliking each other but gradually become closer.