Otome Yōkai Zakuro is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Lily Hoshino. It began serialization in November 2006 in the monthly seinen manga magazine Comic Birz. The first tankōbon volume was released by Gentosha in January 2008; as of January 2013, seven volumes have been released. An anime adaptation produced by J.C. Staff and directed by Chiaki Kon began airing in Japan in October 2010. The series is set during the Westernization of an alternate Japan, where humans and spirits coexist. To solve the problems that arise between the two, human lieutenants Kei Agemaki, Riken Yoshinokazura, and Ganryu Hanakiri are partnered with half-spirit girls Zakuro, Susukihotaru, and twins Bonbori and Hozuki to form the Ministry of Spirit Affairs. However, Zakuro cannot stand humans who accept the Jesuit customs and Agemaki has a severe fear of spirits.