Yami Shibai 5

The mysterious masked Storyteller returns to tell more twisted tales of horror. Continuing his particular style of kamishibai inspired storytelling, he now finds that his audience is an eerie crowd of young girls, who eagerly await his devilish stories.

He recounts ghostly legends involving girls of all ages: a housewife who receives a barrage of chilling phone calls; a strange girl whose flower readings are always right; a mother and daughter's ominous meeting with the "crow lady"; and a young girl whose demands from others grow more and more outrageous with each request. Witness once again the Storyteller's haunting and gripping tales, which are sure to leave one with more than just chills...

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Storyteller Main

Tsuda, Kanji Japanese

Yamaguchi, Ayako Script

Kishino, Satoko Script

Banba, Susumu Storyboard

Higuchi, Ai Theme Song Performance, Theme Song Lyrics, Theme Song Composition

Reviews

Sep 9, 2025

SkyBlue1012

Recommended

Horror is pretty rare in anime, which is a shame especially for people like me who love the thrill of a genuinely scary story. Not many shows or movies actually deliver that spine tingling feeling, the kind that makes your heart race and your breath catch.

That’s why I was so glad to come across Theatre of Darkness: Yamishibai. Unlike a lot of so called "horror" anime that lean more on psychological tension or just plain gore, Yamishibai actually brings real fear. It knows how to build a creepy atmosphere, and when the jump scares hit, they really land even if it's just for a moment.

The ... eerie music really adds to the tension and pulls you deeper into each short story. And the voice acting? Honestly, it’s top-notch. You can actually hear the fear and panic in the characters' voices, which makes everything feel way more intense.

I'm also glad they changed the narrative style from season 4 and went back to the original storytelling format. Sure, the animation could be better, and the visuals in the ending sequence could use some work, but I really liked the changes in the opening, it’s creepier now.

In a genre where true horror is hard to come by, Yamishibai is a rare gem, one of the few anime that actually knows how to scare you.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 13, 2021

ironsakura32

Recommended

Story:

Basically 13 short little stories based on Japanese urban legends or myths. In my opinion season 5 is just short of being as good as season 1. The difference is so small that I still rate both as 7. Most of the stories seemed to focus on ghosts, which to me is extra scary. They brought the original Story Teller back, so that is awesome. The opening scene is still in the park, but the children are faceless now, there are a lot more of them, and to me they seem to move like zombies.

Animation:

The animation is still good, and they have an grainy effect, ... with black spots popping in and out, like an older movie. Pretty good effect in my opinion.

Sounds:

Sound is excellent. The main thing they did was to stop the constant narration like that did in YS 4 and allow the stories to tell themselves. It allows for more immersion.

Characters:

No real comment, because as always, each story has its own characters. Except to mention once again, the original Story Teller is back.

Overall:

Overall, I would say it is almost on par with season 1. The stories are creepier and scarier. The original Story Teller with his creepy and atmospheric voice is back. for sure, headed back in the right direction. Hopefully season 6 keeps going the same way.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 4, 2018

Sidewinder51

Not Recommended

Rate a 4
English Subtitled

Plot
Introduction for all episodes wasn't original. In fact it was basically the same start to most of the past seasons. Playtime or story time doesn't have to always happen on a playground of sort maybe a movie theater or an ice cream shop. Something different is always better. Why else do you think iphones are selling in increasing amounts with each new release?

Story content was meh. I don't particularly like slang words but that really sums up the mood. Sure, there was some originality that other seasons didn't cover but at the same time it also redid old episodes. Which is kind ... of a drag. A true fan would have already seen the original episode mention, he/she doesn't need another episode telling the same basic premise for the element of surprise is no longer there. For example episode 2 for this season bears a strong similar nature to an episode from a previous season where the setting was in a bath establishment not a park.

As for the conclusion for each episode i have to say not a fan. I think i understand the reason behind the credits show conveying a you don't know what will come next vibe but it reminded me to much of a James bond ending. Where women are shown suggestively left and right. Not the right time of ending if you ask me.

Lastly, as for the season conclusion episode i was saddened. One is taken into a story like normal only to be told it was just that. Kind of ruins the zombie like nature or captive audience featured in the intro. I say saddened because they state one thing and imply another.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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