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The yōkai—monsters of Japan—are complex cultural expressions that traverse Western interpretations of monstrophy. The long-running manga/anime series entitled Ge-ge-ge no Kitarō tells the story of monsters that fight to bring peace to a world embroiled in constant conflicts between humans and supernatural beings. In addition to having an enormous impact on Japanese popular culture, the series contributes to the wide-ranging discourse on yōkai. This article presents a case study of the Ge-ge-ge no Kitarō series, using content analysis to interpret its various uses of yōkai folklore. Additionally, three recurring themes that run throughout this series are discussed: (1) the functions of incorporating folly, (2) the cultivation of social conscience and (3) the preservation of traditional Japanese folklore. Keywords: Bakemono, Japan, mononoke, monsters, popular culture, yōkai, yūrei