Straight A student Eugene Korekishi doesn't believe in ghosts…but his classmate Mogari Shishikuno is an exorcist who swallows them whole! Mogari can't see ghosts on his own, but once he and Eugene meet someone with the sight, there's only one path left—form an exorcist club at school and embark on anything but a normal high school life!

In search of a fourth member for the club, Mogari, Eugene, and new recruit Kaoru Kanzaki set their sights on Kotaro Tamon, a classmate who seems to be able to talk to ghosts. Unfortunately, Kotaro's got some major problems communicating with living humans! Will Kotaro be able to overcome his anxiety and join the Phantom Busters?

Phantom Busters has art and story by Neoshoco. English translation is done by minami and lettering by Kyla Aiko. Published by Viz Media (October 14, 2025). Rated T+.

Lauren Orsini
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There's something nostalgic about this supernatural shonen manga. Maybe it's the fact that so many of the most memorable “high schoolers battle spiritual baddies” manga are classics—from Yu Yu Hakusho to Bleach. Considering how well-tread this material is, there's really nothing new about Phantom Busters, and yet I found myself reading this fast-paced adventure all in one go.

The story's familiar elements begin with the cast: the honor student, the cheerful transfer student from the sticks, the intimidating punk who is secretly an otaku, and a sentient pile of social anxiety. All four of these boys are brought together by their uncommon experiences with the supernatural, but none of them can do it on their own. One can see ghosts, one can hear ghosts, one can exorcise ghosts—and one's just along for the ride. When all four of them form their after school club, the Phantom Busters, they're able to pool these abilities among themselves to create a half-decent ghostbusting team. It also makes for a neat explanation on why ghost sightings are so unusual in their world: even among people with spiritual powers, it's rare for somebody to have all of the abilities needed to perceive them.

Each manga chapter has an innocuous slice-of-life title that doesn't raise any alarm bells. “Let's Start A Club!” is technically correct but leaves out the nonstop ghostly hijinks standing in the main characters' way, adding a new dimension of humor to the story. This fast, funny read offers a comedic style that errs on the juvenile side. Sure, they can see and exorcise ghosts, but they're still high school boys who love to goof off. You'll find comedy staples like “transfer student can't read the room” and “boy wearing a dress” interspersed in the main ghostbusting storyline. They generally keep it clean, but there's a spicy joke in which Mogari, who exorcises ghosts by literally eating them, gives a female spirit a very good time as he sends her into the afterlife. But in general, they're an after school club, and they act like it. When they're not saving the town from malevolent spirits, they're discussing the finer points of Slam Dunk.

Since this manga's characters are teenagers, the localization utilizes cutting-edge slang and time will tell how well it ages. Expressions like “you mad, bro?”, “she's so baby,” and “we are so back!” gave me pause, but might parse naturally to a younger reader. There's also a tricky substory where the boys assist an 800-year-old spirit in her dream to live it up in Kamakura before she finally drifts into the afterlife—and I can tell her mix of many decades of translated Japanese slang must have been a headache to localize! But maybe it's this lighthearted combination of ancient ghosts and modern teenage culture that makes Phantom Busters such an entertaining, nostalgic read even as it barely offers anything new.

Erica Friedman
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Not gonna lie, this manga grabbed me right away with the first chapter, “Let's Start A Club!” and kept me running alongside, as the boys meet when the ghost of a vengeful samurai tries to drown them. Eugene and Mogari are eventually joined by Karou Kanzaki, a kid who can see spirits and resents it deeply, and Kotaro Tamon, who can hear spirits' voices and helps them move on. Over some initial reluctance that Mogari stomps his way through the four do start their club.

This is a high-energy, lots-of-screaming, lots of food, lots of action, type shonen story. There's plenty of goofiness — when they exorcise their club room, they must first allow the spirit of an Edo period girl to possess one of them and achieve her dreams of eating ice cream and stepping into the ocean before she can move on. Kanzaki, ends up hosting the young woman, and of course there is much gnashing of teeth at him having to wear a skirt.

Of everything I've read for the manga guide thus far, this series something that feels like it's meant to be read as a monthly serial. Every chapter, we come into the story at full tilt, run around a bit, meet a ghost and either exorcise or help it, eat a lot of food and shout a lot. It sounds tiring, but our four leads are nice kids at heart and we are both glad they found each other and look forward to the next spirit they encounter. Of course it can't all be that simple, there are enemies out there and our four will have to will have to be team in order to, undoubtedly, defeat the bad guys and have them join the team as a tsundere character. Or whatever trope is next.

This is a cute read if you've ever wanted something like Natsume's Book of Friends, with way more boyish energy and less deep meanings of life.

Kevin Cormack
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I went into this formulaic-looking high school-set supernatural comedy with low expectations, but found them greatly exceeded by a marvelously funny story led by an eclectic quartet of fun, eccentric characters. Phantom Busters is one of the most consistently enjoyable manga I've read for this guide, with each chapter neatly building on the last as the main ensemble gradually grows character by character, each new addition bringing something new to the mix.

Eugene is one of those schoolboy characters, perceived by his peers as being slightly “exotic” in that he's blonde, has some foreign blood (in this case English), and has spent time abroad. Kind of like Evangelion's Asuka Langley, I suppose, though less tsundere and nowhere near as bloodthirsty. Through a series of unlikely circumstances, this supernatural-sceptic winds up involved (more or less against his will) with strange exorcist Mogari, who, although he can't see them, exorcises ghosts by enthusiastic ingestion. Like, tearing into their spectral flesh with his strangely pointy teeth and chowing down with gusto.

Joining the initial duo in their quest to start an exorcism club at school is Kaoru who can see spirits, and can share this ability with others. Finally, the sensitive and socially reclusive Kotaro can hear ghosts' voices, completing the quartet's skill mix. Maybe it's a blessing they don't recruit anyone who can smell spectral abominations.

Together, this group of unlikely lads engage in daft adventures in their haunted town, meeting spirits both friendly and malevolent, from an 800-year-old girl who merely wants to eat ice cream and visit the beach before passing on, to a vengeful goth teenager who plots to lure boys to their deaths. Because no-one else can perceive the ghosts exorcised by the “Phantom Busters,” (as they call themselves as “homage” to Ghostbusters), much of the comedy comes from peripheral characters thinking our heroes have multiple screws loose.

The art won't win prizes for technical excellence or spectacular detail, but artist Neoshoco knows how to draw hilarious facial expressions, and shows a flair for physical comedy. Every chapter made me giggle out loud at its silliness. It's one part Mieruko-chan and another part Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, but with lighter humor than either. I had a blast with Phantom Busters and would happily read more.