The BEST episodes of Blue Literature

Every episode of Blue Literature ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Blue Literature!

The series consists of adaptations of six modern classics of Japanese literature: Osamu Dazai’s No Longer Human (Ningen Shikkaku) & Run, Melos! (Hashire, Melos!), Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro, Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Hell Screen (Jigoku Hen) & The Spider's Thread (Kumo no Ito), and Ango Sakaguchi's In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom (Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita).

Last Updated: 2/15/2024Network: Nippon TVStatus: Ended
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Kokoro - Chapter 2
star
8.55
42 votes

#1 - Kokoro - Chapter 2

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/28/2009

A 1914 tale of a young man's life journey during the Meiji era. The work deals with the transition from the Japanese Meiji society to the modern era, by exploring the friendship between a young man and an older man he calls "Sensei". It continues the theme of isolation developed in Soseki's previous works, here in the context of interwoven strands of egoism and guilt, as opposed to shame. Told in 2 chapters. The first from the perspective of Sensei and the second from K's point of view. Part 2 of 2

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Run, Melos! - Chapter 2
star
8.00
38 votes

#2 - Run, Melos! - Chapter 2

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/2009

An updated retelling of a classic Greek tale of the story of Damon and Pythias. The most prominent theme of "Run, Melos!" is unwavering friendship. Despite facing hardships, the protagonist Melos does his best to save his friend's life, and in the end his efforts are rewarded. Part 2 of 2

No Longer Human - Chapter 4: New World
star
7.91
44 votes

#3 - No Longer Human - Chapter 4: New World

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/1/2009

A high school student becomes lost and alienated. Despondent and aimless, he falls into a cycle of self abuse, depression and drugs that taints his life for years. Told in four chapters, each chapter deals with a different point in his life and the final chapter leaves him standing alone - an empty and hollow caricature of his former self. Part 4 of 4

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Kokoro - Chapter 1
star
7.86
42 votes

#4 - Kokoro - Chapter 1

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/21/2009

A 1914 tale of a young man's life journey during the Meiji era. The work deals with the transition from the Japanese Meiji society to the modern era, by exploring the friendship between a young man and an older man he calls "Sensei". It continues the theme of isolation developed in Soseki's previous works, here in the context of interwoven strands of egoism and guilt, as opposed to shame. Told in 2 chapters. The first from the perspective of Sensei and the second from K's point of view. Part 1 of 2

Watch Now:Amazon
No Longer Human - Chapter 3: Society
star
7.30
46 votes

#5 - No Longer Human - Chapter 3: Society

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/25/2009

A high school student becomes lost and alienated. Despondent and aimless, he falls into a cycle of self abuse, depression and drugs that taints his life for years. Told in four chapters, each chapter deals with a different point in his life and the final chapter leaves him standing alone - an empty and hollow caricature of his former self. Part 3 of 4

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No Longer Human - Chapter 1: Double Suicide in Kamakura
star
7.30
80 votes

#6 - No Longer Human - Chapter 1: Double Suicide in Kamakura

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/11/2009

A high school student becomes lost and alienated. Despondent and aimless, he falls into a cycle of self abuse, depression and drugs that taints his life for years. Told in four chapters, each chapter deals with a different point in his life and the final chapter leaves him standing alone - an empty and hollow caricature of his former self. Part 1 of 4

Run, Melos! - Chapter 1
star
7.08
38 votes

#7 - Run, Melos! - Chapter 1

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 12/5/2009

An updated retelling of a classic Greek tale of the story of Damon and Pythias. The most prominent theme of "Run, Melos!" is unwavering friendship. Despite facing hardships, the protagonist Melos does his best to save his friend's life, and in the end his efforts are rewarded. Part 1 of 2

In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom - Chapter 2
star
6.76
41 votes

#8 - In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom - Chapter 2

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/15/2009

A love story between a 12th-century woman and a mountain bandit who abducts her. Part 2 of 2

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No Longer Human - Chapter 2: Ghost
star
6.54
46 votes

#9 - No Longer Human - Chapter 2: Ghost

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/18/2009

A high school student becomes lost and alienated. Despondent and aimless, he falls into a cycle of self abuse, depression and drugs that taints his life for years. Told in four chapters, each chapter deals with a different point in his life and the final chapter leaves him standing alone - an empty and hollow caricature of his former self. Part 2 of 4

Watch Now:Amazon
In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom - Chapter 1
star
6.17
42 votes

#10 - In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom - Chapter 1

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/8/2009

A love story between a 12th-century woman and a mountain bandit who abducts her. Part 1 of 2

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Hell Screen
star
4.74
39 votes

#11 - Hell Screen

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/26/2009

A famous artist is commissioned by a great lord to create a series of paintings depicting scenes of the 'Buddhist Hell'. The artist is unable to paint scenes that he has not seen himself, prompting him to torture and torment the Lord's staff to create his imagined images of hell. His creative efforts taint the household, as the story descends into madness and destruction.

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The Spider's Thread
star
4.69
39 votes

#12 - The Spider's Thread

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/19/2009

The Buddha Shakyamuni chances to notice a cold-hearted criminal suffering in Hell. But this criminal did perform one single act of kindness in not stepping on a spider in a forest. Moved by this selfless act, Shakyamuni takes the silvery thread of a spider in Paradise and lowers it down into Hell, but it falls upon the criminal to seize the opportunity and pull himself out - if he can.

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