Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan is currently streaming in the US on Hulu, and it earns its premise rather than just borrowing genre trappings. The 2-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. 92 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Watch it for Jun Fukuyama — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Start it on Hulu whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan through its more ambitious moments. Rikuo Nura, is 3 parts human and a quarter Demon, lives in a house of spirits with his grandfather, The current clan head of the Nura youkai. Rikuo is set to be the next clan head, despite the fact he dislikes his demon side. He soon come to terms with his demon blood and decides to take his position as young master of the Nura house. Jun Fukuyama and Aya Hirano lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. 2 seasons (2010–2011) gave the story room most shows never get. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan resists the temptation to explain everything, trusting the audience to sit with ambiguity. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

Viewers burned by ambitious sci-fi that could not sustain its premise should give Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan a chance. Fans of InuYasha will recognise the sensibility here immediately. The complete run is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Jun Fukuyama grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan wrapped up in 2011 — and 2 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro's free voice app makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just say the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.