Hozuki's Coolheadedness

Hozuki's Coolheadedness is a Japanese comedy manga series written and illustrated by Natsumi Eguchi. Serialized in Kodansha's seinen magazine Morning from 2011 to 2020, the series spans 31 tankobon volumes under the Morning KC imprint. The story unfolds in a richly imagined version of the afterlife, centering on Hozuki, the cool, level-headed, and supremely competent demon who serves as chief aide to King Enma, the ruler of Hell. Through his work managing the bureaucratic and often absurd workings of the underworld, the series delivers episodic comedy filled with deadpan humor, satirical observations, and clever references to Japanese folklore, mythology, and pop culture, as well as figures from various religious and supernatural traditions.

Much of the series' charm comes from the contrast between Hozuki's unflappable, businesslike demeanor and the surreal, chaotic environment of Hell. The cast includes an eclectic mix of demons, deities, and historical and legendary figures, such as Momotaro's former comrades, a gossip journalist cat, and an idiotic idol. Core themes include bureaucracy, folklore, mortality, and the absurdity of existence, all delivered through Hozuki's deadpan perspective. The manga has sold over 5 million copies worldwide as of 2020.

The series has been adapted into two anime television seasons: the first by Wit Studio aired from January to April 2014 (13 episodes), and the second by Studio DEEN aired from April to June 2018 (13 episodes). Three OVA episodes were released between 2015 and 2020. A spin-off yonkoma manga, Hozuki's Coolheadedness: Shiro's Footprints, illustrated by Monaka Shiba, was serialized from 2015 to 2017 and collected in 3 volumes. The series was nominated for the 1st Next Manga Award in 2015 and the 39th Kodansha Manga Award for Best General Manga in 2015. [edit]