Every year for Halloween I carve a pumpkin for myself and for the trick-or-treaters to enjoy, usually based on a popular Hollywood movie with costume potential. To commemorate my post at RocketNews24, however, for this year’s jack-o’-lantern I chose my first ever anime theme! I went with one of my favorites from this fall’s line-up, Gugure! Kokkuri-san (繰繰れ!コックリさん), available on Crunchyroll.
Both heartwarming and twisted (for the non-anime-initiated), the series is an outrageously wacky, slice-of-life comedy adapted from a four-panel comic strip by Midori Endō. The large cast is led by Kokkuri-san and the young girl Kohina; the former is a motherly, lonely fox spirit (originally from Japanese folklore) with both human and animal forms, and the latter is a hardcore bocchi (loner) with a cup noodle addiction who claims to be an emotionless doll.
Read on to learn a little more about the show and the design process, as well as to get a nicer view of the lit-up pumpkin. There’s also a time lapse video that condenses 30 hours of carving into just over 11 minutes!

Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
This gigantic judo dojo-sized hotel room will make you feel like royalty, but it’s disappearing soon
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japanese movie theater chain’s popcorn earns highest Grand Prix quality certification
Amazing exhibition of Japan’s legendary “cursed katana” is going on right now【Photos】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
If you haven’t tried an antenna shop in Japan, you’re missing out
Studio Ghibli releases Spirited Away bags in Japan, based on a mysterious festival
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Amazing exhibition of Japan’s legendary “cursed katana” is going on right now【Photos】
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
“The revolutionary way to pick your nose!” We try out the Nose Picker
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Female high school students continue to be banned on baseball field at Koshien Stadium in Japan
Japanese government considering raising foreign resident visa renewal fees by 400 percent or more
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Umamusume anime cosplayers make news in U.S. for their pro football fandom【Video】
The etiquette rules for visiting Shinto shrines in Japan
Japanese photographer captures tiny whimsical water worlds in macro【Photos】