is a 26-episode Japanese anime television series, which first aired on Fuji TV between October 7, 1968 and March 31, 1969, on its 19:30–20:00 timeslot.
The series was later remade into a second anime television series, which premiered in April 2006 in Japan on Animax, featuring a new cast, with a total of 26 episodes also produced.
A live-action television drama adaptation premiered on NTV on October 22, 2011. A film was released on December 15, 2012.
For the series' 50th anniversary, a third anime television series adaptation titled BEM was confirmed to be in production. The third series aired from July 14 to October 13, 2019. A new film titled BEM: Become Human, was released on October 2, 2020. It streamed on Funimation's website on October 29, 2020.
A spin-off live-action film Yokai Ningen Bela was released on September 11, 2020.
Plot
The plot of the series revolves around three yokai (supernatural creatures), Bem, Bela and Belo, who arrive at a large coastal city and come across an evil atmosphere, which was brought about by immoral behavior by humans and mischief caused by monsters and yokai. They therefore decide to stay in the city, fighting against other monsters and yokai which attack humans, making a few friends along the way. Even though the three yokai are often abused and discriminated against by other human beings due to their appearance, they still strive in protecting the human populace of the city from other monsters, one day hoping to become human beings in return for their good actions.
Characters
Bem
Played by: Kazuya Kamenashi
Protagonist The oldest looking of the trio is the leader. He uses a walking stick as a weapon in human form.
Bela
Played by: Anne Watanabe
The only female in the group and the most bad-tempered of the trio. She uses a whip as a weapon in human form.
Belo
Played by: Fuku Suzuki
The youngest looking and the most naive of the trio. He is the only one that does not use a weapon in human form.
Staff
Original series
Original Concept: Akira Adachi
Screenplay: Akira Adachi
Directors: Noburo Ishiguro, Tadao Wakabayashi
Art: Shin Morikawa
Production: Daiichi Doga (later incorporated into ADK)
Cast
Bem: Kiyoshi Kobayashi
Bela: Hiroko Mori
Belo: Mari Shimizu
Opening Narration: Tatsuya Jo, Issei Futamata (Part 2)
Theme songs
Opening: (lyrics: Daiichi Doga, composition and arrangement: Seishi Tanaka; performance: Honey Nights) Ending: (lyrics: Daiichi Doga Bungei-bu, composition and arrangement: Masahiro Uno, performance: Toshiko Yamada, Otowa Yurikago Kai, Gekidan Komadori)
2006 remake
Original Concept: Asatsu DK
Director: Hiroshi Harada
Series Composition: Junki Takegami
Character Design: Kazuhiko Shibuya
Chief Animation Director: Takeshi Yamazaki
Yokai Design Creator: Naoki Ogiwara
Art Directors: Shō Tensui, Tsutomu Nishikura, Shinji Kawai
Primary Background Artist: Kazue Itō
Color Settings: Miharu Sakai
Director of Photography: Tomofumi Fujita
Editing: Yumiko Nakaba, Hideaki Murai (Okayasu Promotion) Sound Director: Fusanobu Fujiyama Sound Supervision: Takanori Ebina Music: Takehiko Gokita Animation Production: Studio Comet Production: NAS Producers: NAS, Sony Pictures Entertainment, avex entertainment, Studio Comet
Cast
Bem: Kazuhiko Inoue
Bela: Kaori Yamagata
Belo: Ai Horanai
Kira Hyuga: Yūna Inamura
Sora Kaido: Naoya Iwahashi
Mitsuki Kisaragi: Minori Chihara
Genpaku Hyuga: Masami Iwasaki
Urara Hyuga: Mie Sonozaki
Riku Kaido: Ryō Naitō
Umi Kaido: Miki Nagasawa
Ryoko Kisaragi: Yuriko Fuchizaki
Yuzo Mikami: Manabu Murashi
Hitoshi Tamugenro: Hirofumi Nojima
Imp: Mitsuo Iwata
Dana O'Shee: Rokuro Naya
Doppleganger: Hiroyuki Miyasako
Narration: Mizuho Suzuki
Theme songs
Opening: (Performance: Hiroshi Kitadani (Bem = Kazuhiko Inoue)) Ending: (Performance: Minako Yoshida)
