The world of Jigoku Sensei Nube consistently blends supernatural encounters with moral lessons, and Episode 9 of the recently aired 2025 anime adaptation, titled “The Girl Who Carries Happiness,” is a poignant example. Far from a typical monstrous confrontation, this episode delves into the delicate balance between good fortune and personal effort, introducing a benevolent yet complex yokai whose presence profoundly impacts Nube and his students.
What is Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube?
Jigoku Sensei Nube, also known as Hell Teacher Nube, is a popular occult action series originally serialized as a manga from 1993 to 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump, boasting over 29 million copies sold. It centers on Meisuke Nueno, affectionately known as “Nube,” a kind-hearted homeroom teacher at Domori Elementary School’s Class 5-3. Nube, however, harbors a secret: he is Japan’s only psychic teacher, and his left hand is possessed by a powerful demon. He uses his spiritual abilities and the formidable “Oni Hand” to protect his students from a myriad of ghosts, evil spirits, and yokai that plague their town and school.
The series is renowned for blending thrilling supernatural battles with heartwarming character development and ethical dilemmas, making it a beloved classic in Japan and beyond. The ongoing 2025 anime adaptation continues this legacy, bringing these tales to a new generation of viewers.
Episode 9: “The Girl Who Carries Happiness” Synopsis
Episode 9, released on August 28, 2025, or August 27 in some regions, shifts the narrative focus from overt conflict to a more subtle exploration of human nature and spiritual influence. Titled “The Girl Who Carries Happiness” or “The Fortune-Bringing Zashiki Warashi Appears!”, the episode introduces a Zashiki-warashi, a type of Japanese yokai known for bestowing good luck upon the households or individuals they reside with.
An Unexpected Encounter and Spreading Luck
The episode begins with Nube encountering a small, shy girl in the city. This girl is, in fact, the Zashiki-warashi, a spirit who, attracted by Nube’s kindness, follows him back to Domori Elementary School. Soon after her arrival, Nube’s students in Class 5-3 begin to experience an unprecedented streak of good fortune. From acing tests without studying to winning unexpected prizes, the children’s lives are suddenly filled with effortless success.
The Double-Edged Sword of Luck
While initially delighted, Nube observes a worrying trend among his students. As their luck continues, they gradually lose their motivation, forget the importance of effort, and become entirely reliant on the Zashiki-warashi’s blessings. This dependency raises a moral dilemma for Nube: can true happiness and growth be achieved without personal struggle and hard work?
Makoto’s Empathy and the Zashiki-warashi’s Past
Fifth-grader Makoto, known for his childlike appearance and kind heart, plays a crucial role in understanding the Zashiki-warashi. He conceives a plan to help the spirit, leading to the revelation of her sorrowful past. The Zashiki-warashi is revealed to be the spirit of a generous, loving young girl who tragically died of starvation or illness during wartime. Her fervent desire for her loved ones to lead happy lives caused her spirit to become tied to the world, wandering eternally to bring anonymous acts of service and happiness to others. She doesn’t recall her true identity, but her core desire remains.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Recognizing that the students’ reliance on the Zashiki-warashi’s luck is detrimental to their development, Nube, though reluctantly, realizes he must bid the spirit farewell. With Makoto’s help, Nube uses his spiritual powers to reunite the Zashiki-warashi with the spirit of her now 100-year-old grieving mother. This moment of catharsis brings immense joy to the Zashiki-warashi, even though it doesn’t alter her fate as a spirit. The episode concludes with a powerful, albeit brief, emotional resolution, highlighting that not all yokai are evil and their interactions with humans can be profoundly meaningful.
Themes and Significance
Episode 9 stands out as a “rare episode without conflict,” where Nube utilizes his powers for purely benign purposes rather than combat.
Luck Versus Effort
The central theme revolves around the philosophical question of whether constant good luck, unearned, truly benefits individuals. The episode subtly critiques the desire for effortless success, showing how it can stifle personal growth and the value of hard work. Nube’s decision to part with the Zashiki-warashi underscores the importance of resilience and self-reliance.
The Nuance of Yokai
This episode beautifully illustrates that not all yokai are malevolent. The Zashiki-warashi, despite being a supernatural entity, embodies generosity and a profound desire to bring joy, stemming from her tragic human life. Her actions, though well-intentioned, highlight that even benevolent spirits can have unintended consequences when interacting with the human world.
Emotional Depth
The backstory of the Zashiki-warashi and her reunion with her mother’s spirit introduces a deep layer of melancholy and emotional resonance. It’s a testament to the series’ ability to weave “melancholy, meaningful stories in between its more action and danger-oriented episodes”.
Where to Watch
For viewers interested in watching “The Girl Who Carries Happiness,” Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube Episode 9 is available to stream internationally on platforms such as It’s Anime YouTube Channel, Netflix (in Asian territories excluding Japan and China), Aniverse (German-speaking territories), Anime Onegai (Latin America), and ANIME GENERATION (Italian-speaking territories).
Note on Episode Numbering
It is worth noting that while current information for the 2025 anime adaptation clearly identifies the Zashiki-warashi story as Episode 9, older adaptations of Jigoku Sensei Nube (such as the 1996-1997 anime which had 49 episodes) may have different content for their ninth episode. For example, some older listings suggest an Episode 9 where a character named Miki gains the ability to stretch her neck. Given the recent release context, this article focuses on the widely reported Episode 9 of the current 2025 series.
