"Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi" is a supernatural mystery manga set in a secluded village where ancient traditions and eerie folklore intertwine with the lives of its inhabitants. The story centers on Yue, a young boy who arrives in the village of Utsuwa with no memory of his past. The village is shrouded in secrecy, governed by strict rules and rituals tied to the worship of the Ayakashi, supernatural beings that are both revered and feared. Yue is taken in by Akiyoshi, a shrine priest, and his daughter, Akari, who help him adjust to his new life while concealing the darker truths of the village.

As Yue begins to uncover fragments of his forgotten memories, he learns that the village’s survival depends on a ritual involving the sacrifice of a chosen child to the Ayakashi. This child, known as the "Red Child," is believed to maintain the balance between the human world and the supernatural realm. Yue’s arrival coincides with the emergence of strange occurrences, and he soon becomes entangled in the village’s mysteries, including his own connection to the Ayakashi and the Red Child.

The narrative explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the blurred line between humans and supernatural entities. Key characters include Akari, who harbors her own secrets and a deep connection to the Ayakashi, and Akiyoshi, whose role as a priest places him at the center of the village’s rituals. Other villagers, such as the enigmatic Tsubaki and the protective Shou, add layers to the story as their motivations and relationships with the Ayakashi come to light.

The plot unfolds through a series of revelations, as Yue pieces together his past and the true nature of the village’s traditions. The Ayakashi, depicted as both benevolent and malevolent, play a pivotal role in the story, challenging the characters’ perceptions of morality and survival. The manga blends elements of horror, folklore, and emotional drama, creating a tense and atmospheric narrative that delves into the consequences of human actions and the weight of inherited legacies.