History Main / Youkai

** ''VideoGame/ToukenRanbu'': [[CastOfPersonifications Everyone]]. The ''touken danshi'' featured as the collectible characters you recruit to your party are the spirit of various types of Japanese swords and spears.

%%* ''VideoGame/ToukenRanbu'': [[CastOfPersonifications Everyone]].

[[folder:Living Yuki-usagi sculptures]]

* ''VideoGame/MarioParty6'': Two living snow rabbits inhabit the area of Snowflake Lake along with some living snowmen and sapient penguins.
* ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}'': All-snow Snow Bunnies are enemies encountered at Frozen Lake and on Snowglobe Mountain. They kick snow at the heroes, a move which Omori sarcastically declares to be the world's smallest snowstorm.

* ''LightNovel/KakuriyoBedAndBreakfastForSpirits'': Ōdanna is a jaki, which is a type of youkai known to dwell in temples and with has such a bad reputation that no other youkai want to associate with them. As such, Ōdanna keeps his identity a secret. Ōgondōji found him as a child on the spot where Tenjin-ya would later be built and took him under her guidance, which made him the upstanding man he is today. In Volume 4, he even fights and kills a jaki that attacks Aoi at the Dragon Palace, ignoring the villainous jaki's recognition and subsequent argument that as kin they should be on the same side.

* ''LightNovel/{{Inukami}}'' is a Japanese LightNovel series written by Mamizu Arisawa. Instead of the term "inugami" which is mostly associated with malevolent dog spirits, it uses the word "inukami" to describe a type of benevolent dog spirit. ''Inukami!'' revolves around Keita Kawahira, a descendant of a Inukami-tamer clan and a inukami named Yōko, [[spoiler:who later is revealed to actually be a kitsune]].

* ''LightNovel/{{Kanokon}}'': Nozomu Ezomori is a 200-year-old wolf spirit, both trying to seduce the protagonist, Kouta Oyamada. In fact, nearly everyone except him is Obake of some sort (sisters, brothers, etc to Chizuru and Nozomu. Many don't show up in the anime, though).
* ''LightNovel/OurHomesFoxDeity'' has spirits like these, including an entire arc with oni.

* ''Makai Prince Dorabocchan'': Spike has two kinds of statues as manservants: the large [[EenieMeenieMinyMoai moai]]-based ones and the small jizō-based ones. The latter kind wear a red bow tie and can be punched for tomato juice and upgrades, although on occasion an enemy will spawn instead. Incidentally, the [[VideoGame/TheTwistedTalesOfSpikeMcFang sequel]] replaces the jizō-based manservants with sheep as manservants.

* ''LightNovel/ElegantYokaiApartmentLife'': The whole cast celebrates the New Year in Chapter 90 and Episode 26 when actual namahage crash the party looking for ill-behaving children. Especially Yushi and the bookseller are terrified of them and their knives and sickles, but the perceived threat dissipates when the namahage are invited to the celebrations. They have a good time and leave shortly before midnight.

'''Nurarihyon''' are youkai that would like humans if only their head didn't protrude so far behind them. Sometimes it's a spherical head, other times the protusion consists of multiple bumps. They're always male and aristocratic, and in modern day are viewed as commanders of other youkai. In that regard, theirs is comparable to the status assigned to vampires in Western works. Nurarihyon carry one or even two swords with them to signal their importance. "Nurari" means "slippery" and "hyon" combines the meanings of "floating on the surface" and "(dried) gourd".

* ''Manga/{{Tsugumomo}}'' revolves around these, both good and bad.

[[SpellMyNameWithAnS Youkai/Yokai/Yōkai]] (also known as "Yaoguai" in Chinese pinyin, from which the Japanese term originates, literally meaning "bewitching spectres") are a grand collection of various supernatural creatures and phenomena that pop up in UsefulNotes/{{Shinto}} religion. They have a lot in common with TheFairFolk--some youkai are good, others are evil, and many have [[BlueAndOrangeMorality their own alien set of values]]. Some are mischievous, others avoid humans entirely. Shinto is an animist religion, and youkai are often associated with natural features such as forests and mountains. "Youkai" (literally "strange apparition") are often called "[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]]" in Western translations, but that word's connotation of purely evil entities make it an inadequate description.[[note]]A better Japanese word for "demon" would be "''akuma''"--this refers to ''the'' Devil and Abrahamic demons generally, as well as Buddhist demons.[[/note]] As noted before, they are closer to TheFairFolk, spanning the entire moral range between good, mischievous, neutral, and actually evil. The closest true Western equivalent is probably that of the [[AncientRome ancient Roman]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius_(mythology) genii]] or [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent spirits]].

[[SpellMyNameWithAnS Youkai/Yokai/Yōkai]] (also known as "Yaoguai" in Chinese pinyin, from which the Japanese term originates, literally meaning "bewitching spectres") are a grand collection of various supernatural creatures or phenomenon that pop up in UsefulNotes/{{Shinto}} religion. They have a lot in common with TheFairFolk--some youkai are good, others are evil, and many have [[BlueAndOrangeMorality their own alien set of values]]. Some are mischievous, others avoid humans entirely. Shinto is an animist religion, and youkai are often associated with natural features such as forests and mountains. "Youkai" (literally "strange apparition") are often called "[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]]" in Western translations, but that word's connotation of purely evil entities make it an inadequate description.[[note]]A better Japanese word for "demon" would be "''akuma''"--this refers to ''the'' Devil and Abrahamic demons generally, as well as Buddhist demons.[[/note]] As noted before, they are closer to TheFairFolk, spanning the entire moral range between good, mischievous, neutral, and actually evil. The closest true Western equivalent is probably that of the [[AncientRome ancient Roman]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius_(mythology) genii]] or [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent spirits]].

See also other little people in Japanese folklore, such as the majimun kijimuna, the god Sukunabikona, and the hero Issun-boshi. The [[TsuchigumoAndJorogumo tsuchigumo]] and living dogu are related youkai on account of their historic origins and interpretations, while snow rabbits share in the winter sentimentality.

* ''Videogame/DivineGate'': The pok-gurus are small elemental beings with one button eye and one [[WingdingEyes wingding eye]]. There are six of them, as there are six elements, and each pok-guru has a three-step evolution. There's pika-pok-guru (light), hino-pok-guru (fire), koro-pok-guru (void), mizu-pok-guru (water), yami-pok-guru (dark), and kaze-pok-guru (wind). Evolutions go from [koro]-pok-guru to [koro]-pok-gurun to mega [koro]-pok-gurun.

* ''VideoGame/StardewValley'': The junimo are [[{{Expy}} expies]] of the harvest sprites of ''Harvest Moon''/''Story of Seasons'' and the Minish from ''The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap''. They're tiny, colorful, sprout-like creatures from another dimension. While in the valley, they secretly distribute gifts to spread happiness around. Furthermore, they reside in junimo huts. A junimo hut is a building that can be magically placed on the farm so that the junimo will help with the harvest.

* ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'': The heroes visit Koropokkur Woods, located within Rabite Forest, to speak to the brilliant strategist Domperi for advice on how to retake the kingdom. The koropokkur are modeled after the ones from ''''Korobokkuru Monogatari'' anddon't trust humans, which means the party first has to get the Midge Mallet to turn themselves small and then pretend to be koropokkur. They do such a poor job at it that Domperi immediately sees through the ruse and messes with them before helping them.

** Fitwit (Yamato Bokeru in Japanese) is a haniwa in imperial regalia, though with a commoner's mizura hair style. His Japanese name is a portmanteau of Yamato Takeru, a legendary prince from the Yayoi Period, and [[BokeAndTsukkomiRoutine boke]], and therefore he is someone who keeps making jokes and becomes more powerful the less his humor is appreciated. Fitwit belongs to the Slippery Tribe and is of the earth element.

%%* ''VideoGame/ToukenRanbu'': [[CastOfPersonifications Everyone]] .

* In ''Manga/FairyTail100YearsQuest'', Youko, the servant of Selene, the Moon Dragon God, wields the Spiritual Art known as "Hyakki Yagyou" (Night Parade of 100 Demons), which allows her to create and summon Youkai such as [[SuperSmoke Enenra]], Ittan Momen and [[PlayingWithFire Kasha]]. [[spoiler:She can also use her power to forcibly transform people into Youkai, such as Lucy, Erza, Wendy, Charle and Happy who are turned, respectively, into a [[SnakePeople Nure-Onna]], [[TsuchigumoAndJorogumo Jorogumo]], [[BakenekoAndNekomata Bakeneko]], and [[PantheraAwesome Suiko]]]]. Youkou's name itself can be a synonym for [[AsianFoxSpirit Kitsune]].

%%* ''LightNovel/ShonenOnmyouji''

[[SpellMyNameWithAnS Youkai/Yokai/Yōkai]] (also known as "Yaoguai" in Chinese pinyin, from which the Japanese term originates, literally meaning "bewitching spectres") are a grand collection of various supernatural creatures or phenomenon that pop up in UsefulNotes/{{Shinto}} religion. They have a lot in common with TheFairFolk--some youkai are good, others are evil, and many have [[BlueAndOrangeMorality their own alien set of values]]. Some are mischievous, others avoid humans entirely. Shinto is an animist religion, and youkai are often associated with natural features such as forests and mountains. "Youkai" (literally "strange apparition") are often called "[[OurDemonsAreDifferent demons]]" in Western translations, but that word's connotation of purely evil entities make it an inadequate description.[[note]]A better Japanese word for "demon" would be "''akuma''"--this refers to ''the'' Devil and Abrahamic demons generally, as well as Buddhist demons.[[/note]]. As noted before, they are closer to TheFairFolk, spanning the entire moral range between good, mischievous, neutral, and actually evil. The closest true Western equivalent is probably that of the [[AncientRome ancient Roman]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genius_(mythology) genii]] or [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent spirits]].

* ''VideoGame/MarioParty 6'': Two living snow rabbits inhabit the area of Snowflake Lake along with some living snowmen and sapient penguins.

* {{Oni}}: A huge, muscular, horned humanoid, similar to ogres.

* TsuchigumoAndJorogumo: Shapeshifting spider youkai.

Interestingly, the Nukekubi and Rokurokubi (especially the former) resemble some very similar monsters from Southeast Asian foklore; including the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasue Krasue]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyak Leyak]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manananggal Manananggal]], and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penanggalan Penanggalan]]. Much like the Nukekubi, these are all vampiric creatures which can detach their heads (or torsos) from the rest of their bodies, flying around in search of human prey. It's very probable that the Japanese Nukekubi/Rokurokubi shares a common mythical origin with their Southeast Asian counterparts.

'''Nukekubi and Rokurokubi''': These two creatures are {{humanoid|Abomination}} monsters, usually but not always female. The Nukekubi can detach their heads from their necks and float away in search of human flesh and blood, as well as vermin and lamp oil; while Rokurokubi are human by day, but have extremely elastic necks during the night. In some depictions, Rokurokubi aren't a true species, but the PartialTransformation form of a snake youkai. Sometimes they enter AmbiguouslyHuman territory, being treated as humans afflicted by a strange {{curse}} or [[FictionalDisability medical condition]].

Supernatural creatures drawn from Western sources often turn out to seem more like youkai in Japanese works. For instance, vampires.[[note]]See the section on oni below.[[/note]] In the West you've got Film/{{Nosferatu}} -- a grotesque, undead monster who burns in sunlight and murders to preserve his hideous unlife. In Japan you've got [[CuteMonsterGirl exceptionally cute]] {{Fanservice}} protagonist [[Manga/RosarioPlusVampire Moka Akashiya]], who is not undead, harbors no ill-will towards the sun, and drinks tiny amounts of blood that leave her "victim" light-headed at worst, but who has a SuperpoweredEvilSide who can (and will if you look at her the wrong way) kick your ass thoroughly.

Supernatural creatures drawn from Western sources often turn out to seem more like youkai in Japanese works. For instance, vampires.[[note]]See the section on oni below.[[/note]] In the West you've got Nosferatu -- a grotesque, undead monster who burns in sunlight and murders to preserve his hideous unlife. In Japan you've got [[CuteMonsterGirl exceptionally cute]] {{Fanservice}} protagonist [[Manga/RosarioPlusVampire Moka Akashiya]], who is not undead, harbors no ill-will towards the sun, and drinks tiny amounts of blood that leave her "victim" light-headed at worst, but who has a SuperpoweredEvilSide who can (and will if you look at her the wrong way) kick your ass thoroughly.

* ''LightNovel/ElegantYokaiApartmentLife'': The whole cast celebrates the New Year in Chapter 90 and Episode 26 when actual namahage crash the party looking for ill-behaving children. Especially Yushi and the bookseller are terrified of them and their knives and sickles, but the perceived threat dissipates when the namahage are invited to the celebrations. They have a good time and leave shortly before midnight.

* ''LightNovel/SoImASpiderSoWhat'': In Chapter 49.2, Kumoko imagines herself as a namahage-spider hybrid when she concocts a plan to punish the bandits.

* ''WebAnimation/Hololive'': has Korone Inugami and Mio Ookami from Hololive Gamers. Korone is a dog girl who is known to work in a bakery, collecting fingers and [[CatDogDichotomy her friendship with Okayu]]. Mio is a wolfgirl from the same group who often shows up around shrines and loves gaming.

* Manga/InterviewsWithMonsterGirls: Kaoru Higa is a transfer student from Okinawa that joins the cast in Chapter 45. She's a kijimuna and can read people's emotions from the colors in their eyes. Not looking for social isolation, she wears shades to minimize the readings. The first friend Kaoru makes is Kyouko, because the dullahan is delightfully upfront. From Kaoru's talk with Takahashi about the nature of her Demi-ness, it is confirmed that kijimuna have reddish skin and ensure a good fishing trip, but if the whole living in trees thing ever was true it no longer is. It is furthermore found that Kaoru doesn't eat fish eyes and in fact is creeped out by them. Takahashi proposes that the eyes of corpses display colors from a different dimension and that kijimuna can pick up on those. This would merely catch the attention of a normal kijimuna, but a powerful one like Kaoru would experience the glimpse into the other dimension as uncanny. The theory goes even further with the suggestion that kijimuna can overwrite other creatures' thoughts and that is why their catch is always so abundant.