TV-Series
Description
Gatchan, whose full name is Gajira Norimaki, is a small, cherub-like creature with bright green hair, two small antennae on its head, and a pair of wings. It hatched from a mysterious egg that Senbei Norimaki brought back to Penguin Village after a time-traveling trip to the prehistoric age. Upon hatching, it was adopted into the Norimaki family, and Arale named it by combining the names of the classic movie monsters Gamera and Gojira, also known as Godzilla.
In terms of personality, Gatchan is innocent, playful, and shares a similar disposition to its adoptive sister, Arale. It communicates using a unique, unintelligible language often referred to as Gatchanism, which consists of sounds like "koo pee pee". Arale, and later her brother Turbo, are the only characters who seem to be able to understand it. Gatchan has a notoriously voracious and indiscriminate appetite. It can consume almost any kind of matter, with a particular fondness for metal, but rubber is a notable exception to its diet. This eating habit is not just a quirk but is central to its nature and abilities.
Gatchan plays a significant role as a constant companion to Arale, frequently following her on her various adventures and misadventures throughout Penguin Village. A major development in its story occurs when, after an extensive eating spree, it spins a cocoon around itself. Two weeks later, it emerges from this cocoon having split into two identical beings. From this point on, they are referred to as Gatchan number one and Gatchan number two.
Later in the series, the true origin of Gatchan is revealed. It is not a simple prehistoric creature but is actually an angel sent by Kami-sama, the ruler of the galaxy. The angel was originally sent to Earth with a divine mission to consume metal and other resources, thereby hindering the development of human civilization and preventing it from becoming corrupt and self-destructive. However, due to Senbei's time-travel intervention, its egg was brought to the present day, and its mission ultimately failed. When Kami-sama came to destroy humanity for its transgressions, he observed Gatchan living happily and innocently as a part of the Norimaki family. Seeing this contentment, Kami-sama chose to spare the Earth.
Gatchan possesses several notable abilities beyond its extreme omnivorous digestion. It can use its wings to fly. The antennae on its head can shoot powerful rays or energy beams, which are often used as a form of retaliation or defense. Its small size and innocent appearance belie its incredible resilience and strength, allowing it to survive high falls and take hits from powerful opponents. As an angel, its primary relationships are with its family, showing a deep and unspoken bond with Arale and affection for its adoptive parents, Senbei and Midori Norimaki.
In terms of personality, Gatchan is innocent, playful, and shares a similar disposition to its adoptive sister, Arale. It communicates using a unique, unintelligible language often referred to as Gatchanism, which consists of sounds like "koo pee pee". Arale, and later her brother Turbo, are the only characters who seem to be able to understand it. Gatchan has a notoriously voracious and indiscriminate appetite. It can consume almost any kind of matter, with a particular fondness for metal, but rubber is a notable exception to its diet. This eating habit is not just a quirk but is central to its nature and abilities.
Gatchan plays a significant role as a constant companion to Arale, frequently following her on her various adventures and misadventures throughout Penguin Village. A major development in its story occurs when, after an extensive eating spree, it spins a cocoon around itself. Two weeks later, it emerges from this cocoon having split into two identical beings. From this point on, they are referred to as Gatchan number one and Gatchan number two.
Later in the series, the true origin of Gatchan is revealed. It is not a simple prehistoric creature but is actually an angel sent by Kami-sama, the ruler of the galaxy. The angel was originally sent to Earth with a divine mission to consume metal and other resources, thereby hindering the development of human civilization and preventing it from becoming corrupt and self-destructive. However, due to Senbei's time-travel intervention, its egg was brought to the present day, and its mission ultimately failed. When Kami-sama came to destroy humanity for its transgressions, he observed Gatchan living happily and innocently as a part of the Norimaki family. Seeing this contentment, Kami-sama chose to spare the Earth.
Gatchan possesses several notable abilities beyond its extreme omnivorous digestion. It can use its wings to fly. The antennae on its head can shoot powerful rays or energy beams, which are often used as a form of retaliation or defense. Its small size and innocent appearance belie its incredible resilience and strength, allowing it to survive high falls and take hits from powerful opponents. As an angel, its primary relationships are with its family, showing a deep and unspoken bond with Arale and affection for its adoptive parents, Senbei and Midori Norimaki.