Movie
Description
The Kijimuna, also known as Bunagaya, are a species of tree spirit from the Ryukyu Islands that appear throughout the various adaptations of Gegege no Kitarō. Their design has evolved significantly across different anime series. In the third anime, they are depicted as small entities with large heads, tiny torsos and limbs, and a full coat of light purple hair, complemented by big eyes and a small, curved, beak-like mouth. The fourth anime reimagines them with light yellow fur and black beaks, with their limbs appearing to connect directly to their heads and their pupils often pointing in different directions, lending them a distinctly quirky appearance. The fifth series gives them brown hair and yellow eyes, while the sixth returns to a light yellow, fluffy aesthetic with sharp, tooth-filled beaks. A distinct design appears in The Great Yōkai War: Guardians, where Kijimuna is portrayed more closely to his folkloric description as a red-haired, red-skinned figure.
As yōkai, Kijimuna are complex figures who can act as either allies or antagonists to the protagonist, Kitarō. Their motivations are often tied to their nature as spirits of the banyan tree, and they are known to seek vengeance against those who harm the trees they inhabit. In the context of the series, they are frequently seen as residents of the GeGeGe Forest, living alongside other yōkai. Their role in the story is typically that of a background character or a member of a group, though they have participated in major conflicts. In the 1985 anime series, a Kijimuna appeared as a dancing attendant at a yōkai party orchestrated by the villain Momon-Jii and later took part in a trial against Kitarō. In the 2018 anime, during the episode The Great Yōkai War, a group of three Kijimuna joined forces with Kitarō and the other yōkai of the forest to fight against an army of Western yōkai, demonstrating their loyalty to their home and community. Their relationships within the story are primarily defined by their place in the yōkai world, where they interact with and are part of the community led by characters like Kitarō and his father, Medama-Oyaji.
Regarding their development as characters, the Kijimuna do not typically undergo significant personal arcs across the series. Instead, they function as recurring members of the yōkai world's ensemble cast. Their main development is seen in the changing artistic interpretations and their shift from being part of a villain's scheme in earlier adaptations to becoming staunch defenders of the GeGeGe Forest alongside Kitarō in more recent ones.
The notable abilities of Kijimuna are derived from their mythological roots. They possess the power of levitation, allowing them to float and move through the air. They can breathe fire and have the ability to cast illusions. In some instances, they have also demonstrated the power of combined transformation, merging with other beings to take on a new form. Their combat skills extend to using a mace as a weapon. In folklore, upon which the character is based, Kijimuna are known for their excellent fishing skills, preferring to eat the left eye of a fish. They are said to hate chickens, octopuses, and the sound of farting or hot pot lids. Conversely, they can become steadfast friends for life if offered fruit, and their presence in a home is traditionally believed to bring prosperity.
As yōkai, Kijimuna are complex figures who can act as either allies or antagonists to the protagonist, Kitarō. Their motivations are often tied to their nature as spirits of the banyan tree, and they are known to seek vengeance against those who harm the trees they inhabit. In the context of the series, they are frequently seen as residents of the GeGeGe Forest, living alongside other yōkai. Their role in the story is typically that of a background character or a member of a group, though they have participated in major conflicts. In the 1985 anime series, a Kijimuna appeared as a dancing attendant at a yōkai party orchestrated by the villain Momon-Jii and later took part in a trial against Kitarō. In the 2018 anime, during the episode The Great Yōkai War, a group of three Kijimuna joined forces with Kitarō and the other yōkai of the forest to fight against an army of Western yōkai, demonstrating their loyalty to their home and community. Their relationships within the story are primarily defined by their place in the yōkai world, where they interact with and are part of the community led by characters like Kitarō and his father, Medama-Oyaji.
Regarding their development as characters, the Kijimuna do not typically undergo significant personal arcs across the series. Instead, they function as recurring members of the yōkai world's ensemble cast. Their main development is seen in the changing artistic interpretations and their shift from being part of a villain's scheme in earlier adaptations to becoming staunch defenders of the GeGeGe Forest alongside Kitarō in more recent ones.
The notable abilities of Kijimuna are derived from their mythological roots. They possess the power of levitation, allowing them to float and move through the air. They can breathe fire and have the ability to cast illusions. In some instances, they have also demonstrated the power of combined transformation, merging with other beings to take on a new form. Their combat skills extend to using a mace as a weapon. In folklore, upon which the character is based, Kijimuna are known for their excellent fishing skills, preferring to eat the left eye of a fish. They are said to hate chickens, octopuses, and the sound of farting or hot pot lids. Conversely, they can become steadfast friends for life if offered fruit, and their presence in a home is traditionally believed to bring prosperity.