TV-Series
Description
Ebisumaru is the primary comedic foil and loyal companion to protagonist Goemon throughout the *Ganbare Goemon* franchise. Originally roaming Japan as the self-proclaimed "Ninja of Justice" under the alias Nezumi Kozō (The Rat Kid), performing good deeds, a fateful encounter with Goemon drew him into the hero's cause. He now resides with Goemon in Edo.
He appears as a pudgy ninja with eyes perpetually closed in a smiling expression, clad in a blue ninja gi and a bandana tied beneath his nose to resemble a moustache. His eccentric personality manifests in unpredictable whimsy, such as spontaneous dancing, sleeping, or jumping regardless of location, even mid-battle. Key traits include extreme gluttony—holding a record of consuming 200 plates of dango in one sitting—and a carefree, often irresponsible demeanor. Despite this, he proves a formidable and versatile combat ally.
Ebisumaru wields unconventional weapons like fans or mallets, frequently employing bizarre household objects such as hula hoops, aerobic ribbons, yo-yos, frying pans, plungers, and gymnastic equipment. His diverse ninjutsu abilities encompass:
- **Kobun Cow**: Summoning a cow as a familial ally.
- **Japanese Dance**: Eliminating all on-screen enemies through dance.
- **Flapping**: Using fans as wings to achieve flight.
- **Fire and Thunder Manipulation**: Launching elemental attacks.
- **Healing**: Restoring allies' health (e.g., Rifuru/Rifurira techniques).
- **Chibi Ebisumaru**: Shrinking to navigate tight spaces.
- **Teleportation** (Tobuun): Warping to previously visited locations.
- **Status Effects**: Such as Poison Mist or speed reduction (Ufufun).
In RPG spin-offs like *Ganbare Goemon Gaiden*, his techniques expand to include instant death (Annihilation), defense buffs (Shiiu!), and HP redistribution (Tonton).
A recurring joke centers on Ebisumaru's delusional self-perception as exceptionally attractive, claiming descent from James Dean. Ironically, he inexplicably garners significant popularity among women. He has a daughter named Mao, though her mother remains unspecified. His early origin story in *Ganbare Goemon 2* (1989) revealed he was a woman transformed into a man by a curse, a plot point abandoned in subsequent media.
Within animated adaptations, including the OVA *Nightmare in the Dimensional Castle* and the 23-episode *Anime Ganbare Goemon* series, Ebisumaru retains his core traits—comedic antics, weapon versatility, and loyalty to Goemon—as the group defends both game and real worlds from threats like the Demon Lord Makamuge.
He appears as a pudgy ninja with eyes perpetually closed in a smiling expression, clad in a blue ninja gi and a bandana tied beneath his nose to resemble a moustache. His eccentric personality manifests in unpredictable whimsy, such as spontaneous dancing, sleeping, or jumping regardless of location, even mid-battle. Key traits include extreme gluttony—holding a record of consuming 200 plates of dango in one sitting—and a carefree, often irresponsible demeanor. Despite this, he proves a formidable and versatile combat ally.
Ebisumaru wields unconventional weapons like fans or mallets, frequently employing bizarre household objects such as hula hoops, aerobic ribbons, yo-yos, frying pans, plungers, and gymnastic equipment. His diverse ninjutsu abilities encompass:
- **Kobun Cow**: Summoning a cow as a familial ally.
- **Japanese Dance**: Eliminating all on-screen enemies through dance.
- **Flapping**: Using fans as wings to achieve flight.
- **Fire and Thunder Manipulation**: Launching elemental attacks.
- **Healing**: Restoring allies' health (e.g., Rifuru/Rifurira techniques).
- **Chibi Ebisumaru**: Shrinking to navigate tight spaces.
- **Teleportation** (Tobuun): Warping to previously visited locations.
- **Status Effects**: Such as Poison Mist or speed reduction (Ufufun).
In RPG spin-offs like *Ganbare Goemon Gaiden*, his techniques expand to include instant death (Annihilation), defense buffs (Shiiu!), and HP redistribution (Tonton).
A recurring joke centers on Ebisumaru's delusional self-perception as exceptionally attractive, claiming descent from James Dean. Ironically, he inexplicably garners significant popularity among women. He has a daughter named Mao, though her mother remains unspecified. His early origin story in *Ganbare Goemon 2* (1989) revealed he was a woman transformed into a man by a curse, a plot point abandoned in subsequent media.
Within animated adaptations, including the OVA *Nightmare in the Dimensional Castle* and the 23-episode *Anime Ganbare Goemon* series, Ebisumaru retains his core traits—comedic antics, weapon versatility, and loyalty to Goemon—as the group defends both game and real worlds from threats like the Demon Lord Makamuge.