Red Oni, known as Akaoni in Japanese, first appears antagonistically, threatening villagers and kidnapping Aya, a flute-skilled girl. He embodies classic oni traits: immense strength, aggression, and wields a drum as his signature instrument during conflict, establishing him as a traditional folkloric threat. Motivational complexity surfaces when Taro uncovers that Red Oni acts under coercion. The more powerful demon Kurooni (Black Oni) forces Red Oni into servitude through intimidation, shifting his role from primary aggressor to a secondary antagonist compelled by fear. Following Taro's defeat of Kurooni, Red Oni undergoes significant development. Freed from oppression, he allies with Taro to liberate the terrorized village, demonstrating cooperation and gratitude. His character arc concludes with mythological integration. Taro hurls Red Oni into the sky to serve the thunder god, transforming him from an earthbound menace into a celestial servant. This resolution reflects folkloric traditions where supernatural beings become repurposed rather than destroyed, cementing his functional shift within the spiritual order. Visually, Red Oni adheres to Japanese oni conventions: vivid crimson skin, horns, and traditional minimal garb, consistent with broader cultural depictions of primal weaponry and attributes. His narrative purpose illustrates themes of coercion, unexpected allegiance, and the potential for change among seemingly irredeemable entities.