TV-Series
Description
Matamune is a nekomata, a two-tailed cat spirit, recognizable by his pipe and the bear claw necklace later carried by Yoh Asakura. Once an abandoned kitten, he was rescued a millennium ago by Asakura Hao, who sensed his powerful spiritual potential. After Matamune's natural death, Hao transformed him into a Goryoushin—a guardian spirit shielding against demons—by infusing part of his own furyoku into the bear claw necklace. This act granted Matamune a physical form sustained only as long as his furyoku remained.
Following Hao's descent into madness, Matamune joined the Asakura family to oppose him. Five hundred years later, during Hao's second life, Matamune aided Asakura Yohken in defeating Hao in the Shaman Fight. He carries deep guilt for this outcome, convinced his own lost faith contributed to Hao's downfall. This fuels his thousand-year quest for atonement and a way to save Hao.
Centuries later, Yohmei Asakura summoned Matamune to accompany young Yoh Asakura to Mount Osore for Yoh's first meeting with Anna Kyoyama. On this journey, Matamune became Yoh's mentor and friend, teaching him shamanic principles. When Anna's empathic abilities, mirroring Hao's, manifested a destructive Oni, Matamune helped Yoh confront it. He transferred his remaining furyoku to Yoh, enabling Yoh to wield the O.S. Oni-Goroshi technique and defeat the demon. This act consumed Matamune's furyoku, dissolving his physical form. Yoh vowed to regain the strength needed to resummon him.
During Yoh's training in Hell, Matamune reappeared as an observer. He witnessed Yoh's battle against Yohken, though Yoh remained unaware. Later, he guided Tao Ren and Horohoro in escaping Hell. In the epilogue, he reunited with Hao, and a cat resembling him appeared beside Hao, implying possible reincarnation.
Matamune's primary ability is O.S. Oni-Goroshi, manifesting a giant purification katana using his pipe or the bear claw necklace as a medium. This technique drains enemy spirit energy while consuming his furyoku. Key techniques include:
- Chou Senji Ryakketsu Fumon GoryouE: An Over Soul transforming his pipe into a sword to combat spirits.
- Kokusatsu: An attack amplified by expending additional furyoku.
- Mikazuki no Harae: A crescent moon-shaped slash used by Yoh to defeat Anna's Oni, which finalized Matamune's departure.
His personality is contemplative and introspective, frequently expressing regret over his failure to save Hao. He is often depicted reading books and claims centuries of travel have let him "see everything." His favorite indulgence is matatabi (cat powder).
Following Hao's descent into madness, Matamune joined the Asakura family to oppose him. Five hundred years later, during Hao's second life, Matamune aided Asakura Yohken in defeating Hao in the Shaman Fight. He carries deep guilt for this outcome, convinced his own lost faith contributed to Hao's downfall. This fuels his thousand-year quest for atonement and a way to save Hao.
Centuries later, Yohmei Asakura summoned Matamune to accompany young Yoh Asakura to Mount Osore for Yoh's first meeting with Anna Kyoyama. On this journey, Matamune became Yoh's mentor and friend, teaching him shamanic principles. When Anna's empathic abilities, mirroring Hao's, manifested a destructive Oni, Matamune helped Yoh confront it. He transferred his remaining furyoku to Yoh, enabling Yoh to wield the O.S. Oni-Goroshi technique and defeat the demon. This act consumed Matamune's furyoku, dissolving his physical form. Yoh vowed to regain the strength needed to resummon him.
During Yoh's training in Hell, Matamune reappeared as an observer. He witnessed Yoh's battle against Yohken, though Yoh remained unaware. Later, he guided Tao Ren and Horohoro in escaping Hell. In the epilogue, he reunited with Hao, and a cat resembling him appeared beside Hao, implying possible reincarnation.
Matamune's primary ability is O.S. Oni-Goroshi, manifesting a giant purification katana using his pipe or the bear claw necklace as a medium. This technique drains enemy spirit energy while consuming his furyoku. Key techniques include:
- Chou Senji Ryakketsu Fumon GoryouE: An Over Soul transforming his pipe into a sword to combat spirits.
- Kokusatsu: An attack amplified by expending additional furyoku.
- Mikazuki no Harae: A crescent moon-shaped slash used by Yoh to defeat Anna's Oni, which finalized Matamune's departure.
His personality is contemplative and introspective, frequently expressing regret over his failure to save Hao. He is often depicted reading books and claims centuries of travel have let him "see everything." His favorite indulgence is matatabi (cat powder).