Jibanyan, a feline Yo-kai born from the sacrifice of a red cat named Rudy, heroically pushed his owner Amy from a fatal truck collision, binding his spirit to the crossroads of his demise. Misinterpreting Amy’s anguished cry as branding him “lame” for failing to survive, he obsessively trains to conquer trucks, often possessing humans to challenge them. Rescued from this cycle by Nate Adams, a boy who befriends and invites him into his home, Jibanyan gradually abandons destruction, though his laziness, Chocobar cravings, and devotion to the band Next HarMEOWny spark occasional friction. A time-travel journey to his mortal end reshapes his perspective: reliving his final moments, he witnesses Amy’s raw guilt over the accident, not scorn for him, dissolving his lingering bitterness. This fuels his renewed purpose as a guardian. His role expands across timelines and media—appearing as a Mononoke ally to Summer Adams in *Shadowside*, battling threats like the Oni King Rasen. Meeting Miho, Amy’s daughter, reignites suppressed memories, briefly restoring his pre-Yo-kai form and affirming his bond with Amy’s lineage. Spin-offs like *Y School Heroes* reimagine him as Jinpei Jiba, a human student haunted by spectral instincts. Combat showcases his “Paws of Fury,” rapid strikes echoing martial arts theatrics, alongside fusion forms like Baddinyan and cloning prowess via “Onechanside” during clashes with foes like Snobetty. His rivalry with Tomnyan sparks playful Japan-U.S. cultural debates, while his bickering with Nate’s butler Yo-kai, Whisper, balances grit with humor—avoiding water, shirking chores, yet steadfast in crises. Cinematic tales entwine him in time paradoxes, multiverse menaces, and alliances with figures like Lord Enma. Films like *Forever Friends* and *Shadowside: The Return of the Oni King* position him against historical and interdimensional threats, mirroring game narratives. Visually, his split-tailed nekomata-inspired form, adorned with fiery motifs, nods to Japanese folklore, symbolizing his evolution from vengeful spirit to devoted protector, ever anchored by loyalty, tenacity, and a penchant for mischief.