TV-Series
Description
Based on the folklore tale, Momotaro emerged from a giant peach discovered by an elderly, childless woman washing clothes in a river. Raised by the couple, he journeyed to defeat ogres on Onigashima Island with the aid of three animal companions: a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. After his victory, he lived comfortably as a celebrated village figure.
Following his death, Momotaro arrived in hell as an unemployed and prideful spirit, frequently boasting about his past deeds and reacting angrily to insults. His disruptive behavior and attempts to relive his glory by harassing hell's oni drew the attention of Hoozuki, a high-ranking demon official. Hoozuki intervened, transforming the aimless troublemaker into a disciplined, diligent worker. This marked a significant shift, making Momotaro more docile and positioning him as the "straight man" in the series' dynamic.
He subsequently secured employment at Togenkyo, also known as Shangri-La, working under Hakutaku, an expert in traditional Chinese medicine. There, Momotaro assists in running a pharmacy focused on Kampo medicine and cultivates peaches of immortality. Hakutaku, respected by Momotaro for his medical knowledge, affectionately nicknames him "Taotaro-kun"—a play substituting the Japanese "momo" (peach) with the Chinese "tao." Despite this professional rapport, Momotaro disapproves of Hakutaku's habitual womanizing and frequently voices complaints.
Momotaro maintains a respectful and grateful relationship with Hoozuki, often addressing him as "Hoozuki-sama." He acknowledges Hoozuki's pivotal role in redirecting his afterlife path and occasionally reflects on this mentorship. Hoozuki reciprocates by treating Momotaro as a friend and showing genuine interest in his well-being during visits.
His three animal companions—Shiro (dog), Kakisuke (monkey), and Rurio (pheasant)—also reside in hell, employed as torturers in the animal cruelty section. They specialize in punishing humans who mistreated animals during their lifetimes.
Across all media, Momotaro's narrative emphasizes his evolution from a stagnant, self-aggrandizing figure into a purposeful and respected member of the afterlife's workforce. His attire shifted from his original human-era clothing to Muromachi-period working garments after joining Togenkyo, symbolizing his integration into structured labor.
Following his death, Momotaro arrived in hell as an unemployed and prideful spirit, frequently boasting about his past deeds and reacting angrily to insults. His disruptive behavior and attempts to relive his glory by harassing hell's oni drew the attention of Hoozuki, a high-ranking demon official. Hoozuki intervened, transforming the aimless troublemaker into a disciplined, diligent worker. This marked a significant shift, making Momotaro more docile and positioning him as the "straight man" in the series' dynamic.
He subsequently secured employment at Togenkyo, also known as Shangri-La, working under Hakutaku, an expert in traditional Chinese medicine. There, Momotaro assists in running a pharmacy focused on Kampo medicine and cultivates peaches of immortality. Hakutaku, respected by Momotaro for his medical knowledge, affectionately nicknames him "Taotaro-kun"—a play substituting the Japanese "momo" (peach) with the Chinese "tao." Despite this professional rapport, Momotaro disapproves of Hakutaku's habitual womanizing and frequently voices complaints.
Momotaro maintains a respectful and grateful relationship with Hoozuki, often addressing him as "Hoozuki-sama." He acknowledges Hoozuki's pivotal role in redirecting his afterlife path and occasionally reflects on this mentorship. Hoozuki reciprocates by treating Momotaro as a friend and showing genuine interest in his well-being during visits.
His three animal companions—Shiro (dog), Kakisuke (monkey), and Rurio (pheasant)—also reside in hell, employed as torturers in the animal cruelty section. They specialize in punishing humans who mistreated animals during their lifetimes.
Across all media, Momotaro's narrative emphasizes his evolution from a stagnant, self-aggrandizing figure into a purposeful and respected member of the afterlife's workforce. His attire shifted from his original human-era clothing to Muromachi-period working garments after joining Togenkyo, symbolizing his integration into structured labor.