TV-Series
Description
In the anime The Eccentric Family 2, the character known as Mother is Tousen Shimogamo, the matriarch of the Shimogamo tanuki family. She is the widow of Souichirou Shimogamo, who was the head of the tanuki community in Kyoto before being killed and eaten by the human members of the Friday Fellows. Tousen is a tanuki who possesses the shapeshifting abilities common to her kind, allowing her to transform into various forms including a human appearance. She is depicted with medium-length red hair and brown eyes in her human form.

Her background is tied to a complex romantic history. Before marrying Souichirou, she was the object of affection for her brother-in-law, Souun Ebisugawa, who fell in love with her. Her choice to marry Souichirou instead became a source of lasting envy and resentment for Souun, and this past plays a subtle but meaningful role in the tensions between the Shimogamo and Ebisugawa families.

Personality-wise, Tousen is portrayed as a devoted and caring mother who remains a stabilizing presence for her four sons: Yaichirou, Yajirou, Yasaburou, and Yashirou. She is characterized by a cheerful and somewhat whimsical nature, most notably expressed through her identity as a diehard fan of the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female musical theater troupe. This enthusiasm for performance and spectacle reflects a lighthearted side that helps her maintain family morale despite the grief and danger that surround them following Souichirou's death. She does not dwell on tragedy but instead encourages her sons to live fully and embrace the eccentric, foolish blood they inherited from their father.

Her primary motivation is the well-being and unity of her family. She works to preserve family traditions and rituals, such as the festival involving a special artifact that she tasks Yasaburou with securing in the first season. She acts as a quiet authority figure who guides her sons from behind the scenes, trusting them to navigate the politics of the tanuki world, the threats posed by the Friday Fellows, and their relationships with tengu like Professor Akadama and Benten.

In terms of key relationships, Tousen is the linchpin of the Shimogamo household. Her bond with her late husband Souichirou defines much of her past, while her connection to Souun Ebisugawa adds a layer of unresolved tension to the family feud. Among her sons, she relates to each according to their nature: she respects the responsibility of Yaichirou, understands the struggles of Yajirou, indulges the adventurous spirit of Yasaburou, and nurtures the youngest, Yashirou. Her relationship with the tengu Akadama is one of mutual respect, and she navigates the dangerous human world with caution, particularly regarding Benten and the Friday Fellows.

Over the course of the series, Tousen does not undergo dramatic personal transformation, but her role deepens as the story unfolds. She is a constant emotional anchor for her sons as they confront the truth about their father's death, face new threats from the returning Nidaime in season two, and grow into their own roles. Her resilience and unwavering support allow her children to take risks and make mistakes, knowing they have a home to return to.

Her notable abilities as a tanuki include shapeshifting, which she uses primarily for everyday life and protection, and likely the broader tanuki traits of trickery and transformation. She does not display combat prowess but instead relies on wisdom, patience, and maternal strength. Her talents as a family leader lie in her ability to keep the household running smoothly and to mediate conflicts, both within her family and with outside parties.