Movie
Description
Medama-Oyaji, also called "Eyeball Father" or "Daddy Eyeball," began as an adult member of the Ghost Tribe. While secluded with his pregnant wife Iwako, he contracted an incurable "melting disease." Selling his blood to support them caused transfusion recipients to resemble ghosts, drawing dangerous attention. Both parents died before Kitarō's birth. Driven by profound love for his unborn son, his spirit inhabited his last intact body part—his eyeball—transforming him into an anthropomorphic being with a giant eyeball head and a small body.
He primarily supports his son Kitarō, the Ghost Tribe's last survivor, by sharing extensive knowledge of yōkai, occult phenomena, and supernatural weaknesses gained during pre-birth travels across Earth. This expertise covers diverse entities, including Akuma and Ancient Inca lore. A personal relationship with Enma-Daiō allows direct communication and approved access between the human world and Jigoku (Hell). Despite a fragile appearance, he exhibits resilience, surviving crushing or deep-frying and regenerating fully. He and Kitarō endure extreme deprivation, like 10 years without food or water.
Physically, he is typically unclothed, sometimes wearing accessories like a silk hat from "English demons" or a single shoe from Santa Claus. A small, retractable mouth sits beneath his eyeball, rarely visible, and his eyelid is a simple line. Biological details include a bronchial tube (evidenced by sneezing mucus) but no teeth. He consumes morning dew, cherries, plums, and fish eye soup. Emphasizing cleanliness, he frequently bathes in small vessels like teacups, bowls, or sake, with variations including coffee, sand, or cola.
Family is central: he is Kitarō’s father and Iwako’s husband. Some adaptations introduce Yuki-Hime as a daughter. His spirit is described as "massive" despite his tiny form. Catchphrases include "Oi! Kitarō!" and joyful expressions during bathing.
His history shows minor variations. The backstory typically occurs in the early 1960s, though one live-action film sets it in the Edo period. Post-rebirth, he accompanies Kitarō on journeys, residing in places like the GeGeGe Forest or Sunakake-Babaa’s Yōkai Apartments. His character remains consistent across adaptations, though later series show him eating more frequently, displaying fuller cheeks after meals.
He primarily supports his son Kitarō, the Ghost Tribe's last survivor, by sharing extensive knowledge of yōkai, occult phenomena, and supernatural weaknesses gained during pre-birth travels across Earth. This expertise covers diverse entities, including Akuma and Ancient Inca lore. A personal relationship with Enma-Daiō allows direct communication and approved access between the human world and Jigoku (Hell). Despite a fragile appearance, he exhibits resilience, surviving crushing or deep-frying and regenerating fully. He and Kitarō endure extreme deprivation, like 10 years without food or water.
Physically, he is typically unclothed, sometimes wearing accessories like a silk hat from "English demons" or a single shoe from Santa Claus. A small, retractable mouth sits beneath his eyeball, rarely visible, and his eyelid is a simple line. Biological details include a bronchial tube (evidenced by sneezing mucus) but no teeth. He consumes morning dew, cherries, plums, and fish eye soup. Emphasizing cleanliness, he frequently bathes in small vessels like teacups, bowls, or sake, with variations including coffee, sand, or cola.
Family is central: he is Kitarō’s father and Iwako’s husband. Some adaptations introduce Yuki-Hime as a daughter. His spirit is described as "massive" despite his tiny form. Catchphrases include "Oi! Kitarō!" and joyful expressions during bathing.
His history shows minor variations. The backstory typically occurs in the early 1960s, though one live-action film sets it in the Edo period. Post-rebirth, he accompanies Kitarō on journeys, residing in places like the GeGeGe Forest or Sunakake-Babaa’s Yōkai Apartments. His character remains consistent across adaptations, though later series show him eating more frequently, displaying fuller cheeks after meals.