Movie
Description
Kitarō is a yōkai who appears in Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu. He is the final descendant of the Ghost Tribe, born posthumously in a graveyard and emerging from his mother's grave. He is often guided by his father, Medama-Oyaji, who exists as a sentient eyeball. Visually, he resembles a young boy with long grey hair that covers his missing left eye. He is typically seen wearing a black and yellow striped vest, known as a chanchanko, over an old-fashioned school uniform, along with wooden geta sandals.

In terms of personality, Kitarō is dedicated to preserving harmony between humans and supernatural forces, balancing a role of guardianship with diplomacy. He displays a pragmatic sense of compassion in his interactions with both allies and adversaries. For instance, when characters mistake other yōkai for him, he takes steps to dispel the confusion and rebukes the deceitful yōkai Nezumi-Otoko for impersonation. His core motivation is to shield humanity from hostile yōkai while also advocating for mutual respect and coexistence through shared responsibility. He believes that while he can provide assistance, humans must ultimately drive their own salvation.

Within the story of Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu, Kitarō plays a crucial role. He allies with the human protagonists Natsume Amano and Akinori Arihoshi to counter the Onimaro virus, a threat that transforms humans into destructive vessels. When the antagonists manipulate a boy named Touma Tsukinami, who is infected by the virus, Kitarō employs his abilities to sever the corruption's hold on him. He enables Natsume to access Touma's memories, which helps catalyze the neutralization of the Onimaro threat. After creating the Yo-kai Watch Ogre for the protagonists by destroying Touma's demonic cuff, Kitarō withdraws, reaffirming his role as a bridge between worlds who empowers others to forge their own resolutions.

Key relationships include his bond with his father, Medama-Oyaji, who mentors him. He also has connections with other yōkai such as Neko-Musume, a loyal cat yōkai, as well as Sunakake-Babaa and Konaki-Jijii, which positions him as a unifying force among yōkai. While he shares a complicated association with the deceitful Nezumi-Otoko, he does not hesitate to rebuke him when necessary. Throughout the film, Kitarō's legacy is woven into a new narrative framework, honoring his established persona as a guardian who intervenes only when essential to ensure the protagonists' path to victory.

Kitarō possesses a notable set of abilities. His arsenal includes razor-sharp hair needles that can be used as projectiles against enemies. He wears a reinforced chanchanko jacket that can subdue adversaries and mystic geta sandals that enhance his combat agility. He also has various psychic abilities, such as sensing the presence of other supernatural beings, speaking with animals, and becoming incorporeal to phase in and out of the ground to avoid attacks. He is able to control his geta shoes and his chanchanko as part of his combat style.