TV-Series
Description
Konaki Jijii, also known as Crybaby Geezer or Old Man Crybaby, is a yōkai from Japanese folklore, specifically the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture. He mimics an infant's cry to lure travelers; those who pick him up are crushed under his rapidly escalating weight, which can reach at least 188 kilograms or hundreds of times more, resulting in death. A variant, Gogya-Naki, causes earthquakes with distinctive "Gogya" cries and is sometimes depicted with one leg. The related Konaki-Babaa (Crybaby Hag) appears as an old woman's face on an infant's body, also increasing in weight when handled and potentially transforming into a pumpkin if cooked.
His physical form features a baby-like head bearing the face of an elderly man, complete with a mustache, drooping eyebrows, and occasionally a blackened front tooth. He typically wears a Kintarō apron and a mino straw coat. His age is consistently given as 3,100 years.
A recurring ally within the Kitarō Family, Konaki Jijii serves as one of Kitarō's strongest supporters, often collaborating with Sunakake-Babaa. Their relationship shows camaraderie, including Sunakake-Babaa expressing jealousy over his interactions with other women and implications of a deeper bond, though their marital status is unconfirmed. He explicitly states his love for her in "Yōkai Sen Monogatari." Characterized as comic and absent-minded, he is frequently depicted drinking sake, sleeping excessively due to his great age, and enjoying shogi. His drunkenness sometimes leads to trouble, such as being drugged during "The Great Yōkai Trial" or having his youth stolen by Neko-Shō while intoxicated.
His primary combat ability involves clinging to opponents and transforming his body to stone, drastically increasing his mass to immobilize or crush them. This technique proves fatal in pivotal battles, drowning Frankenstein (manga) and Wolfman (anime) during "The Great Yōkai War." In that storyline, he is initially killed—by an unknown cause in the manga and by Dracula in the anime—but later reappears without explanation. He is also among the 47 Yōkai Warriors representing Tokushima Prefecture in the 2007 anime.
Later media expands his background and traits. He is distantly related to human politician Deputy Prime Minister Kinkaku, who acknowledges their connection. Financially savvy, he possesses significant savings, owns luxury items like fine clothing and a personal computer for research, and participates in events such as the Yōkai Baseball Team and Yōkai Rally. His personality includes moments of mocking fellow yōkai Ittan-Momen, and he endures rheumatism in 1980s manga adaptations.
His physical form features a baby-like head bearing the face of an elderly man, complete with a mustache, drooping eyebrows, and occasionally a blackened front tooth. He typically wears a Kintarō apron and a mino straw coat. His age is consistently given as 3,100 years.
A recurring ally within the Kitarō Family, Konaki Jijii serves as one of Kitarō's strongest supporters, often collaborating with Sunakake-Babaa. Their relationship shows camaraderie, including Sunakake-Babaa expressing jealousy over his interactions with other women and implications of a deeper bond, though their marital status is unconfirmed. He explicitly states his love for her in "Yōkai Sen Monogatari." Characterized as comic and absent-minded, he is frequently depicted drinking sake, sleeping excessively due to his great age, and enjoying shogi. His drunkenness sometimes leads to trouble, such as being drugged during "The Great Yōkai Trial" or having his youth stolen by Neko-Shō while intoxicated.
His primary combat ability involves clinging to opponents and transforming his body to stone, drastically increasing his mass to immobilize or crush them. This technique proves fatal in pivotal battles, drowning Frankenstein (manga) and Wolfman (anime) during "The Great Yōkai War." In that storyline, he is initially killed—by an unknown cause in the manga and by Dracula in the anime—but later reappears without explanation. He is also among the 47 Yōkai Warriors representing Tokushima Prefecture in the 2007 anime.
Later media expands his background and traits. He is distantly related to human politician Deputy Prime Minister Kinkaku, who acknowledges their connection. Financially savvy, he possesses significant savings, owns luxury items like fine clothing and a personal computer for research, and participates in events such as the Yōkai Baseball Team and Yōkai Rally. His personality includes moments of mocking fellow yōkai Ittan-Momen, and he endures rheumatism in 1980s manga adaptations.