TV-Series
Description
Shu-no-Bon, sometimes called Shu-no-Ban, is a yōkai featuring a large head, a red oni-like face, yellow eyes, and a single forehead horn. His mouth perpetually hangs open, revealing sharp teeth, with his lower lip resting over his upper lip. He possesses long dark gray hair and wears traditional Japanese clothing.
Primarily depicted as a minion to the yōkai leader Nurarihyon, he debuted in this role in the 1985 anime series. While his personality varies across adaptations, it often blends comic relief with moderate threat. Despite an intimidating appearance, he is frequently shown as weaker than other yōkai, though the 2018 anime enhances his physical capability. He is not inherently evil, exhibiting kindness, particularly towards the human Yumeko in the 1985 series.
His relationship with Nurarihyon centers on deep loyalty, typically addressing him with "-sama". Nurarihyon mistreats him, using him as a scapegoat for failed schemes; this treatment is comedic but intensifies in serious arcs like Jigoku. In the 1985 anime, Shu-no-Bon's bond with Yumeko causes his loyalty to waver, leading him to betray Nurarihyon multiple times to protect her. Despite this, he demonstrates underlying care for Nurarihyon, notably seeking Kitarō's aid when the Hi Clan transforms Nurarihyon into a doll. After Nurarihyon reverts and resumes antagonism, Shu-no-Bon reluctantly follows. His character arc culminates in a moral turn where he attacks Nurarihyon, and both fall into lava during a confrontation; his survival status remains ambiguous.
Later adaptations evolve his role. The 1996 anime shows him questioning and talking back to Nurarihyon more frequently. The 2007 anime places him in comedic scenarios, such as being fired for incompetence in capturing Yanari yōkai, only to be reinstated when his accidental antics amuse the Yanari into reviving Yōkai Castle. The 2018 anime amplifies his combat proficiency, depicting him wielding modern weaponry like a machine gun against human militias.
His abilities include Human Transformation, used exclusively in the 1985 anime to shock humans by reverting to his true form, and Yōkai Hō, a lip-tugging gesture to summon other yōkai, also limited to 1985. His physical capabilities encompass enhanced strength (equated to Neko-Musume's in 2018), durability against attacks like Kitarō's hair needles, hand-to-hand combat skills, agility demonstrated in acrobatics, and powerful headbutts seen in manga and the 2007 anime.
Originating from Japanese folklore, his character draws from two regional legends: the terrifying Aizu version disguising himself as a human to scare victims to death, aligning with Mizuki's design, and the lesser-known Suwa variant with minimal facial features resembling a red plate. The spelling "Shu-no-Bon" became dominant due to Mizuki's influence, though some media retain "Shu-no-Ban".
His history spans media: manga features him competing against Kitarō in a sumo tournament; live-action films include him briefly in crowd scenes. Trivia notes post-Jigoku arc ambiguities regarding his allegiance and a rejected 1996 script exploring his dynamic with Nurarihyon as a comedic duo.
Primarily depicted as a minion to the yōkai leader Nurarihyon, he debuted in this role in the 1985 anime series. While his personality varies across adaptations, it often blends comic relief with moderate threat. Despite an intimidating appearance, he is frequently shown as weaker than other yōkai, though the 2018 anime enhances his physical capability. He is not inherently evil, exhibiting kindness, particularly towards the human Yumeko in the 1985 series.
His relationship with Nurarihyon centers on deep loyalty, typically addressing him with "-sama". Nurarihyon mistreats him, using him as a scapegoat for failed schemes; this treatment is comedic but intensifies in serious arcs like Jigoku. In the 1985 anime, Shu-no-Bon's bond with Yumeko causes his loyalty to waver, leading him to betray Nurarihyon multiple times to protect her. Despite this, he demonstrates underlying care for Nurarihyon, notably seeking Kitarō's aid when the Hi Clan transforms Nurarihyon into a doll. After Nurarihyon reverts and resumes antagonism, Shu-no-Bon reluctantly follows. His character arc culminates in a moral turn where he attacks Nurarihyon, and both fall into lava during a confrontation; his survival status remains ambiguous.
Later adaptations evolve his role. The 1996 anime shows him questioning and talking back to Nurarihyon more frequently. The 2007 anime places him in comedic scenarios, such as being fired for incompetence in capturing Yanari yōkai, only to be reinstated when his accidental antics amuse the Yanari into reviving Yōkai Castle. The 2018 anime amplifies his combat proficiency, depicting him wielding modern weaponry like a machine gun against human militias.
His abilities include Human Transformation, used exclusively in the 1985 anime to shock humans by reverting to his true form, and Yōkai Hō, a lip-tugging gesture to summon other yōkai, also limited to 1985. His physical capabilities encompass enhanced strength (equated to Neko-Musume's in 2018), durability against attacks like Kitarō's hair needles, hand-to-hand combat skills, agility demonstrated in acrobatics, and powerful headbutts seen in manga and the 2007 anime.
Originating from Japanese folklore, his character draws from two regional legends: the terrifying Aizu version disguising himself as a human to scare victims to death, aligning with Mizuki's design, and the lesser-known Suwa variant with minimal facial features resembling a red plate. The spelling "Shu-no-Bon" became dominant due to Mizuki's influence, though some media retain "Shu-no-Ban".
His history spans media: manga features him competing against Kitarō in a sumo tournament; live-action films include him briefly in crowd scenes. Trivia notes post-Jigoku arc ambiguities regarding his allegiance and a rejected 1996 script exploring his dynamic with Nurarihyon as a comedic duo.
Cast