Rurio, a male pheasant from the Japanese folktale *Momotaro*, once served as a loyal companion to the protagonist. After Momotaro’s defeat by the demon Hozuki, Rurio was consigned to Animal Hell—a realm punishing those who inflicted cruelty on animals. There, he enforces karmic justice as a torturer alongside former allies: Shiro, a dog, and Kakisuke, a monkey.

Dual-natured, Rurio shifts between approachable camaraderie during rest and ruthless efficiency in duty, mirroring Animal Hell’s ethos of retribution. His temper flares when provoked, exemplified by an altercation where he violently headbutted the goddess Amanojaku after she taunted him by comparing their pasts. This outburst highlights both his lineage as a divine avian from folklore and unresolved ties to mythological conflicts.

Rurio’s story remains anchored to his original folktale role. Spin-offs and adaptations preserve his core function as an enforcer of poetic punishments in Animal Hell, avoiding significant backstory elaboration or character evolution to maintain narrative consistency.