OVA
Description
Nekomaru is a bakeneko, a supernatural cat spirit, who accompanies Sakamoto Ryunosuke from Shanghai to Kyoto in Moeyo Ken. He is approximately three hundred years old and is female. He was saved by Ryunosuke in Shanghai and has remained at his side ever since, serving as a companion and assistant. His background as a monster cat is central to his role in the story, as he is a properly licensed youkai living openly alongside humans in the alternate Meiji-era setting.
Personality-wise, Nekomaru is timid and anxious. He frequently whines and attempts to hide when confronted with danger or trouble. This fearful nature is compounded by the fact that the character Gennai repeatedly uses him as an experimental subject or guinea pig, which makes his skittish behavior understandable over the course of the series. Despite his nervous disposition, he is not without loyalty and warmth. He holds a deep fondness for Ryunosuke and genuinely desires to see the young man succeed and find happiness. His dream is to help Ryunosuke become a great man.
His motivations are rooted in gratitude and affection for Ryunosuke, who rescued him in Shanghai. Nekomaru wants to support Ryunosuke and contribute to his well-being, even if his own courage often fails him in moments of crisis. He also appears to want the peace and stability of living among humans, staying within the bounds of the law that regulates youkai.
In the story, Nekomaru serves as a member of the Shinsengumi household, working as a server or attendant handling meals and other chores. He is present during many of the comedic and action-oriented events that the Shinsengumi face, though he tends to be a passive figure in combat situations. He is brought along by Ryunosuke as the boy becomes involved with the Mobile Shinsengumi and their mission to capture unlicensed youkai.
His key relationships include his strong bond with Ryunosuke, whom he follows faithfully and tries to protect. He also has a relationship with Gennai, though this dynamic is less friendly; Gennai treats Nekomaru as a test subject, causing the cat spirit to dread his attention. He interacts with the main members of the Shinsengumi, including Yuko Kondo, Toshie Hijikata, and Kaoru Okita, but remains more of a background presence compared to the human characters.
Nekomaru shows no major character arc, remaining consistent in his timid but loyal nature. His personal development is primarily expressed through his growing reliance on Ryunosuke and his willingness to continue despite his fears. His past rescue by Ryunosuke and his age of three hundred years suggest a long history, but the story does not delve deeply into his life before meeting the boy.
Notably, Nekomaru possesses several abilities. As a bakeneko, he has nine lives and can transfer one of these lives to a deceased person, resurrecting them in perfect health. This ability makes him a uniquely valuable ally in a world where youkai and humans face constant danger. He is also a skilled master of Chinese martial arts, with a signature technique called Nekomaru-ken. He can inhale large amounts of air to inflate his body, allowing him to float or fly. These abilities make him more powerful than his cowardly demeanor suggests.
Personality-wise, Nekomaru is timid and anxious. He frequently whines and attempts to hide when confronted with danger or trouble. This fearful nature is compounded by the fact that the character Gennai repeatedly uses him as an experimental subject or guinea pig, which makes his skittish behavior understandable over the course of the series. Despite his nervous disposition, he is not without loyalty and warmth. He holds a deep fondness for Ryunosuke and genuinely desires to see the young man succeed and find happiness. His dream is to help Ryunosuke become a great man.
His motivations are rooted in gratitude and affection for Ryunosuke, who rescued him in Shanghai. Nekomaru wants to support Ryunosuke and contribute to his well-being, even if his own courage often fails him in moments of crisis. He also appears to want the peace and stability of living among humans, staying within the bounds of the law that regulates youkai.
In the story, Nekomaru serves as a member of the Shinsengumi household, working as a server or attendant handling meals and other chores. He is present during many of the comedic and action-oriented events that the Shinsengumi face, though he tends to be a passive figure in combat situations. He is brought along by Ryunosuke as the boy becomes involved with the Mobile Shinsengumi and their mission to capture unlicensed youkai.
His key relationships include his strong bond with Ryunosuke, whom he follows faithfully and tries to protect. He also has a relationship with Gennai, though this dynamic is less friendly; Gennai treats Nekomaru as a test subject, causing the cat spirit to dread his attention. He interacts with the main members of the Shinsengumi, including Yuko Kondo, Toshie Hijikata, and Kaoru Okita, but remains more of a background presence compared to the human characters.
Nekomaru shows no major character arc, remaining consistent in his timid but loyal nature. His personal development is primarily expressed through his growing reliance on Ryunosuke and his willingness to continue despite his fears. His past rescue by Ryunosuke and his age of three hundred years suggest a long history, but the story does not delve deeply into his life before meeting the boy.
Notably, Nekomaru possesses several abilities. As a bakeneko, he has nine lives and can transfer one of these lives to a deceased person, resurrecting them in perfect health. This ability makes him a uniquely valuable ally in a world where youkai and humans face constant danger. He is also a skilled master of Chinese martial arts, with a signature technique called Nekomaru-ken. He can inhale large amounts of air to inflate his body, allowing him to float or fly. These abilities make him more powerful than his cowardly demeanor suggests.