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Yōkai (kanji: 妖怪, "strange apparition") are a class of supernatural or paranormal beings in Japanese culture, myth, and religions. Species and groupings of yōkai are massively diverse, and range from beasts to demons to spirits, while their motives, appearances, and abilities are just as diverse.

In TMNT[]

Since many of the characters in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise are from and/or visit Japan, yōkai are featured occasionally in various incarnations. The Ninja Turtles themselves are mistaken for kappa in multiple incarnations, usually by the people of feudal Japan.

TMNT Adventures[]

In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures comics, Umihaha may be based on the ikuchi, given her Japanese name and status as a sea serpent.

2003 TV series[]

In the 2003 TV series, "Tengu" is a catch-all term for Japanese demons/yōkai. Among the tengu mentioned are Ultimate Ninja and his father, the original Shredder and his possession of Oroku Saki, the Kappa Tengu (which are kappa), and the rat-like Nezumi-Tengu. Baku is modeled after the original, chimeric creature from Japanese myth of that name.

IDW[]

In the IDW contiunity, "Kitsune" is the Japanese word for "fox". Foxes were considered yōkai and were portrayed as magical tricksters. Ocho is noted to be a mole yōkai and a former human. Like "Kitsune" and "tanuki", "Namazu" is just the Japanese word for a common animal ("catfish", in this case), but they were given yōkai status and powers through myth. Namazu in myth, like here, created earthquakes.

2012 TV series[]

In the 2012 TV series, Joroguma is based on jorōgumo, half-woman, half-spider creatures capable of disguising themselves as beautiful women. While tanuki are a non-fictional animal species, the Japanese raccoon dog, there were myths surrounding them regarding their motivations, personality anthropomorphism, and powers, which are displayed here.

2012 video games[]

Several of the Power Rangers villains that appear in Power Rangers vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Ultimate Hero Clash 2 are based on yōkai: Cat O'Clock is a nekomata, Ripperat is a kamaitachi, Skullgators are alligator gashadokuro, and Stonedozer is a construction equipment-themed daidarabotchi.

2014 film series[]

In the 2014 film series, the Kappa Yokai are a team of four kappa who saved ancient Japan, and are a spiritual predecessor to the Ninja Turtles.

Rise of the TMNT[]

In the 2018 animated series, Yōkai are featured quite prominently, residing in a society called the Hidden City below ground in secrecy from humanity. Yōkai have a special common origin, having been mutated in ancient times by the Krang's Empyrean.

External links[]

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