Merfolk

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Merfolk
Name
Japanese	人魚 マーメイド
Rōmaji	Ningyo Māmeido
Meaning	Merfolk Mermaids
Additional Information
Primary Abilities	Water Breathing
Located in	The Seas Bodies of water

Merfolk (人魚 (にんぎょ) Ningyo, lit. Man fish) are a race of aquatic Yōkai that are normally half-fish in appearance.

Description

Merfolk are Yōkai that appear as half-human, half-fish. Their appearance varies between individuals, such as having a perfectly even combination of human and fish parts or being mostly fish-bodied.

Powers and Abilities

Underwater Breathing: As they are water dwelling yōkai, they are able to breathe underwater.

Land Mobility: Despite having the lower body of a fish, several Merfolks have been shown to be able to stand upright and even walk. In some instances, this is done by floating off the ground.

Water Saw (水ノコギリ mizu nokogiri): Utilized by the Merfolk from America in Yuki-Hime-chan and GeGeGe no Kitarō.

List of Merfolks

Name	Debut Series
Amabie	GeGeGe no Kitarō (2007)
Hatsugyo	Emaki Ehon: GeGeGe no Kitarō goes to the Yōkai Island
Mermaid Child	GeGeGe no Kitarō (Shonen Magazine)
Uoko Hito	GeGeGe no Kitarō (2018)
Wakasa Mermaid	GeGeGe no Kitarō (2007)

Legends

Merpeople or Merfolk are mythical creatures with the head and upper half of a human and the lower half of a fish. They appear in many folklores around the world, including the Near East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are known by many names across the myths and legends about them, in Japan they are known as Ningyo. Mermaids refer to the females, while the males are called Mermen. A related category are the fish people who, unlike most merfolk, have more prominent fish features.

Trivia

Mizuki's illustration of a Mermaid

• In a different illustration of the Mermaid, Mizuki noted that it was based on Medieval paintings of whales which he based his design of Bake-Kujira. The illustration in particular resembles the Steipereidur, which is noted that despite its monstrous appearance is rather tame and benevolent.