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Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇 or ヤマタノオロチ or やまたのおろち Yamata-no-Orochi, meaning Eight-Branched Serpent) is an eight-headed serpent Yōkai or god and one of the most powerful yōkai in existence.

Appearance[]

Yamata-no-Orochi is an eight-headed serpentine dragon with a single body, eight tails, dark blue skin, green fur on each of its heads and coverings of moss on its body.

In the 1985 anime, it lacks pupils and tongues.

In the 2018 anime, the Yamata-no-Orochi is a massive, eight-headed serpent, with dark murky green scales and a lighter underside. Each head has a wild, pale lavender mane, three black horns on top, sharp white teeth and eyes with red sclerae, orange irises and black pupils.

History[]

1971 Anime[]

1985 Anime[]

1996 Anime[]

It is both a god of river or mountains, or a monster of an incarnation of floods. Although Medama-Oyaji noted that it is different from dragons, Yamata-no-Orochi has often been regarded as a type of dragon or dragon god, and the classification between dragons and reptilian beings have been rather vague in Japanese folklore and in the series.[2]

2007 Anime[]

2018 Anime[]

He appeared in the sixth anime #73 episode, where he was trapped inside a gem. He was able to grant eight wishes to the wielder of the gem, which would in turn create misery, after the eight wish, the wielder would turned into a Yobuko.

Powers and Abilities[]

Yamatanoorochi1986

Fire breath attack in the 1985 anime adaptation.

On the contrary to major depiction of the serpent, Yamata-no-Orochi in 1971 Anime was relatively weak where Kitaro was able to outmatch each necks rather easily.

Fire Breath: Yamata-no-Orochi is capable of breathing out flames in the 1985 and the 1996 anime.

Instant Regeneration:

Immortal Head: In the 1996 anime, Yamata-no-Orochi has a head with gold eyes and an infinity symbol on the forehead, so long as this head remains, the other heads will be able to regenerate instantly.

Yōkai Energy:

Lightning: In the 2018 anime, Yamata-no-Orochi is capable of striking a target with a bolt of lightning. In the 1985 anime, dark thundering clouds broke out when Yamata-no-Orochi was revived, and Yamata-no-Orochi also emitted red bolts of electricity.

River Body: The physical body of Yamata-no-Orochi in the 1996 anime is solely consisted of rivers in vicinity, and when the multi-headed serpent was sealed again, its body turned back to river waters.

Wish Granting: In the 2018 anime, Yamata-no-Orochi is able to grant the wishes of whoever holds his diamond.

Diamond Regeneration

Floating

Equipment[]

Kaihōseki (解放石 Kaihōseki, lit. Liberation Stone)

Former Equipment[]

Amano-Murakumo-No-Tsurugi (天叢雲剣): Also called Kusanagi-No-Tsurugi (くさなぎの (つるぎ) Kusanagi-No-Tsurugi), it is a holy sword Yamata-no-Orochi contained within his tail. In 1996 anime, it was used as a seal against the Yamata-no-Orochi.

Legend[]

Yamata-no-Orochi Illustration

Illustration of the battle between Susano-no-Mikoto and Yamata-no-Orochi by Shigeru Mizuki.

The Yamata-no-Orochi's name has several different letters and meanings; 八岐大蛇, 八俣遠呂智, 八俣遠呂知, 高志之八俣遠呂知; Eight-Headed/Branched/Immensely Huge/Mountainous - Serpent/Spiritually-Powerful Being/Long-Tailed God of Koshi Province.

The Yamata-no-Orochi terrorized an elderly god couple, demanding them to sacrifice on of their daughters to him every year. Susanoo-no-Mikoto met the couple before they had to sacrifice their eighth and last daughter, Kushinada-hime, where he offered to help them in exchange for their daughter's hand in marriage. They then built a large fence with vats of sake. When Yamata-no-Orochi arrived it drank all of the sake, becoming so drunk he passed out. Taking his chance Susanoo-no-Mikoto sliced the giant serpent into tiny pieces, so much so that the Hi River flowed with blood. By the time he was at the tail his sword broke, after inspecting it he found the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi. He gifted it to his sister Amaterasu and was allowed back into heaven.

In some legends, Yamata-no-Orochi avoided being slain by Susanoo-no-Mikoto, fleeing from Izumo to Ōmi and fathered a child with a wealthy person's daughter. This child would later be known as Shuten-Dōji, the infamous demon lord of Mt. Ōe.

References[]

  1. Shigeru Mizuki's Ancient Izumo
  2. Series 4 Episode 74

Navigation[]

v  e
1971 Series Yōkai and other Mystical Beings
Kitarō and Allies
Threats
Others
v  e
1985 Series Yōkai and other Mystical Beings
Kitarō and Allies
Threats
Jigoku
Others
v  e
1996 Series Yōkai and other Mystical Beings
Kitarō and Allies
Threats
Others
Amefuri-KozōBaby DorotabōDai-TenguEnma-DaiōGama-SenninIwanabōzuKaruraKashaboKawausoKawazaruKubinashi-UmaKuchisake-OnnaMt. Kurama Karasu-TenguNeko-SenninMermaid ChildObariyonShisaYakanzuruYama-WarawaZashiki-Warashi
Akaname & Shiro-UneriAkashitaAmamehagiFukuro-SageKaminariKashaKeukegen & Gasha-DokuroMizu-Sennin
Xú FúYōkaChiisuttā no Kami
v  e
2007 Series Yōkai and other Mystical Beings
Kitarō and Allies
Threats
Others
v  e
2018 Series Yōkai and other Mystical Beings
Kitarō and Allies
Threats
Others
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