Kappa
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The Kappa (河童, lit. River Child) are a race of amphibious yokai from Japanese legend that made appearances in the 1968 Daiei film, Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare, the 1974 Toho series, Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka, the 2006 Kadokawa film, The Great Yokai War, and the 2010 Nikkatsu film, Death Kappa. Kappa are among the most well-known yokai outside of Japan, and have appeared in countless pieces of media as a result.
Appearances
The Kappa is a small, reptilian creature with a pool of water on its head, and 'leaves' running around the rim of its pool. The Kappa also has a beak, which gives it a vaguely avian appearance.
History
Showa era
Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters
While the Kappa himself didn't appear in the first of the Yokai Monsters saga, there is mention of the mischievous water imps.
Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare
In this film, the Kappa and his kind have one of the most important roles in the whole film, and is one of the protagonists. He was the first yokai to challenge Daimon, getting his head dish severely burned while doing so. The Kappa then went to the other yokai for help, and though the others seemed to feel that he was suspicious at first, he rallied the troops. He was thought to be killed in the large assault on Daimon when his head dish caught fire, with Daimon setting fire to the pond he dove into to try and extinguish the flames. It was later revealed he was perfectly fine and simply hid below the water. Besides him, there were many Kappa that were in the spirit army that fought against Daimon and his illusions, using their water powers to douse Daimon's fire.
Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts
Much like 100 Monsters, the Kappa isn't seen, but is mentioned. It is possible there are Kappa in the massive crowd scenes of yokai spying on two bandits.
Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka
A Kappa appears in Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka as an enemy monster and ally of Coonjo.
Millennium era
The Great Yokai War
Much like one did in the Showa series, a Kappa named Kawataro played a major part in the Great Yokai War of 2006. He was one of the first yokai to respond to the call when the yokai found out that their species were being turned into mindless machines. Unlike the Showa Kappa, this one had no powers besides reverting back to his normal size when being crushed by a boulder. Other Kappa and subspecies of them are seen in the massive gathering of every Japanese Yokai in the film's climax.
Death Kappa
In this film, the Kappa is looked after by a woman, but is wanted by a band of criminals and mutant fish men. They threaten to use a bomb to destroy all of Japan, and eventually do set it off. However, one of the fish men is caught in the explosion and is mutated into the monster Hangyolas. Fortunately, the Kappa was also mutated into Death Kappa and was able to subdue the rampaging titan. After its fight with Hangyolas, it was soothed by its childhood friend who sang it a song and poured water on its dish. The Kappa, losing its red eyes, slowly disappeared into the ocean.
Abilities
Headbutt
Kappa can headbutt his opponents.
Water beam
Kappa is able to shoot a water beam.
Atomic breath
When mutated, the Kappa can breath blue atomic breath similar to that of Godzilla.
Physical abilities
When mutated, the Kappa can use a variety of physical attacks, e.g. flipping Hangyolas, much like the legend of Kappas being professional sumo wrestlers.
Spirit detection
The Kappa from Spook Warfare could see the inner spirits of people, and was able to identify Daimon hidden inside a person he possessed.
Teleportation
The Kappa from Spook Warfare frequently teleported while trying to assault Daimon.
Filmography
- Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters
- Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare
- Yokai Monsters: Along with Ghosts
- Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka
- The Great Yokai War
- Death Kappa
- The Great Yokai War: Guardians
Video games
- Konami Wai Wai World (1988) - Nintendo Entertainment System
Konami Wai Wai World
A type of Kappa named Dish-Throwing Gappa (皿投げガッパ Sara Nage Gappa) appear in the Edo stage of Konami Wai Wai World. As its name suggests, the Dish-Throwing Gappa can create and throw dishes.
Dish-Throwing Gappa's sprite in Konami Wai Wai World
Comics
- Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1 (2016)
- The Great Yokai War: Guardians (2021)
Godzilla: Rage Across Time
A Kappa is briefly seen on the side of a road in the first issue of Godzilla: Rage Across Time as Akio and Gorou Suda travel to the Shobijin temple.
The Great Yokai War: Guardians
To be added.
Trivia
- The Kappa from Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare and the one from Great Yokai War are implied to be the same individual.
- The Kappa in Great Yokai War apparently knows of the yokai-based series Gegege no Kitaro and berates people for not enjoying it.
- Kappalge, a kaiju who first appeared in Go! Godman, may be based on the Kappa, among other influences.
- The Kappa, much like Gamera, can be seen as a protector of children. It wasn't until Daimon began to feed on the blood of children did he try to rally the other yokai, and forty years later, he became friends with a boy who could see yokai naturally.
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