Kappa

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Kappa
A Kappa in Death Kappa
Species Amphibious deity
Forms Death KappaDK
Allies Other yokai
Enemies Daimon, KikaiTGYW,
UmihikoDK, HangyolasDK
First appearance Latest appearance
Yokai Monsters:
100 Monsters
The Great Yokai
War: Guardians
For the main character of Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare, see Aogappa. For the Kappa from The Great Yokai War, see Kawataro. For the mutated Kappa from Death Kappa, see Death Kappa.
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The Kappa ( (かっ) (), lit. "river child") is an amphibious yokai from Japanese legend. Kappa make appearances in the 1968 Daiei films Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters and Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare, the 1974 Toho series Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka, the 2005 Kadokawa film The Great Yokai War and its 2021 sequel The Great Yokai War: Guardians, 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.

Appearance

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. The version of the creature in Death Kappa is plump and only has a beak on its top jaw.

Selected history

Showa era

Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters

A Kappa was among the yokai led by Aburasumashi who stormed Riemon Tajiyama's mansion, subsequently parading with them into the sunset.

Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare

Main article: Aogappa.

A type of Kappa called Aogappa serves as the film's main character, being the first to confront the Babylonian demon Daimon.

Another Kappa is among the Yokai Navy recruited by Nimenonna to destroy Daimon. He can be seen parading with the other yokai into the sunset at the end of the film.

Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka

A Kappa appears in Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka as an enemy monster and ally of Coonjo.

Heisei era

Sakuya

To be added.

The Great Yokai War

Main article: Kawataro.

A Kappa named Kawataro plays a major role in the film, similarly to in Spook Warfare.

Death Kappa

Kappa in Death Kappa

In this film, a Kappa is looked after by a woman, but is wanted by a band of criminals and mutant fishmen. They threaten to use a bomb to destroy all of Japan, and eventually do set it off. However, one of the fishmen 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.

Reiwa era

The Great Yokai War: Guardians

To be added.

Video games

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.

Comics

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

  • 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 that he tried to rally the other yokai, and 40 years later, he became friends with a boy who could see yokai naturally.

Comments

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Daiei
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Warner Bros.
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IDW
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