Onihitokuchi
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Onihitokuchi (鬼一口 Onihitokuchi, lit. Demon Bite) is a yokai created by Toho that first appeared in episode 92 of the 1974 tokusatsu yokai series, Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka, titled Volume of Onihitokuchi.
Name
Onihitokuchi is adapted from a creature of the same name which exists in Japanese uta monogatari, or folklore. Its name is a combination of the Japanese words oni (鬼), meaning demon, and hitokuchi (一口), meaning bite or mouthful.
Appearance
The Onihitokuchi's body is primarily composed of its giant, orange head, which appears similar to that of a dragon. It has a huge gaping mouth, which is nearly the same height as its entire body when fully opened, and is fitted with several sharp teeth. Atop its head are two small, grey horns which curve inwards, as well as comparatively small eyes and bushy, black eyebrows just above its mouth. Onihitokuchi lacks arms entirely, but does possess grey human-like legs.
History
Showa Series
Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka
Volume of Onihitokuchi
Onihitokuchi appears sitting atop a leafy field, and is approached by Coonjo, who begins to inspect the creature's teeth with her sword, prompting him to bite down on her. Quickly escaping the yokai's maw, Coonjo instructs him to strike Kotaro Ushiwaka and his companions. Suddenly, as Kotaro, Uragira, and Nyuudou are walking through a field, Unihitokuchi jumps out and begins to chase down Uragira and Nyuudou whilst ominously biting at them. As Nyuudou falls to the ground, Onihitokuchi continues pursuing Uragira, who is eventually caught in the monster's jaws. Kotaro quickly acts to free his comrade, pushing Uragira out of the yokai's mouth and propping it open with his naginata. Although unable to successfully bite down, Onihitokuchi continues to chase after the bunch. As the creature continues to lunge at Kotaro, the hero dodges and soon chops the naginata out from Onihitokuchi's mouth, knocking out its front teeth in the process. Furiously, Onihitokuchi barrels toward Kotaro, but soon decides to turn to Uragira and Nyuudou. As the two are chased into a small clearing, Coonjo appears and blocks the only escape, leaving Uragira and Nyuudou trapped. With some quick thinking, Kotaro requests Nyuudou to throw his club to him, to which he complies. Now wielding Nyuudou's club, Kotaro leaps toward Onihitokuchi and bashes its remaining teeth out. Fearing defeat, Konjou and the yokai attempt to escape, but Kotaro manages to catch up and knock one of Onihitokuchi's horns off, causing it to combust into a display of smoke and flame.
Abilities
- Due to not possessing arms or any special abilities, Onihitokuchi's only weapons in combat are his giant mouth and sharp teeth, which were shown to be large enough to devour a humanoid.
Weaknesses
- Onihitokuchi's teeth are seemingly very fragile, easily knocked out by Kotaro Ushiwaka's naginata and Nyoudou's club.
- Onihitokuchi's primary weakness is his horns, as just knocking off one of them was enough to cause the yokai to explode.
Gallery
- Main article: Onihitokuchi/Gallery.
Trivia
- Onihitokuchi has a very similar appearance to that of another Toho monster, Dragonda, which appeared in both the 1972 series, Assault! Human!! and 1973 series, Go! Greenman. It is also somewhat resembles the T-Rex Dopant from Kamen Rider W, which appeared over three decades later.
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