List of Jigoku Sensei Nūbē characters
This is a list of characters from Jigoku Sensei Nūbē. It can be divided into several groups, each distinct from the others. The first group comprises the staff of Dōmori Elementary, consisting of teachers and other adults (mostly) who assist in the education and welfare of the students. It includes Nūbē, his "perverted obsession" Ritsuko Takahashi, other teachers, and the principal. The second group is the student body, with each student bringing a unique personality and set of experiences to their education, along with encounters with the supernatural. Most characters are students in Nūbē's class 5–3, but students in the fifth grade and other grades (such as Hiroshi's soccer teammates and Makoto's "girlfriend," Ai Shinozaki) are also included.
The third group comprises the various yōkai encountered by Nūbē and the citizens of Dōmori. Many of these spirits appear only once, while some make cameo appearances later when various spirits reappear, to the advantage or disadvantage of Nūbē and others. Some, like the yōko Tamamo and the yuki-onna Yukime, become intertwined in the events of Dōmori, either assisting or tormenting Nūbē as they see fit. The last group of characters consists of humans who do not quite fit into any of the other categories but are connected to the affairs of Nūbē or his students. This includes exorcists such as "itako-girl" Izuna Hazuki, the crooked Buddhist priest Oshō, and even the parents of the 5-3 students.
Doumori Elementary staff[edit]
The main characters are a group of fifth-grade teachers at Doumori Elementary.
Meisuke Nueno[edit]
Meisuke Nueno (
Nūbē is trained as an exorcist and has many means of facing his encounters with yōkai. The most powerful of these tools is the Oni no Te (
Other than the Oni no Te, Nūbē employs various other spiritual artifacts in his battles. The Sutra of the White-Robed Goddess (
Personality-wise, Nūbē can exhibit both a jovial, fun-loving demeanor and a serious, focused attitude, depending on the context. When it comes to matters of spiritual or educational importance, he is a dedicated individual committed to carrying out his responsibilities flawlessly. This seriousness enables him to effectively handle one yōkai crisis after another and also drives him to ensure that his students receive the education they need without any distractions or oversights, despite the challenges posed by some of his underachieving male students. Outside of his professional duties, however, Nūbē reveals a more carefree, almost happy-go-lucky side, characterized by numerous faults. He frequently pursues romantic interests, particularly women with voluptuous figures, and often spends his limited funds on activities like pachinko. He regularly experiences financial difficulties, eagerly awaiting payday while subsisting on the school cafeteria's offerings or whatever freebies he can acquire, and occasionally devises schemes to get rich quick, even if it means resorting to the Oni no Te. Throughout it all, he endeavors to avoid the scorn and trouble stirred up by his rivals. Despite his occasional discontent with the teaching profession, Nūbē acknowledges that it does have its rewards.
Voiced by: Ryōtarō Okiayu Played by: Ryuhei Maruyama
Ritsuko Takahashi[edit]
Head teacher of class 5-2 at Doumori Elementary, Ritsuko Takahashi (
Initially, Ritsuko-sensei appears to be the least likely person for Nūbē to form a romantic relationship with. Despite his attempts to win her affection, she rebuffs him due to her apprehension about his spiritual preoccupations. However, as the series progresses, she gradually gains the courage to confront the yōkai threats, leading her to recognize Nūbē's altruistic efforts in assisting those in need, including the students. As her feelings for the male teacher develop, she endeavors to establish a closer bond with him. This progression draws the ire of Yukime, a yuki-onna who considers herself to be Nūbē's true love. The ensuing love triangle between the two teachers and the spirit girl becomes a central theme in the latter part of the manga, as Nūbē is compelled to navigate his emotions and decide whom he truly wants to spend his life with.
Voiced by: Michiko Neya Played by: Mirei Kiritani
Ishikawa-sensei[edit]
Ishikawa-sensei (
Voiced by: Yoshiyuki Kouno
Ōtsuki-sensei[edit]
The fiery leader of class 5-1 at Doumori Elementary, Ōtsuki-sensei (
Voiced by: Yasunori Masutani
Other staff members[edit]
The Principal[edit]
The administrative head of the elementary school, the principal diligently strives to maintain order and efficiency despite the numerous bizarre spiritual occurrences happening under his jurisdiction. Whether or not he was aware of Nūbē's dual roles as an exorcist and a teacher when he joined the school, he quickly recognizes it as a valuable asset to his staff and the overall well-being of the institution.
The Vice-Principal[edit]
Not much is known about this flat-topped, glasses-wearing administrator, aside from his role as an associate working alongside the principal to manage Doumori Elementary. He is often seen in the background with his boss and the other teachers and staff of the school.
Mami Kuroi[edit]
One of the newer teachers at Doumori Elementary, Mami Kuroi (Kuroi Mami,
Upon her arrival at the school, Kuroi-sensei becomes infatuated with her male colleague and decides to use her magic to try and win him over, even going as far as sealing his Oni no Te inside a cute handmade glove. However, after repeatedly being scolded by Nūbē, and possibly observing the romantic pursuits of both Ritsuko-sensei and Yukime, she resorts to summoning her own demonic love slave in the form of the "Western Devil" Beelzebub.
Students[edit]
Class 5-3[edit]
Hiroshi Tateno[edit]
Hiroshi Tateno (Tateno Hiroshi
Voiced by: Toshiko Fujita Played by: Taishi Nakagawa
Kyōko Inaba[edit]
The fiery-haired, fiery-tempered female in Nūbē's class, Kyōko Inaba (Inaba Kyōko
Voiced by: Rumi Kasahara Played by: Airi Matsui
Miki Hosokawa[edit]
Possibly the biggest troublemaker in Nūbē's class, Miki Hosokawa (Hosokawa Miki
One of her most significant spiritual developments is gaining the ability to transform into a rokurokubi, allowing her to spiritually elongate her head and neck to go undercover wherever she pleases. Extremely proud of her physical appearance, Miki takes great pride in her expanding bust (which grows from a B-cup to an F-cup over the course of the series) and showcases it whenever possible. Her name, as well as her hairstyle and physical attributes, pay homage to the tragic Miki Makimura, the main heroine in another of Nūbē's primary influences: Go Nagai's classic horror series Devilman.
Voiced by: Miina Tominaga Played by: Hinako Sano
Katsuya Kimura[edit]
The "juvenile delinquent" of the class, Katsuya Kimura (Kimura Katsuya
Voiced by: Kazunari Tanaka Played by: Ryo Yoshizawa
Makoto Kurita[edit]
While the same age as all of his classmates, Makoto Kurita (Kurita Makoto
Voiced by: Megumi Urawa Played by: Yuri Chinen
Akira Yamaguchi[edit]
Akira Yamaguchi (Yamaguchi Akira
Voiced by: Michiyo Yanagisawa Played by: Kazuki Shimizu
Shuichi Shirato[edit]
The richest and most snobbish member of Nūbē's class, Shuichi Shirato (Shirato Shuichi
Voiced by: Junichi Kanemaru Played by: Gaku Sano
Masaru Kaneda[edit]
Masaru Kaneda (Kaneda Masaru
Voiced by: Ginzou Matsuo Played by: Takeaki Shima
Noriko Nakajima[edit]
Noriko Nakajima (Nakajima Noriko
Voiced by: Machiko Toyoshima Played by: Kaho Mizutani
Shizuka Kikuchi[edit]
Another of the more prominent "background characters," Shizuka Kikuchi (Kikuchi Shizuka
Voiced by: Emi Uwagawa Played by: Sara Takatsuki
Ayumi Kinoshita[edit]
A quiet and studious member of class 5–3, Ayumi Kinoshita (Kinoshita Ayumi
Other students[edit]
Mamoru Kazama[edit]
Another football prodigy from Doumori Elementary, alongside Hiroshi Tateno, Mamoru Kazama (Kazama Mamoru,
Voiced by Mari Maruta
Ai Shinozaki[edit]
Considered one of the most talented students at Doumori Elementary, Ai Shinozaki (Shinozaki Ai,
Ai grows tired of consistently practicing under the pressure of her family to succeed, detests being treated as a goddess by others who only befriend her to boost their own status, and also struggles with occasional shoplifting to fulfill her desires without paying for them. According to her, she developed this habit to reassure herself that she was a normal person with flaws. It is these problems that attract occasional yōkai, who illuminate her personal struggles and lead her to Nūbē and the right path.
In one instance, Ai was possessed by a demon that manifested itself as tell-tale eyes appearing on her hand and later on her whole body. This possession persisted until she openly confessed to Nūbē and Makoto, her only friend at the time, that she was a shoplifter and revealed the reason behind her actions.
Despite Ai's seemingly solitary life, she has befriended Makoto and may harbor romantic feelings for him, although he remains oblivious to any such sentiments and would rather use her musical talents to sing the theme songs of his favorite sentai shows. Ai's name is connected to a series of horror films involving another set of children named "Ai and Makoto," which may explain her connection to him.
Voiced by Hitomi Oikawa Played by Yurika Nakamura
Izuna Hazuki[edit]
Izuna Hazuki (Hazuki Izuna,
Voiced by Chieko Honda Played by Mizuki Yamamoto
Monster characters[edit]
Oni[edit]
The Oni within Nūbē are extremely powerful demon creatures that originate from the depths of hell to wreak havoc and destruction upon our world. Unlike many depictions of oni in popular Japanese culture, these oni are a hybrid combination of the classic horned loincloth-wearing beings and Western devilish beasts, possessing claws, horns, immense strength, and demonic powers. All of the oni, particularly the Oni no Te and its connections, originate from an eight-tiered hell, where various devils and demonic beings become more powerful the deeper one goes. The demon trio originates from the 6th tier of this hell, known as Shonetsu (
Oni no Te (Baki)[edit]
The first and perhaps most powerful of the oni encountered is the being residing within Nūbē's left hand since the beginning of the series. Sealed under a black glove, this entity is unleashed whenever the teacher requires it, granting him access to a greater extent of his spiritual power through this demonic limb. Initially appearing under Nūbē's control, the Oni gradually starts asserting its own autonomy and unleashing its tremendous full power. Despite Nūbē's skills as an exorcist, he cannot control the oni on his own, risking being controlled and devoured by it. The key to this control lies within the oni itself, housing the spirit of his former teacher, Minako-sensei, who sacrificed herself tragically to save her former student. She utilizes her spiritual power to restrain the Oni, enabling Nūbē to harness its power without being consumed. As she is crucial for keeping the beast at bay, Nūbē constantly seeks a dual solution: to finally control the Oni and free his former teacher from her imprisonment within the creature that has become his left hand. Later in the series, it is revealed that he is the eldest (and least intelligent) brother of a trio of oni siblings, still exceptionally powerful when left to his own devices.
By the end of the series, he undergoes a transformation, embracing goodness after experiencing numerous positive deeds.
Zekki[edit]
The middle brother of the Oni trio, Zekki (
Zekki arrives in the human world after three years of climbing in search of the man who now possesses his brother, Baki: the exorcist-teacher Nūbē. After effortlessly defeating Izuna Hazuki, the Itako girl, he easily overpowers Nūbē, Yukime, and Tamamo in his quest to uncover the hidden 'power' that supposedly sealed Baki in Nūbē's hand. Upon realizing that Nūbē did not seal his brother alone, instead relying on Minako's control from within the oni, Zekki decides to no longer hold back. The battles between the trio and Zekki intensify, with Nūbē at a disadvantage despite the assistance of a true demon-sealing bracelet. Following sacrifices made by Nūbē's students, Yukime and Tamamo, Nūbē voluntarily unseals the oni within his hand, seemingly consumed by Baki. However, he retains his human heart and, after defeating Zekki, is revived by the mermaid Hayame.
Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa Played by: Ryosuke Yamada
Minki[edit]
Minki (
After nearly destroying the school and Nūbē, Minki becomes a valuable student and a key ally in his battle to protect his students and fight against intruding enemies and yōkai. Although she doesn't possess all of her Oni power as she did with her panties, she still has enough to occasionally play naughty tricks on her friends and classmates. While she slowly seems to accept them as friends, she struggles due to her own circumstances. Additionally, she assists her teacher in a valuable way: when he faces enemies that force the Oni no Te away from him, Minki can fuse with Nūbē, allowing him to utilize her Oni power. A significant difference between her and Baki's arrangement is that the teacher can use a fuller extent of Minki's power because theirs is a conscious partnership. Beyond battles, Minki views Nūbē not only as her teacher but also as her "big brother," as her 'real' big brother is sealed in his hand. This leads to some rather awkward situations regarding the meaning of being a human sibling versus being an Oni sibling.
As a final note, Minki is the only member of the Oni siblings who does not have a full demonic form. Although she can exhibit an Oni appearance, such as her scantily clad appearance and demonic hands and feet, this form appears more human than either Zekki or Baki. This difference could possibly show an influence from the American comic series Witchblade. Just as peculiarly, two horn-like protrusions that allow for the formation of her long pigtails remain visible in both her "human" and "Oni" forms.
Kitsune[edit]
Long known as prominent yōkai, the kitsune are a group of animal spirits typically associated with foxes. While any fox can be considered a kitsune, there are special foxes known as yōko, some of the most spiritually powerful beings in existence. Yōko possess various abilities, including the creation and manipulation of illusions and fire, as well as the use of a special "transformation jutsu" to blend in with humans, often causing chaos and mischief. Additionally, kitsune and yōko are linked with inari, playing an integral role in local harvest festivals in Japan.
Tamamo[edit]
Tamamo (
Despite this setback, Tamamo remains intrigued by Nūbē's powers, particularly how they are amplified when he fights for his students. Recognizing the power of the human heart, Tamamo seeks to understand it better by observing Nūbē and creating situations that force him to fight. In a significant departure from his initial guise, Tamamo later assumes the role of a doctor at Doumori Hospital, utilizing his 400 years of accumulated knowledge to heal others. He sees this as an opportunity to gain insights into humanity and further his understanding of the human heart.
Having honed his spiritual powers over centuries, Tamamo has mastered various abilities even without perfecting his "transformation jutsu". He excels in "illusion jutsu", capable of manipulating perceptions to project convincing illusions, even generating clones from video game screens. In combat, he employs "yōko foxfire jutsu", conjuring and controlling potent fire-based attacks with escalating power. Additionally, he possesses skills akin to Nūbē's, aiding in spiritual energy manipulation and the "youshin jutsu".
His primary physical weapon is a paw-like neck catcher, primarily used to extract suitable skulls for his "transformation jutsu". However, it can also be disassembled to create a barrier, encasing himself and adversaries for more formidable attacks. In the manga, it is revealed that the skull he currently utilizes was obtained from a deceased mountain climber, a prosperous college student. His encounter with the climber's fiancée serves as a pivotal moment in Tamamo's character development.
At the outset of the series, Tamamo appears as a formidable yōkai driven by selfish motives, manipulating and engaging in combat. However, as he fights alongside Nūbē and class 5-3, resolving numerous yōkai-related issues, he gradually develops a deepening fondness for humanity. This sentiment culminates when he utilizes "Megido," his most potent fire-based ability, to thwart Zekki, Nūbē's Oni no Te's younger brother.
Tamamo's growing attachment to humans becomes evident when he refrains from seizing Hiroshi's skull, despite the opportunity arising later on. His exposure to the complexities of the human heart renders him incapable of such a ruthless act. However, this poses a dilemma for him, as without a suitable skull, his mental and physical faculties would deteriorate over time, leaving him as but a mere shell of his former self.
In the manga liner notes for Volume 2, the author stated that Tamamo was meant to be a direct descendant of the Nine-Tailed Kitsune notorious as Tamamo no Mae. However, the fox, appearing later in the story, was less than fond of Tamamo, thus suggesting that the name was likely an allusion, perhaps out of respect.
Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa Played by: Mokomichi Hayami
The Golden Nine-Tail Kitsune[edit]
Considered one of the most powerful yōkai in existence, The Golden Nine-Tail Kitsune (Konmougyokumen Kyūbi no Kitsune
Tsuwabukimaru[edit]
Tsuwabukimaru(
Mountain Yōkai[edit]
In the northern Tohoku region of Japan, a myriad of yōkai is intertwined with the local elemental essences of rock, wind, snow, and ice. Overseeing these yōkai is a potent mountain deity whose spiritual decree reigns supreme, compelling obedience under the threat of dire consequences. Possessing a detached demeanor akin to the chilling winds of their domain, these beings lead an emotionless existence, merely coexisting with humanity while whimsically determining their fates. However, the relationship between these mountain yōkai and humans would be challenged by a yuki-onna and the man she loves...
Yukime[edit]
One of the yōkai hailing from the mountains of northern Japan, Yukime (ゆきめ/
Yukime pledges to find Nūbē eventually so they can be together "in eternal love." The significance of this promise becomes apparent when she descends to Doumori, determined to preserve him in ice "for eternity." Despite her affectionate nature, she is dissuaded from taking him to the mountains thanks to the efforts of Nūbē's students. Although she initially attempts to attack them, Nūbē urges her to depart. However, she returns to Doumori and takes up a role as an ice skating coach at the local rink, endeavoring to capture Nūbē's heart.
Yukime possesses several powers and weaknesses stemming from her connection to snow, ice, and the cold. Her primary ability lies in the creation of snow or ice from her body, which she can employ to freeze any target within her line of sight. This freezing power proves useful in offensive attacks, constructing roadblocks to halt larger targets, and even focusing light like a magnifying glass. Additionally, Yukime has a slight healing ability, and her affinity with the cold grants her a natural talent for figure skating. Despite these powers, Nūbē humorously remarks that the only practical use of Yukime's abilities is in making shaved ice.
Being a snow yōkai comes with its weaknesses: Yukime cannot tolerate intense heat. Additionally, she struggles to prepare hot foods and is unable to wear certain black clothing for fear of melting parts of her body. However, Yukime has an adorable solution to temperature-related issues: when she becomes overheated, she envelops her entire body in a snowman form to cool herself down, much to Nūbē's chagrin when she emerges from it... completely naked. While many of these heat-related challenges were eventually resolved later in the series, Yukime still occasionally faces difficulties in hotter temperatures.
While Yukime becomes both a valuable ally and a nuisance in Doumori, it is her relationship with Nūbē that drives most of her character development throughout the series. After her initial appearance, she develops a love/hate relationship with the teacher, with several of her attempts to win Nūbē's affections resulting in some acknowledgment but further frustration for both of them. Adding to the complexity is the presence of the beautiful and ultra-sensitive Ritsuko-sensei, whom Nūbē initially desires and who eventually begins to reciprocate some of his feelings, just as Yukime is starting to make progress with him.
Yukime is tricked into capturing the teacher, believing that sacrificing Ritsuko is necessary to make her human. However, she cannot bring herself to kill Ritsuko due to pity, which serves as a test to determine if she still possesses the heart of a cold yuki-onna. Nūbē eventually saves them both, apologizing to Yukime and confessing his love for Ritsuko. Unfortunately, it is too late, as a severely injured Yukime uses the last of her powers to help destroy the yōkai and turns into snowflakes in Nūbē's arms.
While Nūbē believes her to be dead, her snowflakes are carried away to her mountains, where the Mountain god uses them to create another yuki-onna in her place, with the same appearance and name. However, this new Yukime has a cold heart and does not hesitate to kill. Nūbē encounters her during a school trip, where she lures him away from his class to attack him. He allows her to do so, but not without invoking memories of the original Yukime. Confused, the "new" Yukime flees.
Yukime returned to Doumori later to seek closure for her conflicting feelings. Realizing she loved Nūbē, she decided to stay and reconcile the two halves of herself. Although she did not remember much of her life before, it was implied that Yukime eventually recovered all of her memories. Her personality also shifted from the aggressive yuki-onna youkai to a balanced blend of her childish former self and assertive new identity.
The last chapter of the manga depicts Nūbē and Yukime's wedding. Originally planned at a typical Japanese wedding venue, Nūbē's delay due to a yōkai intervention forces them to improvise. They opt to hold the ceremony on the primary school playground where Nūbē teaches, with Yukime crafting a chapel of ice. Instead of a Catholic priest, a recurring Buddhist priest character from the series officiates the ceremony.
In the anime, an alternate world is depicted within Kyouko's dreams and subconscious, shaped by a yōkai that had possessed her during sleep. In this alternate reality, Yukime had evolved into a full-fledged yuki-onna and remained at Doumori. However, she was no longer with Nūbē, who had fallen into a catatonic state after narrowly escaping murder by another yōkai. (Note: Although this chapter existed in the manga, Yukime was absent from the original version as she had not yet returned to Doumori at that point.)
Voiced by: Yuri Shiratori Played by: Kang Ji-young
The Mountain God[edit]
The kami presides over an unnamed mountain in an undisclosed province, serving as Yukime's creator. He embodies nature's essence, transcending human comprehension. His paramount concern is maintaining the equilibrium of nature, leading him to disapprove of Yukime's desire to reside in the human world with Nūbē. From his perspective, Yukime's purpose is to bring snow and harmony to the mountain's winters, and her departure disrupts this delicate balance. The Mountain God dispatched servants to retrieve her, but their defeat by Nūbē only fueled his displeasure, manifested grotesquely by afflicting nearby villagers with tree branches sprouting from their skin. Despite Yukime and Nūbē's efforts to appease him, their attempts failed, and they faced the prospect of death from the Mountain God's wrath. However, Nūbē's father intervened, sacrificing himself as a human pillar to contain the kami's fury, enabling his son to pursue a life of happiness.
The Mountain God's form resembles a colossal human visage and hands carved into a towering rock cliff. Trees flourish above him, while pools of magma bubble beneath his feet.
Voiced by: Hisao Egawa
Servants of the Mountain God[edit]
After Yukime defies the Mountain God's directive regarding Nūbē, the deity dispatches several other mountain yōkai to thwart her and her beloved, employing various tactics to separate them:
- Ippon Datara (
一本 ダタラ Ippon Datara): This yōkai takes the guise of a disfigured, one-legged monk. He approaches Yukime, asserting that the only means for her to win the affection of a human is by transforming into one herself, achieved through freezing the body of a beautiful woman (who, in this instance, turns out to be Ritsuko-sensei). Utilizing the power of his lone eye, he abducts the female teacher, leaving her partially frozen for Yukime to complete the task. However, his true motive is to prompt Yukime to commit murder, thereby restoring her lost cold-heartedness and reverting her to a true yuki-onna, eligible to reunite with the Mountain God. Yukime releases Ritsuko-sensei, but Datara retaliates by freezing her and impaling her with icicles as punishment for her defiance. Despite Nūbē and Yukime's eventual triumph over him, she is left severely weakened by the encounter, her life force dwindling. Nonetheless, as she fades away, she finally receives Nūbē's acknowledgment of his love. - Kodama Mice (こだまねずみ Kodama Nezumi): Originally hailing from Akita Prefecture, these diminutive spies infiltrate Yukime's satchel upon her return to Doumori following her resurrection. Observing Yukime until the opportune moment, they possess the ability to inflate themselves like balloons until they eventually burst, resulting in the demise of anyone who has transgressed the laws of the Mountain God. Although they nearly decimate Yukime, Nūbē, and his class, Nūbē manages to rescue everyone through the timely recitation of a sutra just before the explosion.
- Tsulala (つらら Tsulala): Despite her outward appearance as a mature, well-endowed woman with black hair, Tsulala is actually Yukime's identical twin sister. During their youth, the two sisters spent ample time together, with Tsulala frequently playing practical jokes on her white-haired yuki-onna sibling, often resulting in her reform or dispersal into snowflakes. When she confronts her sister and Nūbē, it is in the capacity of a messenger from the Mountain God, dispatched to either peacefully retrieve Yukime or eliminate her, under the belief that her presence among humans will only bring misfortune to Nūbē. Tsulala possesses the ability to manipulate ice, specializing in the creation of ice replicas of any object she encounters, which function as lifelike models (including machinery and animals). Ultimately, Yukime prevails over her by fashioning a colossal ice magnifying glass, sapping Tsulala's ice-manipulating abilities to the point of rendering them ineffectual. Unlike the other messengers, however, Tsulala manages to evade capture.
- The Stone Tengu (
岩 天狗 Iwatengu): An exceedingly potent yōkai composed entirely of stone, he stands as the ultimate and most formidable of the Mountain God's servants, relentlessly pursuing Nūbē long after his master's demise. Following Nūbē and Yukime's engagement, he stalks the prospective groom on the eve and day of his wedding, employing illusions through his "Anxiety Wind" to instill in the teacher the dread of marrying a yuki-onna. By subjecting Nūbē to a sleepless night, he nearly drives him to his demise, until the intervention of Baki (the Oni no Te, who by this time has forged a more cooperative alliance with the teacher) saves his life. Despite augmenting his wind-based powers by elongating his nose and unleashing his ultimate gust abilities, the tengu ultimately meets his downfall when Baki reaches full power, as Nūbē comes to the realization that he can indeed find happiness with Yukime.
Yukibe[edit]
Yukibe was a child who bore a striking resemblance to both Yukime and Nūbē, leading everyone to presume that he was the product of their union. However, his true origin was solely attributed to Yukime's powers. It was revealed that as a yuki-onna reaches maturity, she gains the ability to create a snow-child (Yuki-Warashi) to play with before it eventually departs into the mountains, thus bringing winter to the world. Possessing the same freezing abilities as Yukime, Yukibe caused considerable havoc before finally departing, leaving behind snow in Doumori. Although this is Yukibe's only appearance, Nūbē is frequently reminded of him whenever he envisions the notion of having a real child with Yukime, which only serves to deepen his unease about the relationship between a human and a yuki-onna.
Voiced by Chika Sakamoto
Other Yōkai[edit]
While numerous yōkai make appearances in Nūbē, either as threats or aids to the class and the citizens of Doumori, some have multiple appearances and maintain a consistent connection with the series' characters.
Zashiki Warashi[edit]
Zashiki Warashi (
Nūbē first encounters this yōkai after experiencing a particularly lucky streak at a pachinko parlor (though it's unclear if the yōkai caused his good fortune; it's suggested he may have been using his powers to win). After feeding it some senbei, it follows him back to school, where it brings good fortune to the students in his class one after another (even Hiroshi manages to score an 80 on his test, which is remarkable given his lack of academic prowess). Nūbē tries to convince the yōkai that they don't need its help, scaring it away, but it returns to save Hiroshi from a potentially fatal accident. In another incident, Zashiki Warashi demonstrates the power to reverse fortunes, causing the yuki-onna Yukime to experience a series of disasters, the most notable of which is witnessing a date between Nūbē and Ritsuko-sensei.
Zashiki Warashi's last major appearance revealed that there was more to the yōkai than originally suggested. She was revealed to be the spirit of a poor young girl who had lived fifty years ago. Despite having little herself, the girl cared deeply for others and often helped them. She eventually fell ill with pneumonia and, even on her deathbed, wished for the health and happiness of those around her rather than for herself. In gratitude for all she had done, Nūbē and his class held a party to thank Zashiki Warashi and even arranged for her to see her mother one more time. However, Zashiki Warashi's work is never done.
Kuchisake-onna[edit]
The Kuchisake-onna (
Hayame[edit]
Hayame (
Hayame became connected to Nūbē through strange circumstances: introduced as the mummified corpse of a mermaid possessed by the priest Oshō, the teacher ends up imbuing it with some of the spiritual power of his Oni no Te when the foolish priest forces him to attempt its revival. Although the project initially appeared to fail after Nūbē spent thirty minutes channeling spiritual energy into it, the corpse miraculously revived overnight. Grateful to the teacher, the awakened female mermaid chose to express her gratitude by offering him the gift of immortality. Initially mistaking the living Hayame for a crazed, overworked student on the brink of a breakdown due to cram school stress, Nūbē eventually realized the truth. He apologized upon discovering that Hayame had been mummified after being stranded away from the sea for two hundred years following her attendance at a festival. Although he declined her offer of immortality, Nūbē ultimately found himself saved by her intervention after nearly sacrificing his life to rescue a child.
Although Hayame eventually returns to the sea after this incident, she consistently finds ways to drop into Dōmori, leading to Nūbē getting stuck with her time and again. Many of her actions make her appear more like a juvenile teenager than the long-lived yōkai she is. She gets caught by scientists when all she wants to do is buy a CD player, and she even considers using her singing abilities to audition for a local talent show. Despite her faults, Hayame continues to exhibit a caring, helpful personality, always ready to assist those in need, even if her efforts sometimes end up causing more trouble than help.
Voiced by: Wakana Yamazaki
Kudagitsune[edit]
The kudagitsune (くだ
In Nūbē's world, most kudagitsune belong to Izuna, serving as both helpers and servants. Housed in her apartment in various shapes and sizes, they assist her with chores and upkeep until needed for other tasks. Izuna stores her duty-bound kudagitsune in small lipstick vials, releasing them as required. Nūbē himself also employs a kudagitsune named Baco, created when the energies of a kudagitsune combined with those of the Oni no Te, resulting in a demonic-looking yōkai that aids the teacher when not residing in a pen. Villainous Priest Kanran is another user, keeping several kudagitsune, including his most powerful one, in his left eye socket.
The most legendary kudagitsune in the series is Gedo, a massive yet somewhat dim-witted being with immense power potential. Born once every 300 years within a Tohoku mountain, Gedo holds the ability to unlock the "True Treasure" of one's greatest desire. Unexpectedly coming into Izuna's possession, she must protect Gedo from the nefarious Kanran, who seeks the treasure Gedo may unveil.
Kesaran Pasaran[edit]
Although it initially appears as a small white fuzzball, Kesaran Pasaran (ケサランパサラン) is an immensely useful and lucky yōkai for anyone who encounters it. Its origin is unknown, though one legend suggests it may be a gift from angels. Kesaran Pasaran is renowned for bringing good luck and happiness to those who encounter it. Intriguingly, the number of fuzzballs can multiply rapidly if kept near face powder for a period: the more Kesaran Pasaran, the greater the good luck.
The yōkai is first encountered by Miki during a Christmas party. She initially uses its luck abilities and multiplication trick to fulfill her desires but ultimately ends up saving her friends and bringing joy to the entire town in the process. Later, Kesaran Pasaran is revealed to be the "yōkai of ultimate good," rescuing both Dōmori and, ultimately, the world from the unleashed power of the ultimate evil yōkai: Yamato no Orochi.