Hi there! I’m KENTA, a manga enthusiast from Japan. Today, I’ll be focusing on the tragic past lives of the yokai in the popular manga Dandadan, uncovering their painful pasts and emotional backgrounds. While these yokai may seem terrifying at first, there are deep reasons behind their existence. Get ready to have your heartstrings tugged and your tears flowing!
1. Turbo Baba: The Grudge of a Forsaken Rova
The Terrifying Turbo Baba
First up is Turbo Baba. Despite her small, frail frame, she has an unmatched speed that makes her a terrifying pursuer in a game of tag. As the nickname “100-Kilo Baba” suggests, her speed is extraordinary, and if she catches you, your life is over. Turbo Baba’s tragic backstory is that she was a Rova who was abandoned in the mountains to reduce the population. The despair of being forsaken gave rise to the vengeful Turbo Baba. It is believed that the Turbo Baba appearing in different regions are former Rovas who became yokai due to similar abandonment. Their form is a cry of the soul, desperately clinging to life.
2. Jūbaku Raiga: The Vengeful Spirits of Unfortunate Girls
The Terrifying Crab Yokai
Next, we have Jūbaku Raiga. At first glance, it appears to be a crab, but its back is covered with countless human faces, creating an eerie and unsettling appearance. This crab-like yokai is actually the fusion of multiple girls’ spirits, each filled with unresolved grudges. These girls met tragic ends in their past lives, and their anger and regrets merged into the terrifying form of Jūbaku Raiga. Understanding the heartbreaking events that led to their deaths will surely leave you with a heavy heart.
3. Acrobatic Sarasara: The Love of a Single Mother
Love that Blossomed Through Suffering
Next is Acrobatic Sarasara, a yokai with striking red hair. Her past life was that of a single mother struggling to make ends meet. By day, she worked as a cleaner, and by night, she sold her body to provide for her beloved daughter. Despite her sacrifices, her daughter was taken by debt collectors, and the heartbreak led to her death. Even after passing away, she continued to search for her daughter, eventually transforming into Acrobatic Sarasara. Her deep love and tragic fate will bring tears to your eyes.
4. Jassie: The Yokai That Manipulates Those Who Wish to Die
The Terrifying Power to Encourage Suicide
Jassie resides in the mountains and possesses the horrifying ability to encourage people to take their own lives. Though it never directly kills, Jassie drives people to death with its manipulative powers. In its past life, Jassie was a boy who was sacrificed at the Great Serpent Pool, but throughout his sacrifice, he maintained his innocence as a child. The pain of being misunderstood by others and the desire to continue playing led to the creation of Jassie. Behind this yokai’s tragic existence is the untold sorrow of a boy’s heart.
5. Kashima Reiko: The Souls of Girls Lost in War
The Grudge of Girls Lost in War
Kashima Reiko’s appearance may be eerie, but knowing her past life brings even deeper sorrow. She is the fusion of the souls of girls who lost their lives during war. These girls, whose youth, love, and familial bonds were stolen by the ravages of conflict, were transformed into Kashima Reiko. Her vengeful spirit relentlessly hunts down her targets, casting curses. Yet, even within her, there’s a glimmer of a beautiful memory that may offer a glimpse of redemption.
6. Ombusman: A Being Ignored and Forgotten
A Curse Born from Being Ignored
Next is Ombusman. This yokai has the body of a baby but the face of an old man, creating a chilling image. Its past life was that of a child who was constantly ignored. The pain of being neglected built up over time, eventually transforming him into a curse that seeks revenge on those who disregard him. As he grows larger from being ignored, he can crush and kill his victims. However, this yokai is merely an embodiment of loneliness, and those who show kindness will see him vanish.
7. Kawa-ban ga Mai: The Sadness of a Girl with Regrets
A Yokai Born from Regret and Unfulfilled Wishes
Finally, we have Kawa-ban ga Mai. Her past life was that of a young girl who tragically passed away in an accident. Before her death, she had fallen out with her best friend, Sawaki Hayashi, and was left with regrets about their strained friendship. Kawa-ban ga Mai, still filled with those regrets and unspoken emotions, became a yokai. Her sorrowful yearning to reconnect with her friend continues to torment her in the form of Kawa-ban ga Mai.
Conclusion
The past lives of these yokai are filled with sadness and tragedy. Though they appear as terrifying beings, their backgrounds are filled with the emotional pain, regrets, and love that we all carry within us. By understanding their pasts, we can gain a little insight into their appearances and perhaps even feel empathy for them.
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