#nuppefuhofu

[tokumon]

Nuppefuhofu aka Face Stealer

from Kakuranger ep. 32 “Don’t Lick Me, Face Thief”

[gotojobin]

#Nuppeppō #Nuppefuhofu #Mizuki #Nikubito #probably #Hō #Nopperabō Nuppeppō Variations: Nuppefuhofu (Mizuki); Nikubito (probably); Hō (probably); Nopperabō (probably) The word Nuppeppō is derived from nupperi or nopperi, meaning “flat-faced” and referring to a flat, dazed expression. This yokai first appears in texts from the Edo period, and resembles nothing more than a blob of flesh with arms and legs. Its folds of skin and fat give it the appearance of a face on its body. While repulsive, nuppeppōs are frequently comical and inoffensive. Sekien’s rendition of the nuppeppō has a culinary theme, placing it under a bronze bell that calls monks to their meals. The nuppeppō itself may be edible; according to Maki Bokusen, a nuppeppō-like creature appeared in the gardens of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. This nikubito (“meat-man”) was taken away to the mountains away from the shogun’s sight. Alas, he discovered too late that it may have been the legendary Hō described in the book of the Hakutaku. One bite of the Hō’s flesh would reinvigorate a person’s constitution. Shigeru Mizuki added further embellishments to the nuppeppō based on Sekien’s image. His “nuppefuhofu” is a “spirit of flesh” found in deserted temples. Monks that choose to sleep in those temple are unpleasantly awakened by the fleshy sound of its aimless staggering. The Nopperabō is a later yokai probably derived from the nuppeppō. It is human in appearance except for its face – completely featureless and smooth as an egg. Unlike its older counterpart, the nopperabō is only ever a thing of terror. https://www.instagram.com/p/B09FYaPHZPXvyRaT4tOslWgtJJF-5b31bj8aTw0/?igshid=1vi4eeultdrfp

[himitsusentaiblog]

Wanted to ask what are you're top 5 or 10 monsters from kakuranger?

Ninja Sentai Kakuranger had such great monsters mostly because they were drawn from Japanese myths and legends.  The Youkai Army Corps were a pretty unique group when they first showed up though the idea has been riffed on again thanks to Shuriken Sentai Ninninger. It is fascinating though to see the two different takes on these unique creatures.

For this list, I am going to use the original art for the monsters as I love the way it looks and it often gets the look of these enemies across better than the screenshots can. I am also going to just go with 5 right now (sorry) though another list of 5 could be doable in the future.

5. Yuki-Onna

I have had a soft spot for this particular youkai for a while now.  It’s not just because of Kakuranger either.  She was used very well in the classic 1964 film Kwaidan and was adorably cute in the 1996 anime series Jigoku Sensei Nube.

The latter may have biased me a bit on this particular monster and it’s my own realization that I like her more for the spirit she represents than her actual use in the series that puts her only at #5.

4. Karakasa

This was the second of the umbrella monsters (Kasabake had been used in episode #26) but this one was the better of the two in my opinion.  I just loved how they combined the basic concept of an umbrella and merged it with the look of a Race Queen of the type frequently seen attached to Japanese Racing Companies. The way her umbrella portion is used as a skirt is very clever and cute as is her umbrella-like hat.  I just think she looks neat and that’s why she’s at #4.

3. Kamaitachi

The sickle-weasel is not only a great monster of folklore but is the enemy in one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. Episode 35, The Three Punishment Sisters, is a Tsuruhime focused episode where she unites with her two friends from High School who she used to battle evil with (played by her two co-stars from the previous years entry in the Toei Fushigi Comedy Series) to stop a plan to turn the children of Japan into kamaitachi! It’s a fantastic episode that not only references the previous year’s tokusatsu series but also Sailor Moon!

He also has a pretty spiffy design, combining the original wind weasel with a fighter jet for added speed!

2. Nuppefuhofu

I like this monster for a couple of reasons.  One is his design.  With his mask down, he looks like a walking Jack O’ Lantern and as Halloween is my favorite Holiday, that just appeals to me.  He looks even freakier with his pumpkin mask up though as it reveals his blank face with vaguely human faces in place of his eyes.  His long tongue is so gross and can lick people’s faces right off.  This leads to a pretty funny bit with Saizou getting his face licked off and trying to decide what kind of face he wants to draw in its place.

1. Gashadokuro

For me, there really could be no other choice than this commander of the Youkai Army Corps. Appearing in the human guise of Young Lord Junior, he’s a punk rock guitarist with a flare for rocking out.  He was also responsible for the creations of the Flowery Ninja Team, which scores him extra points in my book.  No other villain in the series has his levels of charisma or was better at chewing the scenery.

Plus, when he was finally taken down by the heroes, he got one of the best death scenes in the history of Super Sentai!

So, there is my top five list of monsters from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.  As always, thanks for the question!

[takashisugisaki]

ぬっぺふほふ Nuppefuhofu イラストレーション

[bogleech]

Are there any mythological creatures do you want to be represented in Pokémon?

Keeping my answers to examples I can believe they’d actually do; a poison/dragon or poison/dark cockatrice and a poison/ghost nuppefuhofu.

[crazy-monster-design]

Nuppefuhofu

from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, 1994. Designed by Hideo Okamoto. 

(CHECK THE OTHER CRAZY MONSTERS: crazy-monster-design.tumblr.com)

[uncannyfantastic]

Images of Yōkai, Japanese traditional monsters, from the Yōkai Jiten (Yōkai Encyclopedia) by manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, published 1981. They are: 1) Umi-bōzu, huge black sea creatures. 2) Satori, mind-earring mountain goblin. 3) Suiko, tiger-like water spirit. 4) Bake-kujira, giant fish skeleton. 5) Ōnyūdō, "large monk." 6) Nuppefuhofu, a man-sized lump of decaying flesh. 7) Bakki, 2-3 furry voracious herbivore. 8) Tankororin, what happens if you don't pick persimmon fruits. 9) Koboku-no-kai, tree spirits. . Credit for these scans and info goes to pinktentacle.com, a great (though dormant) site for learning about Japanese lore and art. #yokai #japan #japnesemonster #yokaijiten #shigerumizuki

[tomamapoulpo]

Nuppefuhofu

[gegege-no-blog]

From Pink Tentacle:

Here's a peek at a few creatures profiled in Yōkai Jiten ("Yōkai Encyclopedia"), an informative guide to 100 of Japan's traditional monsters, written and illustrated by manga artist Shigeru Mizuki in 1981.

[...]

The nuppefuhofu (a.k.a.nuppeppo) is a man-sized lump of decaying human flesh usually found hanging around old abandoned temples and graveyards. Aside from the creature's massive flabs of flesh, the only features are its arms and legs -- and its horrid smell. The nuppefuhofu enjoys long aimless walks after dark, and it appears to derive satisfaction from frightening people on the street at night.

Read the full article

[pamandjapan]

ぬっぺふほふ (Nuppefuhofu)

Nuppefuhofu is a genderless yokai, described as having a flabby appearance accompanied by a pungent body odor. It appears as a blob of flesh with a hint of a face in the folds of fat. It is also described as having fingers and toes that are vaguely defined lumps. It is said that those who eat its flesh will gain eternal youth.

[himitsusentaiblog]

Another Halloweeny monster, this time the youkai Nuppefuhofu from episode 32 of Ninja Sentai Kakuranger "Don't Lick Me, Face Thief". He hides his hideous visage beneath a jack o' lantern exterior which pops up so he can lick the faces off of his victims, faces he then keeps in frames back in his lair, leaving the unfortunate target with a blank, white nothing in place of a face.