Although this article is based on canonical information, the actual name of this subject is conjecture based on the original source it's adapted from. |
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The oni is a species that lives in hiding in Tokyo, Japan. It debuts in Fairest #9 — "The Hidden Kingdom Chapter Two: Hard-Boiled Wonderland."
Physiology
Oni have a sinister, demonic look, with red, blue or yellow skin of different shades, wild black hair, two horns, and fang-like tusks.[1][2]
History
Homelands
The oni were residents of the Hidden Kingdom, the Homelands version of Japan. They served the imperial court as samurai, and were seen banishing other yokai from the local Emperor's court as part of the Shogun's plan for laying the way for the Adversary to invade.[1] However, they were later seen among a group of yokai living in hiding after being exiled from the court, indicating that the oni were eventually banished themselves.[3]
After the Adversary invaded,[3] the oni joined a group of refugees lead by the kitsune Tomoko.[2] The group eventually settled in a hidden Fable community in Tokyo, Japan.[1]
Mundane world
In the present day, one of the oni is observed conversing with another yokai while Tomoko gives Rapunzel a tour of her headquarters.[1]
Two of the oni serve Tomoko, who is secretly a Yakuza leader: As Neko sneaks into her chambers and steals Katagiri's severed head back, causing a ruckus, the two oni pursue the cat, trying to get the head back. As they sprint by a mundy woman employed in the building, they have taken on the appearance of humans, suggesting that they are employing glamours. A number of oni enlist in Tomoko's makeshift army as she prepares to battle Katagiri,[2] and fight alongside her in battle.[4]
The conflict concludes unexpectedly when Rapunzel informs the yokai that it is now safe to return home. All the Japanese Fables make their way back to the Hidden Kingdom, planning to seal the gate permanently. The oni traverse the magical portal together with their yokai companions.[4]
Appearances
Fairest
- Fairest #9 (first appearance)
- Fairest #11 (flashback)
- Fairest #12
- Fairest #13
Original source
They are based on the oni from Japanese folklore. Oni are a category of demonic beings typically characterized by their large stature, immense strength, and terrifying looks. They are often regarded as having foreign roots, possibly brought to Japan from China alongside the introduction of Buddhism. Despite their cruel and malevolent nature, oni can still be transformed to embrace Buddhism. In Japanese legend and art, oni are portrayed in numerous forms, occasionally as female figures. Typically, they are envisioned as being pink, red, or blue-grey, featuring horns, three toes, three fingers, and sometimes possessing three eyes.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Fairest #9 — "The Hidden Kingdom Chapter Two: Hard-Boiled Wonderland"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fairest #12 — "The Hidden Kingdom Chapter Five: Battle Royale"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fairest #11 — "The Hidden Kingdom Chapter Four: The Bad Sleep Well"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fairest #13 — "The Hidden Kingdom Chapter Six: The Hundred Demons Night Parade"
- ↑ Oni, January 31, 2025, Encylopædia Britannica. "oni, in Japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into Japan from China along with Buddhism. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to Buddhism. Though oni have been depicted in various ways in Japanese legend and art, sometimes also as women, they are characteristically thought of as pink, red, or blue-grey in colour, with horns, three toes, three fingers, and on occasion with three eyes.