Raiju Yokai

**Raiju Yokai** are a variation of the Mammal Yokai, Arthropod Yokai and Reptile Yokai who are the pets of Raijin, God of Thunder.

## Physical Appearance

Raiju Yokai can have the appearance of a cat, fox, leopard, rabbit, porcupine, wild boar, rhinoceros, bull, pangolin, bear, dog, rat, squirrel, tapir, weasel, tiger, wolf, monkey, civet, mongoose, badger, sea creature (most commonly dolphin, seal, shark, eel, whale, sea turtle or crab), arthropod (most commonly mantis, centipede, cicada, beetle or wasp), qilin or dragon, with the form of a white and blue wolf (or even a wolf wrapped in lightning) being the most common. They can have a humanoid appearance either anthropomorphic form or a human disguise form.

## Description

Raiju Yokai are associated with Raijin, Shinto God of Lightning in Japanese mythology. They act as loyal pets to him and they would often stay by his side. Nowadays, Raiju Yokai are being sold as pets to other yokai. Though there are some Raiju who are more civilized then their wild counterparts. As companions to the Shinto God of Lightning, while they are generally calm and harmless, during thunderstorms, Raiju become agitated and leap about in trees, fields, and even buildings (trees that have been struck by lightning are said to have been scratched by Raiju's claws).

## Abilities

Here are the abilities that Raiju Yokai can have in their arsenal:

* Archetype:Lightning Bruiser: Enhanced Level
* Climbing
* Electrical Immunity
* Electricity Manipulation
* Electricity Mimicry/Fire Mimicry
	+ Lightning Ball Form
* Enhanced Agility
* Enhanced Balance
* Enhanced Bite
* Enhanced Durability
* Enhanced Endurance
* Enhanced Flexibility
* Enhanced Senses
* Enhanced Speed
* Enhanced Strength
* Fire Manipulation
* Flight
* Claw Retraction
* Night Vision
* Predator Instinct
* Supernatural Leap
* Weather Manipulation

## Pop Culture

Raiju primarily appears in anime and video games. The Thunder Card (CardCaptor Sakura) takes the form of a Raiju. Raidramon (Digimon) is a Raiju. Hiten and Manten (InuYasha) are thunder beast yokai taking on humanoid forms. Innova (Magic Knight Rayearth) has a Beast Lightning form which is based on the Raiju. Raikou (Pokémon) is a Raiju in the world of Pokemon. Raika (Rosario + Vampire II) is a Raiju.

## Variations

Raiju may appear mammalian, arthropod or reptilian, although the three most common types are canine, feline and mustelid

### Canine Yokai

Raiju are commonly portrayed as being wolf-like or dog-like in appearance.

### Feline Yokai

Raiju can take on the form of a cat or a tiger in some stories.

### Mustelid Yokai

Raiju can also take on the form of a weasel in some stories

## Life in the Hidden World

Raiju Yokai are one of the most common yokai species in the Hidden World. Having the power of lightning, they can create storm clouds by jumping on the clouds. Another of Raiju's peculiar behaviors is sleeping in human navels, which prompts Raijin to shoot lightning arrows at Raiju to wake the creature up, and thus harm the person in whose belly the demon is resting. Superstitious people therefore often sleep on their stomachs during bad weather, but other legends say that Raiju will only hide in the navels of people who sleep outdoors. This is only a legend as Raiju Yokai don't do that. It was made by the humans during Ancient Times.

## Symbolism

Its body is composed of lightning and with the form of a white and blue wolf or dog (or even a wolf or dog wrapped in lightning) being the most common, although it can be represented with other forms such as tanuki, fox, leopard, weasel, rabbit, tiger, cat, badger, civet, mongoose, porcupine, tapir, bull, pangolin, monkey, rat, bear, squirrel, wild boar, rhinoceros, sea creature (usually whale, dolphin, seal, shark, eel, sea turtle or crab), arthropod (most commonly mantis, centipede, cicada, beetle or wasp) or even a dragon or qilin. It may also fly about as a ball of lightning (in fact, the creature may be an attempt to explain the phenomenon of lightning.
Category:Rodent Family
Category:Mustelid Family
Category: Ungulate Family