Jibanyan

## Appearances

### Portrayed by

Alicyn Packard (Video games and Season 1 and 2 anime dub)Kira Buckland (Season 3 anime dub and The Little Wiggles: Series 6 - The Little Yo-Kai Wiggles)

### Debut

The Spooky Intersection

**Jibanyan** (Japanese: **ジバニャン** *Jibanyan*) is one of the two deuteragonists (alongside Whisper) of the Yo-kai Watch series. He is a Rank D Fire-attribute Yo-kai of the Charming tribe introduced in *Yo-kai Watch*. From *Yo-kai Watch: Ukiukipedia Kiwami* to *Yo-kai Watch: Ukiukipedia Gakuen Y*, and in *Yo-kai Watch 4*, he's part of the Onechanside Yo-kai of the Mononoke tribe.

From *Yo-kai Watch* to *Yo-kai Watch 3*, Jibanyan evolves into Thornyan when fused with Coughkoff, or Baddinyan when fused with Roughraff, and in *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble*, he can evolve into Jibanyan S when fused with Jibanyan A.

From *Yo-kai Watch* to *Yo-kai Watch Busters 2*, and in *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble* and *Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars*, he is one of the Yo-kai required to unlock Shogunyan.

Jibanyan is popularly known as one of the mascots of the *Yo-kai Watch* franchise, as well being the mascot of *Yo-kai Watch*, *Yo-kai Watch 2*, and *Yo-kai Watch Blasters: Red Cat Corps*. Due to his popularity, there are many members of his species across the many games, which span multiple Tribes and Ranks.

## Appearances

### Video games

* *Yo-kai Watch*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Taiso Dai-ichi Puzzle da nyan*: Recurring Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch 2*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch Blasters*: Major and Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version*: Recurring Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch Land*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Sangokushi*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch 3*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch Busters 2*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch World*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch 4*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars*: Playable Yo-kai.
* *Y School Heroes: Bustlin' School Life*: Helper DLC Yo-kai.

### Anime series

* *Yo-kai Watch*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch: The Movie*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch the Movie: Lord Enma and the Five Tales, Nyan!*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch the Movie: The Great Adventure of the Flying Whale & the Double World, Nyan!*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch Shadowside*: Recurring Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch!*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Y School Heroes*: Cameo Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch♪*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch♪: Jibanyan vs. Komasan - The Big Amazing Battle, Nyan*: Major Yo-kai

### Manga series

* *Yo-kai Watch*: Major Yo-kai.
* *Yo-kai Watch: Wakuwaku Nyanderful Days*: Major Yo-kai.

## Biology

### Appearance

Jibanyan is a red-and-white-colored cat Yo-kai, with pink inner-ears and a chip on his left ear. He has yellow colored eyes with large pupils, his nose and inner-ears are dull shade of pink. Attached to his collar is an aquamarine colored bell, matching the *hitodama* flames at the end of his two tails.

On the middle of his chest, Jibanyan wears a yellow *haramaki* which is always worn with several exceptions revealing nothing under there. He also stores Chocobars and several other items like magazines of Next HarMEOWny under it.

### Personality

Jibanyan is a Yo-kai that has fierce determination to do anything such as being eager to fight over other Yo-kai that are causing trouble for him. Despite his motivation and power, he also slacks off on occasions if Nate's orders aren't important for him or when he's feeling lazy in general.

He has an affinity for Chocobars and anything related to his favorite music group, Next HarMEOWny, to the point of dreaming of having his own chocobar factory and collection. Jibanyan also collects merchandise of Next HarMEOWny and has a private collection full of them including pinup magazines, music CDs and clothing.

### Abilities

Jibanyan fights with his paws, whether it be for opposing Yo-kai or incoming trucks. He also attacks them with his signature Soultimate Move called **Paws of Fury** (Japanese: **ひゃくれつ肉球** *Hyakuretsu Nikukyū*), which shows him rapidly attacking with his paws as other paws comes out from around him.

Though Jibanyan cannot evolve, he can fuse with other Yo-kai instead resulting in his personality and power being changed. Fusing with Roughraff will make Jibanyan transform into Baddinyan, giving him a more rebellious look while fusion with Coughkoff turns him into Thornyan which makes him spiky and feeling sickly. Jibanyan can also fuse into Buchinyan by coming into contact with Whisper, combining both of their powers.

With the Yo-kai Watch Model Zero, Jibanyan has three additional Soultimate Moves that can be summoned via the Z Medals resulting in a different pose and a comedy-based attack. They are of **Nyaight** (Japanese: **ニャイーン** *Nyaiiin*), **Nyext** (Japanese: **ニョエー** *Nyoeeh*) and **Victory** (Japanese: **コマニャチ** *Komanyachi*). According to their description in *Yo-kai Watch 2*, they are passed down from Jibanyan's family.

## Profile

### *Yo-kai Watch*

Jibanyan first appears in *Enter Jibanyan!*, where the player meets him after he charges into traffic against a truck, only to be knocked back. The player asks Jibanyan if he's fine, but Jibanyan tells the player if he or she knows Amy and explains his backstory to the player before he became a Yo-kai.

After that, Jibanyan tells the player that a Yo-kai stole his photo, and the player tells Jibanyan that they will take the picture back and asks him where the Yo-kai who took his photo is. Jibanyan tells the player that the gang usually hangs out right behind the fish place. The player tells Jibanyan that he has no need to worry and that they will take care of it. The two then introduced themselves to each other before the player is heading to the spot behind the Fish Place.

After the player manages to get the photo, they return back to the spot where Jibanyan is. They return the photo to Jibanyan, which Jibanyan then thanks the player in return. Still sobbing about his strength, the player comforts Jibanyan saying that he is pretty awesome. Jibanyan relieved by the player's words, he gives the player his medal, which the two of them became friends.

Furthermore, Jibanyan appears in the 5th and 6th Circles of Infinite Inferno, he can also be freed by using an Excitement Coin in the Crank-a-kai.

### *Yo-kai Watch 2*

Jibanyan appears in *Yo-kai Watch 2* in the first chapter, *The Vanishing Watch*. The events are the same as that of previous game but however, Jibanyan has lost his memories and doesn't seem to recognize the player. Jibanyan tells his story to the player before he became a Yo-kai, however, unlike in Yo-kai Watch, the player doesn't have to take back the photo of Amy.

The player comforts Jibanyan, and Jibanyan starts to get déjà vu. A strange light appears which signifies that Jibanyan's memories are being recollected. After the light, the player will receive Jibanyan's medal. While the player and Whisper both decide to go to the Memory Store to get a clue as to why they have lost their memories, Jibanyan stays near the fish place to continue his training, and later tags along.

Jibanyan can learn three special Soultimate Moves from scrolls, which are obtained by scanning the specific QR Codes that originally came with the Yo-kai Medals.

Nyaight

Nyext

Victory

### *Yo-kai Watch Blasters*

Jibanyan appears in the spin-off game *Yo-kai Watch Blasters* as the Fighter of the original Bottom-of-the-Barrels Blasters, He's one of the first four Yo-kai the player can play as.

He has a lot of scenes in the Main Story after this reappearing as a main character quite often, After losing to Gargaros at the end of Chapter 1 he brings the other 3 main blasters, Sandmeh Hidabat and Noway, To a next Har-MEOW-ny concert.

### *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble*

In *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble*, Jibanyan will automatically be befriended by the player after completing Stage 4 of Uptown Springdale. Jibanyan can also be befriended in the event *"The Yo-cake Scramble Battle"*.

### *Yo-kai Sangokushi*

*Main article: Jibanyan Liu Bei*
Jibanyan appears in the collaborative game between Level-5's *Yo-kai Watch* and Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, *Yo-kai Sangokushi*.

### *Yo-kai Watch 3*

Jibanyan appears in *Yo-kai Watch 3*, however, unlike Yo-kai Watch and Yo-kai Watch 2, Jibanyan isn't befriended because the player comforts him. Instead, it was because Whisper traded the Medallium for the Model U.

### *Yo-kai Watch Busters 2*

In *Yo-kai Watch Busters 2*, Jibanyan is the first Yo-kai the player can play as.

### *Yo-kai Watch 4*

In *Yo-kai Watch 4*, Jibanyan is the very first Yo-kai the player befriends, being befriended at the beginning of Chapter 1. He also has a rare chance of appearing in Springdale Keystone door and may appear as one of Gutsy Bones pulls. However, only one Jibanyan may be befriended per save file through the first method mentioned. Once befriended, Jibanyan has one heart for Nate and one empty heart.

### *Y School Heroes: Bustlin' School Life*

Jibanyan is available by purchasing the Popular Student Pack 1, where he, alongside Komasan, are unlocked as Helper Yo-kai in the game.

## Game data

### Main series games data

#### *Yo-kai Watch 2*

 Soultimate Move
 Soultimate Move

### Attribute tolerance

 **Tolerance of attribute attack**Strong × ⇒ △ ⇒ - ⇒ ○ ⇒ ◎ weak

### Held items

 *Yo-kai Watch 2* | Chocobar (40%)
 *Yo-kai Watch 3* | Beef Tongue (14%)
Marbled Beef (6%)

### Locations

#### Main series games

Infinite Inferno, 7th and 8th Circles
 *Yo-kai Watch 3* | Automatically befriended at the beginning.
Freed from a Legend Coin
 *Yo-kai Watch 4* | In the party from beginning.
Mononoke Ark Door, The Catwalk.
One of Gutsy Bones pulls

#### Spin-off games

 *Y School Heroes: Bustlin' School Life* | "Popular Student Pack 1" DLC

### Forms

#### *Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble*

 Jibanyan is not numbered.

## Random Nicknames

ジニー *Jinī*
はらまき *Haramaki*
ニャンすけ *Nyansuke*
Jibbers
Purrball
Poltpaws
Jiby
Tronyon
Stopauto

## In the anime

*Main article: Jibanyan (anime)*
Jibanyan is Nathan Adams' companion in the Yo-kai Watch anime, as well as the following Yo-kai Watch! and Yo-kai Watch♪ series. By the time of the Yo-kai Watch Shadowside series, he changes into his Shadowside form.

Like in the games, he is the main mascot of the anime.

## In the manga

*Main article: Jibanyan (manga)*
In the Yo-kai Watch manga, Jibanyan is a major character, being a mascot of the series, as well as one of Nate's main Yo-kai friends.

He is also a major character in the Wakuwaku Nyanderful Days manga series as a major character, being one of Katie's Yo-kai companions.

## Other Appearances

### *Danball Senki Wars*

A Jibanyan mecha appeared as a playable character in October 2013 in Danball Senki Wars.

### *Final Fantasy XIV Online*

In 2017 and 2020, a collaboration was held in *Final Fantasy XIV Online* where players can get Jibanyan as a playable partner.

### *Shironeko Tennis*

From August 31, 2017 to July 23, 2018, Jibanyan was a playable character in *Shironeko Tennis* along with a tennis racket based on his appearance.

### *Taiko no Tatsujin* series

Jibanyan has made a few appearances in the *Taiko no Tatsujin* games. In the original game, he, Nate, Katie and Komasan make an appearance in the playable Gera Gera Po Song along with an unlockable Jibanyan costume for Don Chan.

In the video game *Taiko no Tatsujin: Don to Katsu no Jikū Daibōken*, later localised as *Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure* for the Nintendo Switch, Jibanyan appears as character that can be added to the team.

### *Everybody's Golf*

To commemorate Level-5's 20th anniversary in 2018, a Jibanyan appears as a playable character along with a Jibanyan-themed golf cart that can be brought as DLC in *Everybody's Golf* for PlayStation 4.

### *Armored Girls*

A character named *Tsugumi Kozakura* was added to the game, who wears "LBCS Armor" based on Jibanyan.

### *The Little Wiggles: Series 6 - The Little Yo-Kai Wiggles*

Jibanyan appears a main character with Whisper and Nate Adams and along The Little Wiggles.

## Quotes

* **Recap:** *"Jibanyan! From the Charming tribe-"*
* **Befriended**: *"Nyice battle! Let's be friends!"*
* **Receiving food (normal)**:*"Nyot bad..."*
* **Receiving food (favourite)**: *"So happy! \*purr\*"*
* **Receiving food (favourite) (YKW2)**: *"Chocobar! Nyan!"*
* **Freed from the Crank-a-kai (Yo-kai Watch Blasters)**: *"We're friends. Friends forever."*
* **Freed from the Crank-a-kai (Yo-kai Watch 3)**: *"So nyice of you to free me! I'm gonna thank you by being your friend!"*
* **Blasters House (1):** *"Meow? My turn?"*
* **Blasters House (2):** *"I wanna meet Next HarMEOWny..."*
* **Blasters House (With only him and the leader):** *"It's been my turn too many times. I feel so tired, meow!"*
* **Blasters House (With him and 1 ally):** *"♪ I WILL NE-E-EVER DIIIIIE!"*
* **Blasters House (With him and 2 allies):** *"I wonder what Nate is doing right now, nyan..."*

## Etymology

* His name is a combination of *jibakurei* (Japanese: **地縛霊** *"ghost bound to a location"*) and *nyan*, the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow.

### Origin

Jibanyan is based on the nekomata, a kind of *bakeneko* (cat youkai) born from a cat that turned into one with age: when this happens, they gain magical powers, human intelligence and their tail splits into two (whether the tail just forks or fully splits depends on the source), ghostly fire sometimes appearing on the tips.

They are much larger than a regular housecat, and also far more dangerous: they can curse humans, manipulate fire, and even control the dead with their tails as if they were puppets on strings. Jibanyan wears a *haramaki* around his tummy, or "belly wrap". The word originally referred to a type of chest armor, but in modern times it describes a tube of thick cloth worn around the waist to keep the body warm during winter. It used to be regarded as an old-fashioned tacky article of clothing, but it recently saw new popularity in Japan.

## Trivia

* Jibanyan's signature Soultimate attack is a reference to *Fist of the North Star* protagonist Kenshiro's iconic move *Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken*, a move that has Kenshiro punch the target rapidly, with the Japanese name even sounding similar to it.
	+ There are several other Yo-kai and humans that do a similar attack, most notably being Shadowside Komajiro.
* Jibanyan's Effect mentions that he slows down enemies using a seal, despite him not being seen with them. It may have been a leftover from one of his earlier designs, which featured a rope belt with seals instead of a *haramaki*.
* Character designer Takuzo Nagano added a *haramaki* to Jibanyan's appearance, because it was a prominent piece of clothing in the Shōwa period, which was what he imagined when conceptulizing the characters of Yo-kai Watch. Another reason is that he was a fan of the character Tora-san from the Japanese movie series *Otoko wa Tsurai yo*, whom also wears a haramaki.
* Jibanyan's unlockable Soultimate Moves in *Yo-kai Watch 2* and Z medal poses are all based on Japanese classic comedy visual gags.
	+ Nyext is a reference to Iyami's "Sheeeh!" from Fujio Akatsuka's *Osomatsu-kun*. Its Japanese name, "Nyooeh", reflects this.
	+ Nyaight is based on Ken Shimura's "Aiiiin!" (アイーン！). Its Japanese name, "Nyaiiin", reflects this.
	+ Victory is a parody of Takeshi Kitano's "Komanechi!" (コマネチ！). Its Japanese name, "Komanyachi", reflects this.
* Jibanyan's facial appearance bears resemblance to Katsuo Nyano, a Japanese mascot in the Kochi prefecture who was introduced in 2011. In a 2014 interview with Level-5, they stated that Katsuo's design "has nothing to do with Jibanyan," and "the original design from the Level-5 World 2011 Trailer was conceptualized and created in 2010.".
* In the *Yo-kai Watch♪* series, Jibanyan's tails no longer move.
* Jibanyan is the only Yo-kai that can change his Soultimate (having five versions in all, including his Rank S version).
* In the Japanese version of *Yo-kai Watch* video game, his Soultimate move did not feature the attack being enunciated when performed, though it was later done so in newer games beginning with *Yo-kai Watch 2*, which the English version and later ports of the original game reflects.
* In the announcing lines for Jibanyan's Song Medal, it was stated that he can hold up to fifteen Chocobars in his *haramaki*.