Zaza

**Zaza** is an original character created by *Yako Kureishi* in the **Somali and the Forest Spirit** manga and anime series.

## Appearance

Zaza is a stout man with a bushy beard that covers his chin and curly whiskers.

While outside he mostly wears a walrus head hat that has antlers to blend in with non-humans.

## Personality

Zaza appears to be a gentle old man who takes pride in his gardening skills.

## Story Overview

Zaza was originally part of a human village and lived as a farmer, caring for his aged mother. His community was relatively safe and a few times he ventured into the world disguised as a non-human. Just after a successful harvest, news reached the village about a human hunting party in the area that already claimed a neighboring village. After a meeting with many of the villagers, it was agreed that they would begin evacuating the village.

Zaza was told by his mother to go on head without her promising she would leave soon. While leaving the village, Zaza on a hill some distance away saw that there was smoke coming from his village. He hurried back only to find the village ransacked and his mother taken. His mother had foreseen this and Zaza found two bags of food for his own journey.

For a time Zaza wandered the world alone, blending in as a non-human. Though overtime he became fearful of being discovered for being a human, as it would mean death or worse. Finally he managed to find a distant forest where non-humans dare no thread due to the dead Watchman of the Beasts. There he built his home, giving a reclusive life.

One day he came across a Golem and Somali in the forest. The forester welcomed the two in his home, as he was curious about them. From the non-human he learned that he was a Golem which was unusual as golems did not travel. Seeing that they could be trusted Zaza revealed he was a human and knew that Somali was too as he saw through her Minotaur disguise.

He then treated them to a meal of his cooked vegetables he raised himself. When complimented on his cooking, Zaza took pride in his ability which he was taught by his mother. Somali curious inquired where she was, only for the man to look dour and said she was no longer with him.

As Somali was asleep, Zaza told Golem his story and how he came to the forest. For Golem, Zaza asked what made a watchman leave his forest, leading Golem to ask if he knew what happened to a watchman when they die. Zaza having seen the dead watchman in the forest, noted that its corpse had turned into a seed bed, which Golem muses that means the forest will end soon. Going back to his question Zaza asked again why the Golem left his forest and what is his relationship with Somali. Golem then tell the older human that he intends to locate Somali's parents and return her to them. This comes as a surprise to Zaza, but feels that doing so is a bit early for traveling since Somali is so young. Golem then asks Zaza if he knows how long a golem can live, From what Zaza knows watchmen have different lifespans compared to humans. Golem confirms that to be true, as they live to exactly a thousand years. He then reveals that he has lived for 998 years and 253 days and will die in 112 days.

Zaza stunned now understands why Golem left to go on a journey with Somali. Though taken aback by this news, Zaza admits that he saw the loving relationship Golem and Somali had. Even admitting he considered the idea of asking Golem to let Somali remain with him, however hearing Golem to be dying makes him believe that Golem needs Somali more than he does.

After the human and golem left his home, Zaza found himself alone once again. Or so he thought when a pair of birds came to keep him company.

## Relationships

### Mother

Zaza looked up to his mother as she taught him everything about raising crops. Whenever he successfully harvest vegetables from his fields, he would show them to his mother to be lauded at his skill. Though he was chastised at times by his parent to never get cocky. After his mother was taken, Zaza cam to understand that she stayed intentionally to be caught by the non-humans as she knew that she would be a hinderance to Zaza with her bad foot. Her staying there was a means of sacrificing herself to ensure he would be safe.

## Abilities

Zaza is a farmer, having skills to raise good crops in the wild forest. He attributes his skill to his mother's teaching him how to cultivate.

## References

1. ↑ *Chapter 3 The Man of the Forest (Part 1)*