Akaname Yokai

**Akaname Yokai** are a type of demonic spirit found in Japanese folklore.

## Physical Appearance

Akaname Yokai are often described as an ugly, small humanoid with a horrendously enlongated tongue. Even when they use a cloaking brooch to disguise themselves as humans, they still possess the enlongated tongue with some may also possess pointy ears as well.

## Description

Akaname Yokai would use their tongue to feed on filth in neglected bathrooms. While relatively harmless to humans they were nevertheless frightening beings and harbingers of disease and misfortune, thus they were unwanted "visitors" to a household and a warning about keeping good hygiene. Akaname Yokai loves getting themselves dirty. They would often play in mud puddles or doing dumpster diving to find something that catches their eyes. Akanames often avoid anything that's clean as they would only go to places where there's a lot of filth.

## Abilities

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

* Prehensile Tongue
* Small Size
* Disease Manipulation
* Fear Inducement (due to unnatural appearance)

## Pop Culture

The Akaname had appeared in GeGeGe no Kitaro and Yo-Kai Watch. In the anime GeGeGe no Kitaro, Akaname is a mischievous yōkai, scaring the humans tenants who live in the apartment and teasing the landlords with Rokuro-Kubi and Karakasa. However after being beaten by Kitarō and given mercy by Haruo, they and the others stop scaring the tenants. In the game Yo-Kai Watch, Akaname (or Tublappa in the English version) is a Rank D, Lightning-attribute Classic Yo-kai of the Brave tribe. Those inspirited by Tublappa/Akaname suddenly develop an irresistible urge for licking things, with their tongue having the same appearance as his own.

## Variations

### Demon Yokai

Akaname are a type of a demonic spirit. A toilet demon to be exact. According to Japanese folklore, Like cockroaches, rats, lice, and other pests, akaname detest clean, well-kept homes. They only appear where the owners show a complete lack of sanitary discipline. Akaname are shy and stay clear of humans, scattering in the light like cockroaches. They spread disease, so it is a good idea to keep bathrooms and houses clean enough that akaname do not wish to settle down.

## Life in the Hidden World

Akaname Yokai are known to be one the filthiest yokai species in the Hidden World. They're often found hanging out dumpsters or other places where it's very filthy. Due to this, they smell horrible and many Yokai would avoid them because of the horrific smell. On the Surface World, they would inhabit only in unsanitary bathrooms. Scaring the Humans who would come to the unsanitary bathrooms to use the toilet. In order to get rid of the Akaname, the Humans need to keep the bathroom nice and clean. Thus keeping good hygiene will keep the spirits at bay. Likewise praying to a toilet deity will help ward off evil spirits of all kind, including the Akaname. If they use the cloaking brooch to disguise themselves as humans, they still maintain having a enlongated tongue. Some may even possess pointy ears as well in their disguise form.

## Symbolism

The akaname is the “personification of the fear of using a dark bathroom late at night.” It is said to come out at night to literally lick up the grime and dirt that accumulates in unclean bathrooms.