Mantis Yokai

**Mantis Yokai**, sometimes called **Empusa Yokai**, is a variation of the Insect Yokai who has the appearance of a mantis.

## Physical Appearance

Mantis Yokai has the anthropomorphic appearance of the mantis. They typically have two large long arms with jagged shoulders and forearms where the sharp claws are, and two antennae on their heads. They also have a mantis abdomen at the bottom of their backs.

## Description

Mantis Yokai are known for their martial arts. Using the mantis-style kung-fu technique, they have been trained in this style since the age of 5. All mantises must have some training with mantis-style kung-fu. Another known feature for these yokai are their sharp claws. They're able to slice through anything in one fell swoop. With that combined with their martial arts they would often work as assassins for anybody whose willing to pay them for a certain amount of money.

## Abilities

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

* Antenna Protrusion
* Appendage Generation/Multiple Arms
* Camouflage
* Dermal Armor
* Enhanced Agility
* Enhanced Balance
* Enhanced Bite
* Enhanced Dexterity
* Enhanced Senses
	+ Enhanced Vision
		- 360-Degree Vision
* Enhanced Speed
* Enhanced Strength
* Lunglessness
* Predator Instinct
	+ Enhanced Stealth
* Size Reduction
* Sword Arm
	+ Claw Retraction
	+ Pincer Grip
	+ Scythe Proficiency
* Wing Manifestation/Flight

### Associations

Mantises are associated with great number of mystical and supernatural abilities and connections in mythology and folklore, thus user with this power may have access to: Mystical Martial Arts, Enhanced Combat, Spiritual Meditation.

## Pop Culture

Mantises are often portrayed as the "small but mighty" trope. They have the physical appearance of a mantis which are small. But they still can kick butt despite the size. Repo Mantis is a mutant mantis who owns his Repo Mantis Salvage business. Other characters include Manny, Caroleena and Slicer to name a few. Scyther is inspired by the mantis via design.

## Variations

### Insect Yokai

Mantises are a type of insect. There are over 2,400 species in about 430 genera in 30 families. The largest family is the Mantidae. Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks.

## Life in the Hidden World

Mantis Yokai have been trained in martial arts and assassination. Some have worked as assassins for anybody who will pay them a certain amount of money. Female mantises, who are called Empusa Yokai, has the ability to manipulate the dreams of sleeping men. This is from the Empusa legend from Greek Mythology. According to mythological texts, the Empusa feasted by seducing young men and, as they slept, drank their lover's blood and ate their lover's flesh. Only female Mantis Yokai can do this as they have a special set of fangs that are designed to drink the blood from men.

## Symbolism

Overwhelmingly in most cultures the mantis is a symbol of stillness. As such, she is an ambassador from the animal kingdom giving testimony to the benefits of meditation, and calming our minds. An appearance from the mantis is a message to be still, go within, meditate, get quite and reach a place of calm.