Jibanyan

Jibanyan (Japanese: ジバニャン Jibanyan) is a Shadowside Yo-kai of the Mononoke tribe. This particular appearance of Jibanyan is specifically for the Shadowside series, depicting him 30 years after the events of the original Yo-kai Watch series.

In the Shadowside series, Jibanyan exists in two distinct forms: his Lightside form, which is ranked as an S-class Yo-kai, and his Shadowside form, which is an SS-class Yo-kai. Both of these forms belong to the Charming tribe and were first introduced in the game Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: The Return of the Oni King, notable for their inclusion in titles like Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble. However, during the time period spanning from Yo-kai Watch Shadowside to Yo-kai Watch: Ukiukipedia Kiwami, up until Yo-kai Watch: Ukiukipedia Gakuen Y, Jibanyan is classified under the Mononoke tribe instead.

The Shadowside series, set 30 years after the original Yo-kai Watch series, showcases Jibanyan's Shadowside form. In Yo-kai Watch: Ukiukipedia Shadowside, this form utilizes the Wibble Wobble rank from his Lightside counterpart and is categorized as a Fire-attribute Yo-kai. Meanwhile, in Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars, Jibanyan's Lightside form is ranked as an A-class Yo-kai, while his Shadowside form employs the Ukiukipedia rank. Notably, in Yo-kai Watch 4, Jibanyan holds a C-class rank as a Yo-kai.

It's important to note that although Jibanyan's Shadowside form does not make an appearance in Yo-kai Watch World, the series introduces an additional SS-class form specifically for him, titled Jibanyan (Shadow) (SS) (Japanese: ジバニャン（シャドウ）（ＳＳエスエス）).

Biology:

In his everyday Lightside form, Jibanyan maintains his Cat Yo-kai appearance, similar to his look from the previous Yo-kai Watch series. However, there are notable differences. His color scheme is less vibrant, with a more muted palette. He appears slightly taller than before, and his eyes have thin, vertical pupils with dark shadows around them, giving him an intense gaze. Jibanyan's tails are shorter in this form, and his fur has a shaggier texture. Furthermore, his paws now feature clearly visible digits.

When transformed into his combat Shadowside form, Jibanyan undergoes a significant physical change. He becomes much taller, more slender, and distinctively muscular, bearing a striking resemblance to the fierce Rubeus J. His expression intensifies, with a ferocious scowl that reveals sharp, deadly fangs. His pupils vanish entirely, replaced by an eerie, ominous yellow glow emanating from his eyes. The fur on his paws and shoulders stands on end, appearing more menacing. Additionally, the wisps on his tails burn with an otherworldly intensity, reflecting his powerful Shadowside nature.

Appearance:

In his everyday Lightside form, Jibanyan retains his Cat Yo-kai appearance from the original series but with several key differences. His color scheme is more subdued, featuring a less saturated palette. He appears slightly taller than before, and his eyes now have thin, vertical pupils framed by dark shadows, giving him an intense, almost mysterious look. Jibanyan's tails are noticeably shorter in this form, and his fur has grown shaggier, adding to his rugged appeal. Another detail is the newly visible digits on his paws, a subtle but distinctive change.

Jibanyan's combat Shadowside form showcases a dramatic transformation. He grows significantly taller, more slender, and extraordinarily muscular, reminiscent of the powerful Rubeus J. His facial expression becomes fierce and intimidating, with his razor-sharp fangs fully exposed in a threatening snarl. His pupils disappear entirely, replaced by an unsettling yellow glow that fills his eyes, casting an ominous aura. The fur on his paws and shoulders stands erect, adding to his fearsome appearance. Moreover, the wisps at the ends of his tails seem to burn with a stronger, more intense flame, representing his Shadowside power.

Personality:

Unlike his previous incarnation, Jibanyan in the Shadowside series exhibits a more standoffish and aloof personality. This shift is exemplified in the movie, where he attempts to intimidate Summer and the others by kicking a large wheel from a truck he had previously smashed, showcasing his aggressive nature.

In the Shadowside anime series, Jibanyan's personality takes on a tough, gruff demeanor, akin to a stereotypical "tough guy." In episode SS011, it is revealed that Jibanyan has lost his memory, leading to confusion regarding his hatred of trucks and his fondness for chocolate. Whenever he encounters a high school girl, his demeanor softens, a trait that can be traced back to the caring nature of his former owner, Amy. Despite his tough exterior, there are moments when his heart grows tender, particularly when reminded of the affection and care he once received.

Trivia:

Instead of Jibanyan's usual voice actress, Etsuko Kozakura, this version of Jibanyan in the Shadowside series is voiced by Takaya Kuroda, known for his deep and commanding voice. Before the release of Jibanyan's Keystone, his Lightside and Shadowside forms made an early appearance on a Treasure Medal. This medal was given out to participants of the "Design a Shadowside form contest," which encouraged fans to submit their ideas for Jibanyan's new look in the Shadowside series. Despite the changes in his appearance and forms, Jibanyan's aversion to water remains consistent across the series, showcasing his stubborn and sometimes comical nature. In the Yo-kai Watch Shadowside anime, there is a brief moment where Jibanyan reverts to his previous form from the original series, hinting at the connection between his past and present selves. A height chart reference from the production of the Yo-kai Watch Shadowside anime reveals an earlier height reference for both Shadowside Jibanyan and Summer, suggesting changes in character design over the course of the series' development. The medallium in Yo-kai Watch Wibble Wobble describes this version of Jibanyan as a wandering spirit, which contrasts with his current status as an earthbound spirit. This discrepancy adds to the mystery surrounding his origins and the differences between his Lightside and Shadowside forms. The existence of Shadowside Jibanyan retcons the existence of Robonyan in the anime series, as Shadowside Jibanyan is actually from the future compared to Robonyan. This temporal difference prevents Shadowside Jibanyan from being the predecessor to Robonyan, as that would imply Robonyan taking on the form of Shadowside Jibanyan instead. Lightside Jibanyan was originally intended to replace the original Jibanyan as one of the mascots for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but he was ultimately replaced by his original counterpart in 2019. Shadowside Jibanyan's height varies across different media. He appears taller in the movie and manga compared to his depiction in the games and anime, which might be an earlier version of his character design. The designs for Jibanyan's Lightside and Shadowside forms might have been influenced by scrapped concepts for his present form. Lightside Jibanyan could be based on a discarded design for his current appearance, while Shadowside Jibanyan bears a striking resemblance to Rubeus J, another powerful Yo-kai character.

Psychological Analysis:

Aggression and Defensive Behavior: Jibanyan's actions, such as attempting to intimidate Summer and the others by kicking a wheel from a smashed truck, indicate a tendency towards aggressive and defensive behavior. This could be a coping mechanism to protect himself or assert dominance in situations where he feels threatened.

Memory Loss and Identity Crisis: The revelation that Jibanyan lost his memory in episode SS011 suggests a potential identity crisis. His confusion about his hatred of trucks and love for chocolate might stem from a disconnect between his past experiences and present self. This memory loss could be causing him emotional distress and difficulty forming a coherent sense of self.

Emotional Softening Around High School Girls: Jibanyan's personality shift when encountering high school girls, as mentioned in the anime, might be related to his past experiences with his former owner, Amy. Her care and affection could have left a lasting impression, causing him to associate high school girls with positive emotions and leading to a temporary softening of his tough exterior.

Possible Trauma: Jibanyan's fear and hatred of water, despite being a Cat Yo-kai, could be a result of past traumatic experiences. This phobia may be deeply rooted in his psyche and manifest as an irrational fear that persists even in his new forms.

Physiological Analysis:

Size and Build: Jibanyan's size and build vary significantly between his Lightside and Shadowside forms. In his everyday Lightside form, he appears slightly taller than his counterpart in the original series, with a shaggier fur and shorter tails. In contrast, his Shadowside form is much taller, more slender, and distinctly muscular. These physical changes could be attributed to the transformation process between forms and the nature of his Shadowside powers.

Sensory Adaptations: The differences in Jibanyan's eye structure between his Lightside and Shadowside forms are noteworthy. His Lightside form features thin, vertical pupils with dark shadows around them, suggesting heightened low-light vision and enhanced depth perception. In his Shadowside form, his eyes lack pupils and emit an ominous yellow glow, possibly indicating enhanced night vision or the ability to see beyond the normal visual spectrum.

Fur and Tail Changes: The changes in Jibanyan's fur and tail between forms are also significant. In his Lightside form, his fur is shaggier and his tails are shorter. In his Shadowside form, the fur on his paws and shoulders stands on end, and the wisps on his tails burn stronger. These adaptations could be related to his combat abilities or his ability to manipulate energy in his Shadowside form.

Possible Diagnoses:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Based on Jibanyan's fear of water and potential history of traumatic experiences, he might be suffering from PTSD. The persistent avoidance of water and the intense fear response could be symptoms of this disorder.

Dissociative Amnesia: Jibanyan's memory loss and the resulting confusion about his past could be a sign of dissociative amnesia. This condition is characterized by the inability to recall personal information, often due to a traumatic event or stressful experience.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Jibanyan's unstable interpersonal relationships, fear of abandonment, and rapidly shifting moods could be indicative of Borderline Personality Disorder. His alternating tough guy persona and moments of emotional softness might be coping mechanisms to manage his intense feelings and maintain a sense of self.