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Umi-bouzu (海坊主, Umibōzu) is an ayakashi who is confined to the darkest corner of the ocean.
Appearance
He has two appearances though both forms he has big wide eyes and misty purple coloring. His bigger form he has bright glowing red eyes and no arms or legs.
Personality
History
Every 100 years, the umi-bouzu leaves its confinement to attend a ceremony run by Orio-ya.
Not much was revealed about who the umi-bouzu was, or why he needs to be satisfied every 100 years. It was only understood that if the ceremony failed, the southern land would be subjected to natural disaster and calamity. So umi-bouzu was feared and stigmatised in a way, and was thought to bring great misfortune on all who looked upon him.
Plot
In an encounter with the umi-bouzu, Aoi learns that umi-bouzu is in fact a small child (in his true form). Through a vision given to Aoi, Ginji, and Ranmaru, they learn that the umi-bouzu does not bring misfortune, but rather he protects the ocean from the impurities that seep out from the darkest corner of the ocean. Of course, a job like his is taxing, so he attends the ceremony every century to regain his strength so he can continue to keep the southern land and the ocean free from danger.
Aoi also learn that the umi-bouzu is understandably really lonely, and unfortunately – so is the ceremony. So Aoi decides to keep him company during the ceremony. Later, Ranmaru announced that henceforth the ceremony would be a warm reception of appreciation, rather than one of clinical offerings.[1]
Powers & Abilities
Relationships
Aoi Tsubaki
When Aoi calls for Chibi to come back, thinking he will disturb the umi-bouzu, the latter suddenly becomes sad and scared. Aoi further lifts the blinds to discover the small child with Chibi clinging to the umi-bouzu. Aoi touches the scared ayakashi and is given a vision of how lonely and hungry he always feels - a feeling that Aoi is empathetic to due to her own loneliness when she was a child. She then decides to gather everyone on the island to eat and share company with the umi-bouzu. Everyone has a good time until it is time for the umi-bouzu to return to the sea. Before he leaves, Aoi asks him if he wanted to stay with her but he cannot due to his job of protecting the Southern Land. He leaves, saying he will see them in 100 years - although Aoi notes she may not be around by then.
Chibi
Chibi is the first being to actually interact with the umi-bouzu. He runs under the blinds to look for cucumbers in the umi-bouzu's food. Asking the umi-bouzu for some cucumbers, Chibi first shares food before being tickled by the ayakashi. A moment later when Aoi opens the blinds, Chibi helps the umi-bouzu communicate with her how sad and lonely he feels.