Who Is This Japanese Yōkai That Is Obsessed With Your Butt?

What looks like a reptile-amphibian hybrid, has a dish shaped skull, smells like fish, is child-like and out to steal your crops and drown your livestock? The Japanese water yokai, Kappa.
For audio descriptions, go to Settings - Audio Track - English Descriptive.
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We'd like to extend a sincere thank you to Professor Yoshiko Okuyama, Ph.D. for her valuable insights and time.
Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
Director: David Schulte
Executive Producer: Amanda Fox
Executive Producer: Dr. Emily Zarka
Producer: Thomas Fernandes
Editor/Animator: Jordyn Buckland
Illustrator: Samuel Allan
Executive in Charge (PBS): Maribel Lopez
Director of Programming (PBS): Gabrielle Ewing
Additional Footage: Shutterstock
Music: APM Music
Descriptive Audio & Captions provided by The Described and Captioned Media Program
Produced by Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios.
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Bibliography
Akutagawa, Ryunosuke. Kappa, trans. Seiichi Shiojiri. Greenwood Press, 1970.
Amos, Timothy. Caste in Early Modern Japan: Danzaemon and the Edo Outcaste Order. Routledge, 2019.
Cornyetz, Nina. “Heterosexualizing the Bishōnen: Ambivalence in Izumi Kyōka’s Yōken Kibun.” The Journal of Japanese Studies, vol. 47, no. 2, 2021, pp. 381-40.
Early Modern Japanese Literature: An Anthology, 1600-1900. Columbia University Press, 2002.
Foster, Michael Dylan. Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yokai. University of California Press, 2008.
Foster, Michael Dylan. The Book of Yokai. University of California Press, 2015.
Foster, Michael Dylan. “The metamorphosis of the kappa: a transformation of folklore and folklorism in Japan.” Asian Folklore Studies, vol. 57, issue 1, April 1998.
Shamoon, Deborah. “The Yokai in the Database: Supernatural Creatures and Folklore in Manga and Anime.” Marvels & Tales, vol. 27, no. 2, 2013, pp. 276-289.
Tozaki, T., et al. “Genetic diversity and relationships among native Japanese horse breeds, the Japanese Thoroughbred and horses outside of Japan using genome-wide SNP data.” Animal Genetics, vol. 50, issue 5, October 2019, pp. 449-459.

[@thenathanimal2909]

"Hold onto your butts." -A man who fought Kappas and got eaten by a Raptor

[@jasonjimerson7046]

Samuel L. Jackson... I keep forgetting that was him in that movie.

[@loki2240]

Protect your butt jewels! 😂

[@Wolfy39565]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂​@@loki2240

[@IdentityNone]

“He’s coming, Cover your butt” - Bitruvius Lego Movie

[@Kimm134Saya]

This can't be a coincidence. I just saw a post on Facebook about Animorphs, but a book of Charles Tingle about butts and raptors was also included.

[@bentoth9555]

Kapp'n in Animal Crossing exhibits another trait of the kappa: obsession with cucumbers. He brings em up in his songs all the time.

[@bigboy4006]

I was thinking Kapp’n after seeing this video’s thumbnail.

[@bentoth9555]

He's a dorect referemce to the kappa. Just much less obsessed with butts. @@bigboy4006

[@jdb6026]

Kappa in Harvest Moon: (More) Friends of Mineral Town also loves cucumbers. You gift him cucumbers to marry him.

[@PokeUFO]

Cucumbers and butts sounds like a good weekend

[@Danielrv2fn]

@@PokeUFO 🤨

[@EMNstar]

Imagine a Kappa disguised as a Proctologist, offering free Prostate Exams

[@jasonjimerson7046]

😂😂😂

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Is that your scenario? Whatever floats your boat!

[@VegimorphtheMovieBoy]

Two years later: "Coming soon from Blumhouse": The Kappa

[@RainintheBrain]

I say what what what in the butt in the butt You take my soul from butt let’s do it from the butt oh yeah

[@chada75]

Bird Up!

[@deathsyth8888]

"What what in the butt." - Kappa

[@nola504creole5]

Samwell 😂

[@jessetorres8738]

I love that in the 2012 Nickelodeon TMNT series there was an episode where they traveled back in time 20 years & pretended to be these guys to scare a group of ninjas (& that wasn't even the craziest thing that happened in the show).

[@kenlanegc5635]

I saw that and I also love how Leo fully acknowledged the Shirikodama element of the Kappa legend. The only thing I didn’t like was how they never once said “Kappa” and just said “Yokai” instead.

[@Hk121394]

They also were called Kappa in the 3rd live action movie

[@jurassicsmackdown6359]

Them fighting Triceratons on their home world was crazy

[@CariPR94]

​@@kenlanegc5635 Tang Shen actually called them "kappa" a few times.

[@bo0mpalo0mpa66]

I was literally about to talk about this too 😭

[@jorshtastic6372]

The fact that Bowser (and his Koopas) are based on the Kappa brings a whole new meaning behind him constantly being after that Peach

[@nyetloki]

Bowser has no relation to Kappa.

[@jorshtastic6372]

@@nyetloki Bowser is absolutely based on a Kappa

[@nyetloki]

@@jorshtastic6372 citation needed. Nothing about Bowser is kappa related.

[@beddrunk]

Isn't Bowser King of the Koopas? Idk Mario lore too much so I'd also like to know the answer

[@nyetloki]

@@beddrunk koopa is bowsers name in Japanese. Koopa troopers are their names in English and not in Japanese.

[@oddbird5825]

Hellboy fought a Kappa too in one of his Animated adventures. He just finds a guy throwing cucumbers in to the water. When Hellboy asks what he’s doing, the guy says, “I’m feeding the Kappa cucumbers. They LIKE cucumbers.”…. 👀

[@annien.1727]

Yeah, kappas like to eat human entrails, so if you give them a cucumber with your name written on it, they'll leave you alone.

[@ZetaN7]

Sword of Storms

[@nunyabiznes33]

Obsessed with butts and cucumbers. Hmmmm... 🤔

[@tc-channelhobby4051]

@@ZetaN7hahahahhahahhahahaha

[@EayuProuxm]

Kappa having its lifeforce water in a bowl on its head is like Charmander having its lifeforce flame on its tail.

[@GSBarlev]

I was thinking about Lombre. I mean, obviously Golduck is the OG Kappa Pokémon, but I believe the Lotad line's connection with the Kappa has been confirmed by Gamefreak.

[@MoonBratStudio]

I was told by a Japanese man that studied and made sculptures of yokai, that the kappa might also have been a way to refer to the poorest of Japanese peasants who lived near the rivers; a way to tell derogatory and cautionary tales about them.

[@themaestro2572]

That's pretty messed up.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

@@themaestro2572 It's a common theme among mythologies across the world, to use legends of creatures to marginalize people who are different. The same kind of historical evidence suggests that European myths of changelings, fae and elves (the mean kind, not the ones from Lord of the Rings) were used to describe children born with deformities or with what we know now as Down's Syndrome.

[@themaestro2572]

@@theevilascotcompany9255 hmm, I heard a rumor that Queen Elizabeth's (may she rest in peace) maternal ancestors, the scottish clan Lyon-Bowes of Glamis accordingly had a son, physically deformed and mentally disbaled, kept hidden in a locked room in the castle. The Monster of Glamis they called him.

[@shirleymaemattthews4862]

​@@theevilascotcompany9255the fact that you describe elves originally being deformed children and the fact that Santa has elves working for him...💀

[@williamelliott186]

​@@shirleymaemattthews4862😂😂 I'm weak

[@CalledArcanas]

I have long enjoyed this series and hope it continues for a long time to come. Some topics I would love to see include: -Sea Serpents -Manticore -Qalupalik -Dingonek -Globsters -Flatwoods Monster -Orang Pendek -Skinwalker -Congo dinosaurs (Mokele Mbembe, Kongmato, Kasai Rex, etc...) -Dungeons and Dragons monsters (Aboleth, Beholder, Mind Flayer, etc...) -Resident Evil bio-weapons (Hunter, Licker, Tyrant, etc...)

[@Quixotic1018]

This is, and this is no exaggeration, the best title for a video from this channel.

[@WaterWonk]

"But I poop from there!" "Not right now you don't."

[@justinlapid2163]

Hehe the reference 😉

[@brandonglassock5423]

"Dad, I don't wanna play this game anymore."

[@TomTreutlein]

I cherish this channel. Thank you, Storied team, for doing what you do. I haven't watched in awhile, but it's great to see you're still going. It's cathartic to hear all of these tales.

[@pbsstoried]

We’re well-into recording for season 6. Thanks for watching!

[@alang.bandala8863]

I jist remember in the original Ninja Turtles comic that Shredder called the turtles "Kappas"

[@bo0mpalo0mpa66]

In a comic too!? That’s cool!

[@IndustrialBonecraft]

THE LOATHESOME DUNG EATER

[@Mae_Dastardly]

Beat me to it

[@jonathan0225]

!!!!!

[@Ayahuasca98]

Oh no…

[@germanomagnone]

it's really interesting and funny how Kappa is a symbol of respect for ancient values for the Japanese. "Extra History" also talked about it in a video entitled: "The Kappa: Hold on Your Butts! - Japanese Myth - Extra Mythology", really nice. among the Yōkai the kappa has a "little mermaid cousin" who was welcome during the covid pandemic, her name is Amabie she is a strange mermaid-like yokai she looks like a kappa mermaid with 3 fish tails instead of legs. according to some scientists the kappa was "born" due to sightings of the The Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) Cha is almost 1.5 meters long, perhaps in those times there were perhaps particular species of turtles or amphibians that had given rise to this Yōkai.

[@atsukorichards1675]

The other theory of kappa's origins is the drowned bodies.

[@caitlinpenny7412]

Many of the older editions of harvest moon and story of seasons video games have kappas that live in various ponds but you can only see/talk to them if you offer them fish or cucumbers

[@Googledeservestodie]

This creature is so popular I remember being introduced to it by Arthur on PBS. Same with Baba Yaga and that umbrella yokai

[@RainintheBrain]

“Hey look a five dollar bill”- Buster Kappa bends over “Darn I’m stuck.”-kappa

[@emperora9]

Which episode? EDIT: Nevermind, just found out.

[@youngmasterzhi]

@@RainintheBrain The next guy might have a sword! Remember what happened to Larry?

[@vivianscircle]

Dr Z lovely and awesome as always! I loved the guest professor!!! Her wit and humour were amazing! Would love a whole podcast with her talking more about Japanese folklore.

[@Cali4niaAesthetic]

I was gunna say the same thing, I already love her from this episode, I need more of her personality, what a gem!

[@erinzeb]

She was great!

[@GojiMet86]

There's also the Shirime, too. It's a yokai that has an eye where its, ummm, bootyhole is supposed to be. I wonder what would happen in a skirmish between a Kappa and a Shirime...... Japan really comes up with some weird stuff.

[@dawoof5119]

that would be an epic anime Battle

[@PH7018c]

...por largo que tenga el pico, al ojo no me llega... 😂😂😂😂

[@jessicatuepker1491]

I remember seeing these in the Arthur episode where Sue Ellen gets scared by a weird noise she hears in the woods. She's the daughter of a diplomat and has been all over the world so she knows a bit about different cultures and folklore. She thinks the noise she heard in the woods might be some kind of creature that followed her "from overseas". The kids all get together and talk about what they think the noise might have been. Sue Ellen says "It might have been a kappa. A water spirit from Japan. The only way to defeat it is to make it bow!" Buster imagines telling a Kappa, "Hey, look, there's five dollars!" and runs away. The kapa bends down to look for the five dollar bill but gets stuck and cries out, "Daddy! I'm stuck!" The kappa's father comes right over and says a stereotypical Japanese martial arts master accent, "You have to learn to be more careful. The next guy might have a sword. Do you remember what happened to Larry?" Also remember them being mentioned in a Nick toons Network short lived cartoon about a guy called Mikey winning a contest to play a character on a Japanese TV show. The show was called Kappa Mikey or Captain Mikey. I don't remember the premise of the episode but there were something about kappas in it. The director of the show Mikey is on basically says "I always thought kappas were cool. So that's why I named your character Kappa Mikey" Since both of these were shows aimed at children, the butt stealing thing was left out.

[@themaestro2572]

Oh yeah I remember that Arthur episode, first time I heard about the Kappa. I thought it was funny how Buster tricked it.

[@SmallFry00001]

me, a Harvest Moon girlie, seeing the thumbnail: Kappa!!!!!!!

[@Xanaduum]

I heard years ago that Kappa would suck the intestines out of kids that got too close to the bodies of water they lived in. Used as a way to scare Japanese kids from messing around near bodies of water they could potentially drown in.

[@TheBearAspirin]

You must go to the yokai celebration, Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) in Kyoto's Ichijo-dori Street that occurs in October! 👹

[@jonathan0225]

The Phrase always reminded me of nurarihyon no mago, and recently JJK thru Geto.. didnt know until recently that this is a festival and quite neatly is close with halloween.😊

[@pbsstoried]

What!? This sounds amazing!-*Dr.Z*

[@renecorrea892]

I would like all these chapters to be in the future seasons of Monstrum. *Sea Serpents *Leviathan *The Headless Horseman ✅ *Phantom Vehicles *Boogeyman *Ghosts *Possessed Dolls ✅ *Shadow People *Undead *Goblins *Bigfoot ✅ *Man-Eating Plants ✅ *Creepy Clowns ✅ *Killer Robots *Swamp Monsters *The Mummy ✅️ *Living Scarecrows *The Invisible Man *Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde *Merfolk *Demons *Living Skeletons *Stingy Jack (Jack of The Lantern) *Gnomes *Sea Monsters that attacked Submarines *Alien Abductions ✅ *Ogres *Ghouls *Lich *Cyborgs ✅ *Witches *Kaiju *Cthulhu ✅ *The Rake *Revenants *Vampires *Dagon *Ogopogo *Colossal Claude *Spectral Carriages *Kappa ✅ *Flatwoods Monster *The Flying Dutchman *El Charro Negro *La Santa Compaña *Davy Jones's Locker & the Undead Pirates *Mutants *Beast People of Dr. Moreau *The Picture of Dorian Gray *Haunted Houses *Jiangshi *Ahuizotl *Gremlins

[@YeenMage]

I learned about Kappa and their Kappa King Kuzenbo from the video game SMITE. Damn, he was released in 2017 - that was 7 YEARS AGO! I'm getting old.

[@c0ldsh0w3r]

Nioh

[@SeantheDracunyan76]

Yokai watch for me​@@c0ldsh0w3r

[@HarryBuddhaPalm]

I learned about them from a show called "Kappa Mikey" that came out in 2006. Take that, junior.

[@gordonyantis941]

The first time I played Star Gladiator in 1996, I had absolutely no clue what a "Kappah Nosuke" was.

[@cocacola4blood365]

Fun Fact: Among it's many attributes the Kappa have the potential to breath new life into "Don't have a cow!" and "Where's the beef!?"

[@viktoria279]

I’m going to need you to make more Monstrums, definitely one of my favorites on KZbin

[@lilbasenji1]

Yay!!! A new monstrum video!!!!! I think the first time I was exposed to kappas was in Pokémon. Although I learned more about them in digimon, anime, and yo-kai watch. These are such interesting creatures. Although I can’t help but chuckle about how you can stop them with cucumbers and being polite. Although the butt stuff is a little unsettling. It kinda makes you wonder why ancient Japan fashion didn’t have more pants for women and men.

[@PeriwinkleB]

Yesssss, I wondered for YEARS when you’d cover this! My heart is so happy! 😀 Also, love that you wore green for this video 💚

[@GiantEagle610]

No wonder the Kappa has a butt attack in the games Nioh and Nioh 2

[@Yingerpoof]

Kappa are my favorite Japanese mythological creature! I remember seeing lots of statues and signs on sidewalks in Kyoto displaying their image. I had no idea they were so indisciminant in their attacks though, I always heard them more in the context of drowning children than anything else. Also, the obsession with butts is new! Reminds me of the shirime, especially when taking the prankster habits into account.

[@tomkatt8274]

kappas are real

[@robertjohnson9187]

Potential idea for a video: how the Backrooms mythos is a modern reimagining of the minotaur and the labyrinth he roams around in.

[@deathmaskr1200]

Recommendations or requests for Monstrum: *Halloween *Day of the Dead *Jason Voorhees *Freddy Krueger *Skinwalker *Oni *Hanako San *Kuchisake Onna *Little Green Men *Ghost Trains *Sewer Alligators *Hidebehind *Bugbears *Boggarts *Kitsunes *Poltergeists *Ghost Ships *Sluaght *Urban Legends *Fext *The Phantom of The Opera *Rougarou *Giants *Dwarves *Hobgoblins *Goblins *Living Skeletons *Living Scarecrows *Spiders *Bogeyman

[@FaithOriginalisme]

I once saw a beautiful piece of art that showed a Kappa bowing to pick up trash.

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Tryna Kappa feel! Yōkai'n you not?? 🎉

[@triceratops2653]

I LOVE THIS! Do more Yokai!!!

[@adrianmorrison4678]

Can you please do a video on the drop bear of Australian culture? Also the history of the bat's depiction as a monster like the vampires and reputation as a devilish disease spreader would come in handy. Lastly, the legacy of dinosaurs being portrayed in media and movies as monsters and the impact of Jurassic Park might excited everybody.

[@50footbrewery]

You could spend your entire life covering yokai. I'll watch every one.

[@roxannateofanov1031]

Kappa? Capaccino? Nah, it makes me hyper. Wasn't sure she'd mention TMNT3, but she did and my day is complete

[@TylerRakstis]

Now we finally get to the most well-known Japanese mythical monster, something I and others was hoping you get too soon.

[@oldworldpatriot8920]

I like the thumbnail,it looks like he ran into someone he knew unexpectedly,like “oh hey Landon what’s up” and waves awkwardly

[@alexoblivion9295]

A small, accidental detail about Ninja Turtles 3, the samurai helmets were attached to the heads by a square peg that fit into the top of the head. If you removed the helmet, it left a square shaped hole in the top of the head

[@gmt5664]

There was a children's theater called "Kappaza" that would come to Hawai'i from Japan back in the '70s. People would wear cute costumes and tell children's stories. I went every year.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

"M-my blood! He pulled out all my blood!"

[@ilikecookies9796]

"You call that breaking my spine?"

[@chumorgan443]

Tugged out your blood plug

[@JenFoxworth]

I was aware of about 15 different Kappa in fandoms etc. You listed all of them. I am pleased. XD

[@tankenming4760]

The Kamemon line from Digimon are based on kappas! Personally the kappa is also one of my favourite yokai!

[@moxxibekk]

There's an anime from a few years ago that is a heartfelt, psychological look at the human connection....and the protagonists turn into kappa after having power balls removed from their butt......

[@pedrocruz4409]

I’m lol’ing at the tnmt3 reference! I remember now. One of the guardsmen is startled and shouts “kapa”(not how it’s pronounced here). And Mikey is like capa? Cappuccino?? lol… sigh…

[@AnimeShinigami13]

Ludicolo and co aren't the only kappa pokemon, you forgot Psyduck. Pretty sure its evolved form, Golduck is called one of the names for kappa you put up on the screen in Japanese. Ludicolo just happens to be the more festive of the two kappa pokemon.

[@canis2020]

This is by far my most favorite yokai

[@RayVi5ions]

Betweeen the thumbnails haircut and video description I thought maybe I was a Kappa

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

Finally! I've been calling for a kappa episode for a while now! Thanks, Dr. Z!

[@kyndramb7050]

Where does this come from though? Are their heads based on lily pads? Flat, concave, that collects water?

[@insulaarachnid]

This was a great episode. I would love to hear about what myths the Ainu people have.

[@youremakingprogress144]

Their association with sexual harassment is where we get the term "kappa feel."

[@thecastertc7996]

fantastic work on kappa achknowledgement did you know that in a cartoon called "OK K.O: Lets be heroes" one of the characters is a Kappa named Dendy. she even has a episode where she explains how kappas are discriminated. the episodes ends well (understandable as its a cartoon, but it does have a interesting message)

[@linkin0983]

I'm glad you're back with these vids ❤ They definitely are some of my favorites in YT.

[@kingbladerZed]

I would like to make a request on what kind of Monster Monstrum should deep dive next. The Devil Whale.

[@chrisofthehoovers4055]

Kappa are some of my favorite monsters from around the world.

[@AhnkoCheeOutdoors]

My Japanese mother was born and raised in the mountain village of Ashio in Tochigi Provence in 1928 #11 of 13 siblings. The Watarase River flowed thru the ravine below her village, and she told me that she and her siblings were warmed to stay out of that river, or the Kappa would eat their butts off. I remember going down to the stream with my mother, and cousins to the area where these Kappa supposedly dwelled. Of course by this time my mother did not believe these myths, and folklore, but I was 6 years old so still a tad scary. This was back in 1966. I got to return to this place in November of 2023, and it was beautiful, as if time stood still the 57 years that I was gone.

[@randywoodworth5990]

I think there was one tale where the kappa built a wooden bridge that supposedly still exists to this day.

[@TruculentSheep]

There's something curiously British about Kappas. It wouldn't surprise me if they made a cameo in The Mighty Boosh, or just hung out with the Spirit of Dark & Lonely Water in that forboding, boggy duck pond in the local nature reserve.

[@bubblemum]

I noticed that the oldest drawing of a kappa looks a great deal like a seal or sea lion, I wonder if they could also be a source for the Kappa mythos?

[@Colorlessketches]

4:41 sound effect had me rolling😂

[@ASm_rtOtaku]

For a Kappa, the most important thing in life is gonna be booty. Booty more important than food, booty more important than water..

[@dreddpiratebromando5953]

Kappas always get you in the end

[@romangodfrey2228]

I’ve been waiting for this video! Thanks you 🤌🏽🤌🏽

[@jareththegoblinking3191]

I first heard about Kappa in that TMNT show, that one episode where they time travel and saw Young Splinter and Shredder

[@alexandruv.3390]

Kappa has also been represented in gaming in Heroes of Might and Magic VI, where it looks more like a toad, but has the liquid holding head shape. They also like clapping with their feet while idleing. Same game also has the Yuki Onna among other mythical creatures.

[@robbabcock_]

Wonderful video! I'd never heard of the Kappa, very interesting!

[@Wolfy39565]

Yes! my daughter and i love your show! its a bonding experience ❤❤❤

[@WhiteLongSword7]

Dr. Okuyama's narrations were cool, especially the funny bit about losing your mojo lol

[@alitain8135]

Amusing timing of this video. I'll be going to Japan next month for the first time, and one of the places I'm planning on visiting is Tono. Looking forward to it. Plus you can totally get a Kappa hunting license there which is amusing.

[@mattyt1961]

really? a hunting license... right, going there now too :)

[@MrRedgrin]

"Kappa? Cappuccino? No thanks, makes me hyper. What's a kappa?" - Michelangelo

[@Mackyle-Wotring]

Thank you Professor Emily Zarka for making this excellent video. On the topic of Yokai, I am wondering if you and your team can make a video about the Kitsune? ~Mackyle Wotring

[@alexanderkidonakis9185]

Master Roshi wore a turtle shell and was also obsessed with butts

[@sandradermark8463]

First Extra Credits and now Monstrum do episodes of Kappas. Newt Scamander and Remus Lupin would be proud! Tooi from Sarazanmai cameo!

[@jedadiahamaral2761]

Using fear to keep people from pooping in open water is awesome. Reminds me of the pork issue with Muslims and the cooking thing

[@herodaresfire4512]

Ninja Turtles 3 was where I first learned about Kappas. But I think they left out all the butt stuff.

[@RidireOiche]

The connection to medicine and the focus on the rectal area may arise from some misinterpretation of the idea of a thorough explanation of a prostate exam and then using common reference material of the time turning it into something twisted out of ignorance, fear, or language barriers owing to a no real interest in or frame of reference for that aspect of biology or understanding of how the body functions. _Not saying I am one_ but imagine being a time traveller and applying modern day medical knowledge to the smooth brained people of the past, you would likely come back to the present to find a frankly insulting mythological monster was created with you as its inspiration and used by the people you helped to absolve themselves of responisiblity for their own bad actions or to explain away all the misfortunes of happenstance they experience. Over time as the story evolved and spread further twisting.

[@chrisbarrett8377]

Imagine som time traveller having all sorts of medical knowledge and for some reason they focus on rectal exams despite not having the technology to do anything about it

[@RidireOiche]

@@chrisbarrett8377 It could have been one of many things a time traveller spent far too long explaining in hopes of advancing modern medicine or giving it a headstart, intending the knock on effect to accerate the evolution of our modern medicine by hundreds of years on their return but because only a loose concept of replantation and a gross misunderstanding of a prostate exam were the only things the simple past people retained, that hope was dashed.

[@chrisbarrett8377]

@@RidireOiche now it just sounds like butt-play with extra steps

[@RidireOiche]

@@chrisbarrett8377 Did you sneak forward from the past by any chance?

[@chrisbarrett8377]

@@RidireOiche your secret is out Dr RidireOiche. Your victims have come back through time to make sure your heinous anus abuse throughout history will not go unpunished

[@Not-Right-Meow]

Everytime I watch something about kappas it fascinates me how much the anime Sarazanmai is true to the lore

[@princessbuttercup4020]

1) Everybody needs to watch Sarazanmai. 2) Sarazanmai is about connections and Dr. Z referenced that at the end. 3) MY SON GOT HIS 5 SECONDS OF FAME!!!11

[@EayuProuxm]

0:18 While described as childlike in appearance 0:08 *Big yellow beak, green skin, abs, big buff arms* But it's got a bowl cut, so the statement checks out

[@sabretoo]

I thought this was going to be a cute one, but the kappa has one of the most disturbing origins ever! Wow, it has really been rehabilitated, haha

[@astrowolvez]

There’s a prefecture that has kappas and a shrine for them and that prefecture has only had a single water related disaster in hundred of years.

[@cocacola4blood365]

I saw the title and knew this would inspire so many twisted pop culture references. I was not disapointed.

[@juliusalimari]

I absolutely loved this video! Great work, I'm a big fan!

[@OrigamiShinigami]

I think an interesting fact regarding shirikodama is that drowning victims can end up with distension in anus - therefore its not unreasonable to assume a drowning victim may have been attacked by something that sucked their life out through that ... umm... venue. But if you tell stories of some evasive being that has a commonality of drowning victims, it becomes almost like an early forensic explanation. "Magic frog-goblin" is just the conclusion on why stuff goes that way

[@realityorfiction]

Kapas like cucumbers and butts, hmmm thats quite the combo.

[@HeraclesN-fp1bw]

Kappa are easily one of my favorite youkai which my favorite anime depictions of one is One Piece’s character Kawamatsu, & just has a fun fact that there is an anime called Sarazanmai which is about the organ

[@ZennExile]

Mythology and Buttstuff never seem to be far from each other's company, if you've caught my inference.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

In Resident Evil Village, one of the four lord antagonists, Moreau, is inspired after the Kappa.

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks ❤

[@tsukiraaquarius8746]

I was hoping for a Sarazanmai reference, and was not disappointed. ^_^

[@icollectstories5702]

IIRC the kappa's head is based on a tonsured Catholic monk, and some of the kappa's behaviors were slander thereof. But this was an adaptation of an already-existing frog monster.

[@HarryBuddhaPalm]

Hey! Look! Out in the streets! Don't you see that man is Kappa Mikey!

[@philipmonihan8222]

I was introduced to the Kappa through the Daiei Yokai trilogy produced between 1968 and 1969. The teamed up with a coalition of other yokai to fight a Babylonian demon.

[@santiagogeorgi3428]

The kappa is one of my favorite Yōkai

[@NoOneExists]

The first illustration of the Kappa looks like the ancestors of Rigby from Regular Show. I guess that’s the real reason Rigby only had one cheek. 😅