Hello, I’m Kodak.
If you watch Japanese anime or play Japanese games, you may see the word yokai translated in several different ways:
spirit
demon
ghost
supernatural creature
Yokai is a broad Japanese word for strange or supernatural beings and phenomena found in folklore.
妖怪 (yōkai) is an umbrella term for mysterious, supernatural, or uncanny beings and phenomena in Japanese folklore.
A yokai may be frightening, funny, helpful, dangerous, animal-like, human-like, object-like, or even almost invisible. Therefore, “demon” is sometimes an acceptable translation, but it is not the complete meaning of yokai.
This article explains the meaning, pronunciation, kanji, major types, related Japanese words, and the way yokai are portrayed in anime.
For a broader directory of famous creatures, see our Japanese Yokai Guide.
What Does Yokai Mean in Japanese?
Hiragana: ようかい
Romaji: yōkai / yokai
Basic meaning: a supernatural, mysterious, or uncanny being or phenomenon
In modern Japanese, 妖怪 commonly refers to the strange beings associated with Japanese legends, folktales, local beliefs, illustrated books, manga, anime, and games.
However, a yokai is not defined only by appearance. The word may include:
・an animal believed to transform into human form
・an old household object that comes alive
・a strange sound, light, wall, wind, or other unexplained phenomenon
・a human-like figure with supernatural powers
・a frightening being that punishes or attacks people
・a playful being that tricks people without seriously harming them
But some yokai are closer to spirits, shapeshifters, living objects, or mysterious events. That is why “supernatural being or phenomenon” is a more complete explanation.
The Kanji Meaning of 妖怪
The word 妖怪 is made from two kanji:
mysterious, bewitching, uncanny, or supernatural
怪 (kai)
strange, suspicious, mysterious, or extraordinary
Together, the characters create the image of something strangely supernatural or mysteriously uncanny.
That helps explain why the word can include both creatures and unexplained phenomena.
How to Pronounce Yokai
Hiragana: ようかい
Romaji with a macron: yōkai
Common simplified spelling: yokai
Mora: よ・う・か・い (4 morae)
The first vowel is long. In careful romanization, yō is written with a macron. English websites often omit the mark and write yokai.
よ・う・か・い
The よう portion is longer than a short English “yo.”
Is Yokai Singular or Plural?
Japanese nouns generally do not change between singular and plural.
one yokai
たくさんの妖怪
many yokai
In English, both “a yokai” and “many yokai” are natural. Some speakers use yokais, but keeping the Japanese-style plural yokai is common.
Are All Yokai Evil?
No. Yokai cannot be divided neatly into “good” and “evil.”
Different stories portray them in different ways. A yokai may:
・punish rude or careless behavior
・guard a mountain, house, or community
・play harmless tricks
・bring good fortune
・help a person who treats it kindly
・behave differently depending on the region or storyteller
However, yokai belongs to Japanese cultural and folkloric traditions, so replacing every yokai with “fairy” would erase important differences.
Major Yokai Types
There is no single official system that places every yokai into one fixed category. A creature can fit more than one group.
For beginners, however, the following practical categories make the huge world of yokai easier to understand.
1. Humanoid Yokai
These yokai resemble humans but have unusual bodies, powers, clothing, or behavior.
Tengu (天狗) — mountain beings associated with long noses, wings, pride, and martial ability
Yuki-onna (雪女) — a mysterious woman associated with snow and freezing weather
Rokurokubi (ろくろ首) — a person whose neck stretches unnaturally
Futakuchi-onna (二口女) — a woman with a second mouth
It is similar to saying that “animal” is a category and “tiger” is one type within it—although folklore categories are less exact than biological categories.
Read the individual guides:
- Oni Meaning: Japanese Demons, Oni Masks, and Anime Usage
- Tengu Meaning: The Japanese Tengu Mask and “Tengu ni Naru”
2. Animal and Shapeshifting Yokai
Many Japanese legends describe animals that gain intelligence, magical powers, or the ability to transform after living for a long time.
Tanuki (狸) — raccoon dogs famous for transformation and playful tricks
Bakeneko (化け猫) — supernatural or transformed cats
Nekomata (猫又) — cat-like yokai often shown with a divided tail
Hebi or snake spirits — beings associated with water, transformation, jealousy, protection, or sacred places
In folklore, however, a kitsune may be portrayed as a supernatural shapeshifter or as a being connected with Inari. Context tells you whether the speaker means a normal animal or a folkloric figure.
Read more in our Kitsune Meaning Guide.
3. Water and Nature Yokai
Some yokai explain the danger, beauty, or unpredictability of rivers, oceans, forests, mountains, snow, and wind.
Umibōzu (海坊主) — a huge dark sea apparition associated with dangerous waters
Kodama (木霊) — spirits or mysterious presences connected with trees and echoes
Yuki-onna (雪女) — a snow woman appearing in wintry landscapes
Kamaitachi (鎌鼬) — weasel-like beings associated with sudden cutting winds
A river yokai, for example, can make children remember that deep water is dangerous.
4. Object Yokai and Tsukumogami
Japanese folklore and later illustrated traditions contain many old tools and household objects that become animated or supernatural.
Karakasa-obake (唐傘お化け) — a one-eyed umbrella creature, often shown with one leg and a long tongue
Chōchin-obake (提灯お化け) — a paper lantern that develops a face
Biwa-bokuboku (琵琶牧々) — a yokai based on the biwa musical instrument
Different texts, periods, artists, and regions tell the story differently. Treat “one hundred years” as a famous motif, not a scientific law of the yokai world.
5. Household and Place-Based Yokai
Some yokai are strongly connected with one house, road, village, mountain pass, or room.
Nurikabe (ぬりかべ) — an invisible or wall-like obstruction that blocks a traveler’s path
Mokumokuren (目目連) — many eyes appearing in damaged paper screens
Azukiarai (小豆洗い) — a mysterious being or sound associated with washing red beans
6. Phenomenon-Type Yokai
Not every yokai is a creature you could draw as an animal or person. Some are strange events given a name and identity.
Hitodama (人魂) — floating lights associated with human souls
Yamabiko (山彦) — the echo of a mountain, sometimes imagined as a supernatural being
Kamaitachi (鎌鼬) — sudden cuts associated with wind and weasel-like beings
Nurikabe (ぬりかべ) — the experience of an unseen wall blocking the road
A mysterious experience can gradually gain a name, story, and visual form. The phenomenon becomes a character.
Famous Yokai Types at a Glance
Oni — ogre- or demon-like beings
Kitsune — supernatural foxes and shapeshifters
Tengu — mountain beings linked with pride and martial skill
Kappa — water-dwelling beings
Tanuki — transforming raccoon dogs and tricksters
Yuki-onna — a mysterious snow woman
Rokurokubi — a long-necked human-like yokai
Bakeneko — a transformed or supernatural cat
Zashiki-warashi — a child-like household presence
Tsukumogami — old objects that become supernatural
Nurikabe — a wall-like obstruction on a road
Umibōzu — a giant apparition at sea
Explore more creatures and categories in the complete Japanese Yokai Guide.
Yokai vs Ghost: What Is the Difference?
The Japanese word most closely associated with the spirit of a dead human is 幽霊 (yūrei).
A broad category of supernatural beings and phenomena. A yokai does not have to be a dead human.
幽霊 (yūrei)
A ghost—the spirit or apparition of a deceased person.
この池には妖怪がいるという伝説がある。
Kono ike ni wa yōkai ga iru to iu densetsu ga aru.
There is a legend that a yokai lives in this pond.
古い旅館で幽霊を見た。
Furui ryokan de yūrei o mita.
I saw a ghost at an old inn.
For clear beginner Japanese, however, remember yūrei = a dead person’s ghost and yokai = the broader supernatural category.
Yokai vs Oni: Does Yokai Mean Demon?
鬼 (oni) are powerful beings often translated as ogres or demons. They are commonly shown with horns, fangs, great strength, and clubs.
An oni may be discussed as one kind of yokai, but not every yokai is an oni.
Oni = a particular demon- or ogre-like being
Kappa, kitsune, tengu, and living umbrellas may be called yokai, but they are not oni.
If the yokai are dangerous enemies, “demon” may communicate the scene quickly—even though it is broader or more morally negative than the Japanese word.
For a detailed explanation, see What Does Oni Mean in Japanese?
Yokai vs Kami: Are Yokai Japanese Gods?
神 (kami) can refer to deities, sacred beings, or sacred powers. Yokai generally emphasizes the uncanny, strange, or supernatural.
sacred or divine presence; a being or power that may be worshipped or enshrined
Yokai
a mysterious supernatural being or phenomenon; often feared, avoided, explained, joked about, or represented in stories
The border is not always absolute. A local being may be treated with fear in one tradition and reverence in another. Folklore changes across time and place.
The boundaries can be flexible.
Yokai vs Obake, Bakemono, Ayakashi, and Mononoke
Obake / Bakemono (お化け・化け物)
These words come from the idea of 化ける (bakeru), “to transform or change form.” They may refer to monsters, apparitions, transformed beings, or frightening creatures.
Ayakashi (あやかし)
Ayakashi can refer to mysterious supernatural beings or phenomena. Its nuance and range depend heavily on the work or regional tradition.
Mononoke (物の怪)
Mononoke is an older term associated with mysterious or harmful spiritual presences. In modern entertainment, it may be used poetically or as a fantasy category.
Obake / bakemono — transformed being, monster, or apparition
Ayakashi — mysterious supernatural presence or creature
Mononoke — an uncanny or harmful spiritual presence; often literary or atmospheric
For a beginner, use yokai as the general category and learn the others when you meet them in a specific story.
How Yokai Are Used in Anime
Anime does not use one universal definition of yokai. Each fictional world creates its own rules.
Yokai may appear as:
・friends or companions
・hidden neighbors living beside humans
・collectible or summonable characters
・symbols of loneliness, prejudice, memory, or nature
・comic characters causing everyday problems
・ancient beings with their own societies and laws
Anime Where Yokai Are the Main Subject
A major yokai series in which many traditional creatures appear as characters with distinct personalities.
Yo-kai Watch
Yokai are presented as memorable characters that influence everyday human behavior and can become companions.
Natsume’s Book of Friends
Humans interact with mysterious nonhuman beings whose stories are often emotional rather than simply good-versus-evil.
InuYasha
The Japanese term yokai is frequently rendered as “demon” in English, illustrating how translation choices depend on the fantasy setting.
A yokai can transform, look human, hide its true form, or belong to a fictional species inspired by traditional folklore.
Traditional Yokai vs Anime Yokai
Anime creators often change old legends to fit a new story.
region, historical period, storyteller, religious context, and local custom
Anime may add:
battle powers, rankings, romance, school settings, human-like societies, collectible systems, or original family histories
After meeting a yokai in anime, compare the character with older legends and regional versions. The differences are often the most interesting part.
Is Every Supernatural Anime Character a Yokai?
No. Japanese stories also include:
Yūrei — ghosts of dead humans
Kami — sacred or divine beings
Akuma — devils or demons, especially in religious or fantasy-influenced contexts
Majō — witches
Seirei — spirits or elemental beings
Kaijū — giant monsters
Original fantasy races — creatures invented for one fictional setting
English uses “demon” in the title and translation, but that does not mean oni, demon, and yokai are always interchangeable.
How to Use Yokai in a Japanese Sentence
妖怪がいる — “There Is a Yokai”
あの山には妖怪がいると言われています。
Ano yama ni wa yōkai ga iru to iwarete imasu.
It is said that a yokai lives in that mountain.
妖怪が出る — “A Yokai Appears”
夜になると、この道に妖怪が出るらしい。
Yoru ni naru to, kono michi ni yōkai ga deru rashii.
Apparently, a yokai appears on this road at night.
妖怪の伝説 — “A Yokai Legend”
この村には河童という妖怪の伝説があります。
Kono mura ni wa kappa to iu yōkai no densetsu ga arimasu.
This village has a legend about a yokai called the kappa.
妖怪を退治する — “Defeat or Exterminate a Yokai”
主人公は村を守るために妖怪を退治した。
Shujinkō wa mura o mamoru tame ni yōkai o taiji shita.
The hero defeated the yokai to protect the village.
妖怪に化ける — “Transform into a Yokai”
古い道具が妖怪に化けた。
Furui dōgu ga yōkai ni baketa.
The old tool transformed into a yokai.
Common Yokai Vocabulary
妖怪退治 (yōkai taiji) — defeating or exterminating yokai
妖怪図鑑 (yōkai zukan) — illustrated yokai encyclopedia
妖怪変化 (yōkai henge) — monsters and supernatural transformations
百鬼夜行 (hyakki yagyō) — the night parade of one hundred demons/yokai
化ける (bakeru) — to transform or disguise oneself
怪異 (kaii) — a mysterious or supernatural event
怪談 (kaidan) — a ghost or supernatural tale
The expression evokes a chaotic nighttime procession of many supernatural beings.
A Short History of Yokai Images
Stories about strange beings and events existed long before modern manga and anime. Over time, oral traditions, religious ideas, local legends, literature, theater, and visual art influenced one another.
During the Edo period, illustrated collections helped give many yokai recognizable appearances and names. The artist Toriyama Sekien published influential yokai picture books beginning with Gazu Hyakki Yagyō in 1776.
↓
A name and story are shared
↓
Artists give the phenomenon a visible form
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Later books, manga, anime, and games reinterpret it
Yokai culture has always involved both tradition and imagination.
Common Beginner Mistakes About Yokai
Mistake 1: Translating Every Yokai as “Demon”
“Demon” can work for a dangerous creature in a fantasy story, but it often suggests pure evil. Many yokai are morally ambiguous, playful, protective, or simply strange.
Mistake 2: Thinking Yokai and Ghost Mean the Same Thing
A ghost of a deceased human is normally a yūrei. Yokai is the wider category of supernatural beings and phenomena.
Mistake 3: Treating Anime Rules as Universal Folklore
An anime may invent power levels, clans, weaknesses, or romantic relationships that do not exist in older legends.
Mistake 4: Assuming Every Version of a Yokai Is Identical
Descriptions may differ by region, period, source, and storyteller.
Mistake 5: Assuming Every Yokai Is Ancient
Some famous forms were standardized or popularized by relatively recent artists, writers, manga creators, and media franchises.
“Yokai are supernatural beings and phenomena from Japanese folklore, ranging from monsters and spirits to shapeshifting animals and living objects.”
FAQ About Yokai
What does yokai mean in English?
Depending on context, yokai may be translated as supernatural being, monster, spirit, apparition, or demon. No single English word covers every type.
What does yokai mean literally?
The kanji 妖 and 怪 both suggest mystery, strangeness, or the supernatural. Together, 妖怪 refers to uncanny supernatural beings or phenomena.
Is yokai a demon?
Some yokai are demon-like and may be translated as demons, but yokai is a broader category. Many are not purely evil and do not resemble Western demons.
Is an oni a yokai?
Oni are often discussed within the broad world of yokai, but oni is a specific category rather than a synonym for every yokai.
Is a kitsune a yokai?
The word kitsune normally means fox. A supernatural, transforming fox in folklore can be described as a yokai. Read the full explanation in our kitsune meaning guide.
Is a tengu a yokai?
Tengu are mountain beings commonly included in discussions and lists of yokai. See our tengu meaning guide.
Are yokai ghosts?
Not necessarily. A deceased human’s ghost is usually called a yūrei. Some categories overlap, but many yokai were never human.
Are yokai gods?
Yokai and kami are different concepts, although folklore boundaries can be flexible. Kami are generally associated with sacred or divine power, while yokai emphasize the uncanny and supernatural.
Are all yokai evil?
No. Yokai may be dangerous, playful, helpful, protective, neutral, or unpredictable depending on the story.
Why are yokai popular in anime?
Yokai provide visually distinctive characters, regional legends, flexible moral roles, and themes involving nature, memory, fear, identity, and coexistence. Anime creators can adapt traditional material while building new fictional rules.
What are the most famous yokai?
Well-known examples include oni, kitsune, tengu, kappa, tanuki, yuki-onna, bakeneko, rokurokubi, zashiki-warashi, and tsukumogami.
How do you write yokai in Japanese?
Yokai is written 妖怪 in kanji and ようかい in hiragana.
Summary: Yokai Meaning, Types, and Anime Usage
Yokai are mysterious supernatural beings and phenomena in Japanese folklore.
● Writing and pronunciation
Kanji: 妖怪
Hiragana: ようかい
Romaji: yōkai / yokai
● Not simply “demons”
Some yokai are demon-like, but others resemble ghosts, animals, humans, objects, sounds, lights, or natural phenomena.
● Major types
Humanoid yokai, animal shapeshifters, nature and water beings, living objects, household beings, and phenomenon-type yokai.
● Related words
Yūrei = a dead human’s ghost
Oni = a specific ogre- or demon-like being
Kami = sacred or divine being/power
Obake = transformed being or apparition
● Yokai in anime
Anime may preserve older traits, completely redesign a yokai, or use the word as a fictional species category.
Remember the core image: a strange supernatural presence that has gained a name, story, and sometimes a visible form.
Continue Exploring Japanese Yokai
- Japanese Yokai Guide: Famous Types and Mythical Creatures
- Oni Meaning: Japanese Demons and Oni Masks
- Kitsune Meaning: Fox Spirits, Food, Tattoos, and Anime
- Tengu Meaning: Tengu Masks and Japanese Folklore
References
- National Diet Library Authorities: 妖怪 — official subject heading, reading, romanization, variants, and related terms.
- National Diet Library Image Bank: The World of Yokai in Toriyama Sekien’s Illustrated Encyclopedias.
- Kotobank: 妖怪 — dictionary and encyclopedia definitions.
- Kanjipedia: 妖.
- Kanjipedia: 怪.
- Michael Dylan Foster, The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore, University of California Press, 2015.