The Kuzunoha Case Files

KUZUNOHA DETECTIVE AGENCY
EXCERPTS FROM "A HUMAN'S GUIDE TO YOKAI"
PENNED 201X BY RAO KUZUNOHA

A NOTE FROM RAO

Some of you may be wondering why it's odd for a yokai to write something specifically aimed for humans, especially with so many other guides on yokai as it is.

I've been traveling around the human world with my apprentice for a few years now, and I've noticed a few things during that time. Recently, it seems that humans have been taking more of an interest in yokai now compared to decades past. The "Yo-kai Watches" that have been patented in our world have been sighted in theirs, and collecting yokai medals has become a pastime among human hobbyists the world over. I've seen quite a few watch holders outside of Japan if you can believe that.

With that in mind, there is a chance that someday, we may actually have a human join the ranks of the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. In the event that happens, I'd rather they be aided by a professional and not some floating marshmallow with a Y-Pad.

With all that said, I'd like to thank my apprentice Akira Yamata, who suggested I write this, to begin with. You're a wonderful student and an even greater friend. <3

SO YOU GOT YOURSELF A YO-KAI WATCH

I won't bother asking you how you managed to get ahold of one of these; humans seem to get ahold of yo-kai watches in a variety of ways nowadays. Maybe it was a gift of gratitude from a yokai you unknowingly helped. Or maybe it was a lucky find at an antique store, or perhaps an ancient family heirloom handed down to you. Or maybe, just maybe, you got a bit curious looking into the bargain bin at your local toy store.

How you got your watch isn't my concern. What is, however, is that you know what a yo-kai watch is and how to properly use it.

In simplest terms, a Yo-kai Watch is a device that allows humans to see and interact with yokai. The most important thing one should know is that it is NOT a typical watch; If you got one thinking it'd be a fancy timepiece, consider this your manual on how to get the most out of your watch, even if you're probably not of the target demographic.

It should also be noted that sometimes these "watches" vary in appearance. The most common models are designed to be worn on the owner's wrist, though pendant-style and pocketwatch-style watches also exist. Regardless of the model, all yo-kai watches share the same general functions needed to communicate with yokai, as well as summon them if you have a yokai's medal.

WHAT IS A YOKAI?

Of course, before you get around to actually using your yo-kai watch, it's important to know what a yokai is (or youkai or yo-kai, depending on how you want to spell it).

Yokai are, well, yokai. Humans call them many things, from monsters to spirits to everything in between, but yokai are more complex than what those terms would suggest. They are many things: animals and objects with personality, concepts and emotions given form, and the forces and beings behind many phenomena in the world. Yokai are all these things, and many many more, but to put it in simplest terms, they are yokai.

Granted, I'm a detective, not a professor; I'm not an expert on yokai (which is odd, considering I am one). Not even the savviest of scholars know everything about yokai, and even today there are still many mysteries about them to solve.

But doesn't that make them all the more interesting?

YOKAI AND YOU

There's a lot of things to learn about yokai, but this is a beginner's guidebook, not an encyclopedia. Besides, I'd rather not pay extra just to print all those extra pages down in one book. Instead, for your convenience, here are a few things to keep in mind when you go yokai watching:

-Contrary to popular opinion, yokai aren't restricted to Japan. The West has its own array of yokai (known as 'Merican Yokai), and there have even been sightings of eastern-born yokai vacationing in other parts of the world. In short, even if you aren't in Japan, don't be afraid to look around with your watch; you might even meet a yokai even I haven't seen yet!

-Yokai are classified by "Tribe", "Attribute", and "Rank". There are eight primary Tribes used to classify them (Brave, Mysterious, Tough, Charming, Heartful, Shady, Eerie, and Slippery), which typically is an indicator of their abilities. Attribute denotes elemental affinity (Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth, Ice, Wind, Drain, and Restoration), and Rank indicates how powerful a yokai is (E (weakest) to A (strongest), though the most powerful yokai are rank S or higher).

-In relation to the above, if you're ever confused on what stats or classifications a particular yokai has, you can always consult your Medallium or your favorite yokai wiki.

-Yokai are more than just 'creatures', and should not be treated like 'capture critters' or the like. Though far from human, many a yokai's personalities aren't all too different from humans: they have their hobbies, their wants and needs, and their own way of going about their daily life. Treat them as you would any human you meet, with an added dose of caution and respect.

-Yokai can influence others by way of "inspiriting" them with their powers. Be mindful of this when you interact around certain yokai. The last thing you want is getting cursed just because you messed with the wrong one.

-In general, don't do anything stupid and you should be fine.

A CLOSING NOTE

Human history is long and storied, and us yokai have shared much of ours with them. Though they cannot see us normally, we've always been alongside them. Humans, however, are constantly changing, their technology and society evolving faster than we can keep up with. Their perception of the world around them also changed: what could have been simply stated as "the work of a yokai" could now be explained through science and logic.

But that doesn't mean we've left. There are still many things going on in the human world that all their studies can't possibly explain. Over the years, many yokai have been catching up with the modern era, while others are more comfortable sticking with the traditions they've known for centuries. Even humans, with so many tragedies and disasters going on in their world, seem to find some joy and comfort in wondering what goes bump in the night. With their interest in yokai only continuing to grow, and with the rise of the "Yo-kai Watch" craze going on in the human world, I felt it was necessary to write this guide.

However, those are not the only reasons.

I said in the opening note that someday, we may have a human join the Kuzunoha Detective Agency. We've long been supporters of the bond between humans and yokai, and believe that it is our responsibility to watch over and protect humanity, so that they may help us in kind. I want that human to help continue that cycle. I want them to make things better for both of us in these hectic times.

Some of my colleagues have argued against this, that we're just too "different" from humans to ever get along with them. Well, that may be true, but humans are different from each other too, right? Two humans can be friends even though they're both different from each other: it's all a matter of understanding and finding common ground between each other. The same is true for yokai.

Both yokai and humans are incredibly varied. They can be good, evil, smart, silly, rude, kind, ugly, scary, cute, and a lot of other things. For every yokai, there's bound to be at least one human who'd be willing to be friends with them, whether they both share the same interests or just happen to understand each other on some level. Or maybe some other factors, given how intricate friendship can be.

And I wouldn't mind being friends with the human who decides to join the Detective Agency. After all, both of us would want the best for both our worlds, even if getting there would be a lengthy process in of itself.

But most importantly, I want to be friends with that human. Because then I'd know I'd be closer to that goal.