Arahabaki

Arahabaki (アラハバキ, also written as 荒吐鬼) is a great demon who once took control of the body of a Fu-ma ninja. After his host was destroyed, he was sealed within Taki's ninja disciple, Natsu.

Profile

In ancient times, the great demon Arahabaki was sealed within a temple in Izumo. Arahabaki is thought to be an aboriginal god or possible even a snake possessin immense spiritual powers. Its nature is Shadow, and it visually manifests itself with eight electrical snakes coming out of its body. Arahabaki has been known to take possession of human hosts. Sixteen years ago, when a female ninja visited the temple for an investigation, Arahabaki took possession of her body and used it to mruder many other ninjas. Even Taki was unable to seal the demon through the usual means and resorted to destroying the unwitting host's physical body, though Arahabaki still managed to escape. Angered at the loss of the host body, the great demon went on a rampage through a nearby mountain village before taking possession of a baby. Unable to bring herself to kill an innocent baby, Taki sealed Arahabaki within the baby and brought her back to the Fu-Ma clan settlement. The baby was named Natsu and adopted by Chie, the clan leader.

Trivia

• The seal placed on Arahabaki weakens each time Natsu taps into her powers.
• Natsu's hair makes reference to the body of Arahabaki that has surrounded several snakes to own.
• The snake design for Arahabaki may be inspired by Yamata no Orochi (八岐の大蛇, lit. "8-branched giant snake") translated as Eight-Forked Serpent in English, which was a legendary 8-headed and 8-tailed dragon in Japanese mythology who was slain by the storm god Susanoo.
• In real life, Arahabaki is a Japanese deity that is shrouded in mystery as, beyond the name, not much is known about it as it is not mentioned in historical texts such as Kojiki or Nihon Shoki. Arahabaki's depiction in popular culture was largely influenced by the forged text, Tsugaru Soto Sangunshi.

Gallery

Arahabaki's concept from Soulcalibur V