Difference between revisions 174177314 and 176709390 on enwiki

{{Refimprove|date=July 2007}}

A {{nihongo|'''''han'yō'''''|半妖|also romanized ''Hanyō'', ''Han'you'', or ''Hanyou''}}, appearing in modern Japanese [[manga]] and [[anime]], is the product of a union between a [[supernatural|supernatural being]] (commonly a ''[[yokai|yōkai]]'') and a [[human]]. A common translation is "half-demon", but this is misleading as ''demon'' has negative connotations in [[English language|English]] while in [[Japanese language|Japanese]] ''yō'' or ''ayakashi'' merely means "supernatural entities" (excluding [[kami]]). The term may also be used to describe a person born between an [[elf]] or a [[fairy]] though such use is far rarer. Depending on the parentage, they may be further classified. Those born between a [[demon]] and a human may be called '''hanma''', while those born between an [[Oni (Japanese folklore)|oni]] and a human may be called '''hanki'''. In a very rare case, ''han'yō''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s traits may appear many generations later, which will be called '''''senzo-gaeri'''''.

==Characteristics==
''Han'yō'' often have characteristics from both parents but almost never quite equal to either. They enjoy a longer life span than average humans and have abilities from his or her non-human parent. Their powers often make them an [[outsider]] to the human society, while their weakness compared to full non-human beings keep them out of the non-human society. They often adopt the human form as his or her regular appearance but those who consider themselves an [[outcast]], commonly a [[villain]] may intentionally choose the non-human form.

(contracted; show full)[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]

[[de:Hanyō]]
[[it:Han'yō]]
[[ja:半妖]]
[[pt:Hanyou]]
[[ru:Ханъё]]
[[fi:Han'yō]]