Revision 169854324 of "Hanyō" 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 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.

Depending on the story, the ''han'yō'' may be the product of love or hate of parents which strongly influence his or her future self. Reaction of those around a ''han'yō'' varies from strong racism to muted indifference. For example, most ''han'yō'' from the [[anime]] and [[manga]] series ''[[InuYasha]]'' are conflicted and traumatized individuals, including the lead character [[InuYasha (character)|InuYasha]]. Some may even attempt to get rid of their human half, for example, Naraku from the same anime.

==In folklore==
Although the term "''han'yō''" is not commonly used in [[Japanese folklore]] and mythology, the notion of humans breeding with supernatural beings has its roots here. Most notably, [[Abe no Seimei]], a historical [[onmyoji|onmyōji]] of the [[Heian Period]], was rumored to be the child of a human and a [[kitsune|shapeshifting fox]].

==Notable examples==
<!-- Please don't add semi-supernatural characters willy nilly to this list unless they are specifically referred to as "han'yō". This goes double for characters from non-Japanese works. -->
===In [[Anime|animation]]===
* [[InuYasha (character)|InuYasha]] and [[Naraku]] from the [[anime]] and [[manga]] series ''[[InuYasha]]''
* [[Sha Gojyo (Saiyuki)|Sha Gojyo]], from the manga and anime series ''[[Saiyuki (manga)|Saiyuki]]''
* [[Yusuke Urameshi]], from the manga and anime series ''[[YuYu Hakusho]]'' (senzo-gaeri)
* [[Setsuna Sakurazaki]] and [[Characters of Negima#Kotaro Inugami|Kotarō Inugami]] from the manga and anime series ''[[Negima]]''
* [[Heppokomaru]] from the anime/manga series [[Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo]] but becomes half demon in the manga [[Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo]]
* Claymores (see [[list of Claymore characters]]) from the manga/anime series [[Claymore (manga)]].  These female warriors are human/'Yoma' (demon) hybrids who remain mentally human but can draw on superhuman abilities.

===In [[Tokusatsu|live Action]]===
*[[Search Guard Successor Foundation#Eiji Takaoka|Eiji Takaoka / BoukenSilver]] from the [[Super Sentai]] Series ''[[Gougou Sentai Boukenger]]''

[[Category:Anime and manga terminology]]

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