Yamawaro

Yamawaro's human form is that of a young, reserved boy.

He usually wears a long-sleeved shirt and shorts.

His straw doll is yellow and he transforms by placing a leaf on his head.

He is honest and always polite, addressing others respectfully.

He calls Kikuri “Princess” and remains close by her side at all times.

Yamawaro is obedient, compliant, and seems to lack selfishness.

Despite his calm nature, he demonstrates deep feelings and attachment to those he cares about.

Yamawaro is a spirit born in the mountains, a type of fairy.

Before appearing in the story, he used to show himself to mountain visitors in the form of a naked child.

When Ai Enma previously invited him to be her familiar, he declined as he was content living alone.

Over time, observing a human family living at the foot of the mountain piqued his curiosity about human interaction.

After the family’s son disappeared near the surrounding swamp, Yamawaro, spotted by the mother, was welcomed as a surrogate son.

The family patriarch, a scholar named Toshizaburo Ashiya, treated Yamawaro as a test subject rather than a real child.

He performed experiments, using Yamawaro’s body to grow a fungus intended to prolong his wife Fujiko’s life.

Though Yamawaro cooperated out of a wish to help, Fujiko, upon learning the truth, helped the spirit escape.

This experience left Yamawaro with a profound sense of loss and solitude, leading him to accept Ai Enma’s offer and become her familiar.

Yamawaro’s abilities are hinted to involve wind manipulation.

He first demonstrates this power in episode six.

In episode twenty-five, moved by Yuzuki Mikage’s grief for her mother, Yamawaro miraculously causes the surrounding cherry blossoms to burst into full bloom.

He is deeply loyal to Kikuri, always addressing her as “Princess” and rarely leaving her side.

Kikuri likes him, referring to him affectionately as “Warowaro” and treating him as her servant, unlike the other familiars whom she calls by mocking nicknames.

With Ai Enma, he shares a quiet mutual understanding as her familiar.

He also forms connections with the human family that once took him in, especially the mother, Fujiko Ashiya, whose kindness he never forgets.

Unlike the other three familiars, Yamawaro does not receive a teasing nickname from Kikuri, but instead one that suggests affection and servitude.

He experiences deep loneliness and longing for connection, influencing many of his actions.

His transformation method—placing a leaf on his head—recalls folkloric mountain spirits.

“Princess, I will stay by your side.”

“I wanted to know what it felt like to be with others… to have a family.”

Initial Appearance and Life in the Mountains

Yamawaro first appears before Ren Ichimoku in a bathhouse.

He had lived in the mountains, observing humans from afar and appearing to them as a naked, mysterious child.

When Ai Enma previously approached him, Yamawaro did not understand loneliness and thus refused her offer to become a familiar.

Time with the Ashiya Family

After seeing the warmth of a human family from the foot of the mountain, Yamawaro grew interested in their interactions.

Following their son’s disappearance in the swamp, he was adopted by the mother, Fujiko Ashiya, who mistook him for her son.

He lived as their child, gradually learning about family, bonds, and love.

However, the father, Toshizaburo, did not truly accept Yamawaro, treating him as nonhuman.

Toshizaburo used Yamawaro in his experiments, hoping to save Fujiko by implanting a special fungus for immortality.

Yamawaro accepted this, wanting to help, but was eventually freed by Fujiko after she learned the truth about her husband’s actions.

This bittersweet farewell taught Yamawaro about loss and what it means to care for others.

Becoming a Familiar

With new understanding of solitude and companionship, Yamawaro accepted Ai Enma’s invitation and became one of her familiars.

In his duties, he supports both Ai Enma and Kikuri, showing resourcefulness and compassion along the way.

In the Fourth Season: Departure and New Loyalty

During the events of the fourth season, Yamawaro notices Michiru Sagae, a mysterious girl who encourages people to reconsider revenge and the Hell Correspondence.

After Michiru becomes the second Hell Girl in the final episode, Yamawaro respectfully requests leave from Ai Enma and is accepted.

He then becomes Michiru’s familiar and continues to serve faithfully alongside her.

The characters that Yamawaro interacted with include Toshizaburo Ashiya (the scholar father), Fujiko Ashiya (the kind mother), and Yuzuki Mikage (who inspired him to use his power for comfort).

He is the only one among the familiars to know the warmth of human familial bonds and the pain of separation firsthand.

His story is marked by a gentle search for belonging and the desire to connect with others beyond his supernatural origin.