Madara

Takashi's "self-proclaimed" bodyguard. In his Nyanko-sensei form, his height and weight are equivalent to two dodgeballs. His favorite foods include sweets like manju, shrimp, squid, and alcohol. Among snacks, he particularly enjoys grilled squid, often singing "Grilled squid, I want you" (Season 3, Episode 10) or saying "Grilled squid in your eyes" (Season 5, Special Episode 2). Since becoming Takashi's bodyguard, he has become so accustomed to human eating habits that other yokai worry about him. His hobby is hunting.

He refers to himself as "watashi." He was sealed for a long time in a "beckoning cat" statue, but was released when Takashi broke the barrier. He knew Reiko but continuously refused her challenges, so his name is not in the Book of Friends. Takashi calls him "Nyanko-sensei" or simply "Sensei."

In the anime, his voice tone changes significantly between his "Madara" and "Nyanko-sensei" forms. However, yokai familiar with Madara can instantly recognize that Nyanko-sensei is Madara by his voice. He ranked second in the character popularity poll in the November 2018 issue of LaLa. As the mascot character of the series, many related goods have been released since the anime adaptation. Additionally, his pin-up illustration is used as the icon for the official Twitter account, both in the original and anime versions.

[Appearance and Abilities]

His true form is a powerful, well-known upper-class yokai called "Madara," which is a large, white beast capable of flight. Having been sealed for many years, his body has become accustomed to the beckoning cat form, and he usually takes the appearance of a "cat-like beckoning cat." According to others, his appearance is often described disparagingly as a "raccoon daruma," "pig cat," "fat cat," "ugly cat," "fake beckoning cat," "daifuku cat," "white pig cat," "cat daruma," or "something like a sandbag." The Natsume group and the Dog Society are drinking buddies, but they secretly aim for the position of Takashi's bodyguard. In the series, only Taki adores his beckoning cat form, and according to her, it feels nice to touch, being "smooth and fluffy." In this state, he is visible to ordinary people, so he lives as Takashi's pet cat with the permission of the Fujiwara couple. Although his yokai power is limited in his cat form, he can always return to his original form. In Episode 79, he sneaked into a study camp where he wasn't supposed to be, appearing as a different cat in the "Uribo version" for that episode only.

His usual method of attack is to repel yokai with "light." He can also consume them, but he refrains from doing so unless they are particularly malicious. He is the strongest yokai in the series, only falling behind divine-class yokai and the most powerful exorcist, Seiji Matoba. He is barely affected by the exorcist's talismans and barriers, only showing slight discomfort. He can create powerful barriers, but he intentionally leaves gaps so yokai seeking the return of their names can enter, which sometimes results in Takashi being troubled by minor spirits.

He also has the ability to transform into a human, and in the series, he disguises himself as a girl resembling Takashi or a young Reiko. However, he cannot mimic their inner personalities, and when he disguised himself as Takashi, he was immediately recognized by Kaname.

[Personality]

As an upper-class yokai, he is always high-handed towards humans and lower yokai, with a cheerful yet short-tempered personality. He has made a deal with Natsume to receive the Book of Friends after Natsume's death in exchange for being his bodyguard. True to his word, he helps Natsume in times of crisis, but his work as a bodyguard is whimsical, as he also goes out for drinks at night. There are many instances where it seems he has grown attached to Takashi over time. He is quite gluttonous, often saying "Show your gratitude with dinner" after helping Takashi, and his attitude changes drastically when food is involved. He is fond of the dishes made by Toko. Once, he ate 13 shrimp from the refrigerator, leading Natsume to tell him to leave, resulting in him running away from home. He is a yokai that can eat humans, and he has occasionally tried to eat Natsume in his true form while sleepwalking. Being naturally talkative, he is eloquent in front of those who know the circumstances. When he accidentally spoke in front of Shibata, he was scolded by Takashi.