Paifu
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character
, the protagonist
who first appears
in the manga
series Cowa!
created by Akira Toriyama
. Though completely resembling a vampire
, Paifu is a vampire hybrid, sharing the genes and traits of a were
-koala
. When observing any cross
-like figure for more than three seconds, Paifu is forced to shapeshift
into a crazed and powerful were-koala and can only change back to his normal state when looking at a round object. This is a parody
on the were-wolf
, a being which transfigures into a beast by the appearance of a full moon
.
, who can play at night with him since he, like Paifu, is a night creature. After dropping off their backpacks at home and playing a game, Paifu's mother tells him to purchase a watermelon
for breakfast and gives him 1000 yen
, allowing him to keep the change. He makes Jose go with him to fetch the watermelon. Instead of buying the melon at the street market
, Paifu and José and decide to steal a watermelon from a field. The duo succeeded in taking a watermelon and left. Paifu plays a joke on his mother so that he could obtain another watermelon; the plan fails miserably.
Later, Paifu and José decide to go to a human's house at a place called Fox Beach. Paifu then notices what appeared to be an orange spirit
out in the sea and mistakes it for something else. José shape-shifts into a plane-like figure and flies with Paifu on his back to the orange light, complaining to Paifu that he too should be able to perform flight
if he practices more. They arrive at the light source only to find that it was a torch on a raft belonging to the world-renowned sumo wrestler
Maruyama, whom they feared. In spite of becoming acquainted, Maruyama teases Paifu and picks up two sticks producing a cross gesture to scare him off believing he, like some vampires in stories, fear a cross. On the contrary, this action forces Paifu to transform into a rampaging were-koala. His rage is halted by José, who shape-shifts into a round object to revert him back to normal. Jose tells Maruyama that Paifu can not look at a cross figure for more than three seconds due to the transforming gene. José also explains that Paifu is the son of a vampiress and male were-koala. When asked by Maruyama about Paifu's father, Paifu replies that he was shot to death in a human city when he shape-shifted into a were-koala. After getting to know a little about Maruyama's past, it turned out that he himself wasn't as frightening as rumoured to be.
Back in the village, Paifu and José begin to notice an influenza
that is spreading in the village affecting the monsters. On their way to school, they are surprised by Apone, a monster who considers Paifu to be his eternal enemy. The three exchange a few words which lead to Apone challenging Paifu to a sparring match of kung fu
. During their fight, two other creature friends meet up with them and Jose tells them about the encounter he and Paifu had with Maruyama.
Paifu's mother later tells him that school has been canceled for a while due to the serious flu. He celebrates by going to Jose's home and runs into the village doctor. The two then spoke of the influenza and the doctor came to the suspicion that the latter is the Monster Flu, a disease that effects only monsters and kills the victim in a month's time. When the two arrive at the Rodriguez residence to see Jose's ill father, the doctor's suspicions are confirmed to everyone there and reveals that the cure to the Monster Flu can be created by a witch
that resides at the top of Mt. Mimizuku. The doctor also tells of a forest that one must cross and that a terrible monster dwells along the forest path which leads to the mountain. Following a long decision, Paifu and Jose go on the trip and are accompanied by the former sumo wrestler Maruyama, who in actuality, was deceived by Paifu who claimed that the villagers would pay him 1,000,000 yen for his troubles. As the trio are about to leave, Apone joins the team, exclaiming that he also wanted to be a hero for the villagers. The four finally leave in search of the medicine. Paifu is mainly astounded by the sights they see along the way, since he had never gone so far from his hometown. They stop at a filling station
for fuel and restroom needs. The four leave from there after a brawl with a few thugs.
With plenty of rest and recuperation, the team pass through a city and arrive around a forest area located by Mt. Mimizuku. As they near it, Apone is suddenly fallen ill by the Monster Flu. They come to a nearby family for aid; in the midst of their troubles, Paifu and Maruyama save them from being attacked by a gang. In exchange, the family cares for the sickly Apone while Paifu, Jose and Maruyama take off for the forest. Before they leave, they are told by the family of the forest monster's supposed weakness, whistling
.
Upon entering the forest, Maruyama has Jose whistle since he is apparently the only one who could. Paifu is told by Maruyama to practice his whistling since Jose would eventually get exhausted. Jose, instead of getting fatigued from whistling, suddenly fell ill to the Monster Flu as well. Their fear of the monster finding them becomes a reality and they are attacked by the forest monster, who goes by the name Baroaba. Maruyama holds his own against the behemoth and tells Paifu to start learning how to whistle immediately before they are killed. Although several attempts had been unsuccessful, Paifu finally prospered in whistling and Baroaba is literally downsized by the sound, proving the weakness true, and is pounded by Maruyama. Before Maruyama has a chance to finish him off, he discovers that Baroaba only attacks to protect the forest's rare wildlife; Baroaba apologizes for the misunderstanding and decides to help them get to their destination, the witch's house.
With help from Baroaba who stayed to care for the ill Jose, Paifu and Maruyama finally reach the summit of the mountain. From there, the two meet the witch's servant, an oni named Reonald. Within time, they became acquainted the witch and fortunately retrieved the influenza medicine. They proceeded to head back down the mountain to cure Jose, Apone and the others at the village. On the way down the mountain, Maruyama accidentally slips and falls off. Paifu makes a daring rescue by learning flight at the last minute and saves Maruyama and himself from immediate death.
Along the way, Jose takes a medicine pill and is healed. Paifu and Baroaba also take one each in case they too would have fallen ill. Apone is also recovered thanks to the medicine. On the way back, Paifu reveals to Maruyama that he had lied to him about the payment of 1,000,000 yen he promised. Maruyama admits that he is disappointed, but not infuriated. The four are praised as they returned to the village. One month later, Paifu, Jose and everyone else from the village meet Maruyama out at sea with a present for him, a ghost ship that actually came with ghosts.
. However, Cowa!
is heard of in other languages, including French
and Spanish
.
Reading level: N/A
Paperback: 205 pages
Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
Publisher: Glénat
; 1 edition (1 May 1999)
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
Dialect: French
International Standard Book Number
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, the protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
who first appears
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
in the manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series Cowa!
Cowa!
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It began in late 1997 despite the artist suffering from a hurting arm. The manga was first serialized in Japan by Weekly Shōnen Jump and then made into a tankōbon by Jump Comics...
created by Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama
is a Japanese manga artist and game artist known mostly for his creation of Dragon Ball in 1984. Toriyama admires Osamu Tezuka's Astro Boy and was impressed by Walt Disney's One Hundred and One Dalmatians, which he remembers for the great art...
. Though completely resembling a vampire
Vampire
Vampires are mythological or folkloric beings who subsist by feeding on the life essence of living creatures, regardless of whether they are undead or a living person...
, Paifu is a vampire hybrid, sharing the genes and traits of a were
Were
Were and wer are archaic terms for adult male humans and were often used for alliteration with wife as "were and wife" in Germanic-speaking cultures ....
-koala
Koala
The koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae....
. When observing any cross
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
-like figure for more than three seconds, Paifu is forced to shapeshift
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
into a crazed and powerful were-koala and can only change back to his normal state when looking at a round object. This is a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
on the were-wolf
Werewolf
A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse...
, a being which transfigures into a beast by the appearance of a full moon
Full moon
Full moon lunar phase that occurs when the Moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. More precisely, a full moon occurs when the geocentric apparent longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180 degrees; the Moon is then in opposition with the Sun.Lunar eclipses can only occur at...
.
Plot overview
Paifu is first seen running alongside his creature friends whom all just left school. Afterwards, all of his friends save for José Rodriguez, a ghostGhost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
, who can play at night with him since he, like Paifu, is a night creature. After dropping off their backpacks at home and playing a game, Paifu's mother tells him to purchase a watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
for breakfast and gives him 1000 yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
, allowing him to keep the change. He makes Jose go with him to fetch the watermelon. Instead of buying the melon at the street market
Street market
A street market is an outdoor market such as traditionally held in a market square or in a market town, and often held only on particular days of the week...
, Paifu and José and decide to steal a watermelon from a field. The duo succeeded in taking a watermelon and left. Paifu plays a joke on his mother so that he could obtain another watermelon; the plan fails miserably.
Later, Paifu and José decide to go to a human's house at a place called Fox Beach. Paifu then notices what appeared to be an orange spirit
Orb (paranormal)
The term orb describes unexpected, typically circular artifacts that occur in flash photography — sometimes with trails indicating motion — especially common with modern compact and ultra-compact digital cameras....
out in the sea and mistakes it for something else. José shape-shifts into a plane-like figure and flies with Paifu on his back to the orange light, complaining to Paifu that he too should be able to perform flight
Flight
Flight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
if he practices more. They arrive at the light source only to find that it was a torch on a raft belonging to the world-renowned sumo wrestler
Sumo
is a competitive full-contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally...
Maruyama, whom they feared. In spite of becoming acquainted, Maruyama teases Paifu and picks up two sticks producing a cross gesture to scare him off believing he, like some vampires in stories, fear a cross. On the contrary, this action forces Paifu to transform into a rampaging were-koala. His rage is halted by José, who shape-shifts into a round object to revert him back to normal. Jose tells Maruyama that Paifu can not look at a cross figure for more than three seconds due to the transforming gene. José also explains that Paifu is the son of a vampiress and male were-koala. When asked by Maruyama about Paifu's father, Paifu replies that he was shot to death in a human city when he shape-shifted into a were-koala. After getting to know a little about Maruyama's past, it turned out that he himself wasn't as frightening as rumoured to be.
Back in the village, Paifu and José begin to notice an influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
that is spreading in the village affecting the monsters. On their way to school, they are surprised by Apone, a monster who considers Paifu to be his eternal enemy. The three exchange a few words which lead to Apone challenging Paifu to a sparring match of kung fu
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
. During their fight, two other creature friends meet up with them and Jose tells them about the encounter he and Paifu had with Maruyama.
Paifu's mother later tells him that school has been canceled for a while due to the serious flu. He celebrates by going to Jose's home and runs into the village doctor. The two then spoke of the influenza and the doctor came to the suspicion that the latter is the Monster Flu, a disease that effects only monsters and kills the victim in a month's time. When the two arrive at the Rodriguez residence to see Jose's ill father, the doctor's suspicions are confirmed to everyone there and reveals that the cure to the Monster Flu can be created by a witch
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
that resides at the top of Mt. Mimizuku. The doctor also tells of a forest that one must cross and that a terrible monster dwells along the forest path which leads to the mountain. Following a long decision, Paifu and Jose go on the trip and are accompanied by the former sumo wrestler Maruyama, who in actuality, was deceived by Paifu who claimed that the villagers would pay him 1,000,000 yen for his troubles. As the trio are about to leave, Apone joins the team, exclaiming that he also wanted to be a hero for the villagers. The four finally leave in search of the medicine. Paifu is mainly astounded by the sights they see along the way, since he had never gone so far from his hometown. They stop at a filling station
Filling station
A filling station, also known as a fueling station, garage, gasbar , gas station , petrol bunk , petrol pump , petrol garage, petrol kiosk , petrol station "'servo"' in Australia or service station, is a facility which sells fuel and lubricants...
for fuel and restroom needs. The four leave from there after a brawl with a few thugs.
With plenty of rest and recuperation, the team pass through a city and arrive around a forest area located by Mt. Mimizuku. As they near it, Apone is suddenly fallen ill by the Monster Flu. They come to a nearby family for aid; in the midst of their troubles, Paifu and Maruyama save them from being attacked by a gang. In exchange, the family cares for the sickly Apone while Paifu, Jose and Maruyama take off for the forest. Before they leave, they are told by the family of the forest monster's supposed weakness, whistling
Whistling
Human whistling is the production of sound by means of carefully controlling a stream of air flowing through a small hole. Whistling can be achieved by creating a small opening with one's lips and then blowing or sucking air through the hole...
.
Upon entering the forest, Maruyama has Jose whistle since he is apparently the only one who could. Paifu is told by Maruyama to practice his whistling since Jose would eventually get exhausted. Jose, instead of getting fatigued from whistling, suddenly fell ill to the Monster Flu as well. Their fear of the monster finding them becomes a reality and they are attacked by the forest monster, who goes by the name Baroaba. Maruyama holds his own against the behemoth and tells Paifu to start learning how to whistle immediately before they are killed. Although several attempts had been unsuccessful, Paifu finally prospered in whistling and Baroaba is literally downsized by the sound, proving the weakness true, and is pounded by Maruyama. Before Maruyama has a chance to finish him off, he discovers that Baroaba only attacks to protect the forest's rare wildlife; Baroaba apologizes for the misunderstanding and decides to help them get to their destination, the witch's house.
With help from Baroaba who stayed to care for the ill Jose, Paifu and Maruyama finally reach the summit of the mountain. From there, the two meet the witch's servant, an oni named Reonald. Within time, they became acquainted the witch and fortunately retrieved the influenza medicine. They proceeded to head back down the mountain to cure Jose, Apone and the others at the village. On the way down the mountain, Maruyama accidentally slips and falls off. Paifu makes a daring rescue by learning flight at the last minute and saves Maruyama and himself from immediate death.
Along the way, Jose takes a medicine pill and is healed. Paifu and Baroaba also take one each in case they too would have fallen ill. Apone is also recovered thanks to the medicine. On the way back, Paifu reveals to Maruyama that he had lied to him about the payment of 1,000,000 yen he promised. Maruyama admits that he is disappointed, but not infuriated. The four are praised as they returned to the village. One month later, Paifu, Jose and everyone else from the village meet Maruyama out at sea with a present for him, a ghost ship that actually came with ghosts.
Reception and in other media
, there have been no official releases of design data on Paifu in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. However, Cowa!
Cowa!
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It began in late 1997 despite the artist suffering from a hurting arm. The manga was first serialized in Japan by Weekly Shōnen Jump and then made into a tankōbon by Jump Comics...
is heard of in other languages, including French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
.
Book information
Reading level: N/A
Paperback: 205 pages
Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
Publisher: Glénat
Glénat (publisher)
Glénat Editions SA is a French publisher with its head office in Grenoble. The company publishes many things, including comic books and manga in France, Benelux, and Spain; it was founded by Jacques Glénat. The Spanish subsidiary has its head office in Barcelona. The Benelux subsidiary, Glénat...
; 1 edition (1 May 1999)
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
Dialect: French
International Standard Book Number
- ISBN 272342913X
- ISBN 978-2723429139