What You Need to Know:
- Many of those who live in the western hemisphere are likely to be unfamiliar with the term Yokai, or at least in its much more deeper form. Sure, Yokai Watch is a popular title for kids (well..USED to be), and a lot of anime introduce yokai from time to time through folklore, but no one seems to be familiar with one yokai in particular: Amabie. SO just what or who is Amabie you ask? Amabie is depicted as a half-human-half-fish that made its first appearance in 1846, emerging from the ocean from what is now present-day Kumamoto prefecture. It declared to the people that "If a disease were to spread, draw my likeness and display it to everyone, for they will be healed of all ills." Amabie came as a helpful sign to most people, perhaps as a way to help ward of sickness and restore peace to society.
- Fast forward to today and Amabie has made its appearance well known on social media, as many Twitter users have created illustrations in hopes that the mythical yokai can somehow rescue all of us from this terrible Coronavirus outbreak. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare also took to the Twitter-verse to send a message to the citizens of Japan, using Amabie as a spokesperson to rid of the outbreak and to stay safe.
- Amabie has become so popular now that not only has it become a spokesperson for the health and well being of the common people, but now it's becoming an edible item across the country, with prefectures such Akita taking a liking to the half-human-half-fish lifesaver. From Amabie candies to strawberry flavored doughnuts, it seems that there's some light at the end of the tunnel for our hearts, and Japan knows just how to heal it. Go Amabie!
Such an adorable yokai! I don't want to eat it though lol.
Hey, if it can ward off disease then why not try and have one as a snack? lol