Ononoki Yotsugi is a character known for speaking in a monotone. She has a unique, mysterious charm, with an expressionless face and the ability to say funny things in a quiet tone. This time, we'll take a closer look at her charms!
Yotsugi Ononoki's Profile
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She is a "shikigami" (familiar spirit) who serves the onmyoji expert "Kagenui Yozuru." Her true identity is a "tsukumogami" (a 100-year-old corpse doll). This artificial supernatural phenomenon was "created" by experts including Gaen Izuko during their university days. Eventually, Oshino and Kaiki were abandoned. A dispute over ownership apparently arose between Kagenui and Teori, but Yotsugi himself chose Kagenui and appears to be working with her.
Calling Onii-chan and Koyomi
A possessed spirit that accompanies the onmyoji Kagenui Yozuru, Shinobu describes them as familiars or shikigami. At first, she called her attendant Kagenui "big sister" and Koyomi "big demon brother," but eventually began calling them "Onii-chan."
A monotone, boyish girl
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She is known for her monotone, monotonous speech and her first-person pronoun "boku." When she first appears, her catchphrase is, "I said so with a determined look on my face" after saying something. However, due to her supernatural nature, she is easily influenced by others and is influenced by someone whenever she appears. At one point, she even developed a habit of saying "Yay!" and making a peace sign every time she spoke.
Corpse Setting
However, while her personality and catchphrases change frequently, her facial expression remains consistently expressionless. Her emotionless, monotone speech remains unchanged no matter the situation. She says, "Because I'm a corpse."
Fighting Style
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Yotsugi Ononoki is the Shikigami of the "Violent Onmyoji" Kagenui Yozuru. Her fighting style is "the rule with more exceptions than rules" (Unlimited Rulebook), and involves enlarging parts of her body! With such power, if she enlarges a single finger, she can smash not only humans but even buildings to pieces, and if she enlarges her legs, she can soar through the air with incredible leaping power!
Yotsugi Ononoki's Favorite Foods
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Yotsugi Ononoki has some adorable favorite foods! One of them is "frozen sweets," such as ice cream. Since he's basically a corpse, he doesn't eat it for the taste or to feel full, but simply enjoys the cool feeling (lol). Another reason is "muscles." He's very interested in Araragi Koyomi's muscles, and wishes to touch his abs and such. Since he's a rotting corpse, it seems like it's almost instinctive that he's interested in meat.
The Charm of Ononoki Yotugi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
She's adorable, dressed in a drawstring blouse and tiered skirt, with a simple way of speaking and an expressionless face. And she refers to herself as "boku" (I). Many people say she's adorable as a boyish character!
Surprisingly Playful
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
He has many playful scenes, and even shows his humor in serious, crucial moments. While watching the scene where Shinobu and Kanbaru are arguing, he and Koyomi are holding hands like lovers for some reason, and calmly retorts, "Why are you holding hands like lovers?" On the other hand, in serious scenes, he sometimes says harsh things that cut deep into your heart.
Mysterious Charm
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Sometimes you'll laugh, and sometimes you'll be captivated by his expressions, words, and facial expressions. He's a cute character with a mysterious charm.
Relationship with Kagenui Yozuru
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Kagenui Yozuru is an immortal expert in the supernatural and possesses high combat abilities. His relationship with Ononoki Yotsugi was originally that of an onmyoji and a shikigami. Kagenui Yozuru possesses the strongest hand-to-hand combat abilities, so I don't think he needs a shikigami.
Cursed to be unable to walk on the ground
Apparently, after "creating" Ononoki Yotsugi, he was cursed with the inability to walk on the ground, and he uses Ononoki Yotsugi as a means of transportation. Of course, that's not the only reason, but at least Kagenui Yozuru moves around by climbing buildings or standing on Ononoki Yotsugi's fingers.
Relationship with Araragi Koyomi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
When she first appeared in "Nisemonogatari," she was in an antagonistic relationship with the main character, Araragi Koyomi. She calls Araragi Koyomi "Oni-chan" (Big Brother Demon) and "Oni-chan," and later becomes close(?) with the lolicon Araragi, kissing him, lifting his skirt, and groping his breasts!
Saving Araragi and Hachikuji Mayoi
In "Onimonogatari," she struggles to help Araragi and Hachikuji Mayoi escape from the "Darkness," and in "Owarimonogatari," she saves Araragi and Kanbaru Suruga at the last moment. She delivers her lines with a blank expression.
Relationship with Shinobu Oshino
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
When Kagenui and Koyomi, and Shinobu and Yotsugi fought, Yotsugi was completely defeated by Shinobu. The actual battle scene was not shown, but when the scene where the battle supposedly took place was shown, Yotsugi looked like she was about to cry, so the outcome was clear.
Calling someone an elderly person
Before the fight, he acted more relaxed around Shinobu, calling him "elderly" and referring to him as a senior citizen. However, when he was shown the difference in their abilities, he was completely traumatized. Even after that, he continues to use the "elderly" remark, earning Shinobu anger every time.
Relationship with Araragi Tsukihi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
After "Tsukimonogatari," Ononoki Yotsugi became a stuffed animal and lived in the Araragi household. Their purpose is to keep an eye on Araragi Koyomi, Oshino Shinobu, and the immortal "Death Bird" Araragi Tsukihi.
Extremely Stressful!
Corpse doll Ononoki Yotsugi and Phoenix Araragi Tsukihi. As stuffed toys, they keep watch over Tsukihi, but they're none other than Araragi Tsukihi. His unpredictable behavior seems to be giving Ononoki Yotsugi a hard time (lol). This is also a spoiler, but in "Nadeshiko," Yotsugi complains to Nadeshiko about how hard it is to keep an eye on Tsukihi (lol). The stress of living with Tsukihi is unimaginable.
Becoming a Magical Girl
Their relationship suddenly deepens in "Otorimonogatari"!! After Tsukihi heads off to school as usual, they're eating ice cream at the empty Araragi house when Tsukihi suddenly returns home and sees them eating! She quickly tries to get by by assuming the role of a "magical girl."
Relationship with Sengoku Nadeko
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
It all began in "Otorimonogatari," when Yotsugi Ononoki was spotted by Tsukihi Araragi and asked Nadeko for help. After that, in exchange for Nadeko listening to Tsukihi's complaints, Yotsugi helps Nadeko with her sketches at the Sengoku household! So cute!
Suspicious Movement
This is also a spoiler, but in "Nadeshiko Monogatari," Ononoki Yotsugi and Sengoku Nadeko pursue the scattered "Shikigami Nadeko"s. As an expert, Yotsugi has other plans beyond capturing the "Shikigami Nadeko"...
Famous Quotes by Ononoki Yotugi
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
One of Yotsugi's most memorable quotes is, "I said that with a serious face." Since Yotsugi is easily influenced by supernatural phenomena, he probably used this phrase under someone's influence, but it's quite an impactful line. While Yotsugi may seem naive at first glance, he also says some very insightful lines.
Harsh on Koyomi
Koyomi tells her, "Don't you think you're trying hard by being content with your misfortune and hardship?" "But that means you're not doing anything." It's a harsh statement, even though it's true. Yotsugi says, "To remain unhappy is laziness. To not try to be happy is cowardice." It's hard to know what Yotsugi is thinking, but is she happy, and is she living her life toward happiness?
Voice Actor
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
The voice of the mysterious girl, Yotsugi Ononoki, is provided by voice actress Saori Hayami. Hayami has been interested in voice acting since she was a child and began studying voice acting in junior high school. She made her anime debut in "Touka Gettan" in 2007 and has since appeared in numerous productions.
Representative Works
Her most notable roles include Aragaki Ayaseya in "My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute," Yukino Yukinoshita in "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU," and Icarus in "Sora no Otoshimono." She is also renowned for her singing ability, showcasing her talent in character songs. In 2016, she won the Best Supporting Actress award at the Seiyuu Awards.
Summary
Source: Bakemonogatari ©Nisio Isin/Kodansha, Aniplex, Shaft
Ononoki Yotsugi is an expert on the supernatural and a Shikigami girl. Her catchphrases, famous quotes, relationships with other characters, and spoilers... the more you get to know her, the more you'll be drawn into the story! Will her catchphrases and characters change again in the future? How will things develop with the other characters? I can't wait. No matter what kind of character "Oonoki Yotsugi" becomes, her inconsistencies and catchphrases are all part of her charm. The "story" surrounding the "shikigami"... I can't take my eyes off it!
