Oshima (○島, Oshima?) is a tanuki who, when rescued from a trap by Ataru Moroboshi, tries to repay him for his kindness. He should not be confused with the female tanuki of the same name who appears in Urusei Yatsura 3: Remember My Love.
Biography[]
This tanuki got caught in a tanuki trap that had been set in his forest home, which fortunately was near a route that Ataru Moroboshi and Lum were taking for a date. When they found him, he was using the form of a crane, presumably as part of a failed attempt to slip free of the trap. Reminiscing of an old Japanese tale, Ataru freed Oshima, whilst unsubtly telling him to repay the favor. Wanting to do this, Oshima used his crane form to get close to Ataru as he cycled off, reverting to tanuki form to land on his back and then disguising himself as part of a larger backpack.
Brought to Ataru's room, Oshima resumed his true form and began wondering how to repay the debt. As it so happened, Ten was present when Oshima did this, and he let Oshima look at the old storybook he was reading, which contained the very legend that Ataru had spoken of whilst freeing Oshima. This gave Oshima the inspiration he needed, so he "disguised himself" as a maid (summoning the outfit, but not otherwise changing his looks) and presented himself to Ataru. Despite being confused, Ataru played along, but Oshima found he couldn't grant Ataru's wishes. Instead, he ended up falling asleep whilst trying to remember the right spell to turn leaves into money. At this, Ataru got fed up and denounced Oshima as a foolish tanuki; Oshima seized on this and used it as an excuse to leave, further imitating the story he had read.
Trivia[]
- He is based on the Japanese Tale Tsuru no Ongaeshi.
- His seiyū also voiced Kitsune and Oshima.
- His seiyū would later provide the voice of Snow Girl from Ranma ½.