Youkai

From AliceSoftWiki

Youkai
妖怪
youkai

Youkai is typically translated as "monster". However, it is quite different from the standard monsters found in the AliceSoft fantasy world.

Youkai are technically not living beings. They are supernatural beings formed out of powerful emotions and thoughts. They are most similar to ghosts, spirits, and phantoms, except with corporal body. It is not uncommon for youkai to be able to transform their bodies in certain ways, though there is often a limitation on the transformation.

As they are not "alive", they cannot be "killed" in the common usage of the word. However, when strongly injured, they would no longer be able to maintain their animated corporal form. Also, if the emotions/thoughts forming the Youkai is dispersed, or if the object the youkai is based upon is destroyed, then the youkai itself can be permanently destroyed.

[edit] Notes

• In the Yandere Translation of Sengoku Rance, youkais are called "monsters", with no distinguation from regular monsters (the difference was not important to that particular game).