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| {{Short description|Evil supernatural beings in Japanese lore}} | |||
| Mazoku means literally in Japanese "Monster Race". The article originally applied it only to ], but Mazoku are in several series of Japanese anime and manga. It is often translated to "demon" or "monster" in English subs or dubs, but the original Japanese word doesn't quite mean this. | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}} | |||
| {{redirects here|Maō|the TV series|Devil (TV series)}} | |||
| In ] and fantasy, {{nihongo|'''mazoku'''|魔族}} are supernatural beings, normally evil ones such as devils or demons.<ref>{{cite web|title=Demon Guide|url=http://www.kanzenshuu.com/tidbits/demon-guide/|website=Kanzenshuu|accessdate=7 June 2015}}</ref> A {{nihongo|'''maō'''|魔王}} or '''maou''' is a ruler of mazoku, or in fiction more generically a ] or powerful monster.<ref name="Legends of Localization 13 April 2018">{{cite web|last1=Mandelin|first1=Clyde|title=Legends of Localization: Tricky Translations #1: Maou & Daimaou|url=https://legendsoflocalization.com/tricky-translations-1-maou-daimaou/|website=Legends of Localization|accessdate=14 April 2018|language=en|date=13 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
| == Etymology == | |||
| The Mazoku (and presumably, everything else in the Slayers World) are ruled by the] (top circle). The two most powerful spells, the Giga Slave and Laguna Blade derive their power directly from this Lord of Nightmares. The Lord of Nightmares has no tangible form to call its own - it is more like an amorphous 'lagoon' in its natural state. However, it does tend to take on different forms from time to time as need be. | |||
| The name ''ma'' ({{lang|ja|魔}} – ]) suggests that they are meant to threaten human existence or defy the gods, while -] ({{lang|ja|族}} – tribe, clan, family) indicates that they are a family.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zoku|url=http://neojaponisme.com/2009/02/03/the-origin-of-zoku/|website=The Origin of Zoku|accessdate=7 June 2015}}</ref> | |||
| Maō ({{lang|ja|魔王}}) is a term derived from mazoku, suggesting a king ({{lang|ja|王}} ''Ō'' – king, ruler) that rules the mazoku.<ref name="Legends of Localization 13 April 2018" /> | |||
| Immediately subordinate to the Lord of Nightmares are the Lords of the Four Realms (yon-kai no ma-ou). These four Lords are represented in the chart here, clockwise from the top, Chaotic Blue, Dark Star, Ruby Eye Shabranigdu, and Death Fog. | |||
| == In mythology and folklore == | |||
| As explained in one of the early TV episodes, these "Mazoku" (literally, Race of Evil), or 'Monsters' as Software Sculptors translates to make things more confusing, are not so easily destroyed. Ruby-Eye Shabranigdu was cut into seven pieces, but was still "alive," if merely in hibernation. One of these seven pieces was sealed in the Red Priest Rezo's eyes by the King of Gods, Ceiphied. Another was resurrected by the Demon-King of the North, but was defeated by the Water Dragon Lord. The whereabouts of the other five are not known. | |||
| The term "mazoku" was used to describe the ] and ] in ], as well as ]'s ]. It is a general term for devils, demons and evil beings. In Japanese ], it is an antonym of {{lang|ja|神族}} (shinzoku), "the tribe of gods". | |||
| A maō is a king or ruler over mazoku. For instance, in Bible translations, ] is a maō. In polytheism, the counterpart of maō is {{lang|ja|神王}} (shin'ō), "the ]". | |||
| The primary focus of the Slayers series has been on the subordinates of Ruby-Eye Shabranigdu. These five subordinate lords are Deep-Sea Dolphin, Dynast Grauscherra, Greater Beast Zelas-Metallium, Chaos Dragon Gaav, and Hellmaster Fibrizo (center). | |||
| The Japanese feudal lord ] also called himself a maō in a letter to ], signing it with {{lang|ja|第六天魔王}} ("the demon king of the sixth heaven"). | |||
| To make the hierarchy of evil even MORE fun, each lord also typically has two primary subordinates: a general for military operations, and a priest. In the case of Zelas-Metallium there is one subordinate who fills both roles -- Xelloss is both a priest and a general. | |||
| == In fiction == | |||
| Not much is known about Deep-Sea Dolphin, who resides in the Demon Sea, or about Dynast Grauscherra on the North Pole. Zelas-Metallium's goals are unclear - she is represented almost entirely by Xelloss, and we hardly (if ever) see her in the anime series. Her base is supposedly in a place known as Wolf Pack Island. | |||
| In Japanese fantasy, the meaning of "mazoku" differs from work to work. Some works use the term for all evil beings that are enemies of humans or good beings, while others use it to specify a certain group of beings (not necessarily evil). The term {{lang|ja|悪魔族}} (]) may be used to designate evil mazoku specifically (the word {{lang|ja|悪}}, aku, means "evil").{{fact|date=April 2018}} | |||
| A maō may be a king of the mazoku, or more generally a king of demons, overlord, ], archenemy of the hero or ]. The term is not gender-specific.<ref name="Legends of Localization 13 April 2018" /> For instance, "]", by ], widely translated as "Elf King" in English, was translated as "maō" in Japanese. The term daimaō or daimaou ({{lang|ja|大魔王}} – great demon king) is sometimes used to describe a very high-ranking or powerful maō.<ref name="Legends of Localization 13 April 2018" /> An example is ], a villain from the '']'' manga. | |||
| ==References== | |||
| Chaos-Dragon (Maryuu-oh / ma-ryuu-ou) Gaav plays a more active role in the series. At least one spell, the Gaav Flare, relies solely on Gaav's power for its effectiveness (NEXT #6 filmbook, p.78). Gaav is also responsible for the genesis of Valgaav, the primary antagonist in the TRY series. | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| {{Japanese folklore long}} | |||
| "Chaos-Dragon" is how the word "ma-ryuu-ou" is to be pronounced, as indicated by the katakana over the kanji. In the anime, though, they say "ma-ryuu-ou" instead. Oh well. ;b | |||
| ] | |||
| Hellmaster Fibrizo wished more and more control of the world, perhaps even its destruction. He gets somewhat close, in the climactic end of Slayers NEXT. He resides in the Desert of Destruction, and takes the form of a young boy. | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:11, 7 May 2024
Evil supernatural beings in Japanese lore"Maō" redirects here. For the TV series, see Devil (TV series).
In Japanese mythology and fantasy, mazoku (魔族) are supernatural beings, normally evil ones such as devils or demons. A maō (魔王) or maou is a ruler of mazoku, or in fiction more generically a dark lord or powerful monster.
Etymology
The name ma (魔 – devil) suggests that they are meant to threaten human existence or defy the gods, while -zoku (族 – tribe, clan, family) indicates that they are a family.
Maō (魔王) is a term derived from mazoku, suggesting a king (王 Ō – king, ruler) that rules the mazoku.
In mythology and folklore
The term "mazoku" was used to describe the asura and yaksha in Hindu mythology, as well as Zoroastrianism's daeva. It is a general term for devils, demons and evil beings. In Japanese polytheism, it is an antonym of 神族 (shinzoku), "the tribe of gods".
A maō is a king or ruler over mazoku. For instance, in Bible translations, Satan is a maō. In polytheism, the counterpart of maō is 神王 (shin'ō), "the king of gods".
The Japanese feudal lord Oda Nobunaga also called himself a maō in a letter to Takeda Shingen, signing it with 第六天魔王 ("the demon king of the sixth heaven").
In fiction
In Japanese fantasy, the meaning of "mazoku" differs from work to work. Some works use the term for all evil beings that are enemies of humans or good beings, while others use it to specify a certain group of beings (not necessarily evil). The term 悪魔族 (akumazoku) may be used to designate evil mazoku specifically (the word 悪, aku, means "evil").
A maō may be a king of the mazoku, or more generally a king of demons, overlord, dark lord, archenemy of the hero or video game boss. The term is not gender-specific. For instance, "Erlkönig", by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, widely translated as "Elf King" in English, was translated as "maō" in Japanese. The term daimaō or daimaou (大魔王 – great demon king) is sometimes used to describe a very high-ranking or powerful maō. An example is Piccolo Daimaō, a villain from the Dragon Ball manga.
References
- "Demon Guide". Kanzenshuu. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
- ^ Mandelin, Clyde (13 April 2018). "Legends of Localization: Tricky Translations #1: Maou & Daimaou". Legends of Localization. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
- "Zoku". The Origin of Zoku. Retrieved 7 June 2015.