Evil Eye

Overview

The Evil Eye (Jashi) is a powerful supernatural entity (yokai) originating as a "mountain spirit" in the manga series Dandadan. Born from a tragic human sacrifice approximately 200 years ago, he initially haunts the family of Enjoji Jin before possessing Jin's body due to the youth's exceptional spiritual energy. Driven by a deep hatred for humanity and a twisted urge to inflict harm, his underlying motivation is a childlike desire to play. Through intense encounters with Takakura Ken and the Ayase household, the Evil Eye gradually transitions from an uncontrollable menace into an eccentric coexistent entity inhabiting Jin.

Appearance

In his spiritual form, he appears as a tall male figure with unnaturally elongated limbs and torso, sharp vertically slanted eyes, an intensely upturned mouth, and clad solely in a pair of briefs. When possessing Enjoji Jin, the host's body transforms to feature white hair, blackened skin spanning around the eyes, neck, and shoulders, long rainbow-colored earrings, and a third eye opened upon the forehead. This transformation shreds Jin's clothing, leaving him in cursed briefs containing accumulated grudges. In later battles, he displays a hybrid appearance combining Jin's features with his own.

Personality

At his core, the Evil Eye retains a fundamental wish to play with others, stemming from a childhood where he was imprisoned and isolated. However, his tragic death transformed this innocence into a destructive vengeful urge, causing him to associate play with violent combat and slaughter. He harbors profound malice toward humanity, particularly the Kito family who orchestrated human sacrifices. Despite his initial violent rampages, he possesses an honest and honor-bound side. Once he agrees to rules—such as fighting Takakura Ken strictly on set days—he abides by them, eventually displaying protective loyalty toward Ayase Seiko when she accepts him as family.

Abilities

Through his gaze known as the "Evil Eye," he forces severe terror and depression onto anyone who meets his eyes, driving targets to commit suicide. He can create a "cursed house" out of accumulated grudges, compressing it into a ball shape to kick with overwhelming force, or deploying it as a defensive barrier and enclosure. As a mountain spirit, he possesses massive spiritual power, incredible physical strength, and high durability. Later, by rapidly swapping control back and forth with Enjoji Jin, he executes high-speed alternate attacks using the distinct techniques of both forms.

Background

Roughly two centuries ago, a malnourished white-haired child was burned alive as a sacrifice to the Mongolian Death Worm by Kito Naki and the Kito family. Remaining as a spirit, he attempted to bond with a child who could see him, but watched helplessly as that child's parents were driven to suicide and the child was chosen as the next sacrifice. His fury transformed into immense malice, merging him with the child to become the Evil Eye. In the present day, he targets Enjoji Jin to use his vast spiritual power as a host. Following exorcism attempts and battles, his possession stabilizes into a unique condition where cold water summons the Evil Eye and hot water restores Jin.

Relationships

He shares a complex symbiotic relationship with his host, Enjoji Jin, who learned of his past and promised to play with him for a lifetime. He views Takakura Ken as a respected rival, strictly adhering to an agreement to duel him only on Tuesdays. Through living with the Ayase household, he develops bonds with Ayase Momo and Ayase Seiko; he holds Seiko in high regard after she accepts him as family. Conversely, he maintains an absolute hatred for Kito Naki and the rest of the Kito family due to their historical atrocities.

Trivia

The design and concept of the Evil Eye are based on a combination of popular Japanese urban legends and occult stories, specifically "Jashi," "Kunekune," and "Yamanoke." In the first official character popularity poll, an amusing outcome occurred where the briefs worn by the Evil Eye ranked 30th—one spot higher than the Evil Eye himself, who came in 31st. Additionally, the rapid personality-switching technique he uses alongside Enjoji Jin was originally devised so the two could play the video game Momotaro Dentetsu together.