Makamou

In the Japanese tokusatsu production Kamen Rider Hibiki, Makamou (魔化魍 Makamō) refers to an assortment of monstrous creatures that usually dwell in the rural areas and consumed human beings as food. In contrast to the humanoid adversaries in other Kamen Rider series, most of the Makamou were usually gigantic monsters of the kaiju genre whose designs and names were based on the Yōkai from Japanese folklores. Furthermore, the Makamou are aided by a mysterious pair of humans. The name Makamou can be translated "Demonized Spirits of the Countryside".

Douji and Hime

The term used for a pair of Homunculi servants that aid a Makamou. Over time, it is revealed that they are actually a series of clones created by a couple, referred to as "The Man and Woman who Live in the Western-Style House", thus making them the main villains of the series despite not appearing that often. As seen in this debut in episode 26, they are powerful, though they prefer to evade rather than resort to fighting. In addition, it seems they're well-educated and civilized. There's indication that they are humans from ancient times who achieved a means of immortality, due to the fact they use Shikigami like the Oni had in the past. Over time, they managed to blend into human society without any problem and because of it, they're able to conduct experiments to make Makamou even stronger to not only defeat the Oni, but destroy humanity. They also possess telepathic abilities, such as controlling their Homunculi clones, seeing them as mere puppets.

When Orochi occurred, the Man and Woman halted their actions and enlisted the Oni to help them, making their way to the marker of the sacred land to halt the Orochi. Their Super clones started to rebel, but retreated due to being the weaker ones. Though they overpowered their clones, the Man saw no reason to pursue due to their short lives, with the Woman feeling bad for them. A year after Orochi was stopped, they created Satori abduct an ideal human (Hitomi) so they use her to create more stable clones. In the end of the series, they are revealed to the clones of the "Real Man and Woman", who still need them to carry on their work.

Super versions

They are the newest and "perfected" version of the Douji and Hime, perfect copies of the "Man and Woman" with one minor difference: they need to eat a special "Armor orb" to prolong their lives. Originally, they had childish mentality upon birth with a slight incompetence, and tend to goof-off now and then. They were first seen, eliminating the "outdated" Puppets, replacing them and the Parents. Soon after, the Supers serve to fight the Oni, lacking a battle-form with enhanced physical abilities and energy attacks making for it to let them battle the Oni hand-to-hand. In time, the Supers "mature" with a homicidal personalities to the point of being hostile towards each other and an obsessive desire to taste Oni blood. During Orochi, the Super Hime started to question their existence and their creators' intent, much to the Super Douji's annoyance. After being told to protect the Oni, the Super Douji starts to question their masters as well, and both begin to rebel against the "Man and Woman". This prove to be their undoing as they lose the method to prolong their short-lives and eventually dissolved at the same time Hibiki ended Orochi.

Puppet versions

Homunculi that act as field commanders to their weaker "siblings". They are able to create Parent Makamou and enhance the powers of the other Douji and Hime. Though mute, they are telepathic and are also controlled by the Man and Woman. They are then all destroyed by Super Douji and Hime after being created.

Parent versions

The Douji/Hime servants that function as a Makamou's "parents", created by a special liquid from a Puppet's body and mixed with a certain object related to the Makamou. But these creations are imperfect as though they resemble their creators, the Doujis bears the Woman's voice, whereas the Himes speak in the Man's voice. But each Douji/Hime pair is different as they possess abilities based on their Makamou child, such as having crab claws or dragonfly wings. They can transform into Kwaidouji (怪童子 Kwaidōji, Strengthen Prince) and Youhime (妖姫 Yōhime, Spectral Princess) respectively to enhance their fighting abilities tied to the Makamou they look after. Over time, few of the Douji/Hime pairs are fed a specialized "Armor orb", by the Black Puppet, which increases their powers and gives them Armored forms: Mushadouji (武者童子 Mushadōji, Warrior Prince) and Yoroihime (鎧姫 Yoroihime, Armored Princess). No more were created after the Puppets were exterminated.

The "Real" Man and Woman

Appearing in the finale, a year after Orochi, the duo reveal themselves when The Man feels fatigue, feeding him an item to prolong his life. Their 19th century western clothing differs them from their Asian-clothed creations.

Types of Makamou

Makamou are the monsters that are hunted by Oni which dwell across the rural areas of Japan. These creatures are created by the Black and White Puppets and are protected by Douji and Hime until they have fully matured. Their size and shape are dependent on the environment they are raised in.

Throughout the series, the Makamou had been acting much differently and getting stronger due to the actions of the Man and Woman. But by episode 41, a chain of events called "Orochi" begin. Marked by the appearance of Kodama's Forest, every known Makamou appears at the same time, increasing in massive numbers to the point where not even the "Man and Woman" can control them. By the climax, the Makamou start to dissolve into a purple miasma and killing by the hundreds. Hibiki eventually stopped Orochi by performing the sealing ritual, dealing with a massive army of Makamou bent on stopping him from ending their era before it could begin. In the end, the Orochi was halted and Makamou numbers dwindled back to normal.

Giant Types

These Makamou the most common in the series. As they larger than the other Makamou, the Giant Type Makamou are essentially daikaiju.

Summer Types

Makamou that appear during the summer, apparently starting the Japanese legend of Ghosts and Youkai appearing on Earth during the summer. Though they are much smaller than the usual giant types, the true power of the Summer Makamou comes from their ability to replicate themselves in large numbers and when one is destroyed they can easily be replaced. The key to destroying them is to destroy the original so no more replicates can be created. Ongekida (Drum Weapons) are the most efficient way of destroying them.

Experimental Types

They are developed by The Man and The Woman, great improvements on the Giant and Summer types. Later on, some become immuned to the Oni Attacks after "The Man and Woman Who Live In The Western Style House" gathered data from the Armed Saber, which was stolen by the Super Douji and Hime.

Other

See also