If you need a good Christmas present idea, click here, use mah code GAIJIN15 and get 15 bucks off your Japanese Bokksu goodies! partner.bokksu.com/gaijingoombah
Speaking of getting your parents something for Christmas, I got mine a memorial wind chime in memory of our late dog, who we sadly had to "put to sleep" at the end of July.
You forgot to mention that the Froslass in Legends Arceus is heavily implied to HAVE HAD KIDS WITH THE MAN; THERE ARE SNORUNT LOOKING OVER PARTS OF THE JOURNAL.
That was definitely the biggest WTF moment I've had dealing with official Pokemon content in a while. I honestly always just interpreted those entries in the Canalave Library about humans "intermingling" with pokemon as taking place before they genetically diverged. As if this took place before modern homo sapiens were a thing and that there was no clear distinction between humans and pokemon at the time. This one side quest not only pretty much proves that interpretation wrong, but it also suggests that humans are biologically compatible with at least some pokemon (Arceus only knows which ones, considering that Froslass isn't even in the human-like egg group). The only wiggle room it leaves is that this is some long-dead ancestor to a guy who already lives in the past, so it technically still could be that this ancestor wasn't what we now consider a human, but if it's recent enough that the verbal story still survived in this family and the journal is written in whatever language that our child protagonist from the modern age can still easily read aside from the damaged parts without any translation, that doesn't seem very likely. It's so weird to just drop this lore bomb and not even really acknowledge it.
Gamefreak adapting the Yuki Onna story using a pokemon unintentionally saying that at least one pokemon is compatible with humans is the funniest unintentional side effects I have seen in a pokemon game.
@@justsomeguy7077 I mean, implication about pokemon and humans being seen one and the same in ye olden days would kinda just imply that humans could be considered type of pokemon in a way
In before "We already know this Gaijin!" Watch the whole video. You might be surprised. Also bear in mind that not everyone who watches this is going into it knowing EVERYTHING that people have talked about prior with Froslass so I'm just trying to make sure to get everyone caught up.
Great video for a yokai analysis Gaijin, keep up the good work. 👍 PS I have a suggestion for another Yokai Hunters video, Donna, and her living dolls from resident evil village.
I feel this channel covers a point that I always find super important; the how. As someone who designs a lot, I like having context, and I wish that theorists and analysts covered more on the how, rather than just a list of fun facts of “oh yeah, it’s XY.”
It's always the WHY and HOW that people tend to be dismissive of, which always makes those questions the two that are the most interesting to answer IMO. Thank you for devling into this topic further. Always interesting to see the deeper cultural things nobody talks about.
As soon as I completed that side story I knew that it must have been an interpretation of a traditional story IRL. It was so well-done, it had to have a real cultural inspiration. ❤
Froslass being based on kokeshi dolls could also be because their preevolution Snorunt is based on another yokai called Zashiki-Warashi, a house spirit said to be a dead child in some versions. So they are like a mother and their child, along with Glalie as the father (or mother since they can be female).
I had no idea there was a yuki-onna story from the West. It's little things like that which make your videos an absolute _joy_ to watch. And with no hints given about your next Pokemon video here, I find myself more eager than usual for a future upload.
My favorite interpretation of the Yuki Onna is that from Nioh where Lady Nō was turned into one after her death at Honnōji Very entertaining way to incorporate the Yokai into the story.
While I have seen videos on Frosslass' Yuki-onna origins before, I do know that you tend to look deeper into the Japanese origins for things in media than other content creators do. That's why I was very excited to watch this video. I've also just gotten started on playing Legends Arceus, so that should get me even more hyped for this video.
I think there's a slight misunderstanding of Lafcadio Hearn/Koizumi Yakumo, he used his unique prose to retell Japanese yokai tales he learned from individuals around the country, as an English teacher he taught at prestigious schools from Tokyo to Kumamoto and took in regional tales on his travels. His work was not "inspired by Japanese folktales" but rather translating folk tales taken from singular sources (individuals) and bringing it to a new audience. That specific version of the tale, because of how well it was told, would then gain popularity and become more common. In a way, he's the first gaijin to move to Japan and teach English, marry a local then make his money telling foreigners overseas how great Japan is with his writing. If you've never read his books, I highly recommend Kwaidan as he has the most beautiful way with words.
I love gaijin goombah so much, this guy just exemplifies what I love about humanity, the sheer joy he gets out of learning and trying new things is something we could all benefit from having in our lives.
OMG YES! Gaijin I’ve been waiting for you to talk about Blue Eye Samurai!! I really want to see your take on the show. I worked on BES as a production coordinator, specifically in the character department, and oh man when I was reading the script I had always hoped you’d watch it!
Oddly enough, Froslass being a kokeshi doll could also be because the Yuki Onna in Patrick's story, whether to spite Minokichi or not, left her ten children behind forever; AKA losing them in a way.
Great video. I'd love to see a video about the yokai origins of a new indie game Spirittea. You run a bath house for spirits to keep them from getting "lost"
I've been watching your channel for years, and while I don't comment often here, it felt appropriate to comment on this particular episode of Yōkai Hunters. Froslass is one of my childhood favorite designs for Pokemon, and I like it so much that it was the subject of a video that started a series on my channel called PokeProfiles that was inspired by your style of educational entertainment, among other inspirations, specifically, your Culture Shock. The video I made for Froslass hasn't aged well, but it was a start. I am pleased to see one of several sources that inspired that series in its current form to take a deep dive into Froslass. Keep up the great work making informative and educational content. One day, it would be an aspiration come true to collaborate on a video with you as a peer.
That story is almost one for one with a horror movie I saw a long time ago. Only instead of a snow ghost it was a gargoyle. And when the guy told his wife about it, who of course turned out to be the gargoyle, she did _not_ let him off with a threat.
I've kinda always loved the concept of Yuki Onna, even using them as a basis for a main character in my stories, so I essentially love learning about them.
Huh, how very fascinating, it seems pretty likely, i will look forward to see what you cover next. Especially that one you said you’ve wanted to do for a while, i wonder what it will be about.
6:29 this was actually the first and only story I’ve ever heard of the Yuki Onna. And I mean this is the exact same version I’ve heard from like at least a decade and a half ago
It seems someone with my exact cultural heritage wrote my favorite story about this “snow woman”. I figured this was the legend that FrossLass was based on from the start. Nice to hear a bit more congruent lore from Pokémon move sets, physical appearance, and Legend Arceus, one of the BEST EVER games for the series in my estimation.
I figured you'd be referring to the Lafcadio Hearn tale of the Yuki-onna for this! Froslass is one of my favorite Pokemon, and after finding a Japanese myth/legend book I found the story. To this day, it's one of my favorite folk tales.
Most (And by that I mean the amount of people who don't, file into the single digits) Pokémon fans think everything is just one thing. Never mind the fact that, in more recent gens especially, most Pokémon have many things that go into them. Take Maushold: yes it's a small family of mice, but it also takes inspiration from a kind of doll, as well as rat kings (those rats whose tails have interlocked and borderline fused together). Alternatively, Farigiraf is a giraffe, but it also incorporates space suits, the earliest version of which were invented in Spain, and telescopes Hell, the Cyclizar and Paradox versions have more depth than most people realize. Even Kelfki, Trubbish, and Vanilluxe have more in them than most earlier designs
I love this angle and these stories! Two points: First, the stories of Froslass, especially in Legends: Arceus, only confirm that *that specific* Froslass references *that specific* yuki-onna story. Taken collectively, each Froslass-related story, though similar, nearly always refers to *one particular* Froslass ("THIS Froslass did/was x"). Because the stories then differ in key points, one can't logically extrapolate into the generic (i.e. "because this Froslass does/is X, all Froslass must do/be X"). The only thing we can conclude is: there is no one, singular Froslass, just as there is no one, singular Yukionna. (Thinking about it: Hisui has many deliberate references to early English influences on Japanese culture. It makes sense that a specific, noteworthy Froslass in that area would have a similarly specific, noteworthy, non-Japanese story associated with it. Kinda neat, huh?) Second: Froslass is also a teru teru bozu. The dress that it wears isn't really part of its body, but more like a tail or shed skin (some 'dex entries describe it as a "cloud of mist"). It's entire being is in its head (and its armlike wings). Note also the particular associations of Froslass with *snow*, rather than generic ice or cold. Granted, it's not as obviously referential as Castform, but a "humanlike ghost effigy with a bulbous (but solid) head, draping a cloth resembling clothes made to resemble a body, associated directly with inclement weather"... quite a lot of coincidence, innit?
I honestly didn’t know that much about Froslass. Also, glad to see your folks like the Bokksu box you gave them. Wouldn’t get one myself but good for them.
before I watched the video, the why she is a yuki onna I think of is her pokedex that speeks of her being the ghost of a woman that froze to death and tales of some malevolance as in freezing people to death (for her collection, but also that in rare occasion she might help a traveler find their way. All of those match with tales of yuki onna I came across, even that she might take the shape of a woman in a blizzard to then vanish . . . thats what I recall, I am very curious what else you found!
Not gonna lie, the more I hear you promote Bokksu the more I’m tempted to signing up as a birthday gift to myself 😊 Also I actually just heard about Yuki-Onna from my fav podcast called Freaky Folklore on Spotify.
-chuckles- I used to have a spirit that I was fairly certain was one of these follow me around for a while. She always watched me from the corner of my eye and any time I'd turn to look at her because I caught her movement, she'd simply vanish into snowflakes. I've not seen her in some time, but I hope I do. She was never... malicious with me. Only ever observant.
I thought the one with the bath was a Tsurara onna, a similar kind of yokai, but distinct as a icy woman who appears to lonely men in winter and takes them as their husbands, but she only stays in winter, and will evaporate as mist to return to the mountains when it gets warm, returning the next winter. However any man who mistreats her, breaks a promise, or cheats on her when she is gone will be killed. Granted this difference seems more circumstantial but that's common in folklore like in Ireland there is a different name for the gnomes that make shoes and the gnomes that bathe their hats in human blood even if everything else is identical.
T_T Thank you so much for this video. The ice breath is clearified in ways I didn't know I needed and So many people just talk about the surface level of the Yuki Onna even in things like Vampire Princess Miyu's anime in the 1990s, but they never go into the *depth* I've been craving to learn more about when I noticed the details of that and other shows they use and wonder "is this how they're suppose to be like? or is this just one interpetation" But it also helps me understand how to look deeper into them because I was always wondering why Reiha held a talking doll with her which the wikis don't talk about what type of Yokai he is. Maybe the reason why is because he's actually repsenting the kokeshi doll in babydoll form? and since Reiha is a child, she was given Matsukaze as a way of protection and guidence? I donno honestly because It's been hard to find much deeper conversations on the Yuki Onna and I'm so glad you're brought up the point that they aren't talked about much that isn't just "they are a snow woman that causes blizzards and are usually vengeful women spirits who died in those blizzards."
I think the author was injecting an irish-ism into the story. His depiction of a yuki-onna resembles a banshee (yes, they do more than scream. They're also not ghosts. Banshee literally mean fairy woman. Though the irish word for fairy means they who live in the burial mounds, soo....). Which are alive. And fertile. And horny for human men.
There is a banshee associated with the cold, Cailleach of Irish mythology. Sometimes a faerie queen, sometimes the queen of the banshees, often associated with winter and cold winds, Cailleach could be a partial inspiration for Froslass.
Ah the Yuki-onna. One of my personally favorite yokai. There's just something about that icy gal that just makes her so compelling and fascinating to me.
Gaijin is a clone of Papa Goombah!!! Froslass has always fascinated me, when it was first released I learned so much trying to figure out what it was lol thanks for the amazing video and happy holidays sensai Goombah to you and yours
Great to hear about one of my favorite Pokemon from my favorite type which is based on my favorite yokai. And all the new bits were fascinating and intriguing, so thanks for putting in the work to get it out there. ^_^
Story time with GG is always a good time. Story time about one of my favorite pokemon ever? I don't care how obvious the surface scrape is - Gaijin's never let me down and he did not this day, either. Carry on, sirs!
There are a few other anime that deserve to have a video on: 1. Otaku elf (rituals of shrine maidens) 2. Dark Gathering (maybe some of the ghost inspirations) 3. Ayakashi Triangle (a possible which ninja/Yokai creatures) It’s not a big deal if you do these. I just think these have interesting subjects covered in it.
Oh my gosh! You look so much like your dad! I know it’s not the point at all, but I just thought that was cool. What’s funny is that this story was the only Yuki-Oona story that I knew of until now. I really didn’t know there were so many of them!
Hi, I have heard about a similar "Yokai" before. The Laydy of the cold from the Moomins. Winter anthropomorphized, a beautiful lady that arrives during the winter. But if she looks someone in the eye, that person will instantly freeze to death.
I still like the fact that by concept it is supposed to be a beautiful snow ghost... but by design its a Boo with long arms and hair that resemble a kimono :3
As I said on Twitter (I will not call it by any other name), I thought that you had already made a video on Froslass being a Yuki Onna. Regardless, it was an awesome video. I didn't know that Froslass' design was a kokeshi and never really pondered on that.
Once more point in the wintry motif for the video, the region of Sinnoh is based on Hokkaido. Froslass debuted in Gen 4, which takes place in the Sinnoh Region. Also I remember you made a video on Nintendo’s Miis and how their inspiration came from Kokeshi dolls. What happened to it?
oh damn, i did not know the wife-turns-out-to-be-same-yuki-onna was from Hearn. Oh and, yes, thank you for using the image of best yuki-onna, voiced by talented gremlin Aoi Yuuki with her most beautiful voice!
What I find the most interesting part about this story of the Yuki-onna is when she tells the man to never tell anyone about their meeting, that also means they could never talk about to each other as well as that is technically still telling someone about even if they already knew about it. That does show it’s not the information about her meeting with the man that she wanted him to not talk about but more like she doesn’t want him to personally spit out that information to someone else. It goes to show that there are potential ways he could’ve revealed this information while also not actually breaking the promise with the Yuki-onna. Now how so well she never said he couldn’t write it down or draw down his encounter with the Yuki-onna so he could do something like that and spread that information, this method he technically did not talk or say anything about it. Another way would for me to talk to himself about it and someone somehow overheard him (like I said it’s clear it’s not the actual information of their meeting the Yuki-onna cared about but him even saying or talked about it with anyone), now it does come with the blur line if talking to yourself is still considered talking or saying something to someone but in most cases talking to yourself and someone overhears it doesn’t count towards that so if the Yuki-onna isn’t that strict then the man could do that and get away with revealing the information of their meeting while again not breaking the promise he made with the Yuki-onna
I actually did know the Yuki onna legend in question (didn't know who it came from but I did know it) it actually played a big role in my love of yuki onna (easily one of my top favorite yokai right next to the jorogumo) and while I knew others, it was interesting to learn how different that one and by extent my understanding of yuki onna was to other legends. Also just looking frostlass I instantly knew yuki onna for that reason, but the doll part is something I'd have never known. It's one of the reasons I always love these kinds of videos. Even If I know some of the stuff or even most of it for some videos there's always a moment where I'm learning something I didn't
I find Froslass to be a very beautiful Pokémon. It's my ice type. Also, speaking of videos that you still need to do, I'm still waiting on your Which Ninja video regarding Kevin McCallister from Home Alone 1 and 2. I guess there's always next year.
Alright, now I want a greek themed convergent or regional evo for Frostlass. In greece and many other balkan cultures, female vampires take on a vaguely onryou-like cadence, and can control butterflies. Say hello to Vrykolass! A butterfly-like bug-ghost take on frostlass that turns the obi into butterfly wings and has feelers in place for the hands, with the head armor resembling greek drama masks.
The picture of what you call a Narutoficated Yuki onna comes from a really interesting anime about yokai with some fascinating interpretations It's called in/spectre, that's only what she looks like to blend in with humans to enjoy a civilian life when she appears as her true form she looks like the run of the mill Yuki Onna pale face/black hair her story follows a similar beat to the one you say inspired Frosslass but without so much threat of murder for spilling the secret (because the person he does tell is the one he knows is the Yuki Onna that saved him) I would love to hear about some of the concepts they dive into like the Kudan or the giant serpent mistaken for a god or maybe if there's some history behind the concept of eating a yokai's flesh to obtain it's power
GatorEX did a video on frosslass and explained the yuki-onna inspiration. So yeah. Someone DID talk about her, otherwise I'd wouldn't be saying anything.
I have no idea what this blue-eyed thing is; I just want you to get to the next pokemon video. That tease you made at the end has me chomping at the bit right now.
Oh, I just realised at the end with the closing comment - the banshee comparisons could be a really interesting mesh of the particular yuki onna story she’s based on because of the nationality of the author. The author was Greek and Irish, and aren’t Banshees traditionally associated with Celtic mythology? Irish is a part of that cultural identity group. As good a reason of any to merge it in with the other half of the concept, that being the Japanese spirit in the story, right?
Yo GG you really should do a review plus couple videos on BLUE EYE SAMURAI It be really fascinating showing your insight to the series would be awesome
If you need a good Christmas present idea, click here, use mah code GAIJIN15 and get 15 bucks off your Japanese Bokksu goodies! partner.bokksu.com/gaijingoombah
Dood I love gaijin videos that are sponsored by bocksu
That’s so sweet of you to feature Mama and Papa Goomba 😊
Speaking of getting your parents something for Christmas, I got mine a memorial wind chime in memory of our late dog, who we sadly had to "put to sleep" at the end of July.
My boss just got me Michael Foster's yokai book and I can't wait to read it and get more info on yokai
Given the banshee is from Irish folklore too, that actually strengthens the idea of it being Hearn's version of the Yuki-onna :D
You forgot to mention that the Froslass in Legends Arceus is heavily implied to HAVE HAD KIDS WITH THE MAN; THERE ARE SNORUNT LOOKING OVER PARTS OF THE JOURNAL.
The questgiver himself makes note of the snorunt and nearly wonders about them being his ancestor's children OUT LOUD.
That was definitely the biggest WTF moment I've had dealing with official Pokemon content in a while. I honestly always just interpreted those entries in the Canalave Library about humans "intermingling" with pokemon as taking place before they genetically diverged. As if this took place before modern homo sapiens were a thing and that there was no clear distinction between humans and pokemon at the time. This one side quest not only pretty much proves that interpretation wrong, but it also suggests that humans are biologically compatible with at least some pokemon (Arceus only knows which ones, considering that Froslass isn't even in the human-like egg group). The only wiggle room it leaves is that this is some long-dead ancestor to a guy who already lives in the past, so it technically still could be that this ancestor wasn't what we now consider a human, but if it's recent enough that the verbal story still survived in this family and the journal is written in whatever language that our child protagonist from the modern age can still easily read aside from the damaged parts without any translation, that doesn't seem very likely. It's so weird to just drop this lore bomb and not even really acknowledge it.
Gamefreak adapting the Yuki Onna story using a pokemon unintentionally saying that at least one pokemon is compatible with humans is the funniest unintentional side effects I have seen in a pokemon game.
@@justsomeguy7077 I mean, implication about pokemon and humans being seen one and the same in ye olden days would kinda just imply that humans could be considered type of pokemon in a way
So you're saying I have chance to start a family with my gardevoir?
In before "We already know this Gaijin!" Watch the whole video. You might be surprised. Also bear in mind that not everyone who watches this is going into it knowing EVERYTHING that people have talked about prior with Froslass so I'm just trying to make sure to get everyone caught up.
and I love Yokai Hunters
Your infotainment videos are always worth watching Gim Gam!
I love how much you resemble your Dad.
I hope you do Kagami Tsurugi 2nd Akumatized form of Oni Chan being a Hanya a female Oni
Great video for a yokai analysis Gaijin, keep up the good work. 👍
PS I have a suggestion for another Yokai Hunters video, Donna, and her living dolls from resident evil village.
Gaijin’s dad looks exactly like an old version of him to an uncanny degree. 😂
Exactly!
Yeah, they even wear similar glasses. It's low-key adorable.
Wholesome!
oh good I wasn't the only one. I honestly thought it was a filter or makeup at first!
I was thinking the same thing!!!😂
I feel this channel covers a point that I always find super important; the how. As someone who designs a lot, I like having context, and I wish that theorists and analysts covered more on the how, rather than just a list of fun facts of “oh yeah, it’s XY.”
Agreed.
Analysts always go like "Ok, it's based on this and that, and so on and so forth," but never really explain _how_ it is related.
Genuinely, thank you Gaijin.
I don't care how much we already know about Froslass, there has to be SOMETHING people aren't seeing or acknowledge.
CyColt thats a no dignity moment
It's always the WHY and HOW that people tend to be dismissive of, which always makes those questions the two that are the most interesting to answer IMO. Thank you for devling into this topic further. Always interesting to see the deeper cultural things nobody talks about.
As soon as I completed that side story I knew that it must have been an interpretation of a traditional story IRL. It was so well-done, it had to have a real cultural inspiration. ❤
Froslass being based on kokeshi dolls could also be because their preevolution Snorunt is based on another yokai called Zashiki-Warashi, a house spirit said to be a dead child in some versions.
So they are like a mother and their child, along with Glalie as the father (or mother since they can be female).
I think Snorunt is more based on Yukinko, which are said to be Yuki-Onna's kid.
I love these yuki-onna tales and pop culture interpretations.
Froslass is already one of my favorite pokemon :D
Mine too
Gen 4 is my favorite Gen.i had a frostlass in my first playthrough of plat cause a Ghost Ice S.T.A.B. was just devastating useful
I had no idea there was a yuki-onna story from the West. It's little things like that which make your videos an absolute _joy_ to watch. And with no hints given about your next Pokemon video here, I find myself more eager than usual for a future upload.
My favorite interpretation of the Yuki Onna is that from Nioh where Lady Nō was turned into one after her death at Honnōji Very entertaining way to incorporate the Yokai into the story.
While I have seen videos on Frosslass' Yuki-onna origins before, I do know that you tend to look deeper into the Japanese origins for things in media than other content creators do. That's why I was very excited to watch this video. I've also just gotten started on playing Legends Arceus, so that should get me even more hyped for this video.
it never really ocurred to me that Froslass would actually take the inspiration from an specific Yuki Onna story instead of just the general concept
I think there's a slight misunderstanding of Lafcadio Hearn/Koizumi Yakumo, he used his unique prose to retell Japanese yokai tales he learned from individuals around the country, as an English teacher he taught at prestigious schools from Tokyo to Kumamoto and took in regional tales on his travels. His work was not "inspired by Japanese folktales" but rather translating folk tales taken from singular sources (individuals) and bringing it to a new audience. That specific version of the tale, because of how well it was told, would then gain popularity and become more common. In a way, he's the first gaijin to move to Japan and teach English, marry a local then make his money telling foreigners overseas how great Japan is with his writing. If you've never read his books, I highly recommend Kwaidan as he has the most beautiful way with words.
This was very insightful, I've never heard this take before so thank you for your research. Also your parents trying Bokksu was so heartwarming.☺️❤️
I love gaijin goombah so much, this guy just exemplifies what I love about humanity, the sheer joy he gets out of learning and trying new things is something we could all benefit from having in our lives.
OMG YES! Gaijin I’ve been waiting for you to talk about Blue Eye Samurai!! I really want to see your take on the show.
I worked on BES as a production coordinator, specifically in the character department, and oh man when I was reading the script I had always hoped you’d watch it!
Finally! You cover my all time favorite Pokémon and I’m so happy you explained more of her story than the surface level pretenses.
Great analysis of Froslass in this video, especially adding the connection of the kokeshi dolls and why. Looking forward to your next video~!
Oddly enough, Froslass being a kokeshi doll could also be because the Yuki Onna in Patrick's story, whether to spite Minokichi or not, left her ten children behind forever; AKA losing them in a way.
Great video. I'd love to see a video about the yokai origins of a new indie game Spirittea. You run a bath house for spirits to keep them from getting "lost"
I've been watching your channel for years, and while I don't comment often here, it felt appropriate to comment on this particular episode of Yōkai Hunters. Froslass is one of my childhood favorite designs for Pokemon, and I like it so much that it was the subject of a video that started a series on my channel called PokeProfiles that was inspired by your style of educational entertainment, among other inspirations, specifically, your Culture Shock. The video I made for Froslass hasn't aged well, but it was a start. I am pleased to see one of several sources that inspired that series in its current form to take a deep dive into Froslass. Keep up the great work making informative and educational content. One day, it would be an aspiration come true to collaborate on a video with you as a peer.
That story is almost one for one with a horror movie I saw a long time ago. Only instead of a snow ghost it was a gargoyle. And when the guy told his wife about it, who of course turned out to be the gargoyle, she did _not_ let him off with a threat.
Ahh that's so sweet that your parents loved the Bokksu box! I can see a family resemblance with your dad too ^^
I always enjoy how, even if we know the main concept of something, you are still able to dive deeper and explain it so that we can better understand
its an amazing feat that Lafcadio reimagining of a Japanese myth became beloved by the Japanese themselves.
I've kinda always loved the concept of Yuki Onna, even using them as a basis for a main character in my stories, so I essentially love learning about them.
Huh, how very fascinating, it seems pretty likely, i will look forward to see what you cover next.
Especially that one you said you’ve wanted to do for a while, i wonder what it will be about.
6:29 this was actually the first and only story I’ve ever heard of the Yuki Onna. And I mean this is the exact same version I’ve heard from like at least a decade and a half ago
It seems someone with my exact cultural heritage wrote my favorite story about this “snow woman”. I figured this was the legend that FrossLass was based on from the start. Nice to hear a bit more congruent lore from Pokémon move sets, physical appearance, and Legend Arceus, one of the BEST EVER games for the series in my estimation.
I figured you'd be referring to the Lafcadio Hearn tale of the Yuki-onna for this! Froslass is one of my favorite Pokemon, and after finding a Japanese myth/legend book I found the story. To this day, it's one of my favorite folk tales.
Most (And by that I mean the amount of people who don't, file into the single digits) Pokémon fans think everything is just one thing. Never mind the fact that, in more recent gens especially, most Pokémon have many things that go into them.
Take Maushold: yes it's a small family of mice, but it also takes inspiration from a kind of doll, as well as rat kings (those rats whose tails have interlocked and borderline fused together).
Alternatively, Farigiraf is a giraffe, but it also incorporates space suits, the earliest version of which were invented in Spain, and telescopes
Hell, the Cyclizar and Paradox versions have more depth than most people realize. Even Kelfki, Trubbish, and Vanilluxe have more in them than most earlier designs
I love this angle and these stories!
Two points: First, the stories of Froslass, especially in Legends: Arceus, only confirm that *that specific* Froslass references *that specific* yuki-onna story. Taken collectively, each Froslass-related story, though similar, nearly always refers to *one particular* Froslass ("THIS Froslass did/was x"). Because the stories then differ in key points, one can't logically extrapolate into the generic (i.e. "because this Froslass does/is X, all Froslass must do/be X"). The only thing we can conclude is: there is no one, singular Froslass, just as there is no one, singular Yukionna. (Thinking about it: Hisui has many deliberate references to early English influences on Japanese culture. It makes sense that a specific, noteworthy Froslass in that area would have a similarly specific, noteworthy, non-Japanese story associated with it. Kinda neat, huh?)
Second: Froslass is also a teru teru bozu. The dress that it wears isn't really part of its body, but more like a tail or shed skin (some 'dex entries describe it as a "cloud of mist"). It's entire being is in its head (and its armlike wings). Note also the particular associations of Froslass with *snow*, rather than generic ice or cold. Granted, it's not as obviously referential as Castform, but a "humanlike ghost effigy with a bulbous (but solid) head, draping a cloth resembling clothes made to resemble a body, associated directly with inclement weather"... quite a lot of coincidence, innit?
Whether it's Pokemon or any other source, I love coming back to watch your Yokai Hunters on it!
I honestly didn’t know that much about Froslass. Also, glad to see your folks like the Bokksu box you gave them. Wouldn’t get one myself but good for them.
Yes.....my favorite pokemon back in the spotlight
YAAAASSS THE SNOW QUEEN HERSELF! That quest was one of my favorites in Legends Arceus!
great timing for me because i had just watched ‘OSP Production’s’ telling of Hearn’s Yuki-Onna story, not too long ago
Been waiting for this one for a long time. Love your work, thank you
Never fails man! You are the number one Japanese RUclipsr!
before I watched the video, the why she is a yuki onna I think of is her pokedex that speeks of her being the ghost of a woman that froze to death and tales of some malevolance as in freezing people to death (for her collection, but also that in rare occasion she might help a traveler find their way. All of those match with tales of yuki onna I came across, even that she might take the shape of a woman in a blizzard to then vanish . . . thats what I recall, I am very curious what else you found!
Not gonna lie, the more I hear you promote Bokksu the more I’m tempted to signing up as a birthday gift to myself 😊
Also I actually just heard about Yuki-Onna from my fav podcast called Freaky Folklore on Spotify.
-chuckles-
I used to have a spirit that I was fairly certain was one of these follow me around for a while. She always watched me from the corner of my eye and any time I'd turn to look at her because I caught her movement, she'd simply vanish into snowflakes.
I've not seen her in some time, but I hope I do. She was never... malicious with me. Only ever observant.
I thought the one with the bath was a Tsurara onna, a similar kind of yokai, but distinct as a icy woman who appears to lonely men in winter and takes them as their husbands, but she only stays in winter, and will evaporate as mist to return to the mountains when it gets warm, returning the next winter. However any man who mistreats her, breaks a promise, or cheats on her when she is gone will be killed. Granted this difference seems more circumstantial but that's common in folklore like in Ireland there is a different name for the gnomes that make shoes and the gnomes that bathe their hats in human blood even if everything else is identical.
My college did the stage play of kwaidon a while back and it was a joy to work on
I just love all this lore you can find for pokemon
T_T Thank you so much for this video. The ice breath is clearified in ways I didn't know I needed and So many people just talk about the surface level of the Yuki Onna even in things like Vampire Princess Miyu's anime in the 1990s, but they never go into the *depth* I've been craving to learn more about when I noticed the details of that and other shows they use and wonder "is this how they're suppose to be like? or is this just one interpetation" But it also helps me understand how to look deeper into them because I was always wondering why Reiha held a talking doll with her which the wikis don't talk about what type of Yokai he is. Maybe the reason why is because he's actually repsenting the kokeshi doll in babydoll form? and since Reiha is a child, she was given Matsukaze as a way of protection and guidence? I donno honestly because It's been hard to find much deeper conversations on the Yuki Onna and I'm so glad you're brought up the point that they aren't talked about much that isn't just "they are a snow woman that causes blizzards and are usually vengeful women spirits who died in those blizzards."
I think the author was injecting an irish-ism into the story.
His depiction of a yuki-onna resembles a banshee (yes, they do more than scream. They're also not ghosts. Banshee literally mean fairy woman. Though the irish word for fairy means they who live in the burial mounds, soo....). Which are alive. And fertile. And horny for human men.
There is a banshee associated with the cold, Cailleach of Irish mythology. Sometimes a faerie queen, sometimes the queen of the banshees, often associated with winter and cold winds, Cailleach could be a partial inspiration for Froslass.
That was a great holiday special and Yuki Onna the snow ghost lady is my favorite interest in Japanese mythology!
MY FAVORITE POKEMON!!
Glad to see her getting the spotlight!
Ah the Yuki-onna. One of my personally favorite yokai.
There's just something about that icy gal that just makes her so compelling and fascinating to me.
Gaijin is a clone of Papa Goombah!!!
Froslass has always fascinated me, when it was first released I learned so much trying to figure out what it was lol
thanks for the amazing video and happy holidays sensai Goombah to you and yours
For some reason i needed to enter the playlist to find this vid...
It's technically not out yet but I needed to have it unlisted in the Playlist for the system to approve monetization.
Oh
Great to hear about one of my favorite Pokemon from my favorite type which is based on my favorite yokai. And all the new bits were fascinating and intriguing, so thanks for putting in the work to get it out there. ^_^
Story time with GG is always a good time. Story time about one of my favorite pokemon ever? I don't care how obvious the surface scrape is - Gaijin's never let me down and he did not this day, either. Carry on, sirs!
There are a few other anime that deserve to have a video on:
1. Otaku elf (rituals of shrine maidens)
2. Dark Gathering (maybe some of the ghost inspirations)
3. Ayakashi Triangle (a possible which ninja/Yokai creatures)
It’s not a big deal if you do these. I just think these have interesting subjects covered in it.
When I saw the vid, my first thought "Gaijin doing a video on one of my favorite Pokemon? This should be interesting."
Oh my gosh! You look so much like your dad! I know it’s not the point at all, but I just thought that was cool.
What’s funny is that this story was the only Yuki-Oona story that I knew of until now. I really didn’t know there were so many of them!
Hi, I have heard about a similar "Yokai" before. The Laydy of the cold from the Moomins. Winter anthropomorphized, a beautiful lady that arrives during the winter. But if she looks someone in the eye, that person will instantly freeze to death.
Come For the Pokemon.
Stay for literally everything else.
I love learning.
I always love your yokai videos thank you for this surprise
Wonderful video as always, Goombah, and YEAHHHH BLUE EYE SAMURAI VIDEO SOON
I still like the fact that by concept it is supposed to be a beautiful snow ghost... but by design its a Boo with long arms and hair that resemble a kimono :3
So in-depth on Froslass!
I've managed to catch 2 shinies of Frosslass in 2 games, one in a raid in Shield and the other in an Outbreak in Violet.
I called both Yuki-Onna
As I said on Twitter (I will not call it by any other name), I thought that you had already made a video on Froslass being a Yuki Onna. Regardless, it was an awesome video. I didn't know that Froslass' design was a kokeshi and never really pondered on that.
Once more point in the wintry motif for the video, the region of Sinnoh is based on Hokkaido. Froslass debuted in Gen 4, which takes place in the Sinnoh Region. Also I remember you made a video on Nintendo’s Miis and how their inspiration came from Kokeshi dolls. What happened to it?
The one thing I like Froslass is her call because it gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.
Really glad you're doing Blue-Eyed Samurai next.
oh damn, i did not know the wife-turns-out-to-be-same-yuki-onna was from Hearn. Oh and, yes, thank you for using the image of best yuki-onna, voiced by talented gremlin Aoi Yuuki with her most beautiful voice!
What I find the most interesting part about this story of the Yuki-onna is when she tells the man to never tell anyone about their meeting, that also means they could never talk about to each other as well as that is technically still telling someone about even if they already knew about it.
That does show it’s not the information about her meeting with the man that she wanted him to not talk about but more like she doesn’t want him to personally spit out that information to someone else.
It goes to show that there are potential ways he could’ve revealed this information while also not actually breaking the promise with the Yuki-onna. Now how so well she never said he couldn’t write it down or draw down his encounter with the Yuki-onna so he could do something like that and spread that information, this method he technically did not talk or say anything about it. Another way would for me to talk to himself about it and someone somehow overheard him (like I said it’s clear it’s not the actual information of their meeting the Yuki-onna cared about but him even saying or talked about it with anyone), now it does come with the blur line if talking to yourself is still considered talking or saying something to someone but in most cases talking to yourself and someone overhears it doesn’t count towards that so if the Yuki-onna isn’t that strict then the man could do that and get away with revealing the information of their meeting while again not breaking the promise he made with the Yuki-onna
So basically, she was being a jerk.
I bet you get told you look like your father just like I got told that I look like my mother I strangely feel less alone in that category
Keep it up on your work and this video and channel
I love this video and channel
Thanks you for your video and channel
I love Pokemon all franchise
I actually did know the Yuki onna legend in question (didn't know who it came from but I did know it) it actually played a big role in my love of yuki onna (easily one of my top favorite yokai right next to the jorogumo) and while I knew others, it was interesting to learn how different that one and by extent my understanding of yuki onna was to other legends. Also just looking frostlass I instantly knew yuki onna for that reason, but the doll part is something I'd have never known. It's one of the reasons I always love these kinds of videos. Even If I know some of the stuff or even most of it for some videos there's always a moment where I'm learning something I didn't
I find Froslass to be a very beautiful Pokémon. It's my ice type.
Also, speaking of videos that you still need to do, I'm still waiting on your Which Ninja video regarding Kevin McCallister from Home Alone 1 and 2. I guess there's always next year.
I'm surprised you didn't mention how the Kwaidan yuki-onna inspired the "Lover's Vow" segment from Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.
Alright, now I want a greek themed convergent or regional evo for Frostlass.
In greece and many other balkan cultures, female vampires take on a vaguely onryou-like cadence, and can control butterflies.
Say hello to Vrykolass! A butterfly-like bug-ghost take on frostlass that turns the obi into butterfly wings and has feelers in place for the hands, with the head armor resembling greek drama masks.
My god! He look like his father! it s like a mirror! merry Christmas to Gaijin Goombah, Gaijin Goompapa, Gaijin Goommama and little G!
The picture of what you call a Narutoficated Yuki onna comes from a really interesting anime about yokai with some fascinating interpretations
It's called in/spectre, that's only what she looks like to blend in with humans to enjoy a civilian life when she appears as her true form she looks like the run of the mill Yuki Onna pale face/black hair her story follows a similar beat to the one you say inspired Frosslass but without so much threat of murder for spilling the secret (because the person he does tell is the one he knows is the Yuki Onna that saved him)
I would love to hear about some of the concepts they dive into like the Kudan or the giant serpent mistaken for a god or maybe if there's some history behind the concept of eating a yokai's flesh to obtain it's power
Happy holidays Gaijin
Leave it to this channel to teach me something about Pokemon that I thought were already figured out.
GatorEX did a video on frosslass and explained the yuki-onna inspiration. So yeah. Someone DID talk about her, otherwise I'd wouldn't be saying anything.
I have no idea what this blue-eyed thing is; I just want you to get to the next pokemon video. That tease you made at the end has me chomping at the bit right now.
Fun fact, Frosslass is a Yuki-Onna, just like one of my favorite Touhou Project characters, Letty Whiterock.
I'm getting Highlander vibes from Gaijin with the long hair. You're rocking that look.
Nice vid always hope to see more soon.
Ooo. A video on my favorite of the gen 4 Evos
Japanese lore is SUPER interesting and you explain it perfectly!!
Oh, I just realised at the end with the closing comment - the banshee comparisons could be a really interesting mesh of the particular yuki onna story she’s based on because of the nationality of the author. The author was Greek and Irish, and aren’t Banshees traditionally associated with Celtic mythology? Irish is a part of that cultural identity group. As good a reason of any to merge it in with the other half of the concept, that being the Japanese spirit in the story, right?
10:00 hey it's yuki onna from in/spectre!
The parents in the ad read is an adorable choice 🥰
I'm shocked that you hadn't talked about this one until now.
Adding Banshee-like aspects could be a nod to the author of the story and his heritage. A homage to a similar figure of myth half a world away.
It's been too long but I'm glad to see this again
10:55 Arc-e-us. It's not called the Arse phone, it's the Arc phone, like Arch Angel.
good job gaijin, monty picked a good pokemon for this
Yo GG you really should do a review plus couple videos on BLUE EYE SAMURAI It be really fascinating showing your insight to the series would be awesome
That's next video