Youko

The "youko" or "yōko" are a fictional species of monsters in Rosario+Vampire.

Bite Size Monster Dictionary

The generic term for the Inari, Kudagitsune, and Osaki classes of spirit foxes. Represented by the nine tailed fox, many have very strong supernatural energy. Also, when they beat their tails together, they create something known as "kitsunebi" (fox fire) and completely burn any human who does them harm.

Appearance

As befitting their name, Youkos fit the general shape of their animal counterpart, the fox. However, a Youko is a Human-sized or larger creature, possesses multiple tails, and despite its fox-like form, is actually a humanoid creature, with appropriately present hands, though they can also be on all fours if they choose to. Another signature feature is that they possess a number of elaborate, tattoo-like markings on their bodies, concentrated on the shoulders up to the head.

In many ways, they resemble Werewolves in appearance, with a mane of hair, but are less muscular in physique. A notable difference is that they are covered in their signature "Kitsunebi" (fox fire), which is also one of their primary weapons.

Like all other Youkai, they are capable of taking on a Human form, which can vary depending on the individual, though in the case of Kuyou, a form could be that of a fairly stern, formal looking, fair-skinned individual with long hair and slanted, fox-like eyes.

Unlike many Youkai, however, the Youko possess an advanced form, one more powerful than their base-line form. This is known as the "Battle Form". Unlike the fairly thin basic form, this body is noticably muscular in appearance, and is optimized for combat, possessing considerable physical strength, stamina, endurance, and speed along with being suitably hardened against incoming damage. This form takes on the general appearance of a hybrid being, with the muscular upper torso being that of their human form, albeit possessing the ears of their base-line form instead of Human-style ones, and the lower torso being that of their basic form, albeit oriented and shaped for bipedal movement.

Like their basic form, this form also possesses the signature tattoo-like markings on the chest, shoulders, and head. This form also has a fair, noticably attractive appearance as well, contributing to the reputation of a Youko as being a divine being worthy of being worshipped as a god or divine emissary.

Powers & Abilities

As befitting their status as S-class Youkai, the Youko possess formidable power, both in terms of their Youki and their combat capabilities.

Their outbursts of Youki are powerful enough to crack apart and crater the ground beneath them, sending debris flying as well as issuing forth a high-temperature pressure wave and a pillar of energy into the air.

Kitsunebi (Fix Fire)

This fiery manifestation of their Youki is their primary weapon, which covers their bodies and is generated either in their hands or most notably, when they lash their tails together. This burning energy is extremely hot, and possesses the potential to burn almost any enemy to ashes. A Human struck by a blast of Kitsunebi has almost no chance of survival unless they are immediately healed, such as in the case of Tsukune's transfusion of Vampire blood from Moka Akashiya, and his subsequent revival.

Due to its potency, Kistunebi also has considerable explosive power as well, though this depends on how it is used, be it a simple fireball, or a full-power, potentially lethal special technique, which is the case with Kuyou's signature "Vortex of Fire" technique.

Battle Form

This advanced form of the Youko is also their most powerful weapon, quite likely responsible for their legendary status as being potentially considered gods, or at least the principle emissaries of such beings.

In this form, the Youko's body is optimized for combat, possessing significant physical strength, speed, stamina, and a high resistance to incoming damage. Another important feature is that their Youki is highly concentrated and compressed, giving them a higher level of power than their Human or base-line forms. This is potentially valuable, for if a Youko faces an opponent stronger than itself, such as a Vampire, it would have at least some chance of survival.

Just as its name suggests, this form is very effective in combat, allowing the Youko to fight its enemies with a considerable amount of success, striking its opponents with powerful blasts of Kitsunebi. If choosing to engage in hand-to-hand combat, the Youko is capable inflicting tremendous damage, from a combination of its speed, physical strength, the channeling of its potent Youki into each blow, and the burning effects of its signature "Fox Fire." This cumulative combination of damaging effects means that a Battle Form Youko is capable of readily sending its opponent crashing into a wall with cratering force, or easily pulverizing and shattering concrete and stone.

The sheer power of this form renders a Youko too powerful to be defeated by lower level monsters, such as a Succubus or a Witch, or other non-S-Class monsters. Given its power and effectiveness, this form is even capable of engaging even a Werewolf in combat, which is notable, because Werewolves are the most fearsome monsters, ranking just below the vaunted Vampires in power. Unfortunately, even with this form, a Youko is no match for a Vampire, especially a Shinso, and is readily defeated in battle from such an opponent in a single or quick volley of blows, though these attacks would be fairly serious in nature.

Known Youkos

Kuyou