We don't see much of Miboshi, for obvious reasons. He's a very minor character whose only noticeable role in the anime/manga is to kill off another Suzaku seishi in a heartrending manner. Of course, Miboshi gets whacked after accomplishing that feat. It's only fair.

More detail on Miboshi is needed to make an indepth character analysis. As far as we know, Miboshi is responsible for the myth/rumor in Sailo about the temple being cursed with monsters. He took over the body of the head monk, wiped the minds of the local monks, and conjured up some monsters in a style that can only be done by ancient sorcerers who can live virtually forever by taking over other people's bodies.

Which is what Miboshi did.

This pint sized evil doer appears to be quite loyal to Nakago. He told Yui to leave at a certain point because Nakago needed her for the summoning of Seiryuu. Miboshi seems to be quite willing to run interference for the head of the Seiryuu Seishi. Not only that, but it is possible that Miboshi took over the temple for Nakago since Nakago headed straight to the temple rather than stopping at Byakko's temple to pick up Tatara. It makes one wonder at Nakago's amazing foresight for having the protector of the Byakko shinzaho all ready to be questioned by the time he acquired the Genbu shinzaho. Nakago is such a master manipulator that even a sorcerer as old as Miboshi is implied to be can be sucked into his spell.

Miboshi can apparently only take over the bodies of people who are weak in spirit, ie Chiriko. Weak may not necessarily refer to stupid, but perhaps innocent or inexperienced. This would account for him possessing the former head monk. Miboshi's magical abilities features possessions, rendering mikos speechless, and monster summoning by using a yellow prayer wheel. This prayer wheel resembles a glorified dreidl with a monster spike attached to it, but if that bothers you, just pretend I said it is a glorified rattle. When the prayer wheel is spinning, it indicates that Miboshi is doing something magical.

The prayer wheel is just one indication that Miboshi is doing something. The evil, teeth baring smile is another. No truly evil villain would be complete without a disturbing grin to complete his repertoire, and Miboshi certainly has one. After Miboshi smiles, it would behoove the viewer to watch his eyes because those small, cat-silted eyes invariable end up in the head of his next victim. Literally.

This is seen in Miboshi's possession of Chiriko after the Suzaku and Byakko seishi apparently killed his newest body. This possession resulted in both the possessed and the possessor dying, and while some fans protest at Chiriko's lack of screentime, one has to wonder if anyone would protest at Miboshi's similar lack of appearances.

Comments go here: confuzcius@yahoo.com

Visit confuzcius at confuzcius's corner


Article copyright 1999 confuzcius