Overview of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
- The Slit-Mouthed Woman, known as Reiko Kashima, is a formidable Yokai in the Dandadan series, endowed with distinctive abilities.
- Her attributes—super strength, speed, durability, mirror portal manipulation, and possession—contribute to her reputation as an intimidating figure.
- This character draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese legend of Kuchisake-onna and holds a significant position within the storyline.
Quick Navigation
- Discovering the Slit-Mouthed Woman
- Powers and Abilities of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
- Weaknesses and Limitations of Reiko Kashima
- Reiko’s Narrative Role
- Cultural Roots of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
Dandadan, a series that seamlessly blends the realms of Yokai and extraterrestrials, is replete with bizarre and perilous entities. Featuring an array of characters—from a speedy Yokai grandma reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog to bizarre aliens fixated on human peculiarities—this story indeed captivates its audience.
Among the notable Yokai featured is the Slit-Mouthed Woman, whose fleeting appearance in the series leaves an indelible mark on viewers. Often regarded as the most powerful Yokai within Japan, she encapsulates intrigue and terror. It is important to note that the segment involving her character has yet to be adapted into an anime, so those unversed in the series should tread lightly for spoilers.
The Identity of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
The Tale of Reiko Kashima
Reiko Kashima, known as the Slit-Mouthed Woman, is a towering figure who dwells in a decrepit building complex adjacent to Momo’s habitation. Standing taller than most two-story buildings, Reiko’s mouth, remarkably wider than her face, showcases an array of razor-sharp teeth. Clothed typically in a white dress, she carries a small mirror, a centerpiece of her abilities.
According to the wise Grandma Seiko, Reiko is not merely a Yokai—it is her backstory that creates depth. A flashback reveals that she was a human during WW2, tragically caught in the devastation of an aerial bombing, losing both family and home.
Driven by an envious loathing for what she perceives as beauty, Reiko targets young women she finds attractive, resorting to lethal methods to disfigure them. However, she does not actively seek these encounters but will lash out against those who trespass into her domain. Seiko attests to the sheer magnitude of Reiko’s might, claiming her to be the most potent Yokai encountered in her extensive career.
“Do you know why those ruins have remained untouched? Because no one can defeat Reiko Kashima.”
–Seiko Ayase, Chapter 77
Powers and Abilities of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
Seiko Ayase, with her unparalleled experience in the Yokai realm, provides compelling insights into Reiko’s formidable strength. When she asserts that Reiko Kashima stands as the apex of Yokai in Japan, it reflects a knowledgable perspective given her encounters with various fearful spirits. But precisely what makes Reiko so powerful?
Below is a breakdown of Reiko Kashima’s most pronounced abilities and powers, although it’s important to note that the terms used here have been coined for clarification and are not officially recognized in the series.
Unmatched Strength
Despite her tall and slender form, Reiko possesses extraordinary strength, capable of demolishing solid walls with a single blow. Her assault is akin to the impact of a speeding freight truck, with her strength allowing her to fracture the ground beneath her with just one step. Coupled with her distinct abilities, her raw power alone renders her a terrifying force.
Incredible Speed
The label “Super Speed”might not fully encapsulate Reiko’s agility. While other characters like Turbo Granny might surpass her in sheer speed, Reiko’s quickness stems from her immense strength. She channels her power into her leg muscles, enabling her to launch forward with explosive force, covering great distances in the blink of an eye.
Remarkable Durability
Even with her slender frame, Reiko’s durability astounds, enabling her to endure powerful attacks without any visible impact. She withstood a punch from Vamola in a Kaiju suit, remaining utterly unharmed, embodying the concept of an immovable object akin to a cliff.
Mirror Portal Manipulation
Reiko’s fixation on beauty extends into her abilities with mirrors. Her first notable power, Mirror Portal, allows her to create connections between any two reflective surfaces. This unique skill enables her to reach out and strike targets from significant distances or to connect with multiple mirrors simultaneously, unleashing a combined Yokai punch.
Mirror Prison Capability
The Mirror Prison ability captivates by capturing any who gaze into Reiko’s mirror. This alternate dimension can hold multiple individuals or objects, allowing Reiko to imprison foes efficiently. A prime instance of this ability occurs when she ensnares Momo and Vamola during their initial encounter.
Mirror Heart Insight
The Mirror Heart ability allows Reiko to peer into a victim’s psyche, discovering their innermost secrets and thoughts. However, this insight is contingent on the captured individual and is limited to the moment of reflection, making later updates unavailable. This skill is cleverly used as she impersonates Okarun to lure Momo out.
Mirror Possession Skill
Among Reiko’s powers, Mirror Possession is arguably the most threatening. This ability allows her to commandeer anyone in possession of a mirror, easing her influence over their body while still residing in their consciousness. This method is cunningly employed on an internet cafe employee who becomes a tool for her designs.
The Slit-Mouthed Woman’s Weakness and Limitations
Even the fearsome Slit-Mouthed Woman has vulnerabilities, and her impressive abilities are not without their limitations. Below, we explore several identifiable weaknesses Reiko possesses that can be leveraged against her.
Incantation of Pomade
Reportedly, those who encounter the Slit-Mouthed Woman can thwart her by ignoring her queries and repeatedly saying the word “Pomade.”Saying this term ten times is said to banish her away momentarily. Momo experiences this firsthand, with initial success. However, subsequent confrontations demand escalating repetitions of the incantation—100 times in Momo’s case—rendering the method less reliable.
Nighttime Activity
Aside from her confounding first daytime encounters, Reiko primarily operates under the cover of darkness. Her hunt initiates at 10 PM, and if targeted, she diligently pursues her victim until she locates them. This nighttime fixation leads Seiko to enforce strict curfews, advising Momo against leaving the safety of their home post-sunset.
Luring Victims Outside
Through her Mirror Heart ability, Reiko can pinpoint potential victims but faces the limitation of needing them to voluntarily exit the safety of their homes. Utilizing secrets gleaned from her abilities, she persistently attempts to manipulate them out by creating disturbances and intimidation tactics, showcasing her resourcefulness in pursuit.
Reiko’s Narrative Role
While Reiko, the Slit-Mouthed Woman, maintains a relatively minor presence in the overall plot of Dandadan, her impact stretches across several chapters (74-120) between the Kaiju and Space Globalist arcs. Her appearances, though brief, serve pivotal roles throughout the development of the narrative.
Protector of Abandoned Spaces
Momo’s initial encounter occurs within the eerie atmosphere of an abandoned building complex. Whether Reiko is inherently bound to this particular site remains uncertain; however, it is clear she has been a resident for an extended period. Grandma Seiko warns Momo to avoid those routes to school, hinting at the danger present.
The encounter swiftly turns hazardous, as Reiko becomes violent upon seeing the girls. Fortunately for them, they manage to escape, marking the beginning of her relentless focus on Momo.
Stalking Momo
Once Reiko sets her sights on an individual, particularly Momo, she adopts a stalker’s persona. Once dusk descends, she seeks Momo, employing treachery and manipulation via her Mirror Heart and Mirror Possession abilities. Any exterior foray by Momo leads to potential violent encounters.
Thwarting Alien Threat
During the Space Globalist arc, an overwhelming alien force threatens Earth. Our heroes find themselves helpless against the relentless invasion until Reiko Kashima emerges, effortlessly decimating the alien fleet within minutes. Her timely intervention solidifies her status as the foremost powerful Yokai.
“Reiko Kashima. Even my Grandma can’t beat her. She’s the most powerful Yokai of all.”
-Momo Ayase, Chapter 118
Cultural Roots of the Slit-Mouthed Woman
Origin of Kuchisake-onna
Much like several other Yokai represented in Dandadan, the Slit-Mouthed Woman’s character draws inspiration from the ancient Japanese legend of Kuchisake-onna. Experts suggest this folktale may have originated as far back as the 17th to 19th centuries or, intriguingly, gained notoriety as late as the 1970s. Regardless, it remains a widely recognized tale within Japanese culture.
The legend of Kuchisake-onna describes her as a hauntingly beautiful woman who conceals her mouth with a mask. Unsuspecting passerby fall prey to her inquiries of beauty: responding “no” results in death; while answering “yes” prompts her to reveal her horrific disfigurement. Should they reply “no” again, she kills them; and if they respond “yes,” they too face the same fate of having their mouths slit to resemble hers.
The Kuchisake-onna lore has inspired numerous representations across various forms of pop culture, including films like “Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman,”and appearances in popular anime and manga such as “Jujutsu Kaisen”and Akari Kajimoto’s “Even If You Slit My Mouth.”This rich cultural background culminates in the captivating character of Reiko Kashima in Dandadan.
Fans of Dandadan can engage with the complete series now available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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