Dear Diary, 

5 Reasons why the Tanuki are the best yokai

1. Wait, these are real? 

Yep, Tanuki are a real species of canine often called, racoon dogs. They do look similar to raccoons, but are closer related to dogs. These cute and super fluffy furballs are native to wild Japan and are notoriously shy in real life, unlike their yokai counterparts, who are notoriously charming and mischievous.

2. More famous than Kitsune - almost

The ancient depictions of Tanuki are quite different from their modern depictions in pretty much every way. The ancient canines are drawn to look close to the real animal, but wearing clothes and acting in human-like ways. They were actually pretty close to the Kitsune, or shape-shifting foxes, and had mean, malicious intentions to trick and hurt people. What about modern Tanuki? This guy is a cute, chubby, little creature that you could find outside any shop or restaurant in tons of places in Japan. Slapping its big belly and carring a bottles of alcohol, Tanuki are literally the party animals of Japan.

3. Large bellies, larger scrotums 

I don't want to, but I have to mention their massive balls and the mystical powers that apparently come with them. According to the original legends, Tanuki scrotums were used to stretch sheets of gold leaf and that inspired tales of their useful and shapeshifting testicles. Since they are able to stretch to pretty gross lengths, they can of course be used as tools or useful things like umbrellas, boats, hats, or even weapons. The sky is truly the limit here; if you can think it, it's likely Tanuki can do it with their scrotums. 

4. Youtube pranksters

Not only are Tanuki a little strange and cute, they can also be real assholes. We already know they can shapeshift, but at times, they like to transform into people or objects, specifically famous people or politicians, and play bad tricks. They also have the ability to create hallucinations. Let's say you stumble upon $100 when you desperately need it. Just as you are about to put the money in your wallet, the money turns into a bunch of leaves. Their goal in doing this? To make people feel stupid, and I imagine it works. 

5. Tanuki are actually American in disguise

Where to even begin. Tanuki is an American in Japan at heart. No other yokai seem to embody the spirit of American indulgence quite like this furry friend. They are shapeshifters, they love to eat, drink and gamble (some Tanuki even struggle with addiction), they have a MUCH larger than average scrotum, and get confused easily.