Momotaro

Momotarō figure.

Momotarō (桃太郎 or also ももたろう, Momotarō^?) is the protagonist of one of Japan's most famous traditional tales. Its name comes from momo (桃, peach^?) + Tarō (common male name).

Momotarō is said to be a local hero of Okayama Prefecture, but this belief was invented in modern times. This belief is not accepted in academic circles.

History

It tells the story of an elderly couple who cannot have children and one day are blessed with a child born from the inside of a giant peach, which the old woman finds floating in a river. The old couple decide to name him Momotarō, which comes from momo (peach) and tarō (the first male in the family).

Growing up, the main character becomes a great hero when he decides to recover a treasure that is on Onigashima (the island of demons). On his way he meets several animals: a pheasant, a dog and a monkey that, thanks to the generosity that the boy shows with them, join him on his journey. Travel to the island inhabited by demons (鬼 can also be written おに, oni^? ), finish them off and save the locals from their misdeeds.

References in popular culture

This traditional tale appears in episodes of Sousei no onmyouji (manga), Pokémon, Kaichou wa Maid-sama (ch. 9), Shin Chan, Kill me baby, Samurai 7, Detective Conan, Mirmo Zibang!, Hoozuki no Reitetsu, Ansatsu Kyoshitsu, Dotto! Koni-chan (ep. 14), Dr. Stone, in the 1981 Doraemon half-length film called "Doraemon, who is Momotaro to me?"; among other famous animes.

She also appeared in the 30th season of the Super Sentai Series, GōGō Sentai Bōkenger, in episode 36. She is also referenced in one of the chapters of the manga Bokura wa Minna Kawai-sō and the Dr. Stone Manga. In the anime Samurai 7 she also makes a reference to the legend of Momotaro in Chapters 7 and 8. loThe 46th season of the Super Sentai franchise titled Avataro Sentai Donbrothers is themed around the legend of Momotarō.

In the third chapter of the One Piece spin-off called One Piece Party, they make a parody of it using the One Piece protagonists.

In chapter 11 of the first anime by Urusei Yatsura an altered version of Momotarō appears, in which he loses a fight against some alien ogres different from Lum's race.

In the 17th installment of the Kamen Rider franchise titled Kamen Rider Den-O one of the protagonists (Momotaros) references said character in his name.

In the downloadable content or (DLC) of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Purple called The Turquoise Mask.

In chapter 5 of Gintama. Porori-hen is a parody of the story, where Momotarō appears dead from the peach and tries to figure out who was the culprit.

In part 2 of chapter 9 of Dr. Slump 2, where Arale enters Momotaro's story book with a machine created by Dr. Norimaki.