Dandadan: The Slit-Mouthed Woman, Explained

Summary

The Slit-Mouthed Woman, Reiko Kashima, is a powerful Yokai with unique abilities in Dandadan.
Reiko’s super strength, speed, durability, mirror portal, and possession make her a fearsome Yokai.
The Slit-Mouthed Woman is inspired by the Japanese folklore of Kuchisake-onna and plays a key role in the story.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast with a soft spot for folklore-inspired stories, I must say that the Slit-Mouthed Woman, or Reiko Kashima as she is known in Dandadan, has left an indelible mark on my viewing experience. With her origins deeply rooted in Japanese folklore, this character embodies the richness and complexity of traditional yokai tales, seamlessly blending them with modern-day storytelling.

In the show Dandadan, you’ll encounter a mix of Yokai and extraterrestrials, each bringing their own share of peculiarity and peril. Characters range from a speedy Yokai grandmother reminiscent of Sonic the Hedgehog to bizarre aliens with an unusual fascination towards human beings’ private areas, making this series a diverse collection of intriguing characters.

One of the most fascinating Yokai in Dandadan is called the Slit-Mouthed Woman. She only appears for a brief moment in the story, but she certainly left such a lasting impact on the audience. The Slit-Mouthed Woman is often dubbed as the most powerful Yokai in Japan, and here’s all you need to know about her. This part of Dandadan hasn’t been adapted to anime yet, so spoiler alert.

Who is the Slit-Mouthed Woman?

The Legend of Reiko Kashima

In simpler terms, there’s a character named the Slit-Mouthed Woman, who dwells in an old apartment complex close to Momo’s home. This woman stands taller than a two-story building and has a mouth stretching wider than her face, lined with razor-sharp teeth. She is frequently spotted wearing a white dress and carrying a small mirror.

As per Grandma Seiko’s account, the true identity of the Slit-Mouthed Woman is revealed to be Reiko Kashima. From a quick glimpse at the end of the Space Globalist storyline, it appears that she was once a human who lived during the era of the Second World War. Tragically, it seems that Reiko became a victim of an air raid bombing, which not only took her life but also claimed those dear to her and destroyed her community.

Reiko detests girls she considers cute or attractive and won’t think twice about trying to harm them, either killing them or disfiguring their faces. However, she doesn’t deliberately seek out beautiful women. Instead, she preys on those who unwittingly venture into her domain. Furthermore, Seiko asserts that the Slit-Mouthed Woman is the strongest yokai they’ve ever encountered.

“Do you know why those ruins have remained untouched? Because No one can defeat Reiko Kashima.”

–Seiko Ayase, Chapter 77

Slit-Mouthed Woman’s Powers and Abilities

Having spent decades immersed in the enigmatic world of Yokai and encountering numerous formidable entities, I can confidently affirm that Seiko Ayase, given her extensive experience, is undoubtedly the most suitable individual to gauge a Yokai’s might. Therefore, when she declares that the Slit-Mouthed Woman holds the title as Japan’s strongest Yokai, it serves as a testament to its formidable power. However, the precise extent of her power remains to be seen and experienced.

Let’s explore some of the inherent talents and distinctive skills possessed by the character Reiko Kashima, also known as the Slit-Mouthed Woman. It is important to note that the specific names for these abilities are not provided in the series; instead, we offer descriptions to help convey their unique characteristics.

Super Strength

Reiko Kashima may appear slender compared to two-story buildings, but her limbs are surprisingly robust. They’re almost too thin for someone of her towering stature. However, these seemingly delicate limbs can produce enough power to demolish a thick wall with a single punch. A punch from Riko feels like being struck by a swiftly moving truck. Her muscle strength is so immense that she can shatter the ground with a solitary stomp. Ignoring her special abilities, her raw strength alone makes her a formidable adversary.

Super Speed

For Reiko, the term “Super Speed” might not quite capture it accurately. To be clear, Turbo Granny is far swifter than her in terms of raw speed. However, Reiko’s quickness isn’t about speed in the traditional sense; instead, it’s rooted in her strength. Consider the Incredible Hulk, who can traverse vast distances by using his powerful leg muscles to jump high. Similarly, when Reiko concentrates her strength on her legs and stamps the ground forcefully, she propels forward as swiftly as a bullet train might.

Super Durability

Reiko Kashima might appear slender with delicate limbs, but her resilience is beyond comparison. She endures Vamola’s strongest punch while wearing her Kaiju suit without so much as flinching, and it barely causes a mark on her face. Trying to harm or even move her seems like an impossible task; Vamola can’t even make her budge from her original stance. It’s almost as if one is trying to confront a rocky cliff.

Mirror Portal

Reiko has an intense fascination with stunning features, especially her own, leading her extraordinary talent to be centered around reflective surfaces. This aptitude has taken various shapes, the initial one being a mirror gateway. With her personal mirror, Reiko can transform it into a doorway connecting to any nearby mirrors. This skill enables her to seize objects or strike her target from afar by using the connection as an extension of her physical reach. Furthermore, she can link multiple mirrors simultaneously and send her powerful Yokai punch through each one, resulting in a unified, forceful blow.

Mirror Prison

According to its name, anyone who appears in Reiko’s mirror gets trapped within the mirror, confined to that reflective surface. The realm behind this mirror is a distinct dimension, allowing for an infinite number of captives – be they objects or people – to be imprisoned within it. In their initial meeting, Reiko traps Momo and Vamola using this unique ability of hers. Unlike the Mirror Portal, the Mirror Prison only functions with Reiko’s personal mirror.

Mirror Heart

With the gift of Mirror Heart, I, an observer, find myself privy to a unique power that allows Reiko to peer into another’s soul, revealing their most intimate secrets – from personal facts to the nuances of their affectionate speech. This ability is only active on individuals who have been reflected in Reiko’s mirror, be it through capture or simple reflection. However, it’s important to note that any new information gathered post-reflection remains hidden from her.

Mirror Possession

In my observation, Reiko’s most menacing and awe-inspiring power lies in Mirror Possession. This unique ability grants her the capacity to invade the mind of anyone holding a mirror. It’s not a complete takeover but more like a hijack of the target’s consciousness, enabling Reiko to control their speech and actions. Recently, I saw her employ this skill to seize control of an internet café worker in order to keep tabs on Momo.

The Slit-Mouthed Woman’s Weakness and Limitations

While the formidable prowess of the Slit-Mouthed Woman might appear terrifying and potentially lethal, it’s essential to remember that she is not without vulnerabilities. On the contrary, Reiko Kashima presents several notable weaknesses and limitations that her adversaries can capitalize on.

Pomade, Pomade, Pomade

As the tale goes, anyone who encounters the notorious Lady with the Slit Mouth must disregard her inquiries and repeat the word “Pomade” instead. After saying it ten times, the Lady with the Slit Mouth vanishes. Momo gave this method a try, and to his relief, it proved effective.

Instead of saying “Pomade” ten times having a magical banishing effect on Reiko and not being lethal, it’s more like a special incantation that sends her to another dimension. What makes this interesting is that it doesn’t harm her, but instead, she becomes resistant to this specific technique. When Momo meets Reiko again, saying “Pomade” one hundred times would be required for any impact on Reiko to take place.

Late Night Only

By day, I’m just like any other person, crossing paths with folks here and there, such as Momo and Vamola. But once the sun sets and night falls, I become active – a nocturnal creature, if you will. And it’s not just any ordinary activity, you see. After 10 PM, I can only hunt my target. It doesn’t matter where you are; if the Slit-Mouthed Woman has marked you as her prey and you venture out after 10 PM, she will undoubtedly find you. That’s why Seiko strictly forbids Momo from leaving our home during those hours. However, before 10 PM, it’s generally safe to roam around.

Come See Me if You Dare

Through Mirror Heart, Reiko conveniently locates her objective’s residence, but she can’t venture in alone. The target must voluntarily step outside for this. To coax her objective, she employs the knowledge gathered through Mirror Heart. She’ll make as much noise as possible, banging on walls, shouting loudly, and causing a ruckus, all to torment her objective’s night. Yet, while you remain indoors, the Slit-Mouthed Woman is powerless to harm you.

Slit-Mouthed Woman’s Role in the Story

Reiko Kashima, also known as ‘The Slit-Mouthed Woman’, makes a short yet significant appearance in the story. Her character is introduced after the resolution of the Kaiju arc and continues until the end of the Space Globalist arc. More specifically, she makes sporadic appearances throughout chapters 74 to 120. Although her screen time may seem limited, her contributions to the plot are substantial. Here’s a rundown of some key events involving her in the story.

The Guardian of the Abandoned Buildings

In the neglected building compound close to my home, I once encountered an enigmatic figure known as the Slit-Mouthed Woman. It’s uncertain if she has a tie to that land or merely happened to be there on that particular day. However, it’s clear that she had been lingering in that area for quite some time. That’s why my friend Seiko strictly advises me against using that route for my daily commute to school.

On a crucial day, when Reiko encounters Momo and Vamola, she instantly lashes out with aggression, set on causing harm to the pair of girls. Regrettably for her, they successfully evade her anger. However, from that point forward, Reiko focuses her gaze relentlessly on the talkative Momo.

Momo’s Stalker

Whenever Reiko has a target, she takes on the role of a relentless pursuer. Every time the hour hits ten, she searches for Momo. Should Momo be found within a home or public place, Reiko employs various strategies to coax her out, such as her Mirror Heart and Mirror Possession abilities. If Momo is found outside, the encounters turn aggressive.

Neutralizing Alien Invasion

In the thrilling Space Globalist saga, an overwhelmingly mighty extraterrestrial race set their sights on our humble planet Earth. Momo, Okarun, and our band of friends valiantly fought to repel them, but the sheer number of invaders proved insurmountable. With heavy hearts, we watched as the ominous alien armada approached, a sight that filled us with despair. But then, like a shining beacon of hope, Reiko Kashima appeared on the scene and single-handedly decimated the entire alien fleet in what felt like just a blink of an eye. Her swift and miraculous defeat of the alien invasion left us awestruck – truly, she is the epitome of power among the Yokai!

“Reiko Kashima. Even my Grandma can’t beat her. She’s the most powerful Yokai of all.”

–Momo Ayase, Chapter 118

Slit-Mouthed Woman in Japanese Folklore

The Legend of the Kuchisake-onna

Similar to many characters in the manga Dandadan, the Slit-Mouthed Woman is based on a genuine Japanese folklore figure known as the Kuchisake-onna. The exact origins of this old tale are uncertain, with some scholars suggesting it dates back to the 17th to 19th centuries, while others claim it emerged in the 1970s. However, what is certain is that the legend of Kuchisake-onna is well-known throughout Japan.

As folklore goes, the spirit known as Kuchisaki-onna appears in the guise of a captivating woman with a mask concealing her mouth. In some tales, this mask is described as a surgical mask or a piece of fabric. Upon encountering an unaware passerby, she poses a straightforward question: “Am I beautiful?” If the response is negative, she is said to take their life. However, if they reply affirmatively, she removes her mask and asks again, “What about now?” If the answer is still positive, she will use a knife or scissors to cut the person’s mouth, mirroring her own appearance.

In various forms of entertainment, the character of Kuchisake-onna has been frequently portrayed. This ranges from dedicated films like “Carved: The Slit-Mouth Woman,” to series such as the second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen” and a manga named “Even If You Slit My Mouth” by Akari Kajimoto. Most recently, Reiko Kashima from “Dandadan” has also been associated with this character. This sums up the essential information about the Slit-Mouthed Woman in “Dandadan.

Dandadan is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

2024-12-25 00:36