Kowaina

Kowaina's form is determined by the object or living being that is possessed. Each Kowaina wears a distinctive mask, which is central to its identity.

Designs often feature unsettling, surreal, and unbalanced visuals, emphasizing a creepy, mysterious vibe without being overly graphic.

In the early episodes, the masks are mostly blue and simple in design. Later, after a departmental change within Nightmare, the masks become more flamboyant and colorful, and the body color shifts to purple.

Regardless of form, the presence of the mask visually ties all Kowainas together as a common species.

Kowaina lacks an individual personality and instead reflects the desires and commands of the Nightmare minion that summoned it. They constantly repeat "Kowaina" in various tones, influenced by the possessed object. Their cries can change from more frightening to comical based on the summoner and the tone set by the voice actor.

Kowaina are monsters summoned by the Nightmare organization by attaching a mask to various objects, living things, or even Pinky, a fairy. This process transforms the chosen subject into a monster that serves Nightmare's goals.

They exist to hinder the main characters and instill fear or challenge into their world.

Their appearance and behavior are intentionally designed to be strange and unsettling, contributing to the mysterious aura of the Nightmare group.

Their design philosophy diverged from past series, focusing on individuality over a standardized monster template, as long as the signature mask was present.

The abilities of Kowaina depend entirely on the host object or creature.

Some possess powers relating to their base, from controlling elements like water, animating machinery, or utilizing physical traits.

They can even merge with liquids, serving a vast array of attack patterns.

As the series advances, their attacks grow stronger and more varied, especially after the organization’s internal reshuffle.

• Kowaina's unsettling design is meant to give viewers a "creepy" feeling without crossing into graphic or grotesque imagery.
• Their iconic cries were sometimes performed ad-lib by the voice actor, leading to changes in tone and style over the series.
• The shift to more vibrant and purple-toned masks coincided with a reorganization in the Nightmare group.
• Large groups of Kowaina or similar shadow armies are sometimes summoned, some with and some without masks, the latter being considered a variant type.
• Unlike previous series, where monster designs had strong similarities, Kowaina are allowed almost complete design freedom if the mask is present.
• This approach to monster design influenced later series, encouraging more creative and diverse villain appearances.

Creation and Purpose

Kowaina are created by placing a mask onto different targets, ranging from inanimate objects, animals, and even living beings like Pinky.

The Nightmare organization's minions—such as Girinma, Gamao, Bunbee, Hadenya, Arachnea, and Bloody—are responsible for summoning them, using them as tools of battle and chaos.

Impact and Evolution

Early on, Kowaina’s design is focused on maximizing unease and mystery, highlighting the enigmatic nature of Nightmare.

As the series progresses, their cries become more comical and their designs more flamboyant. This was due to changes in both the Nightmare organization and the voice actor's improvisations for the role.

Variants and Defeat

Kowaina occasionally merge with unusual objects, even bodies of water, and their powers are unique to each instance.

When defeated, the mask falls off and the object returns to its original state.

Later, stronger versions appear, sometimes exceptionally large or coming in swarms, particularly under the power of Desparaia or Bloody.

Shadow Army

Under Desparaia's despair energy, a separate "Shadow Army" is created. Some wear masks, making them a variant of Kowaina, while others don’t.

Even if defeated repeatedly, they can respawn endlessly from shadows and attack in groups. They disappear only when Desparaia's despair power is weakened or cut off.

Comprehensive List of Kowaina Appearances

Each episode features a unique Kowaina born from specific motifs and summoned by particular Nightmare members:

• Episode 1: Lady in a painting (Girinma)
• Episode 2: Streetlight (Girinma)
• Episode 3: Stage curtain (Gamao)
• Episode 4: Sewer, manhole, ladder (Arachnea)
• Episode 5: Gazebo (Bunbee)
• Episode 6: Pinky (Bunbee)
• Episode 7: Teddy bear (Girinma)
• Episode 8: Water pipe (Arachnea)
• Episode 9: Camera (Arachnea)
• Episode 10: Coin purse (Gamao)
• Episode 11: Hot air balloon (Arachnea)
• Episode 12: Tree (Girinma)
• Episode 13: Pinky (Gamao)
• Episode 14: Dumbbell (Bunbee)
• Episode 15: Cash register (Gamao)
• Episode 16: Ghost ship (Arachnea)
• Episode 17: Park fountain (Girinma)
• Episode 18: Urara Kasugano's notebook (Arachnea)
• Episode 19: Book (Girinma)
• Episode 20: Urara Kasugano's stage costume (Gamao)
• Episode 21: Bench (Girinma)
• Episode 22: Jellyfish (Arachnea)
• Episode 23/24: Girinma himself transforms (Girinma)
• Episode 25: Boombox (Arachnea)
• Episode 26: Sea (Gamao)
• Episode 27: Skeleton (Arachnea)
• Episode 28: Mask (Gamao)
• Episode 29: Samurai armor (Bunbee)
• Episode 30: Arachnea herself transforms (Arachnea)
• Episode 31: Mud (Hadenya)
• Episode 32: Wedding cake (Gamao)
• Episode 33: School newspaper (Bunbee)
• Episode 34: Horse (Hadenya)
• Episode 35: Floor (Bloody)
• Episode 36: Gamao himself transforms (Gamao)
• Episode 37: Truck (Hadenya)
• Episode 38: Chandelier (Bunbee)
• Episode 39: Shadow army (Desparaia)
• Episode 40: Centipede (Hadenya)
• Episode 41: Hand (Bloody)
• Episode 42: Ginkgo leaves (Bunbee)
• Episode 43: Pinky (Hadenya)
• Episode 44: Hadenya herself transforms (Kawarino)
• Episode 45: Natts House (Bloody)
• Episode 46: Swarm of Kowaina (Bloody)
• Episode 48/Final: Masked shadow army (Desparaia)

Special Show Appearance

• Divination book (Girinma)

On the official page, even Nightmare employees who grow huge by wearing a black mask are introduced under the category "Kowaina." This flexible approach further demonstrates the wide range of forms Kowaina can take within the series.