Ponchi is a tanuki with large testicles and Conchi is a kitsune. They are 400-year-old animal spirits[2] who have evolved into Seirei Class spirits.[3] They have memorial statues in the Asakura Family's ascetic hall.[4]
Both of them act like rude "geezers" who constantly forget their place as house spirits, and are very perverted, threatening to strip in front of others or urinate on an opponent while holding them with Ponchi's oversized testicles.[5] Even though they are nuisances to everyone, they have not been sealed yet because they can be pretty useful, such as carrying out reconnaissance missions (peeping), performing simple divination (undue suspicion), and casting minor curses (harassment).[6][7]
They do not like wearing anything to cover up their nudity; however, after getting beat up by Matamune, they both started wearing cloth diapers.[2] They are also immensely afraid of Kyōyama Anna due to her intimidating attitude,[5] and after she beat them up for leering at the women's bath, they began wearing diapers again.[8]
Description: Tamao integrates Conchi, her fox spirit, with her planchette. Once integrated, Conchi transforms the heart-shaped planchette into a bow and arrow, with the ability to guide the Conchi arrow wherever the shaman's heart desires.[5]
Attacks
Love Strike (ラブ・ストライク,Rabu Sutoraiku):[9] Tamao shoots an arrow through her opponent.[10]
Description: Tamao's second Over Soul is created by integrating Ponchi, her tanuki spirit, with her planchette. By holding the back of the planchette, she creates a large heart-shaped shield, sprouting the legs of Ponchi at the top of the heart.[10]
Attacks
Tan-Tan-Tanuki's Thousand Tatami Mats (たんたんたぬきの千畳敷,Tantan Tanuki no Senjōsū): This is a defensive move with offensive capabilities. By expanding his scrotum from the top of the heart, the Over Soul can envelop an opponent, cutting off any means of escape.[9] The over-sized testicles can also be used to shield, protecting against explosions and cushioning falls.[11]
Anime/Manga Difference[]
In the 2001 anime series, they sometimes act like children when hurt, running to Tamao for a mother's comfort. In the English versions of the manga, Ponchi's large testicles are redrawn and referred to as a large belly. The testicles remained intact in the English version of the 2021 anime.
Trivia[]
"Cupid" (キューピッド,Kyūpiddo) is another name for the Kokkuri board, which uses a planchette because people tend to ask questions, particularly about love.
On the colored front page of the first chapter of Shaman King, Conchi was depicted to be with a rather feminine appearance with larger eyelids and eyelashes.
Ponchi and Conchi are based on Stimpy and Ren (respectively) from the 1990s Nickelodeon cartoon The Ren & Stimpy Show.[12]
Their names contain Japanese onomatopoeia associated with their animal species: Pon is the sound of a tanuki drumming on its belly, while kon is the sound of a fox barking.
Ponchi's hobby is stealing underwear, and Conchi's is peeping.[13]
Ponchi's favorite food is chocolate, and Conchi's is candy.[13]
In the character popularity polls, Ponchi and Conchi ranked #30 (along with Opacho) in the first; in the second poll, Conchi ranked #56 (along with Lip), while Ponchi ranked #60 (along with others).
Ponchi and Conchi in The Funbari Onsen Saga
In The Funbari Onsen Saga, they appear more civilized and wear kimonos. Additionally, Conchi has grown long black hair and Ponchi smokes a pipe.[14]
