Wakana Nura

"I'm the wife of a yakuza household, so... I've been wanting to do something like this." -Wakana, about shooting Tamasaburō Chapter 177

Wakana Nura
(奴 良 若 菜)
Personal Data
Gender	Female
Age	30
Birthdate	November 28 SAGGITARIUS
Height	155 cm1.55 m <br />5.085 ft <br />61.024 in <br />
Weight	45 kg99.208 lb <br />
Affiliation	Nura Clan
Family Rikuo Nura (Son) Yōhime's Father (Grandfather-in-Law) Yōhime (Mother-in-Law) Nurarihyon (Father-in-Law) Rihan Nura (Deceased Husband)

Wakana Nura (奴良 若菜, Nura Wakana) is the second wife of Rihan Nura and the mother of Rikuo Nura.

Appearance

Wakana is a pale -skinned woman with short brown hair and brown eyes. She is often seen wearing a light yellow yukata with robes of varying light colors over it.

Personality

Wakana is a cheerful and optimistic woman who often acts as a sort of den-mother to the yōkai of the Nura household. She primarily handles domestic work (cooking, laundry, etc.) and smiles often. Wakana seems to deliberately play an airhead sometimes and always tries to put on a smiling face which makes it sometimes difficult to read her. In the past, she was considered to be a bit of a tomboy - and some of that still remains, as evidenced by her desire to act more like a Yakuza wife.

History

Wakana first met Rihan Nura when she was in high school. Her household had been haunted by an evil spirit for quite some time and he managed to get rid of it. As a result, they became friendly and he started taking her along on his nightly yōkai rides. Wakana frequently noticed that Rihan rarely smiled and would even go so far as to pull his cheeks into an impromptu grin in an attempt to get him to do so. On one of their outings, she told him that she will make certain to live longer than him in order to always look out for him.

Synopsis

Shikoku Arc

Main article: Shikoku ArcOn her way to the kitchen, Wakana notices Tsurara, Kubinashi and Nattō Kozō anxiously waiting outside the Nura Clan's meeting room. Though they express worry over how Rikuo will fare in the meeting, Wakana is merely happy that he will be attending and decides to use red rice in celebration.

Hyaku Monogatari Arc

Shibuya Arc

Main article: Shibuya ArcAfter finishing a bath with Kejōrō, the two talk about Rikuo. Wakana mentions that he has grown mischievous, prompting Kejōrō to ask if that worries her. Wakana replies that it doesn't, as Rikuo is just like his father. She then becomes distracted by the plum tree in the garden, which is already in bloom despite it not being springtime yet. Turning to continue their conversation, Wakana is surprised at Kejōrō's sudden disappearance - unaware that "Kejōrō" is in fact Tamasaburō in disguise. The timely arrival of Kubinashi prevents Tamasaburō from attacking Wakana, and he binds the former with his string while instructing Wakana to flee.

Before she can get very far, however, Tamasaburō activates Ajara Enbu - thus trapping both Wakana and Kubinashi within the technique's area of influence. Wakana tries to keep out of the way during the subsequent battle, though she expresses concern every time Kubinashi sustains injuries. After beating down Kubinashi, Tamasaburō returns his attention to Wakana - as she had been his original target.

Wakana shooting Tamasaburō

However, before Tamasaburō can attack, Wakana surprises him by pulling a gun from her clothes and shooting him. While both Kubinashi and Tamasaburō try to make sense of the situation, Wakana explains her reasoning: since Tamasaburō had said that Ajara Enbu adheres to a preset script, it would likely be weak against improvisation - such as the introduction of something not included in said script. Tamasaburō, enraged, launches himself at Wakana with the intent of killing her - only to be stopped by Kubinashi's reinforced string.

After Tamasaburō's defeat, Wakana thanks Kubinashi for saving her and is subsequently confused when he responds that he should be the one thanking her.

Relationships

Rikuo Nura

Wakana cares a great deal about her son, but doesn't worry about him as she knows he is capable of taking care of himself. She is always happy when he brings human friends to visit. She'd like to interact more with Rikuo's "night" form, but doesn't get much of an opportunity because he is shy. However, during the rally before the march against Abe no Seimei, Wakana has an onscreen talk with Night Rikuo, asking Tsurara where her son was, and tells him the message his father left for him the moment Rikuo would manage to create his own Hyakki Yako as well her expressive desire for him to come back alive.

Trivia

• The name Wakana means "young" (waka) and "vegetable" (na).
• Although she makes a brief appearance in the first chapter of the manga, she isn't officially introduced as Rikuo's mother until chapter 21.
• Wakana ranked 49th in the first character popularity poll with 50 votes and 25th in the second with 128 votes.
• Her personal belongings are a kitchen knife and frying pan.

Gallery