History Main / Nue

In ''The Tale of the Heike'', the nue is described as having the face of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, the body of a {{tanuki}} (Japanese raccoon dog) and the front half of a snake for a tail.[[note]]actually, there are two monsters featured in the same chapter of the book. The first one is called "nue" and is described as a bird, the second one is a chimeric creature that has no name. The latter was more memorable, and overtime people just call it "nue"[[/note]] In other writings nothing is stated about its torso, so it is sometimes depicted to have the torso of a tiger. The ''Genpei Josuiki'' describes it as having the back of a tiger, the legs of a tanuki, the tail of a fox, the head of a cat, and the torso of a chicken. Due to its appearance, it is sometimes referred to as a Japanese equivalent of the [[ClassicalChimera chimera]] or [[OurManticoresAreSpinier manticore]] of Myth/ClassicalMythology.

In ''The Tale of the Heike'', the nue is described as having the face of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, the body of a {{tanuki}} (Japanese raccoon dog) and the front half of a snake for a tail. In other writings nothing is stated about its torso, so it is sometimes depicted to have the torso of a tiger. The ''Genpei Josuiki'' describes it as having the back of a tiger, the legs of a tanuki, the tail of a fox, the head of a cat, and the torso of a chicken. Due to its appearance, it is sometimes referred to as a Japanese equivalent of the [[ClassicalChimera chimera]] or [[OurManticoresAreSpinier manticore]] of Myth/ClassicalMythology.

* ''VideoGame/TouhouSeirensenUndefinedFantasticObject'': Houjuu Nue[[note]]Literally "The Sealed Beast, Nue"[[/note]] is ''the'' Nue shot down by Minamoto no Yorimasa. Her classical "monkey-tiger-snake" depiction is not her true form, but the result of her ability to [[YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm obfuscate the shapes of things]], which [[AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder caused everyone who witnessed her to describe her differently]]. She appears in the main game as a MiniBoss (where the PlayerCharacter perceives her as an [[BallOfLightTransformation orb of light]]), then drops her disguise when she returns as the {{superboss}}. Turns out her true form [[CuteMonsterGirl looks mostly human]] apart from strange asymmetrical wings (and in some media PointyEars). She still has a chimera motif running through her BattleThemeMusic and attacks, which are mashups of those from previous {{superboss}}es.

[[caption-width-right:350:Top to Bottom, Left to Right: ''Videogame/{{Nioh}}'', ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', ''Anime/{{Dororo|2019}}'', ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'', ''Manga/GeGeGeNoKitaro'' and ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'']]

* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'': Naofumi and his part encounter a nue when trying to procure a magic crystal for a ChainOfDeals to get Filo a set of magic clothes. The nue they encounter resembles the general appearance of a nue -- baboon-like head, tiger body, serpent tail -- though this incarnation of the nue possesses ShockAndAwe powers that evoke the {{Raiju}}, a different youkai altogether.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'': the non-canon One Piece x Kyoto event introduces Toratsugu, a man who ate the Mythological Zoan Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Nue, which allows him to transform into a traditional Nue and fly freely in the sky. In a subversion, Toratsugu is initially framed as the villain of the event, but is revealed to be a good man. The fact that Nue originally referred to a bird, can mean thrush and contains the kanji for "bird" may explay why it's considered part of the Bird Bird group of Devil Fruits.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Genji}}'', the Heishi Mansion outside the capital has a temple where Yoshitsune or Benkei can come face to face with a Nue, depicted as a massive gangly monster created with Amahagane by the Heike: it has a monkey-like head with a large mouth, a serpent for a tail and long, gangly tiger legs with two sickle-like blades on the front paws you can cut to obtain rare ingredients. While at first he seemingly attacks and mauls a child, the child is found unharmed and actually claims that it [[TragicMonster was friendly, if only sad]]. If you return to the arena in the third act you're attacked by [[BonusBoss a Raiju]], which looks identical to the Nue except that it's dark red and uses lightning attacks.

* ''VideoGame/TouhouSeirensenUndefinedFantasticObject'': Houjuu Nue[[note]]Literally "The Sealed Beast, Nue"[[/note]] is ''the'' Nue shot down by Minamoto no Yorimasa. Her classical "monkey-tiger-snake" depiction is not her true form, but the result of her ability to [[YouCannotGraspTheTrueForm obfuscate the shapes of things]], which [[AppearanceIsInTheEyeOfTheBeholder caused everyone who witnessed her to describe her differently]]. She appears in the main game as a MiniBoss (where the PlayerCharacter perceives her as an [[BallOfLightTransformation orb of light]]), then drops her disguise when she returns as the BonusBoss. Turns out her true form [[CuteMonsterGirl looks mostly human]] apart from strange asymmetrical wings (and in some media PointyEars). She still has a chimera motif running through her BattleThemeMusic and attacks, which are mashups of those from previous {{Bonus Boss}}es.

* In ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'', one of the various experiments done by Root is a Nue, a monster created from Project Gozu Tenno as a bioengineered superweapon using Hashirama Senju's harvested cells.

* In ''Anime/{{Mononoke}}'', a Nue is the antagonist of its titular story arc. When the arc's characters discuss the classical depiction of the monster, one notes that the different animal parts are just a metaphor for the creature's shapeshifting powers. This foreshadows the story's unique twist that [[spoiler:the Nue here is actually a ghostly apparition formed around an abandoned fragrant log: it developed both supernatural powers and sense of ego over its legendary reputation, and has been trapping dozens of human souls in an illusion in order to have them fawn over it.]]

* In ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', Naofumi and his part encounter a nue when trying to procure a magic crystal for a ChainOfDeals to get Filo a set of magic clothes. The nue they encounter resembles the general appearance of a nue - baboon-like head, tiger body, serpent tail - though this incarnation of the nue possesses ShockAndAwe powers that evoke the {{Raiju}}, a different youkai altogether.
* In ''Manga/InuYasha'' there's Meiohju, (lit. Pluto's Beast), a chimeric Youkai renowed for his NighInvulnerable shell, the strongest of all. Aside from the black tortoise shell, Meiohju also has the face of an Oni, the long neck of a serpent, a tiger's legs and a horse-like tail, giving it a Nue-like appearence, and can also transform into a dark cloud to move around. In the manga he's even introduced attacking a castle after floating above as a storm cloud. If you also wants to add to the lot the Raiju's confusion-similarity, Meiohju can also attack by summoning balls of electricity.

** In ''Series/NinjaSentaiKakuranger'', Nue is the personal herald of [[BigBad Daimaou]] and a major KnightOfCerebus for the series, lacking the comic traits found in most of the series' previous monsters. He appeared in ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' as Hate Master.
** In ''Series/ShurikenSentaiNinninger'', the first of the [[EliteMook Advanced Yokai]] the Ninningers battle is a Nue. Due to the fact Yokai in this series are created from inanimate objects using the Sealing Shurikens, this Nue's appearance is mixed with a toolbox. He appeared in ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'' as Drillion.

* ''Literature/OlogySeries'': ''Monsterlogy'' describes the nue as an Asian relative of the European chimera, possessing the body of a raccoon dog, the head of a monkey, the paws of a tiger and a snake for a tail. They emit clouds of toxic black smoke when disturbed, which has led people to consider them harbingers of bad luck.

* ''Literature/AfterMan'': Almost certainly a coincidence, but the niche of the extinct big cats (specifically lions) is taken over by the [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/speculativeevolution/images/9/91/Horrane.gif/revision/latest?cb=20150622145430 horrane]], a monkey descendant that has tiger stripes, a catlike body, and a simian face with a lion-like mane. No snake tail though.

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'', which goes out of its way to feature monsters from a wider variety of real-world mythologies than a typical MedievalEuropeanFantasy might, has the nue as a type of very nasty magical beast. It has an alternate form as a gaseous cloud, and has a number of spell-like abilities designed to torment players, including the ability to cause fatigue, paralysis, and nightmares. Nue are portrayed as having near-human intelligence and being deliberately cruel and sadistic (NeutralEvil, in game terms), rather than [[NonMaliciousMonster merely hungry]].
[[/folder]]

* In ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'', one of the various experiments done by Root is a Nue, a monster created from Project Gozu Tenno as a bioengineered superweapon using Hashirama Senju's harvested cells.

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': The manifest spirit of Zabimaru (Renji Abarai's EmpathicWeapon) takes the form of of an albino baboon with purple streaks in its fur and a serpent for a tail. Its theming in weapon form becomes more obvious when Renji unlocks its [[SuperMode Bankai]], which upgrades it from "WhipSword" to "giant skeletal snake" while also draping the fur and skull of an ape around his shoulders.

In ''The Tale of the Heike'', the nue is described as having the face of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, the body of a {{tanuki}} (Japanese raccoon dog) and the front half of a snake for a tail. In other writings nothing is stated about its torso, so it is sometimes depicted to have the torso of a tiger. The ''Genpei Josuiki'' describes it as having the back of a tiger, the legs of a tanuki, the tail of a fox, the head of a cat, and the torso of a chicken. Due to its appearance, it is sometimes referred to as a Japanese equivalent of the chimera or [[OurManticoresAreSpinier manticore]] of Myth/ClassicalMythology.

* A Nue is the first legitimate boss battle in ''VideoGame/BreathOfFire3''. It terrorizes the local village leading to a famine, and when Ryu and his friends kill it, it dies on its feet defending a cave, inside which the [[PlayerPunch player will find the Nue’s Cubs, which have been dead for a long time]]. The Nue had been bringing back the food from the village to feed its long dead cubs. This shocks and saddens the party, but ingratiates the village to them for fighting such a dangerous monster on their behalf.

* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'', one of the various experiments done by Root is a Nue, a monster created from Project Gozu Tenno as a bioengineered superweapon using Hashirama Senju's harvested cells.

** Within the sixth anime, Nue's appearance returns to the usual depiction, being a chimerical youkai, having the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki, the limbs of a tiger and the tail of a snake.

[[caption-width-right:350:Top to Bottom, Left to Right: ''Videogame/{{Nioh}}'', ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', ''Anime/Dororo2019'', ''Manga/{{Boruto}}'', ''Manga/GeGeGeNoKitaro'' and ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'']]

-> ''"The forlorn nature of the nue's lament perhaps ties the nue to its earliest association, in the Manyoshu, as a bird with a sad call.''
-> ''"The nue does not seem to have been a common yokai in local lore, but it was certainly well-known. Sekein includes it on one of his catalogs, with the tip of its tail a vicious-looking snake's head. He mentions its association with the Yorimasa legend and also says simply that it lives deep in the mountains."''

The nue is commonly classified as a ''Mononoke'', a certain class of {{Youkai}} in Japanese folklore universally reviled as [[AlwaysChaoticEvil a bringer of ill omen, ill fortune, disease, war, poverty and just general bad mojo]]. When this beast is encountered -- either in its monstrous true form or as a black cloud (a form that it commonly takes) -- either be prepared to kill it where it stands or run like Hell is after you -- unless you're in a work where the nue, like many other monsters in fiction, is just [[BenevolentMonsters misunderstood]].

* ''Series/KamenRiderOOO'': The [[MonsterOfTheWeek Yummy]] are MonstrousHumanoid [[OurHomunculiAreDifferent homunculi]] themed after an animal, and late in the series [[BigBadEnsemble the villains]] learn to work in pairs to create stronger [[MixAndMatchCritters two-animal mashups]]. The film ''Film/KamenRiderOOOWonderfulTheShogunAndThe21CoreMedals'' naturally [[SerialEscalation tops this]] by including a Nue Yummy which combines features of ''three'' animals - baboon, leopard and anaconda - with the result looking like a TwoFaced tribal warrior with an animal skull in place of its left hand.