Fictional Usage
The meaning of mazoku differs from series to series. Some stories coins the term general to all evil beings (instead of a single biological race) that are enemies or nemesis of humans and good gods; while some others used it to specify a certain race (not necessarily evil). Also, even if the word is used to describe a certain race of biological beings, the characteristics still differs from different series. Sometimes, it is portrayed as other biological races, with individuals having similar characteristics, while other series having unique features on different individuals. While it can be confusing, in Japan, a separate term: 惡魔族 (Akumazoku) is used, the word 惡 (aku) suggesting the evilness in contrast of mazoku.
When described as humanoid, usually having some or all of these features, and share a lot in common with demons/devils.
- Having pointy ears
- Having exotic skin, hair, eye and blood colours
- Having sharp claws and/or teeth/fangs
- Having horns, wings, tails, or any features humans do not possess
- Having the ability to transform to other forms
- Look completely human
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Famous quotes containing the words fictional and/or usage:
“One of the proud joys of the man of letters—if that man of letters is an artist—is to feel within himself the power to immortalize at will anything he chooses to immortalize. Insignificant though he may be, he is conscious of possessing a creative divinity. God creates lives; the man of imagination creates fictional lives which may make a profound and as it were more living impression on the world’s memory.”
—Edmond De Goncourt (1822–1896)
“I am using it [the word ‘perceive’] here in such a way that to say of an object that it is perceived does not entail saying that it exists in any sense at all. And this is a perfectly correct and familiar usage of the word.”
—A.J. (Alfred Jules)