A Father Theory: What is he and what does he want?

Akka. I cannot believe I’m posting this.

This is the second part of my mega Noragami analysis-theory. This part focuses solely on Father’s identity and his ultimate goal in the series.

Father is said to be… human

Father is able to… possess people, fly, use Shinki, live for thousands of years

The eternal struggle. The biggest problem with Father is that there’s a contradiction between what he’s said to be, and what he proves to be. In this theory, I have attempted to find an existence that would somehow give an explanation for this contradiction. As it turns out, the answer might have just been in front of our noses all along: Father is a sorcerer.



Let’s review Father’s abilities.

When it comes to Gods, Father has mainly been speculated to be Susanoo, Izanagi, and most recently, Inari. And why I can see the reasons behind each of these beliefs, there are also many holes in these theories that are hard to ignore. I’m not going to delve into each of them because this post is already long enough. However, here are a few reasons why I believe Father is not a God in the first place.

Despite having seen his God-like powers, both Nora and Yato state that Father is human. So why have they never said anything like “he claims to be human, but he’s obviously not”? Yato says Father has “managed to survive for years through something similar to divine possession". Something similar to. Onec again, he could have just said “he’s human, yet he can use divine possession”. Meaning, Yato knows that, while his abilities might be God-like, he’s not a God.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about Divine Possession and how it works. We have only seen one (goofy) case from when Yato possessed Hiyori. In that case, possessed!Hiyori had Yato’s eyes. Again, this was all played for laughs, so I’m not sure whether we’re supposed to believe possessed humans always take in a physical trait from the God who’s possessing them or not. Still, I cannot see any consistency between Father’s previous body and the current one (although it’s hard to tell).

Furthermore, Yato possessed Hiyori while her soul was out of her body, so we don’t really know what happens when a God possesses a regular human while the soul is still inside. We do know, however, that the human body being damaged while possessed doesn’t affect the God: when possessed!Hiyori jumped out of the window, Hiyori ended up with a dislocated shoulder, but Yato was fine. However, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Father/Fujisaki. He’s always really careful about picking his fights (”there’s victory in retreat”), he sends pawns to run errands for him, and Mizuchi seems to be very worried about him in this arc. This all seems to imply that Father is strictly connected to Fujisaki, and that he cannot just flee the body as easily as a God.

So how does Father decide who to possess? Father told Yato that he asked Fujisaki’s dad to move to their city when Mizuchi told him about Hiyori. Wouldn’t it have been simpler to just abandon Fujisaki’s body and go possess someone else from her school instead? Why did he want to keep using Fujisaki? A God shouldn’t have any trouble possessing any human anytime, right? So why did Father want to stay in Fujisaki’s body? Here are two options:



The Kouto family is special. Maybe Father’s possession method requires a specific blood linage (we know that Far Shore affinity is hereditary, as we have seen this happen with the Iki family and their ability to see beings from the Far Shore). Father’s method of possession is long and complicated. Gods can easily slip into a person’s body, but maybe the magic that Father is using involves a very long, tedious process, so he doesn’t want to change bodies unless it’s absolutely necessary. This doesn’t explain why Father went with a random teenager, though? Is it really because he just wanted to “relax and have fun this time”?

Secondly, Father can wield a Shinki, but he doesn’t get blighted. He doesn’t seem to have any limitations when it comes to using Mizuchi/Chiki. He also doesn’t seem to get blighted. One could say that’s because Mizuchi is so loyal to him, but I believe there’s something else. Nora says Yato is the one who made him a nora, meaning that Yato was the second person to name her, the first one being Father. And yet when Yato gets stung by Sakura, Father assumes it’s because of Nora. But if it was really because of her, wouldn’t he have been stung too? Besides this, unlike Ebisu, Father didn’t get blighted from using Masks either.

If he’s not a God, how is he so powerful?

Let’s not ignore the obvious here - Father has a Buddhist monk aesthetic. It’s been speculated that the images from Yaboku’s past are from the Heian Period. This is also the period when Buddhism consolidated itself in Japan.

The robes

The black robes Father wears when fighting look very similar to the ones he wore in his previous incarnation. These robes are known as Zen Lay Robes. You’re probably used to seeing monks from Tibet or India wearing robes in shades of yellow, red or orange, but the ones colored grey or black are usually from China, Korea, Japan or Vietnam. Since we’re assuming Father is Japanese, this description fits him. These robes are usually used for meditation, but they can also be worn by monks as their usual attire. I prefer to assume Adachitoka just wanted it to be simple, basic Buddhist robes, instead of putting a lot of clutter in the character design that would also give too much away.

The Weapon

Father’s weapon is a Buddhist monk staff, also known as a Khakkara. Specifically, a six ring Khakkara. These staves are carried by the Bodhisattva and represent the Six Perfections.

All of these coincidences led me to speculate that Father is a Buddhist monk. After weeks of research and struggling to narrow down all the possibilities within Buddhism, I reached the conclusion that he must be a Bodhisattva (‘Bosatsu’ in Japanese) from Mahāyāna Buddhism.



Mahayana is a Buddhist branch mainly found in China, Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Becoming a Bodhisattva is one of the ways to reach liberation. The Mahayana tradition embodies the Bodhisattva Ideal, which is the desire to liberate all beings from suffering (and what does ‘Liberation’ do? Unlock Karma). In Noragami, 'Liberation’ is also an attack that it’s exclusive to Father. No matter how much variety there is in Shinki, all weapons and attacks are based on things that can be found in the Lower Realm: blades, guns, whips, thunder… However, 'Liberation’ seems more of a spell. What kind of God would have a Shinki that’s able to do such an unnatural thing?



Other facts that lead me to believe Father is a Bodhisattva:

Mahayana Buddhism holds that not only priests, but also the laity can attain enlightenment. Meaning, Father doesn’t need to like Gods, nor even believe in them in order to become a Mahayana Bodhisattva. Additionally, many Buddhists believe Gods are not even necessary in the first place. The fact that a group of celestial beings, who Father deems as 'unnecessary’, are causing so much chaos and acting like they own the place probably irritates him to no end.





can attain enlightenment. Meaning, Father doesn’t need to like Gods, nor even believe in them in order to become a Mahayana Bodhisattva. Additionally, many Buddhists believe Gods are not even necessary in the first place. The fact that a group of celestial beings, who Father deems as 'unnecessary’, are causing so much chaos and acting like they own the place probably irritates him to no end. Bodhisattva can achieve Buddhahood, but for a time, they renounce the blissful state of Nirvana, vowing to remain on earth in various guises (reincarnations) to help all living beings achieve salvation . Even though this concept doesn’t have much to do with Father’s body-borrowing technique (he wasn’t reborn as Fujisaki, after all), it’s nonetheless another interesting coincidence, and perhaps something Adachitoka used as inspiration.





. Even though this concept doesn’t have much to do with Father’s body-borrowing technique (he wasn’t reborn as Fujisaki, after all), it’s nonetheless another interesting coincidence, and perhaps something Adachitoka used as inspiration. This is not really a similarity, but I found it funny how “Father” is a way to refer to priests in other religions, like Christianity.

And the most important one: being a Boddhisatva would put Father above Gods in Buddhist cosmology. Six ring staves represent the Six Perfections, but they’re also connected to the Six States of Existence or Six Realms of Karmic Rebirth. And, as I said in Part 1, there are actually four extra layers, also referred to as “the Four Noble Worlds”:

7. Learning. Those who seek truth from teachings or experience of others (in Therevada traditions, the Arhat)

8. Realization. Those who seek truth from one’s own direct perception of world (Arhat too)

9. Bodhisattva. Those who aspire to help all achieve salvation (Mahayana traditions).

10. Buddhahood. The Buddha



As you can see, Father would be on level 9. That is, higher than the Gods, while still being human. This would explain why he doesn’t get blighted: negative Karma doesn’t work on him. For someone who’s supposed to be a mortal that hates Gods, Father’s look on Gods has never been that of someone who’s afraid of them or who feels impotent as an inferior being. Quite the contrary, he seems to be always looking down on them. He speaks as though he was the only one to know the real truth. Even when he talks to Bishamon (who would be like a fellow Buddhist), he does so in a condescending tone. To him, Gods are no big deal. They’re just “mere Gods”, and he constantly refers to them as 'replaceable’ and 'disposable’. It’s almost as if he’s mocking the fact that their Karma has got them stuck in the cycle of rebirth.



(Probably talking more to the Buddhist deity than to this version particular)



So far, so good. However, as you might have noticed, there are three questions emanating from this assumption:

If he’s not a famous God, why does he hide his face and name?

Why did the sorcerer turn evil if Bodhisattva are supposed to be all good and caring? Where do his powers come from?

1. There might be several reasons for this. For starters, Father loves lurking in the shadows and being the puppeteer behind the scenes. In a series where names are so important, revealing his (even if it means nothing), would be like giving away part of his identity. Same goes for his original body (if he even has one anymore) and the bodies he uses. There’s also the possibility that he’s just practicing the Buddhist idea of the “non-self” (Anatta). Father might have gotten rid of his sense of self, his name, and body. To him, it’s irrelevant. He sees himself as an entity that’s there to bring justice and salvation to all the creatures, while punishing Gods for being so arrogant and incompetent.

2. Why did the sorcerer turn evil? First of all, I’d like to point out Father is only a douche when it comes to his mission and his affairs with the Far Shore. Whenever we see him acting as Fujisaki and interacting with his classmates, he’s actually surprisingly nice. He’s mentioned that he cannot turn down a favor, and he even offered to do another classmate’s homework like it was nothing:

What was the point of showing this scene? Father would not get anything out of doing this. One of the Six Perfections is Generosity, so it’s possible that he does practice the Six Perfections when he’s acting like a human… and then goes all psycho when it comes to fulfilling his mission as 'Father’.

Father would also represent a monk who’s gone rogue. This is sadly a story we’re no strangers to. In real life, many believers have taken the word of their God/religion and used it as a weapon to impose their beliefs on others (and even harm them). As delicate as this topic is, I would not be surprised if Adachitoka would use it in a series so heavy on religion, even if it’s in the subtlest of ways. Similarly to how Kugaha didn’t blight Bishamon because he believed his actions were right, Father believes he’s doing the right thing in the long run. It certainly poses the question of who gets to say what’s “right” and what’s “wrong”. I can see why a person who’s spent most of his life trying to get rid of temptations and negative Karma would get irritated that Gods can get away with whatever they do. Especially if one of these tings they do results in a loved one (freckled girl) dying. Furthermore, not only do Gods claim that they’re just and sin-free when we’ve already seen they’re not, but they also blame (and punish) their Shinki for their mistakes. Meaning, once again, that Shinki get the short end of the stick in everything.



It’s also a possibility that Father had a role during the war that confronted the Yamato vs the Emishi. This war saw the Yamato (Southern Japan, who praised Amaterasu) vs the Emishi (Northern Japan, highly influenced by Buddhism). Meaning that Father, Nana and Arahabaki could have fought on the same side during that war. In Chapter 68, there’s an instance when Father looks up at Arahabaki (with the ‘glance’ emphasized), as if waiting for him to make his move. (Of course, Arahabaki wouldn’t remember Father after reincarnating, and Nana wouldn’t recognize him either since he’s changed his appearance).

When speaking to Bishamon, Father says that they’ve both “taken the path mired by disgrace, and not by choice”. He goes on to say that she’s easy to understand as she has become like him. Is Father gathering these people who have been wronged by Heaven and leading them as their 'Father’?



3) Where do his powers come from? Here’s the interesting part, there is such a thing as sorcery, and even 'black magic’ in Buddhism. There’s not much written on it, but some monks practiced Esoteric Buddhism (Japan’s version of Vajrayana or Tantric Buddhism) with different goals in mind. Many of them used it as defence against demons, for medicinal purposes, or to have a long life. However, other monks used it for more “questionable” practices.

Father knows A LOT. He does not only have the ability to suppress names, as seen in Edachi (or even Tsukuyomi?), but he’s also the one who created the Ayakashi-controlling masks. He also knows a curse that can make someone not spill the beans, like the one he used on Edachi.



Edachi is actually one of the most overlooked character in the series, especially when it comes to speculating about Father. There’s a lot we can find out about him through Bishamon’s arc. Remember that strange weapon Aiha used to attack Yato? Yato called it a “staff imbued with cursed energy”. At the time, Yato assumed Bishamon had given it to her, but we know that’s not the case. That means it was probably given to her by Edachi, who at the same time, got it from Father.



Magic staves are often related to Western magic, but magic nonetheless. According to TV tropes, “Staves tend to be the Weapon of Choice among monks and others who, for moral/religious/ethical reasons, refuse to take a life, but for various reasons find themselves requiring a method of defence. Of course, some people take a middle path and conceal various nasty surprises in their staves”. In fact, it is said monks of all levels can create Buddhist weapons. Hell, he even seems to be able to “customize” his Shinki’s powers to fit his Ayakashi-manipulation methods:

Note: Remember that one scene in which Yato is seen ordering an Ayakashi? Could it be that he also taught Yaboku how to control them, but he just doesn’t like doing so?

Lastly, there’s also medicine As it’s been previously mentioned, some Buddhist magic has curative qualities. Kugaha was the doctor for Bishamon. However, I don’t think a cure to suppress blight is common. During Bishamon’s arc, Kugaha used that medicine to conceal Aiha’s blight. I’m sure that if such a thing existed, it would be a bigger deal. In fact, I’m sure Heaven wouldn’t like the existence of such a sneaky technique (how else would they know a Shinki is misbehaving?).

And now for the most difficult part of this theory, the one that gave me the most headaches: apparently, Fujisaki “randomly falls asleep”. There’s also the time he stopped Mizuchi from attacking Yukine without really being there, or the fact that he changed to his black robes so quickly when he was attacked by Bishsamon at school.



The most popular explanation I’ve seen for this is that he’s a half-Ayakashi. I don’t think this is the case, and not only because it wouldn’t fit with this theory (a Buddhist would never want to be half-Ayakashi). While Hiyori and Father being the same species would be pretty cool, Father doesn’t necessarily have to have Ayakashi-like features like her. Why? If this theory is correct, the reason why Hiyori has that Ayakashi tail/cord is because, when she’s in the Far Shore, we can see what her true nature looks like: half human (good Karma) and half Ayakashi (negative Karma). However, if we’re assuming that Father doesn’t have that negative Karma, then he’d still look 100% human in spirit form. So no, he’s not hiding his tail under the robes - he just doesn’t have one. Soul slipping out? Maybe. Half-Ayakashi? No.

Aside from being very rare and exception, Hiyori’s situation is also very unstable. We already know how dangerous it is for her to leave her body behind. It’s OK for her most of the time since her friends are there to take care of her body. However, there would be no one to protect Fujisaki’s body while Father is away. Not to mention that, as the sorcerer, I’m sure he’s powerful enough to fix this problem. Since he hasn’t done anything about it, it’s probably something he’s in control of. How? Astral projection. In East Asia, astral projection is also known as Ikiryō (and yes, this concept appears in Buddhist scriptrues too). Astral Projection involves the soul leaving the body while the real body is deep in concentration or meditation (is this what they meant by Fujisaki “randomly falling asleep”?).

So why would he need to do this? He doesn’t seem to need to be in those robes/spiritual form to use Chiki:



Maybe the only reason he dresses up like that is to represent that, as I said before, Father separates who he is as human/Fujisaki from who he is as the sorcerer/Father. He also probably doesn’t want the Heavens to find out his cover as a high school student (he seemed pissed that Bishamon found him at school).

It’s very hard to come across actual information on Buddhist magic, but I think the important takeaway is that Father being a Buddhist monk is one plausible explanation for his supernatural powers while still remaining human. He is, after all, the sorcerer. The theory could end here: Father is a Buddhist monk that got angry at the Gods and learned Esoteric Buddhism and black magic to do things that shouldn’t be possible. Father would then be an original character by Adachitoka (I would actually prefer this option).

However, there’s also the possibility that Father is actually based on or inspired by an original Bodhisattva that actually existed. I found two potential candidates that slightly match Father’s description. While some things were a stretch, others kept leading me to interesting places that I just couldn’t leave out of the theory. I’m not 100% convinced of either of them, but I still wanted to leave this here in case someone would like to read or have some fun speculating further.

OPTION 1: En no Gyoja

Who he was:

En no Gyōja was a sage known as the Father of Shugendō. Shugendo is a doctrine at the crossroads between Buddhism and Shintoism that places a heavy emphasis on asceticism. Among other things, they indulged in shamanistic beliefs, animism, and Taoist magic. They practiced secret rituals and spells in the hopes of achieving magical skills.



Similarities with Father:

There are several Shugendo centers in Japan, one of the most important ones being Dewa Sanzan . Dewa is what today is known as Yamagata prefecture. Why is this relevant? Because Yamagata is the birth place of Adachi-sensei, one of the authors of Noragami .



. Dewa is what today is known as Yamagata prefecture. Why is this relevant? Because Yamagata is the birth place of Adachi-sensei, one of the authors of . En no Gyoja carried a six-ring monk staff very similar to Father’s . Shugendo monks also practiced martial arts and used their monk staff as a weapon.



. Shugendo monks also practiced martial arts and used their monk staff as a weapon. Yatagarasu (the three-legged crow) appears in some of the stories related to En no Gyoja. Just like the Emishi, Yatagarasu just happens to have been introduced in the most recent arc. Coincidence? His clothes in Noragami look like the clothes worn by Shugendo monks. For some reason, he also seemed to help Bishamon in recent chapters, even commenting that Heaven was being too cruel (another potential ally?).

He was "unjustly expelled off the coast of Izu Province in +699 on trumped-up charges of manipulating demons and using sorcery to mislead the people ”. In exile, he reportedly changed into a mountain wizard. Some profess that he was released in 702, after which he became a Sennin ( immortal ) and flew away into the Great Sky.



”. In exile, he reportedly changed into a mountain wizard. Some profess that he was released in 702, after which he became a Sennin ( ) and flew away into the Great Sky. The myths surrounding En no Gyoja are actually numerous, complex and confusing. In fact, not much is known about where he ended up, or where/when he died. In other words, open door for Adachitoka: he could have been defied or he could have attained more power, eventually figuring out how to acquire God-like powers.



Things that don’t add up:

The source of conflict doesn’t seem big enough to inspire a hatred for all Shinto Gods, and there’s nothing regarding a freckled girl (that could be Noragami -original, though).



-original, though). En no Gyoja was seen accompanied by two demon attendants. That doesn’t resemble anything we have seen Father do. The only thing that comes to mind is that, since they were a male and female demon, maybe it’s meant to be Mizuchi and Edachi. Still, it seems too much of a stretch.

En no Gyoja is believed to have died between 700 and 707, which is before the Heian period, when Yaboku supposedly came to be. If we’re going with this identity, this means that he already obtained immortality/possession powers before losing freckled girl and becoming vengeful.

He lived in Nara, which is far away from Dewa Sanzan. He could have moved there after he supposedly became immortal, but it’s all very vague.

Even if Father is not meant to be En no Gyoja himself, it’s a possibility that Adachi-sensei, possibly having grown up with tales from Shugendo and Dewa Sanzan, might have gotten inspiration from this story to create Father. There’s also of course the option that Father was a random Shugendo monk, and not necessarily its creator.

The second candidate is even more related to Dewa Sanzan, albeit a bit more confusing, but it will certainly be an interesting read for believers of the Tsukuyomi theory.

OPTION 2: Kannon Bodhisattva (????)

This option is, by far, the most convoluted and confusing one. I couldn’t reach a concrete conclusion, so I apologize for the infodump. Maybe someone else can come up with any ideas and make some sense out the little interesting bits I found.

Today a touristic spot, Dewa Sanzan are three mountains found in Yamagata. These three mountains are Mount Yudono, Mount Gassan, and Mount Haguro. These three mountains have long been revered as a dwelling place for the spirits of the dead and as the abode of various Shinto Gods. The kami were regarded as “manifestations of Buddhist divinities”. In a way, Bishamonten is a manifestation of Vaisravana. Why are these mountains relevant? Because I couldn’t just ignore the fact that one of the centers of a doctrice focused on achieving magical powers happens to be in Mount Gassan, where Tsukuyomi’s main shrine is located.

Let’s take a look at these mountains.



Mt. Yudono

Starting from the first one, Mt. Yudono symbolizes life. Mt. Yudono is where Danichi Buddha resides. As early as the Heian Period, devotees of Esoteric Buddhism worshipped Dainichi as the Central Buddha of the Universe. Its Shinto manifestation is Oyamatsumi no Kami. Oyamatsumi is an elder brother of Amaterasu and a deity of the mountains. Also known as Yama no Kami, sometimes it’s thought to be mountain deities/spirits in general. This is the only mountain I can’t find any references to in Noragami.

Mt. Gassan

This mountain comes after Yudono, representing death. Here’s where Amida Buddha resides. The Mahayana doctrines (the one Father supposedly follows) represent a quicker path to enlightenment in comparison to others. In particular, the “Pure Land” faith in Amida. To its followers, Amida has eclipsed the Historical Buddha as the most popular divinity in Japan’s Mahayana traditions. Meaning, in this context, Father would praise Amida. Anyone who repeatedly chants its prayer is guaranteed a rebirth in Pure Land once their job is done, regardless of any negative karma accumulated (this would be how Father cleanses himself from the evil deeds he does). Funnily enough, in the fourth OVA, Ebisu compares Capypaland to Amida’s Pure Land (this wasn’t in the manga, though). Amida’s Shinto manifestation is Tsukuyomi no Mikoto. Even though Tsukuyomi might not be as praised as Amaterasu, or as feared as Susanoo, he does have some impressive abilities: the moon good has the ability to oversee divination and even have an influence on the future of humanity (as seen in his ability to cut ties between people). It’s really no wonder Father would try to get a hold of baby Tsukuyomi if he planned to decide the fate of humanity. I’m not sure whether being in possession of Tsukuyomi would bring him closer to Amida, but it’s still an interesting coincidence. (For more fun trivia on Mt. Gassan and what it could mean for the Tsukuyomi theory, check out this post by professor-meowmers).



Amida is served by Kannon Bodhisattva and Jizo Bodhisattva. Kannon asists those in distress in the earthly life. There’s six manifestations of them, as they protect the Six Realms of Existence.

Mt. Haguro

The last mountain, representing rebirth. It’s where Sho-Kannon Bodhisattva resides, the second option for Father’s identity. Prince Shotoku was one of the main promoters of Buddhism in Japan (fun fact: he’s the “please try this new religion” guy from 'history of japan’). There’s no need to make this post even longer than it is, but basically he’s related with the feud between the pro-Shinto factions (Mononobe clan) and the pro-Buddhist forces (the Soga clan). Stuff happened, which caused him to be revered as a Buddhist saint, and in some traditions he is considered the reincarnation of Kannon, looking for vengeance. Sho-Kannon is one of the six manifestation of Kannon. He’s the one who brings salvation to those in the hell realm and, in some traditions, hungry ghosts. This would explain Father’s “Liberation” attack liberating the Karma Ayakashi inside hungry ghosts.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure whether to include this option because it seems too obscure. However, there was a final little something that prompted me to add it: the Sho-Kannon’s Shinto manifestation is Ukanomitama-no-Mikoto, a deity sometimes identified with Inari. And, as I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are some theories that Father could be Inari due to all the foxes/Inari shrines associated with him and Yato.



Conclusion: What is Father’s goal?

It’s said that the “to cull the herd” is Father’s goal. Why use the world “culling”, and not “killing”, “annihilation”, “end”…? “Culling” has connotations of selection, of “reducing the population of an animal by selective slaughter”. Similarly, “herd” refers to “livestock”. This implies that Father sees humanity as wild animals who behave like livestock and are driven by their most primal instincts and superficial pleasures. Father doesn’t want to kill everyone to end with humanity, he just wants to apply his Buddhist path as some sort of dictatorship. Bodhisattva are meant to be guiding people towards Liberation, but Father is just doing it in a more aggressive way. As he once said, he’s tired, bored, angry, and he just wants to torment the hell out of everyone at this point. Because if Gods are going to continue ruining everything and doing as they please, what’s the point anymore?

Yato was probably not that off in his theory in Chapter 70. Father wants to end the Gods, but killing them is useless since they will reincarnate again thanks to people’s wishes. Because of this, Father has moved to a lower realm and is now trying to eradicate humans who behave like spoiled kids instead. In this task, his Yaboku is a necessary evil in order to achieve salvation.



It might seem as if though this theory is trying to portray Father as some kind of illuminated being who was right all along. It’s not. Father is still a jerk and a ruthless psychopath. I’m just saying, despite being chaotic evil, Father has a point. From his perspective, he’s doing what he believes to be right.

It might also seem like this is hinting at the potential final conflict in Noragami being Buddhism vs Shintoism. Not really. Noragami is a series about conflicting points of view. In Part 1 I mentioned how funny it is that we hear that “Gods are just” from Yato. I’m sure that now, not only Father, but even us can see that that’s BS. Yato himself is probably now realizing this too. For the first time in the series, Yato is taking Father’s advice and is actually doing what he believes to be right by opposing Heaven.

Just like the nature of the relationship between God and Shinki, everything is about finding balance. Heaven thinks everything they do is just. Father believes everything Heaven does is wrong. Whether it’s as Yaboku or Tsukuyomi, it’s Yato’s job in the story to find a healthy balance between the two.