EPISODE 023 - YASHA:


click for larger version Yasha is a female youma under the control of Zoisite in episode 023 (Wishing to a Shooting Star! Naru-chan's Pure Love). Zoisite is angry because Nephrite has taken his mission, which is to search for the Ginzuishou. He tells Yasha to spy on Nephrite, hoping to steal the Ginzuishou if Nephrite is able to find it. When Nephrite's Kurozuishou begins to react to Naru's sense of love for Nephrite, Yasha emerges from hiding and attacks Nephrite, causing him to drop the Kurozuishou. Naru picks up the crystal, but Yasha sees her and rushes towards her, telling her to hand it over. Just as Yasha reaches the young girl, Nephrite attacks the youma, splitting Yasha's mask in half. Yasha sits on the ground, her hands buried in her face. She screams, "Damn you, Nephrite! You intend to protect a human?!" Yasha transforms into a frightening dog-like creature, and rushes towards Nephrite, saying, "Traitors must die!" Sailor Moon quickly uses "Moon Tiara Action" to destroy the youma, who screams, "Such regret!" as she dies.

click for larger version Yasha is named after a type of spirit or demon that appears in Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. These demons are traditionally associated with duality of personality, which is evident when the youma Yasha transforms after her mask is broken. When Yasha first appears, she wears light-colored robes and a round, smiling mask. Her hair is long and smooth. After Nephrite breaks her mask, however, she transforms into a demon-like creature with brightly colored robes, sharp fangs, and unruly hair. She also has horns that can be used as drills, although she never gets a chance to use them.

Yasha's seiyuu is Noriko Uemura.


See also:
Episode 023 - Wishing to a Shooting Star! Naru-chan's Pure Love
Naru Osaka
Nephrite
Noriko Uemura
Zoisite