Hengeyokai are animals beleived to be inbodied by akai woodland spirits, as such they have lived an extraordinary amount of time, usually a thousand years or so, when it becomes truly obvious this creature is no longer a normal beast. They are amazingly long-lived and usually do not show any signs of aging. As animals, they may be indistinguishable from their common animal counterparts. However, they often have some kind of sign that alludes to their magical nature which accrued in them over the years. Suppon, for example, have hands with opposable thumbs, unlike regular turtles. Bakeneko are known to walk on two legs and have a split tail, unlike normal cats. All hengeyokai gain the ability to change into a humanoid form. Usually, this form is pretty perfect to save some flaw that transferred from their animal form. For example, tanuki transformations tend to leave a fat bushy tail out by the coccyx. Mujina hair is often black and white striped even when they transform, which can be a big giveaway. Animals that become hengeyokai include pandas, raccoons, sparrows, turtles, cats, and badgers. Hengeyokai are known to originate from ordinary animals blessed by the elder spirits which inhabit the Sakura Spirit Woods. Oftentimes, these animals exhibit extraordinary intelligence and lifespans before anyone realizes anything is amiss. It is believed they acquire this from being touched by the Spirit Realm at an early age, which starts their change. As they age, they acquire vast amounts of magical power in their body, which eventually culminates into the ability to change form. Using this ability, hengeyokai have gained a reputation as tricksters and conmen, which makes it harder to call them endearing. Some hengeyokai bear a grudge from their younger days and go to enact revenge. Despite this, many Hengeyokai are benevolent members of the Y’azi Empire, seeing eye to eye with the other sentient species of the area. Given their long lifespan it is not uncommon for Hengeyokai to become masters of their craft in whatever respect they may aspire.