Youja

Youja or Youja-hei are supernatural creatures who appear in the Japanese television anime series "Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers" (鎧伝サムライトルーパー), also known as "Ronin Warriors". They are sometimes called "Dynasty Soldiers" or "Soldiers of Doom".

Television

The Youja are spirits trapped within suits of dark green armor who serve under the rule of Emperor Arago (Talpa). They wield various weapons, including chained sickles and spears. The only way to kill a Youja soldier is to decapitate it or slice its armor. Dark smoke rising from the armor signifies the Youja's death.

The Youja were difficult adversaries of the Troopers in the beginning of the series. However, as time went on, the Troopers grew stronger and the soldiers simply became annoyances who stood in their way. By the end of the series, after Arago's second defeat, the soldiers' fates remain unknown.

Other media

There are no Youja soldiers in the original video animations (OVA). In "Gaiden" the main villain's army consisted of ninja. In "Kikoutei Densetsu" (The Legend of the Inferno Armor), Mukara did not use any lackeys. Neither did Suzunagi, who was the last villain to appear in "Message". Youja do not appear in the Samurai Troopers manga. Instead they are replaced by more appearances by the Four Masho (Dark Warlords) and their creatures. Youja appear in very few YST doujinshi, and they are mostly background characters.