Half-ghost

Description
Half-ghost half-human hybrids ("hannin hanrei") are not as one might expect, being indeed very close to humans. However, there is a noticeable difference-- they are essentially humans whose souls contain very large amounts of spiritual energy, causing the soul to swell to enormous sizes. Because the soul grows so big, it can no longer fit within the body, and so it exists outside of it. It is important to note that the two bodies, both physical and spiritual, are still the same person, with the spiritual body being bound to the physical one externally. The two bodies share a special connection, and interacting with one affects the other in a similar manner. It has been observed that the physical body can command the spiritual one with their thoughts and that the spiritual form seems to embody their subconscious to a small degree.

In Gensoukyou, the only known half-ghosts are the members of the Konpaku clan, who are composed solely of half-ghost. They are generally accepted by the humans of the village, if a little hesitantly. These are probably the most common and stable half-breeds in Gensoukyou. However, while half-ghosts have long life-spans compared to humans, they tend to be infertile or otherwise only very rarely producing offspring. Those that do exist are often taken in by wealthy people who need things down around their household, mostly chores, in exchange for a safe place to live. There are some other Konpaku clan members that function as ronin of sorts that can be hired as body guards or to undergo certain tasks from the village.

Origin
Half-ghosts are individuals that, after their long exposure to the world of the dead, have become greatly more spiritual. Because the influence of Hakugyokurou tends to cause fatal harm to living things after more than a few days of exposure, intense training and knowledge of becoming a half-ghost is important to survival and a successful transformation.

They can also be born as half-ghosts, as almost all members of the Konpaku clan are, but it's rather rare for them to reproduce at all.

Characters of this Species

 * Youmu Konpaku
 * Youki Konpaku