Anomaly

Anomalies (変則, Hensoku) are a race of humanoid beings. They can be born from or give birth to humans and always possess supernatural powers that are widely suspected to be the basis of many legends, folktales, and myths.

Names
Almost every country calls the race by a different name. Japan calls them hensoku, 変則, or "irregularity." In France they are called esprits, or "spirits," while in Germany they are known as die Anomalien, or "the anomalies." It is much more widespread for them to be called simply Anomalies, which is what the United States and Britain call them.

Appearance
Anomalies will always be born in human form, which they can later transform into or from later in life if their ability or subspecies has another physical form (such as the kitsune). As they are very similar to humans they are almost indistinguishable. A perfect example of this would be Ryoma Hino, a kamaitachi, who didn't know he was an Anomaly until he was 16 years old. His only irregularity he was aware of was his hair turning blond when he hit puberty. It isn't uncommon for Anomalies to not realize they are not humans until they use their abilities for the first time, usually by accident.

Overview
Kamaitachi are exclusively Japanese Anomalies, the origin of the creature from Japanese mythology of the same name. They are one of the more rare Anomalies in Japan and tend to be rather unpredictable and powerful, making them a relevant threat to the controlling government.

Overview
Kitsune (狐, lit. "fox") are exclusively Japanese Anomalies, the origin of the creature from Japanese mythology. They are one of the more common Anomalies in Japan but particularly strong ones are very hard to come by. Their common trait is a kitsune form with snow white fur, red accents and markings, and are usually the size of an ordinary fox. The size and additional color tones may change depending on how powerful the given kitsune is. An example of a very powerful kitsune is Genzo Wakabayashi, who has four tails. Like most Anomalies, kitsune can all assume a human form and it is preferable to use it as much as possible due to how different their full Anomaly form is compared to their human forms.

Within kitsune there are two distinct groups: zenko (善狐, lit. good fox) and yako (野狐, lit. field fox). These classifications are usually just titles given by others to a kitsune that exhibits certain traits –– for example a kitsune who treats others kindly will simply be called a zenko –– but it is possible to have these traits gifted to a kitsune by Inari (稲荷, lit. "rice cargo"), the kami of kitsune who is reborn every time its previous incarnation dies, carrying on vague instincts and memories. Inari is the only kitsune with ten tails as well as the oldest, having transcended the natural laws of the subrace thousands of years ago. Kitsune given the inari-mon (稲荷紋, lit. "Inari crest") have been officially marked by Inari itself as a classified kitsune, being given either a red mark somewhere on their body, the mark of a zenko, or a black mark somewhere on their body, the mark of a yako.

Abilities
Kitsune-ato Shinwa-sei
 * All kitsune are capable of placing a kitsune-ato (狐跡, lit. "fox trace") on an animal. This is usually used on a human, but can be used on other animals such as dogs or grasshoppers. Once any given being has been given a kitsune-ato, no other kitsune can place another on them. The use of a kitsune-ato indicates the erasure of an entity from one's memory, a signature ability any kitsune can use a maximum of nine times. Every kitsune is born with one tail and each time they place a kitsune-ato spell on someone or something, they gain another tail. Once they reach ten tails, they will die instantly. The only kitsune known to have escaped this fate is Inari, the original, oldest, and most powerful kitsune. More tails does not necessarily mean more powerful, but tends to earn the given kitsune more respect. It is widely assumed that a kitsune will only use a kitsune-ato in a dire situation due to its limited uses.
 * All kitsune are capable of a shinwa-sei (元素親和性, lit. "elemental affinity"), an affinity for one of five elements: earth (地 ji), water (水 sui), fire (火 ka), wind (, fū), and sky (空 kū). The most common four are earth, water, fire, and wind because sky affinity (空の親和性, lit. affinity of the sky) is extremely difficult to harness and even then the kitsune must be born with it as a capability. A kitsune with a sky affinity is seen as chosen by Inari itself. An affinity for a given element means simply the manipulation of that element, fire being the most common, hence the frequent misperception that kitsune merely harness flames. Nearly all kitsune have at least some affinity for fire. The most rare of the common four is earth.
 * Earth affinity usually implies the kitsune is immovable: stubborn, certain, and resistant to change. Kitsune with an earth affinity are usually the ones that end up in stable positions of power, leaders or defenders in order to protect their cause. Many of the kitsune in the Shinsengumi held an earth affinity, wanting to maintain their previous stability. As a result many of the kitsune with an earth affinity have been killed.
 * Wind affinity usually implies the kitsune is carefree and open-minded, usually associated with wisdom, eagerness for knowledge, and elusiveness. Kitsune with a wind affinity are a wild card, seeing as their wisdom, intelligence, and emotional capabilities can take them almost anywhere. They are the hardest to find out of all the elemental affinities due to the subtleness of wind and the gentle breezes or violent winds it can cause.
 * Water affinity usually implies the kitsune is flexible, adaptable, emotional, and adapts very easily. Kitsune with a water affinity are usually the ones that are well-liked and are in positions that can make good use of their understanding of humans and their own adaptability. Most of the kitsune with water affinities have headed to the West, wanting to learn more about the new wave of culture and technology washing over Japan.
 * Fire affinity usually implies the kitsune is driven and passionate, almost blind in that regard, energetic and a driving force. It can also stand for the arrogance or cockiness a kitsune may feel being able to harness a power most others (the humans) cannot. Kitsune with fire affinities are the ones who tend to die younger because of their natural recklessness, but also are the main pioneers of safety and desire with an inherent outgoing spirit.
 * Sky affinity is the most rare and mysterious out of the five. A kitsune with a sky affinity is one with an active and creative mind, powerful in some aspect (from charisma to physical ability) and have the most potential and head-starting talent in areas such as instinctive understanding and what seems to be the sixth sense.
 * Alongside the standard godai (五大, lit. "five great"), however, select zenko or yako may be able to develop a unique affinity. Depending on which affinities or affinity they had prior to being given an inari-mon, the nature of this affinity may shift drastically. Because they are unique and original, not much is known about them nor the patterns they may display.
 * Metal affinity is an elemental affinity unique only to Tatsuo Mikami, a mix of fire, earth, and wind.
 * God affinity is the elemental affinity unique only to Yuzo Morisaki, a mix of all standard five.

Named Kitsune

 * Genzo Wakabayashi (4 tails, water affinity)
 * Yuzo Morisaki (Meiji Inari)

Overview
Höllenhunds ("hellhounds") are a subspecies of the widespread species of Anomaly mostly throughout Europe but can be found globally. Their hellhound forms depend on the region but they all collectively take the shape of a dog, not necessarily a hound, and are known for being either exceptionally hot or exceptionally cold. The size, like most canine Anomalies, differs depending on the power of the given hellhound as well as the kind of dog they can turn into. There are hellhounds who can assume the form of wolves but it is exceedingly rare and has only been recorded twice in history.

Within hellhounds there are many categories depending on what country and region is focused on. For example, die Höllenhunds of Germany (also sometimes from Switzerland, Austria, Belgium or Luxembourg) are a hybrid between the Scandanavian helvetehund and Greek hellhound (Cerberus incarnates). They are usually capable of both heat and cold centric abilities but there are some exceptions, such as Karl-Heinz Schneider, who have either only one or an odd combination of both.

Abilities

 * Some select höllenhunds have what is known as a höllenaura (lit. "Hell aura"). Its specific effects depend on the region from which the höllenhund hails, but they are usually either scorching hot or freezing cold. Depending on which variation of the höllenaura the höllenhund has, their elementare Affinität (lit. "elemental affinity") changes. Unlike kitsune, höllenhunds only have two "elements" to choose from: frost (Raureif, lit. "hoarfrost") and scorch (Brandfleck, lit. "burn mark"). Every höllenhund can use both elements but usually has a heavy leaning toward one or the other. However, their aura will always be blue. Also unlike kitsune, a höllenhund cannot manipulate nor create a specific substance – the focus of their abilities is changing temperature. This can create fire or ice as a byproduct, a fact most of them use to their advantage. Neither frost nor scorch is particularly more common than the other, but humans and other Anomaly species are more likely to assume they are a hellhound subspecies if they display fire powers.
 * Frost is more frequently associated with helvetehunds because of the Norse mythological afterlife, Helheim, but can still be found just as frequently among hellhounds from other regions.

Named Höllenhunds

 * Karl-Heinz Schneider (Helheim Crest, Frostflammen)

Overview
Drago are an Italian reptilian subspecies of Anomaly widely called "dragons." Though their personalities vary widely depending on who is being addressed, they all share the inexplicable need and desire for gold and shiny objects.

Groups
Due to the varying treatment at the hands of humans, some Anomalies have banded together to form groups for different purposes. The biggest Anomaly groups are:
 * The Heinrich Troop, a Germany-based extremely powerful but low-key military organization. It is run by a mysterious figure who goes by the pseudonym Heinrich, who strongly believes Anomalies are like any human in behavior, firm in the mentality "We are similar in behavior, personality, and background. We only pose a threat because you call us a threat."
 * Heinrich Troop Members
 * The Wing Battalion, a Japan-based powerful and relatively public military organization. It is run by Tsubasa Ozora, one of the most powerful Anomalies in Asia. Not a lot is known about the other members, as Tsubasa will not disclose it himself. They are the most passive, taking a neutral stance unless provoked first.

The more exclusive and small Anomaly groups are:
 * The Sunlight Marksmen, a Middle-East-based peaceful organization dedicated to providing protection and resources to Anomalies in need in Eastern Europe, North Africa, and any region of Asia. Its leader is unknown but is called His Majesty despite being known for trying to get his members to stop calling him that. It is the subject of some reluctant respect from human governments and groups.
 * The Aztec Suns, a recent and very small Mexico-based sextet lead by an abnormally strong Nagual named Ricardo Espadas, but is more commonly called Condor. They are a very hostile group of Anomalies who have already gained a reputation overseas and are slightly feared globally.
 * The White Stone Church, a France-based extremely powerful duo who live primarily in Paris. The only two known members are its co-leaders, Louis Napoleon and Elle Sid Pierre.
 * Santana's Group, a Brazil-based organization that is mostly just a band of Latin American Anomalies who don't have a community to support them. They are seen as the group that most resembles a family and it has a good number of widely renowned Anomalies such as Carlos Santana, its leader and founder.