"Nantaika" (JP) is a term for a female character that was magically transformed into a biological male. This may be a temporary transformation, or it may be permanent.
It is the female counterpart of nyotaika.
Etymology
Meaning of the Term
Nantaika (男体化) comes from "nan" (男), meaning "male", "tai" (体) meaning "body", and "ka" (化), meaning "transformation". All together it can be translated as "male body transformation".[1]
History
Nantaika is noticeably less popular than its male counterpart nyotaika, with fewer notable examples. Most of the time these characters are simply one-offs during specific episodes or chapters.
One of the most notable examples is the 2004 light novel series Our Home's Fox Deity (JP). The series followed the character of Kugen Tenko, who was a fox deity that was capable of transformation magic. While Kugen would spend most of the series in her normal state, she would occasionally transform into a male for various reasons.
Another notable example is the 2012 manga series Magical Girl Ore (JP). The series was a parody on the Magical Girl archetype in which two best friends, Saki and Sakuyo, become magical "girls" together. Only to their surprise (and embarrassment), instead of becoming beautiful girls they transform into strong muscular men wearing a magical girl outfit.
The archetype of nantaika is fairly popular in fan works, with fans of different series drawing "male versions" of popular female characters.
Characteristics
Nantaika are female characters that are magically transformed into a male. The method in which nantaika are transformed into men can differ greatly depending on the series, but this is typically in the form of magic, a curse, or a scientific experiment.[2]
Some nantaika characters are even able to switch back and forth, though not necessarily always by their own control.
In contrast to an archetype like dansou no reijin, nantaika is not at all related to cross-dressing or simply 'looking' like a man and is entirely a fictitious phenomenon where a female character becomes a biological male.
Personality
In most cases, nantaika will simply keep acting like women with their original personalities despite now having the body of a woman. This is especially true for transformations that are only temporary.
It is not uncommon for nantaika characters to temporarily adopt male versions of their names as well for the duration they are transformed.
Similar Japanese Archetypes
- Gijinka: A term for a non-human object that was transformed into a cute human character.
- Nyotaika: A term for a male character that was magically transformed into a female.
List of Characters
Gallery
 Kugen Tenko from Wagaya no Oinari-sama  Kugen Tenko from Wagaya no Oinari-sama  Kugen Tenko from Wagaya no Oinari-sama  Saki Uno from Magical Girl Ore  Sakuyo Mikage from Magical Girl Ore  Kyuubei Yagyuu from Gintama |
References
- ↑ What is Nantaika. Pixiv Encyclopedia (2023/12/01).
- ↑ Nantaika. Japanese with Anime (2018/02/03).
| v • eAndrogynous Archetypes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Female |
Bokukko ♡ Dansou no Reijin ♡ Ikemen Joshi ♡ Orekko ♡ Otenba Musume ♡ Otoko Masari | |
| Male |
Bishounen ♡ Josou Danshi ♡ Okama ♡ Otokonoko ♡ Nekama | |
| Both | ||