- Kappa are mythical humanoid creatures said to inhabit rivers and ponds in Japanese folklore.
- They are typically depicted as green, scaly creatures with turtle-like shells, webbed hands and feet, and a beak-like mouth.
- Kappa are known for their mischievous nature and their love of cucumbers, and they are often said to be pranksters who may attempt to tickle people to steal their soul or drag victims into rivers to drown them.
- In Spirited Away, the three bouncing green heads are kappa who work in the bathhouse of the spirit world.
- They are friendly and helpful to the protagonist, Chihiro, and represent her transition into the spirit world and her acceptance of its traditions and rules.
- The kappa are also a symbol of Chihiro's journey of self-discovery and growth, as she must overcome her fears and challenges to find her true identity and purpose.