Throughout Teen Wolf‘s six seasons, the series incorporated numerous villains, from werewolf hunters to Ghost Riders and many others in between. But, at the height of a massive sacrifice to locate their parents in the Nemeton, Scott, Stiles, and Allison return with a piece of darkness within themselves, but for Stiles, it is far more than that. When Kira’s electricity hits Stiles, she accidentally triggers the Nogitsune that had hidden out within his body, activating the Nogitsune’s possession of Stiles. Throughout season 3b, Stiles tries to understand the Nemeton’s effect on his mind, only to eventually discover it was not entirely the sacrifice that resulted in this, but the possession from the dark fox spirit.
Season 3b pushes everything further, from the characters themselves to their relationships and how they make decisions regarding their new villain. The Nogitsune is not just an entity to itself; it is hiding out in Stiles’ body, and the question is whether the pack can get rid of the Nogitsune without killing Stiles. But, the Nogitsune also expands on Teen Wolf’s use of mythology while using the Nogitsune in connection to Kira’s family’s past to help tether the storyline, as well as the Nogitsune being responsible for one of the most tragic deaths in the series.
6/6 Stiles’ Emotional Conflicts
One of the results following the sacrifice is that Stiles finds he can no longer read. Letters are mixed up and what was once easy to comprehend is now impossible. He also loses time, becomes more impulsive, and lacks sleep. After ending up at the hospital, Melissa forces him to sleep and connects Stiles’ comments to his late mother’s symptoms that led to her dementia diagnosis. The Nogitsune not only messes with Stiles’ concerns about his health but also gets his family and friends to worry when the results of Stiles’ MRI match his mother’s. Stiles is more affected by the Nogitsune than anyone, as it affects his mental, emotional, and physical health throughout his possession. Placing such an emotional conflict on an integral and usually upbeat character added to the depth Teen Wolf gave Stiles during the Nogitsune’s control.
5/6 Dylan O’Brien’s Dual Performance
One of the things that made the Nogitsune such a successful and fan-favorite villain was seeing Dylan O’Brien, who usually portrayed his sarcastic and wacky side of Stiles, take on a more dark and dangerous antagonist. While Stiles was worried about his mental state and what it could mean for his life, the Nogitsune impersonated Stiles and played on his friends’ thoughts, feelings, and vulnerabilities. Dylan O’Brien’s performance as the Nogitsune is part of what makes the season 3b arc so memorable and beloved by fans.
4/6 Challenging Scott to Face Off Against His Best Friend
Scott McCall had faced a variety of villains from Peter Hale, the Argents, a Kanima, and an Alpha Pack, but things get personal when the Nogitsune possesses Stiles. Although Scott is always in favor of saving people, or at the very least not killing them, if it is avoidable. This time, a dark spirit is holding his best friend captive in his mind. So how does Scott destroy the Nogitsune and save Stiles?
It is a problematic line, as the Nogitsune is the most dangerous villain the McCall Pack has ever faced. Scott is desperate to save Stiles to the point where he considers potentially turning Stiles into a werewolf to change the body of the host, which could kill a Nogitsune. But even as Stiles is willing to sacrifice himself to save everyone else, Scott determines that saving Stiles is the most important thing.
3/6 Incorporates More Mythology and Backstory Into the Show
Teen Wolf goes beyond choosing supernatural creatures at random, explaining the myths and background surrounding the Nogitsune and its origination for being connected to the Nemeton. Kira’s mother holds a history with the dark fox spirit and had once called upon it in a time of war and despair. However, when things went too far, she hid it in the Nemeton, hoping never to come across the spirit again. In this case, the Nogitsune’s main opposition is the Kitsune, another fox, including the reveal that Kira and her mother are both included in the supernatural world. Season 3b comes with the confirmation that more supernatural beings are being drawn to Beacon Hills with the Nemeton’s activation.
2/6 Responsible for a Devastating Character Death
Sometimes, a villain is considered so threatening because they manage to lift the stakes and cause legitimate consequences and pain for the central heroes. In this case, the Nogitsune is responsible for two character deaths. Sadly, Aiden dies against the Nogitsune’s minions in an attempt to help save everyone else. But Allison Argent’s death in the penultimate episode seals the deal. Allison had been a central and beloved character to the rest of her friends and the show’s audience. Unfortunately, Allison discovers a way to kill the Oni just before she is killed, and it is a devastating moment as she dies in Scott’s arms while Lydia screams out her name.
Villains can cause different levels of harm and threats. But only some change the game forever. Killing Allison holds repercussions for everyone as it drives an absolute sense of motivation and desperation into the final battle with the Nogitsune. However, the Nogitsune’s effects on everyone continue to hold afterward, as everyone grieves Allison later. No other Teen Wolf villain leaves as permanent a mark as the Nogitsune.
1/6 Contests the Bounds of Illusion
Between Stiles’ uncertainties of what was real and the events of “Divine Move,” which questioned the Nogitsune’s abilities to manipulate spaces, the Nogitsune as a trickster is one of the most complex and frustrating villains. Always a few steps ahead, as a dark trickster and enjoyer of riddles, the Nogitsune is constantly challenging everyone else in a game only he knows the rules to. However, during the final battle, Stiles realizes that the snowy surroundings of what should have been the high school are only an illusion after seeing a desk hidden in snow in a sword’s reflection. Ignoring those trying to cause them harm and walking directly through the doors brings them back to the actual high school hallway, setting up for the Nogitsune’s defeat.
