The original Nataku, known as Nezha, Nazha, No Cha, Nata, Natha, etc., is one of the most popular mythological beings in Chinese literature. He is so popular that his story is retold time and again in various forms, and he is still worshipped in some parts of China and Taiwan. He's appeared in at least two Chinese literary works (the ones I've read): Journey to the West (Sai Yau Gei) and Creation of the Gods (Feng Shen Yan I), is the main character in the Hong Kong TV Show of Feng Shen Yan I called "Feng Shen Bon" or something like that, and even has his own TV series dedicated to his life.

It was through the original Feng Shen Yan I, or Houshin Engi to us, story that he became a god and worshipped by the people. He was one of the few that were canonized by the tale itself.

As mentioned in some of the sections, in some ways, he's meaner than the Nataku that we know, but that's mostly because he had his temper more or less tamed by his master and his brothers' and father's masters. Differences include things like yelling at his mother. O.o Shocking, isn't it? However, at the same time, he can be very similar. Other than specific data about their pasts, their personalities come pretty close as this Nataku also has a great fighting spirit. At one point, he hadn't fought in a battle for awhile and he was getting VERY anxious to take on the enemy. He scratched his ears and cheeks in great anticipation for Jiang Ziya, Taikoubou, to finally send him into battle.

The original Nataku is very powerful and has SEVERAL weapons (paopee) that are quite different from how we're used to seeing them. Later on in the story also, he gets two more heads and three more pairs of arms that each hold one of his weapons. He can switch from his original form (normal; one head and two arms) to his frighteningly monstrous form (three heads and eight arms) at will.

As for portrayal, as you can see by the pictures from the English translation of the novel by Gu Zhizhong that were done by Dai Dunbang and Dai Hongjie, Nataku is normally portrayed as a young boy (YES, that's how boys are portrayed) with two buns on both sides of his head. His weapons are even different. His Kontenryou, for instance, look like a wreath of lotus petals tied around his waist, his Kenkonken look like really big hoop rings (which makes sense because it translates to "Universal Ring"), and his Fukarin look like they're made of wind and fire. In other words, his weapons take on a more literal form of their name. All in all, I personally think he looks like a real cute kid, but then I remember I like the SHE form and that he's actually 3,000 years older than me. >.< What kind of fountain of youth does this kid have?

After the Houshin Engi story, this Nataku eventually moved on to become an immortal and serve in the court of the Jade Emperor with his father (with whom he actually has a better relationship with). Because of this, by the time of the Journey to the West story, it is said that he was one of the Celestial Warriors sent down to put an end to the Monkey King's plan to take over Heaven. The army was headed by Youzen, or Ehrlang, but this Nataku was directly under him. In this party was also Raishinshi.

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