Though once they were Kami, spirits of the land, Sheru empowered them to become minor gods. There are thirteen of them in all. For countless ages they served Sheru, until the split occurred. Hanabi, Hikaru, Sayaka, Jishin, Henka, and Tomi all aligned with Yokubo. Kuma, Touma, Kikkyo, Kowasu, Himitsu, and Fukuro all aligned with Kurai. Giman chose neither side, wreaking mischief and spreading lies instead.
All of the Kodomo have some ability to shapeshift, though they are often limited to a handful of predictable forms.