Seizer

Shiisa is the fifth and ninth boss that Toad faces in Game B of Round Mode in the Nintendo Entertainment System version of Wario's Woods. Shiisa is a skeleton wearing a hooded robe and carrying a strange book. His overall appearance gives him the appearance of a Grim Reaper like creature.

Wario's Woods
Shiisa makes his first game appearance in the NES version of Wario's Woods where he was a boss character that Toad had to face off against. Shiisa makes his appearance in the forty ninth round and has 14 hit points. He has the power to make two complete rows of enemies fall at a time. He also sports the generic abilities of throwing enemies and re-locating himself to different areas of the stage. If Shiisa is to re-materialise on Toad after re-locating himself, he would instantly kill Toad.

Much like the other NES exclusive bosses of Wario's Woods, it is unknown as to why Shiisa had aided Wario in his scheme of taking over the Mushroom Kingdom.

Super Mario-Kun
In the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth issues of the Japanese exclusive manga series Super Mario-Kun, Shiisa makes an appearance as a boss character that Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi, and Wanda had to face within the Wario's Woods adaptation in these issues. However, being one of the harder opponents that the group of protagonists had faced, Shiisa easily defeats Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Wanda using his powers and nearly claims victory.

Fortunately, Toad (who originally fled the battle due to being frightened by Shiisha's threatening appearance) manages to gather his strength (after seeing his fallen friends) and challenges Shiisha by his lonesome. After a long battle, Toad manages to defeat the Grim Reaper-like boss and claim victory for the heroes.

Name
The meaning of this name is hard to ascertain. "Shiisa" is the name for lion statues found primarily in Okinawa that have the ability to ward off evil spirits. The name may, however, instead be related to the word for a Christian priest, "shisai".

Origin

 * Shiisa has the appearance of the figure of death, the Grim Reaper.