JMdict: 1186710

化ける 【ばける】

1. [v1,vi] to take the form of (esp. in ref. to a spirit, fox, raccoon dog, etc.); to assume the shape of; to turn oneself into; to transform oneself into
2. [v1,vi] to disguise oneself as
3. [v1,vi] to change radically; to metamorphose
4. [v1,vi] to improve unexpectedly and dramatically (esp. of an actor, artist, rikishi, etc.)

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