(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
猫は化けると言われる。 It is said that cats can shape-change.
to disguise oneself as
to change radically; to metamorphose
to improve unexpectedly and dramatically (esp. of an actor, artist, rikishi, etc.)