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Hajime Kindaichi (金田一 一 Kindaichi Hajime) is a Japanese high school genius with an IQ of 180 and possesses great deductive prowess. He is the grandson of a famous detective. He is also the main protagonist of the series.

History[]

In the world of Kindaichi Case FIles, his grandfather, Kosuke, is still alive and well. (Even with simple calculations, he's over 100 years old.) It seems that everyone in Japan knows about his reputation, and when he is introduced as "Kousuke Kindaichi's grandson", people around him are surprised. Therefore , in " The Murderer of the Silver Screen ", a person who has mixed feelings about his grandfather, who is a famous film director, sympathizes with him, saying, "It's hard for both of us to have a great grandfather." Although he has been pointed out, he replies with a clear smile, "I'm proud of grandfather, but I'm me."

According to the official guidebook, Kosuke's daughter, Kindaichi's mother (her first name is unknown), seems to have been an amateur detective like Kindaichi when she was a student, and has actually solved cases. It seems that she met her first father in a certain incident that happened in this era. She is now a housewife. In the original, Kindaichi's mother never showed off her deductive powers, nor does she appear to be as famous as her father.

Personality[]

Fudo High School student Hajime is unmotivated, lazy, and a little lecherous, much to the exasperation of childhood friend Miyuki Nanase. However, only a few people see his great intelligence and deductive prowess.

In the first two cases, Hajime's personality is quite different. He's a lot more rude and often badmouth anyone who he consider annoying or wrong like Susumu Odagiri.

His catch phrases are, "In the name of my grandfather, Kosuke Kindaichi...", when he commits himself to solving a murder mystery, and, "This mystery is solved!", indicating to readers that they are now in possession of all facts needed to correctly deduce the killer's identity and methods.

In the first two cases, Hajime's personality is quite different. He's a lot more rude and often badmouth anyone who he consider annoying or wrong like Susumu Odagiri.

He passed the high school entrance exam with the highest score since the school opened, surpassing Miyuki, but because he has no motivation to study, his grades were on the verge of failing when he was promoted to the second year, and he was on the verge of failing the test. In some cases, h got a high score by cheating using the class's genius Asaki in Wax Doll Castle Murder Case.

Because of this, when academic knowledge is required for reasoning, he often borrows the help of people around him, such as Miyuki or Saki. On the other hand, his trivia side is rich with some strengths and weaknesses.

For that reason, he easily answer math problems, puzzles, and quizzes that can be solved with a little "inspiration" or "change of mind."

Although he doesn't show it much in recent cases, he is very greedy, and there are many scenes in the early stages where he is looking forward to specialties when he is invited. (In the drama, the Domoto version takes over that setting.) According to the official guidebook, since he was little, he's been eating nothing but fish-eyeballs.

Hajime doesn't do much exercise, but he seems to be fairly fast on his feet, and his 50m sprint time is said to be less than 7 seconds. Furthermore, among sports, table tennis is the only one that is good, and in Ghost School Murder Case, he brings his own table tennis equipment, including his own racket, to the accommodation. Also, if something happens during the incident, especially if something happens to Miyuki, he will show physical abilities that he doesn't usually show.

In the early days, his name was often called "Kindani" or "Kaneda Chiichi" (although only one person said this) because it looks like "Kindani". Usually called by Tawarada or Shigeru Nagashima.

In the days of the File series, he was very strict about people's lives and deaths as shown in Snow Yaksha Legend Murder Case, Hida's Trick of House Murder Case, Magical Express Murder Case and French Silver Coin Murder Case.

He doesn't boast about solving cases, and has a strong tendency to embrace pity in the epilogue. In addition, after the criminal is arrested, there are many cases of aftercare such as going to visit. Most of the time, they visit to hand over their relics or to inform them of the facts they discover later.

Most of the time, his involvement in the case is hidden, and although it is said that police officials such as Kenmochi solved the case, his name is known in the writer, detective, and treasure hunting world. In addition, it is said that it was his intention that his activities were not reported in the newspapers in the "Ghost Passenger Ship Murder Case". Later, Ryuji arbitrarily opened a website, which often led to incidents, but it seems that the person himself is thinking about earning pocket money with a simple request if he is lucky.

Hajime also worried about being easily involved in incidents while traveling. On top of that, quite a few of her friends have been murdered or become criminals. Especially in " Murder in the Demon Dog Forest ", the culprit was a longtime childhood friend, so it seems that the shock was quite large. The biggest shock was when Miyuki was critically injured in the "School's Seven Mysteries Murder Case". He feels depressed that he made a mistake in making Miyuki go to the clubroom alone, and even tries to withdraw from the incident. However, the person who saved him was Miyuki herself, who had regained her consciousness. Encouraged by her, he regained her energy and resolved the case, but even so, he still felt guilty toward Miyuki, and apologized to her after the resolution. However, Miyuki didn't even pretend to blame him, saying, "It's not Hajime's fault." (he have been saved by Miyuki's words in other incidents as well.)

There are many patterns where he is invited to the stage of a crime, and there are not many patterns where he gets involved in a crime if he goes out for a while (although he himself also goes on a trip and there is awareness that it will be involved in the incident ). Also, like a certain elementary school detective , he doesn't poke his nose into cases that have nothing to do with him out of curiosity. In the first place, he didn't seem to have much interest in solving riddles and mysteries, and he didn't even read a lot of famous mystery novels. There are many patterns that act to solve the case only "because you or your relatives were involved" or "because you were asked by an acquaintance".

However, as the story progressed, when he stopped by a restaurant , he talked about a trick he read in a foreign mystery novel, and when he was shown a code when he was asked about a code-breaking game, he said, "It sounds interesting, doesn't it?" ”, and it seems that he was not completely uninterested in such things.

In Broken Heart Lake Legend Murder Case, according to Seisaku Koda, it was said that God sent him to stop the crime, and with some exceptions, he was saved by his visit. There are many people, so let the receiver decide how to judge. However, the Fudo High School he attends has many teachers and students who are criminals and victims, so this one is more dangerous.

As a hobby, he often stays up all night playing video games (but his eyesight is 2.0 in both eyes). He is skilful with his hands, and in the " Graveyard Island Murder Case " he made bowguns and traps with things that were on the spot. In addition, he has a talent for pickpocketing and professional-level magic tricks that he learned from his grandfather.

However, Hajime basically only uses his abilities to save his friends from danger and to solve cases. Although he says that he has never beaten his grandfather in Go, he has the ability to beat a strong man from a prestigious school, and can play shogi reasonably well against a swordsman with a rank.

Even though he is underage, he sometimes watches AV, drinks, and smokes . As for him smoking, he seems to have quit after being told by Inspector Kenmochi about the harm of nicotine). In fact, he has a weak stomach and intestines, so he often eats too much and hurts his stomach.

He rarely shows off his achievements openly, so the reward for solving cases is often a meal at the expense of many police inspectors. However, although he was once a candidate for the direct award of the Superintendent General for solving numerous cases, it was canceled because his habit of watching pornography was found out just before.

He is also an accomplished sleight of hand artist. He is billed to have been quite unpopular with girls, but his kindness, intelligence and comical antics have in fact captured the hearts of many female characters throughout the story, such as Miyuki Nanase, Sayuri Kawanishi, Reika Hayami, Sakura Izumi, Masumi Takamori and Ruriko Tokiwa.

Despite his clumsiness and myriad other flaws, he is a loyal friend and a first-rate detective. Hajime was introduced to the School's Mystery Club (ミステリー会 Misuterī Kenkyūkai?) by Ruiko Sakuragi and became a member of it.

Abilities[]

Hajime is highly perceptive and catches even the smallest details. He has an exceptional memory power. His greatest strength is being able to perfectly link all the clues he has gathered to accurately recreate the murderer's actions. Hajime also never leaves a stone unturned, solving every mystery in a case and leaving the killer with no excuses. All these traits make Hajime a first-rate detective.

The investigative method is an extremely orthodox method for a detective story, in which circumstantial evidence is collected steadily. He often makes inferences from footage recorded by his junior camera boy Saki (his younger brother Ryuji after Ryuta was killed).

He is also an accomplished sleight of hand artist, and a talent in strategy board games.

Relatives[]

Kosuke Kindaichi[]

His late grandfather who was a private detective. Hajime inherited his intelligence from him, and looks up to his grandfather. Hajime was very fond of him, eagerly awaiting for his deductions. He always swears by his grandfather's name before trying to solve a case.

Fumi Kindaichi[]

His cousin sister. Fumi is like the 'annoying little sister' for Hajime due to her manipulative personality. They often fight and tease each other. However, Fumi always seeks Hajime's help whenever she is in danger. There are also several instances when Fumi has helped Hajime solve a case, either knowingly or unknowingly.

Relationships (Close Acquaintances)[]

Miyuki Nanase[]

His best friend and love interest. Hajime and Miyuki are childhood friends, and they both attend Fudo High School. They are also members of its Mystery Research Club. Miyuki genuinely loves Hajime, although he has not fully realised how much he loves her. Miyuki scolds Hajime when he does not behave, and their interactions can be quite comical. She is his support when he feels down and out, and Miyuki completely trusts in Hajime's abilities. The two care for each other deeply, and understand each other very well.

Isamu Kenmochi[]

His friend who is a homicide police inspector. Kenmochi used to see Hajime as an annoyance and acts hostile in his debut in Opera House Murder Case but later changes his attitude after that case. Kenmochi often takes Hajime and Miyuki along with him to many places, and seeks out Hajime's help when he is faced with a difficult case. Kenmochi plays a crucial role in providing Hajime freedom to fully pursue cases where his investigations may be restricted by people who doubt his abilities. They share a close bond, and Hajime calls Kenmochi 'Ossan', meaning 'Uncle'.

Kengo Akechi[]

Hajime and Akechi's relationship is downright hostile (arguably worse than Kenmochi in his debut in Opera House Murder Case) on their first case together in Snow Yaksha Legend Murder Case, Akechi completely didn't trust nor believe in Kindaichi's deduction skills. Akechi's own overconfidence is what makes his investigation into a dead end, thus Hajime has to explain that the culprit is another person. After Snow Yaksha Legend Murder Case, Akechi sees Hajime as a worthy rival and challenges him to a deduction fight one day. Their relationship is more or less a rivalry but with mutual respect towards each other.

Yosuke Itsuki[]

Hajime initially dislikes Itsuki's attitude in his debut in Broken Heart Lake Legend Murder Case, when he shows no remorse whatsoever on interviewing a recently murdered man's wife and planning to write a novel based on the case, though he learned that it's not the right thing to do. Itsuki also believe in Hajime's abilities and trust him to help his friends from his journalistic job to solve various code breaking game or joining Hajime on many cases.

Yoichi Takato[]

Hajime dislikes Takato because of his malicious and manipulative nature. Takato describes them as 'parallel lines', never to cross each other. They have contrasting personalities. While Takato instigates people and plots out 'perfect murders', Hajime sets out to solve those mysteries and bring the culprits to justice. In rare circumstances, they would work together to find out who the murderer is, despite their differences (Russian Dolls Murder Case, Rosenkreuz Mansion Murder Case).

Gentleman Thief[]

Hajime views the Gentleman Thief's tendency to create hilarious changes on a painting's model but still views her as a criminal. Unlike Takato, their relationship is more friendly as her action doesn't involve murders. The Gentleman Thief is also often teases Hajime. Hajime still swore to arrest her (mostly after she trolls him or directly injures him).

Reika Hayami[]

Reika Hayami is one of Hajime's closest friends and his favorite idol. In her debut in Snow Yaksha Legend Murder Case, he's surprised to see that Reika is not what he imagined to be: Arrogant and somewhat foul mouth. It's later revealed that it's not her real personality. Although Hajime is unaware that Reika has a crush on him, she has a confident attitude who loves to flirt with and seduce Hajime, but she is mentally weak who can not stand her rivals or enemies do something that she doesn't like.

Ryuta Saki[]

Hajime originally views Ryuta as a weird junior as he always records everything he sees and sneaking up behind others, even outright dislike him in Western-style Hotel Murder Case. Ryuta however, is completely impressed by Hajime's deduction and doesn't seem to care about his insults to him as he still helps him in solving School's Seven Mysteries Murder Case. Hajime then regrets acting hostile to him after Ryuta is found dead, showing that even if his behaviour is questionable, he still don't want to have his junior died.

Ryuji Saki[]

Ryuji also have almost the same characteristics as his older brother. Hajime realizes in Western Style Hotel Murder Case that his older brother's antics of recording does help him a lot, and Hajime often tells Ryuji to record anything that might be a clue. Hajime is also willing to help Ryuji on searching his crush, which turns out to be Sayaka Kamizu, and help defend her after she's accused of being the culprit. Hajime still sometimes question Ryuji's behaviour, as Ryuji creates a detective blog website without his consent and become the self-proclaimed "assistant".

Takashi Senke[]

Senke is one of Hajime's childhood friends who often plays together back when they're in kindergarten. Unlike Hajime, who's a lazy and lack any passion for learning, Senke is considered much more organized and smarter than him (though he states that his average scores in school is not enough to apply in national level). Even though he's later revealed to be the culprit in Murder in the Forest of the Demon Dog, he and Hajime still give each other goodbyes with a happy face, implying that they'll still be friends with each other.

Kentaro Izawa[]

Makoto Makabe[]

In his debut in School's Seven Mysteries Murder Case, Hajime initially impressed with Makabe's skill as a young writer. He starts to hate him after Makabe's unpleasant character to others is revealed. Hajime doesn't take Makabe seriously as a rival and sees him as a joke. 20 years later, when Makabe became a police detective, he still insults and makes fun of Hajime's current job as a salaryman. It's after Tower Mansion Madam Murder Case when they repaired their relationship with each other and becomes actual friends.

Emily Miura[]

Eisaku Yuki[]

Kotaro Tawarada[]

Hajime initially views Tawarada as stupid and incompetent in his debut in Western-style Village Murder Case. He has to contact inspector Kenmochi in order to make Tawarada cooperate with him. Tawarada while dislikes Hajime, reluctantly cooperate and give Hajime valuable information. Hajime relations with Tawarada begins to improve at the end of the case and even being asked to accompany him on Western-style Hotel Murder Case.

Shigeru Nagashima[]

Hajime and Nagashima has a rough relationship in Nagashima's debut in Murder Committed by Young Kindaichi. Nagashima fully believes that Hajime is the killer of Goryu Tachibana due to the fact that there's no other footprints of anyone leaving his room and the testimony of Tachibana's servants. Nagashima's hate towards Hajime is only got worse when he mistakes one of his officers is attacked when Hajime boards a train to Karuizawa. He even boards to the moving train and shoots the carriage's window with his gun, and give threats to Hajime. After Hajime is able to prove his innocence, his opinion towards Hajime is slightly better. He still dislikes Hajime but are willing to cooperate in several cases.

Masasuke Inokawa[]

Hajime and Inokawa has an intense rivalry in Black Butterfly of Death Murder Case. Inokawa initially willing to cooperate with Hajime but after there's several evidence pointing Hikage Miyama as the culprit, Inokawa always makes and argument against Hajime about the possibility of Miyama's not the culprit, even though in some cases, Miyama has no evidence of him being the culprit. After the case, he starts to view Hajime in a more positive light. Even bother to escort him, Miyuki and Itsuki to Miyama and Ageha's wedding. He still however, hopes to not meet Hajime ever again (possibly not to let him outsmarts him ever again).

Kyoko Kaya[]

When Hajime met Kyoko Kaya in Treasure Island Murder Case, he already has a curiosity over Kaya's mysterious box. Hajime also surprised to know that Kaya has a deep knowledge of forensics even though according to fellow treasure hunter, Ryuzo Yasojima, she's a daughter of a conglomerate. Unlike other treasure hunt participant with the exception of Chris Einstein, she's willing to cooperate with Hajime and gives him many information about the possible clue of the cryptic poem while Hajime is bathing in a hot spring. Hajime is surprised by her again when it's revealed that she's an undercover cop.

After the case, she's impressed by Hajime's deduction skill and even once asking for help with the reward of being able to see the content of her box in Half Murderer, only to find it to be another smaller box, much to Hajime's dismay.

Li Bo Er[]

Li Bailong[]

Yang Xiaolong[]

Etymology[]

  • The name Hajime means "one" (一).
  • Hajime's surname Kindaichi means "gold, money, metal" (金) (kin), "field, rice paddy" (田) (ta/da) and "one" (一) (ichi).

Gallery (Art style evolution)[]

Trivia[]

  • As a child, Hajime had never beaten his grandfather in a game of Go.
  • There is a possibility that he has a license because he once asked his mother to buy a motorcycle, but he does not appear to be riding a motorcycle in the series.

Quotes[]

This mystery is solved!


The killer is among us!


In the name of my Grandfather!
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