Kanazawa is a middle-aged survivor encountered by the protagonists during their journey through the desolate, multi-levelled megacity. He is a cartographer by profession, a man whose entire existence is defined by his self-appointed mission to draw detailed maps of the entire post-apocalyptic world, layer by layer. His appearance is that of a tall man with black hair, black eyes, and round spectacles, typically dressed in practical, dark clothing that includes a jacket, pants, gloves, and a large backpack to hold his life's work. A notable piece of his equipment is a camera attached to a pair of goggles, which he uses to take photographs without needing to adjust his head, a tool that becomes significant later.

In terms of personality, Kanazawa is portrayed as a calm, gentle, and thoughtful individual. His quiet demeanor masks a deep and tenacious passion for his work, which he pursues with a meticulous and methodical nature. Cartography is not just a hobby for him; it is the very purpose that gives him a reason to continue living in a world that is otherwise empty and devoid of a future. He has a philosophical bent, accepting the harsh reality of his environment while finding meaning in the act of recording and understanding it. However, this resolve is fragile, as his will to live is almost entirely tied to the existence of his maps.

Kanazawa's primary role in the story is as a temporary companion to the main characters, serving as a mentor figure of sorts and a catalyst for reflection on their own journey. He is the first living human the girls have encountered in a long time, and their initial meeting is tense, born of mutual caution in a hostile world. He helps them navigate the complex city ruins and teaches them how to operate a large elevator to reach a higher level. In return, they offer him companionship and a ride on their Kettenkrad vehicle. The emotional core of his character arc occurs during this elevator ride. When the elevator malfunctions and tilts dangerously, the bag containing his entire collection of hand-drawn maps falls into the abyss below. Faced with the immediate and total loss of his life's work, Kanazawa falls into a deep depression and even tries to let himself fall as well, believing he no longer has a reason to live. It is only through the intervention of the two girls, particularly Yuuri's simple act of sharing a fruit-flavored ration bar and their shared witnessing of a vast field of streetlights illuminating the dark city, that he finds the strength to continue.

His key relationship is, of course, with Chito and Yuuri. Through this brief but intense encounter, he forms a bond based on mutual aid and understanding. He leaves a lasting impact on them by gifting them his camera. This act is significant; he gives up a valuable tool for his own work as a token of gratitude, and for the girls, the camera becomes a way to document their own memories and see the world through a new perspective. Later, the images stored on the camera reveal glimpses of Kanazawa's past, including photographs of an unnamed female companion he once traveled with, suggesting a history of loss and companionship that he rarely speaks of.

Regarding his abilities, Kanazawa is highly skilled in navigation and cartography, possessing an expert knowledge of the sprawling city's layout. He is also resourceful and mechanically inclined, capable of setting explosive charges to topple buildings in a controlled manner to create bridges across gaps in the cityscape. He demonstrates an understanding of how to operate and repair old technology, such as the elevator. After the loss of his maps, he shows remarkable resilience. While initially devastated, he ultimately decides to begin his life's work anew, starting from scratch to map the next level of the city, proving that his core drive to create and explore remains unbroken.