TV-Series
Description
Kanta Mizuno, known throughout the Great Kanto Desert by his professional alias Desert Punk or the Demon of the Desert, is a 17-year-old mercenary who operates as a handyman for the Handyman Guild, taking on any job that offers payment. His background is rooted in the harsh, post-apocalyptic wasteland that was once Japan, where he spent his childhood at Water Station 30. A key figure from his past is Natsuko Kawaguchi, the sister of his three childhood friends known as the Machine Gun Brothers. Their relationship is complex and traumatic; as a child, Kanta was so mischievous that he reportedly attempted to assault her, an act for which her brothers beat him severely. In retaliation, he planted a bomb in their bathroom that injured Natsuko, an event that dramatically changed her personality and fostered a lasting, contentious dynamic between them. His father, who died before the main story begins, left him his most treasured possession: a modified Winchester Model 1897 shotgun, which Kanta uses as his signature weapon.
Personality-wise, Kanta is defined by a profound cynicism and a virtually complete lack of regard for anyone's interests but his own. He is described as selfish, arrogant, crude, and opportunistic, making no effort to be a hero or a role model. His most notable and exploitable weakness is his extreme lecherousness; he is obsessed with women's bodies, particularly large breasts, and this desire frequently overrides his otherwise sharp judgment. For instance, he is repeatedly manipulated by the alluring Junko Asagiri, known as the Vixen of the Desert, fully aware of her deceitful nature but unable to resist her because he finds her so attractive. Despite these glaring personal flaws, Kanta is a consummate professional when it comes to completing a job. He is willing to use any underhanded tactic, betray allies, or endanger lives to fulfill a contract, and his legendary reputation for success stems from this ruthless pragmatism combined with his intelligence and skill.
His role in the story initially positions him as an antiheroic protagonist, a lone bounty hunter surviving by his wits. This changes when he encounters Taiko Koizumi, a young girl who begs to become his apprentice. He rejects her repeatedly until she shows him a photograph of a large-breasted woman, claiming it is her mother, leading him to accept on the hope that Taiko will one day develop similarly. He gives her the nickname Kosuna, meaning little sand. His key relationship with Kosuna is a strange mixture of begrudging mentorship and exploitation, as he trains her in the mercenary trade while simultaneously viewing her as a future object of desire. As the series progresses, Kosuna grows more independent and competent, while Kanta's trajectory takes a darker turn. In a significant development, he ultimately betrays his former comrades, including Kosuna, to join the West Oasis Government, becoming a frontline commander of an army of robot soldiers known as the Undead. This shift effectively transforms him into a primary antagonist, prioritizing a promotion and power over any lingering ties to his past. In the future timeline, he is eventually remembered not as a hero but as a devil who enslaved others before being driven back.
Kanta possesses no superhuman powers, but his notable abilities make him a formidable opponent in the brutal desert landscape. His intelligence and sharp instincts are his greatest assets, allowing him to outthink enemies who often have greater numbers or resources. He is a crack shot and highly adept with explosives and various weapons, but his tactical genius is best displayed through his specialized gadgetry. This includes a rocket-powered winch hidden beneath his cape, which allows him to vault over high obstacles or swing across ruins, often misleading enemies into thinking he can fly. He frequently uses inflatable balloons painted to look exactly like himself as decoys to confuse snipers and set traps. Furthermore, he is known to booby-trap his own equipment, using smoke bombs or sabotage devices if anyone attempts to steal from him. These tools, combined with his ruthlessness and quick thinking, enable him to consistently overcome challenges despite his diminutive stature and questionable morals.
Personality-wise, Kanta is defined by a profound cynicism and a virtually complete lack of regard for anyone's interests but his own. He is described as selfish, arrogant, crude, and opportunistic, making no effort to be a hero or a role model. His most notable and exploitable weakness is his extreme lecherousness; he is obsessed with women's bodies, particularly large breasts, and this desire frequently overrides his otherwise sharp judgment. For instance, he is repeatedly manipulated by the alluring Junko Asagiri, known as the Vixen of the Desert, fully aware of her deceitful nature but unable to resist her because he finds her so attractive. Despite these glaring personal flaws, Kanta is a consummate professional when it comes to completing a job. He is willing to use any underhanded tactic, betray allies, or endanger lives to fulfill a contract, and his legendary reputation for success stems from this ruthless pragmatism combined with his intelligence and skill.
His role in the story initially positions him as an antiheroic protagonist, a lone bounty hunter surviving by his wits. This changes when he encounters Taiko Koizumi, a young girl who begs to become his apprentice. He rejects her repeatedly until she shows him a photograph of a large-breasted woman, claiming it is her mother, leading him to accept on the hope that Taiko will one day develop similarly. He gives her the nickname Kosuna, meaning little sand. His key relationship with Kosuna is a strange mixture of begrudging mentorship and exploitation, as he trains her in the mercenary trade while simultaneously viewing her as a future object of desire. As the series progresses, Kosuna grows more independent and competent, while Kanta's trajectory takes a darker turn. In a significant development, he ultimately betrays his former comrades, including Kosuna, to join the West Oasis Government, becoming a frontline commander of an army of robot soldiers known as the Undead. This shift effectively transforms him into a primary antagonist, prioritizing a promotion and power over any lingering ties to his past. In the future timeline, he is eventually remembered not as a hero but as a devil who enslaved others before being driven back.
Kanta possesses no superhuman powers, but his notable abilities make him a formidable opponent in the brutal desert landscape. His intelligence and sharp instincts are his greatest assets, allowing him to outthink enemies who often have greater numbers or resources. He is a crack shot and highly adept with explosives and various weapons, but his tactical genius is best displayed through his specialized gadgetry. This includes a rocket-powered winch hidden beneath his cape, which allows him to vault over high obstacles or swing across ruins, often misleading enemies into thinking he can fly. He frequently uses inflatable balloons painted to look exactly like himself as decoys to confuse snipers and set traps. Furthermore, he is known to booby-trap his own equipment, using smoke bombs or sabotage devices if anyone attempts to steal from him. These tools, combined with his ruthlessness and quick thinking, enable him to consistently overcome challenges despite his diminutive stature and questionable morals.
Cast