TV-Series
Description
Kanba Takakura is the eldest of the three Takakura siblings, the 16-year-old fraternal twin brother of Shoma and older brother to Himari. Despite being raised as a Takakura, it is eventually revealed that he is not related to the family by blood; his biological family is the Natsume, and he is the older twin brother of Masako Natsume.
Outwardly, Kanba presents himself as a charismatic and flirtatious individual, earning a reputation as a playboy. He is known to have had many romantic relationships, often leaving a trail of heartbroken former girlfriends, some of whom even form a club hoping to see him fail. This reputation stands in stark contrast to his more reserved younger brother, Shoma. Beneath this exterior, however, Kanba is deeply serious, head-strong, and assumes the primary responsibility for the survival of his family, particularly younger sister Himari. He is often described as the colder and more pragmatic of the twins, taking his duty to provide for his siblings and save Himari's life with absolute seriousness.
Kanba's sole, overwhelming motivation is the survival of his sister Himari, who suffers from a terminal illness. She is described as his entire world, his light, and the very meaning of his life. He operates on a philosophy that the ends justify the means, showing a willingness to resort to any method, legal or illegal, to obtain the money or the mysterious Penguindrum needed to save her. This desperation makes him vulnerable to manipulation, and he becomes entangled with the Kiga Group, a shadowy organization, as a commander, and with the enigmatic Sanetoshi Watase. Sanetoshi exploits Kanba's devotion, offering expensive medicine and false hope to coerce him into committing increasingly dangerous acts, including acts of terrorism.
Within the story, Kanba is the driving force who takes the most direct and dangerous actions. He is responsible for the family's finances and lifestyle, a burden he carries without hesitation. His key relationships are defined by his obsessive love for Himari, which carries hints of romantic feeling that he struggles with and largely keeps suppressed. His bond with his brother Shoma is central to the narrative. While they bicker and have a fundamental moral rift over Kanba's criminal activities, their connection is deep. A formative childhood memory reveals that when the two were starving and trapped, Kanba was the one who received the "fruit of fate" and chose to split it with Shoma, ensuring his brother's survival. This act of sharing becomes thematically significant, as it represents a cycle of sacrifice and connection.
Throughout the series, Kanba undergoes a tragic arc defined by increasing isolation and self-destruction. As he sinks deeper into a life of crime for Himari's sake, his relationship with Shoma fractures entirely. However, his development culminates in his ultimate sacrifice. In the end, he gives up his own life to save Himari, shattering into pieces so that she may live a healthy life. In a final moment of thematic completion, his sacrifice is mirrored by the others; the fruit of fate he once shared with Shoma is eventually shared back to him by Himari, completing the cycle. He is later reborn as a child in a new timeline, walking with his brother Shoma as the four penguins follow them, suggesting a second chance at a peaceful existence.
Kanba possesses no supernatural abilities of his own, but his notable traits are his immense resourcefulness, his charisma, and his unwavering resolve. He is willing to hold onto a moving truck or commit serious crimes for even a small chance to help his sister. His most notable ability is his capacity for self-sacrifice, which forms the core of his character and the show's central theme of sharing the burden of fate.
Outwardly, Kanba presents himself as a charismatic and flirtatious individual, earning a reputation as a playboy. He is known to have had many romantic relationships, often leaving a trail of heartbroken former girlfriends, some of whom even form a club hoping to see him fail. This reputation stands in stark contrast to his more reserved younger brother, Shoma. Beneath this exterior, however, Kanba is deeply serious, head-strong, and assumes the primary responsibility for the survival of his family, particularly younger sister Himari. He is often described as the colder and more pragmatic of the twins, taking his duty to provide for his siblings and save Himari's life with absolute seriousness.
Kanba's sole, overwhelming motivation is the survival of his sister Himari, who suffers from a terminal illness. She is described as his entire world, his light, and the very meaning of his life. He operates on a philosophy that the ends justify the means, showing a willingness to resort to any method, legal or illegal, to obtain the money or the mysterious Penguindrum needed to save her. This desperation makes him vulnerable to manipulation, and he becomes entangled with the Kiga Group, a shadowy organization, as a commander, and with the enigmatic Sanetoshi Watase. Sanetoshi exploits Kanba's devotion, offering expensive medicine and false hope to coerce him into committing increasingly dangerous acts, including acts of terrorism.
Within the story, Kanba is the driving force who takes the most direct and dangerous actions. He is responsible for the family's finances and lifestyle, a burden he carries without hesitation. His key relationships are defined by his obsessive love for Himari, which carries hints of romantic feeling that he struggles with and largely keeps suppressed. His bond with his brother Shoma is central to the narrative. While they bicker and have a fundamental moral rift over Kanba's criminal activities, their connection is deep. A formative childhood memory reveals that when the two were starving and trapped, Kanba was the one who received the "fruit of fate" and chose to split it with Shoma, ensuring his brother's survival. This act of sharing becomes thematically significant, as it represents a cycle of sacrifice and connection.
Throughout the series, Kanba undergoes a tragic arc defined by increasing isolation and self-destruction. As he sinks deeper into a life of crime for Himari's sake, his relationship with Shoma fractures entirely. However, his development culminates in his ultimate sacrifice. In the end, he gives up his own life to save Himari, shattering into pieces so that she may live a healthy life. In a final moment of thematic completion, his sacrifice is mirrored by the others; the fruit of fate he once shared with Shoma is eventually shared back to him by Himari, completing the cycle. He is later reborn as a child in a new timeline, walking with his brother Shoma as the four penguins follow them, suggesting a second chance at a peaceful existence.
Kanba possesses no supernatural abilities of his own, but his notable traits are his immense resourcefulness, his charisma, and his unwavering resolve. He is willing to hold onto a moving truck or commit serious crimes for even a small chance to help his sister. His most notable ability is his capacity for self-sacrifice, which forms the core of his character and the show's central theme of sharing the burden of fate.