TV-Series
Description
Hajime Kanzaki is a third-year student at Ishiyama High School and a prominent member of the Tōhōshinki, the group of the four strongest fighters at the institution. Before the series protagonist, Tatsumi Oga, arrived on the scene, Kanzaki was considered the student closest to achieving total dominance over the entire school. His appearance is that of a classic Japanese delinquent, with dull blond hair tinged with brown, a pale face, and a visible stubble. He has dull, lifeless eyes and a cut on his left cheek, presumably from a past fight. His look is accessorized with several piercings: two in his left ear, a red one in his right, and a distinctive ring piercing on his lower lip from which a chain hangs and connects to his left ear. He also wears a chain around his neck like a necklace.
Initially, Kanzaki embodies a sadistic and malignant personality. He is brutally violent and has no compunction about attacking anyone who gets in his way, whether they be enemies or allies, and he has indirectly referred to murder on several occasions. Despite this ferocious exterior, he possesses a hidden sense of honor and loyalty. He demonstrates genuine care for his subordinates, such as when he seeks to avenge his underling Takeshi Shiroyama after an attack, and he is fiercely protective of his young niece, Futaba. He is willing to cooperate with others when the situation calls for it and believes that taking on personal burdens is what makes a man stronger. In a lighter character quirk, Kanzaki has a great fondness for yogurt, a drink he is often seen consuming and which Shiroyama is tasked with keeping supplied.
Kanzaki's role in the story begins as an antagonist to Oga. As Oga searches for a more evil and powerful person to whom he can pass the demon baby Beel, his first target is Kanzaki. In their initial confrontation, Oga defeats Kanzaki, demonstrating that despite his reputation, Kanzaki is not strong enough to be a suitable parent for Beel. Following this defeat, his personal gang disbands, but he remains a recurring and significant presence. He later becomes a reluctant ally and something of a friend to Oga. He is manipulated by Furuichi into joining the fight against the demon prince En, believing falsely that the demons are thugs from another school who defeated Oga and another powerful fighter, Hidetora Toujou. Through these events, Kanzaki is integrated into the core group of characters who face increasingly supernatural threats together.
Key relationships define much of his character development. His most notable bond is with his former underling, Takeshi Shiroyama, who remains fiercely loyal to Kanzaki even after his defeat. Another important relationship forms with Tatsuya Himekawa, another member of the Tōhōshinki whom Oga also defeats. As the first two of the four to be beaten, they find common ground and develop a friendship. He also shares a unique dynamic with Yuka Hanazawa from the Red Tails, whom he nicknames Paa-ko. They meet during a major battle, and after Kanzaki bravely stands up to a demon, she praises his reckless courage.
Throughout the series, Kanzaki undergoes notable development. He transitions from a merciless gang leader who acts solely for his own dominance to a more cooperative fighter who will join forces with his former rivals to face greater threats. His inherent pride and loyalty, which were always present but buried under his violent exterior, become more prominent as he fights alongside Oga and the others. This evolution is further highlighted during his training with the master fighter Zenjūrō Saotome, where he becomes strong enough to fight on par with his powerful peer, Shintarō Natsume.
In terms of abilities, Kanzaki is a raw and brutal brawler who relies on his physical strength and emotions in combat rather than a specific martial art. He is shown to be a powerful fighter, especially skilled at kicking. A unique trait is that he becomes extremely irritable when someone pulls the chain on his face, at which point his strength is said to triple. Over time, he develops and names several kicking techniques, including the Heel Kick, the Double Heel Kick, and the 100 Fold Heel Kick, which he claims delivers one hundred times the power of a normal strike.
Initially, Kanzaki embodies a sadistic and malignant personality. He is brutally violent and has no compunction about attacking anyone who gets in his way, whether they be enemies or allies, and he has indirectly referred to murder on several occasions. Despite this ferocious exterior, he possesses a hidden sense of honor and loyalty. He demonstrates genuine care for his subordinates, such as when he seeks to avenge his underling Takeshi Shiroyama after an attack, and he is fiercely protective of his young niece, Futaba. He is willing to cooperate with others when the situation calls for it and believes that taking on personal burdens is what makes a man stronger. In a lighter character quirk, Kanzaki has a great fondness for yogurt, a drink he is often seen consuming and which Shiroyama is tasked with keeping supplied.
Kanzaki's role in the story begins as an antagonist to Oga. As Oga searches for a more evil and powerful person to whom he can pass the demon baby Beel, his first target is Kanzaki. In their initial confrontation, Oga defeats Kanzaki, demonstrating that despite his reputation, Kanzaki is not strong enough to be a suitable parent for Beel. Following this defeat, his personal gang disbands, but he remains a recurring and significant presence. He later becomes a reluctant ally and something of a friend to Oga. He is manipulated by Furuichi into joining the fight against the demon prince En, believing falsely that the demons are thugs from another school who defeated Oga and another powerful fighter, Hidetora Toujou. Through these events, Kanzaki is integrated into the core group of characters who face increasingly supernatural threats together.
Key relationships define much of his character development. His most notable bond is with his former underling, Takeshi Shiroyama, who remains fiercely loyal to Kanzaki even after his defeat. Another important relationship forms with Tatsuya Himekawa, another member of the Tōhōshinki whom Oga also defeats. As the first two of the four to be beaten, they find common ground and develop a friendship. He also shares a unique dynamic with Yuka Hanazawa from the Red Tails, whom he nicknames Paa-ko. They meet during a major battle, and after Kanzaki bravely stands up to a demon, she praises his reckless courage.
Throughout the series, Kanzaki undergoes notable development. He transitions from a merciless gang leader who acts solely for his own dominance to a more cooperative fighter who will join forces with his former rivals to face greater threats. His inherent pride and loyalty, which were always present but buried under his violent exterior, become more prominent as he fights alongside Oga and the others. This evolution is further highlighted during his training with the master fighter Zenjūrō Saotome, where he becomes strong enough to fight on par with his powerful peer, Shintarō Natsume.
In terms of abilities, Kanzaki is a raw and brutal brawler who relies on his physical strength and emotions in combat rather than a specific martial art. He is shown to be a powerful fighter, especially skilled at kicking. A unique trait is that he becomes extremely irritable when someone pulls the chain on his face, at which point his strength is said to triple. Over time, he develops and names several kicking techniques, including the Heel Kick, the Double Heel Kick, and the 100 Fold Heel Kick, which he claims delivers one hundred times the power of a normal strike.