TV-Series
Description
Danbei Hayami recurs throughout multiple iterations of the Cutie Honey franchise. As the patriarch of the wealthy Hayami family, he is father to Seiji and Junpei. Physically, he appears as a short, older man with a bald head, thin eyebrows, a thin mustache, and frequently dons traditional Japanese attire: a brown kimono, light green haori, white tabi socks, and zori.
His personality blends comedic and serious elements. Danbei exhibits a perverted streak, often engaging in peeping or groping women like Honey Kisaragi. Yet he possesses a strong sense of justice, fiercely opposing villains who threaten his family or allies. He treats Honey as a surrogate daughter, providing her shelter after Panther Claw destroys her school, and shares a close familial bond with her—Honey affectionately calls him "Uncle." He is deeply protective of his sons and displays childlike excitability in non-threatening situations.
In combat, Danbei proves a surprisingly capable fighter. A master of martial arts, including kendo and ninjutsu, he holds his own against Panther Claw foot soldiers (Panthers), though typically overpowered by their stronger kaijin agents. His abilities transform significantly in *New Cutey Honey*, set a century after the original. Here, he appears as a cyborg with a body modeled after Mazinger Z, featuring enhanced strength and integrated weapons like a Rocket Punch. This cybernetic form allows him to remain active alongside his descendants, continuing to aid Honey against new threats.
His background remains consistent across adaptations. In the original *Cutie Honey* series, he frequently assists Honey and his sons during Panther Claw attacks and provides Honey a home after her school's destruction. *New Cutey Honey* sees his cyborg body reunite with an amnesiac Honey in "Cosplay City" to combat evil again. In *Cutie Honey Universe*, he retains his role as the wealthy patriarch supporting Honey and the Panther Claw Criminal Investigative Services (PCIS), where his son Seiji serves as an investigator.
The character originates from Go Nagai's earlier work *Abashiri Ikka*, based on Daemon Abashiri. Danbei remains one of the few characters appearing alongside Honey in both classic and modern franchise iterations.
His personality blends comedic and serious elements. Danbei exhibits a perverted streak, often engaging in peeping or groping women like Honey Kisaragi. Yet he possesses a strong sense of justice, fiercely opposing villains who threaten his family or allies. He treats Honey as a surrogate daughter, providing her shelter after Panther Claw destroys her school, and shares a close familial bond with her—Honey affectionately calls him "Uncle." He is deeply protective of his sons and displays childlike excitability in non-threatening situations.
In combat, Danbei proves a surprisingly capable fighter. A master of martial arts, including kendo and ninjutsu, he holds his own against Panther Claw foot soldiers (Panthers), though typically overpowered by their stronger kaijin agents. His abilities transform significantly in *New Cutey Honey*, set a century after the original. Here, he appears as a cyborg with a body modeled after Mazinger Z, featuring enhanced strength and integrated weapons like a Rocket Punch. This cybernetic form allows him to remain active alongside his descendants, continuing to aid Honey against new threats.
His background remains consistent across adaptations. In the original *Cutie Honey* series, he frequently assists Honey and his sons during Panther Claw attacks and provides Honey a home after her school's destruction. *New Cutey Honey* sees his cyborg body reunite with an amnesiac Honey in "Cosplay City" to combat evil again. In *Cutie Honey Universe*, he retains his role as the wealthy patriarch supporting Honey and the Panther Claw Criminal Investigative Services (PCIS), where his son Seiji serves as an investigator.
The character originates from Go Nagai's earlier work *Abashiri Ikka*, based on Daemon Abashiri. Danbei remains one of the few characters appearing alongside Honey in both classic and modern franchise iterations.