Ichirou Tanizaki, a 36-year-old heavy smoker, serves as a supervisor within the organization B.A.B.E.L. where he is specifically assigned to the esper Naomi Umegae. His professional relationship with her is defined by an extreme attachment that formed when her supernatural powers were first discovered at the age of twelve. Tanizaki's stated objective is to mold her into his ideal woman, and he consistently refers to her by the codename Kitty Cat.

The character's name finds its origin in Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, an author recognized for his translation of The Tale of Genji into modern Japanese. The surname Tanizaki combines the characters for valley and cape or peninsula. His given name, Ichirou, is formed from the characters for one and son.