TV-Series
Description
Nijū-Mensō, also known as Twenty Faces, leads an international group of thieves specializing in elaborate heists. His first encounter with Chizuko Mikamo occurs during a mission to steal the Anastasia Ruby, her family heirloom, from her residence. Discovering her aunt and uncle slowly poisoning the young heiress to claim her inheritance, he offers her an alternative path, inviting her to join his band.
Having previously worked as a scientist for Imperial Japan during the Great War (World War II), Nijū-Mensō researched inducing the fourth state of water, a breakthrough with catastrophic military potential. Horrified by the destructive applications, he destroyed his laboratory and abandoned his colleagues. This experience solidified his opposition to warfare and killing, shaping his moral code.
He strictly prohibits lethal force within his operations, instructing his team to avoid killing unless absolutely unavoidable. His primary targets are individuals he deems morally corrupt, often called "pigs," and his heists are frequently preceded by warnings. His actions aim to prevent further global conflict and redistribute ill-gotten gains, establishing his anti-hero status.
As Chizuko (nicknamed Chiko) integrates into the group, Nijū-Mensō assumed a paternal role. He personally mentored her in thievery skills: disguise, acrobatics, observation, and critical thinking. He emphasized listening, keenly observing surroundings, and independent thought. His training guided her transformation from a vulnerable victim to a capable thief, with indications he intended her as his successor.
His group utilizes advanced technology and vehicles, including a double-balloon airship and a heavily armed tank, which appear decades ahead of their time in the series' 1950s Shōwa period. These inventions stem from his scientific background and facilitate their global operations.
A catastrophic train attack orchestrated by his nemesis, Tiger, resulted in the apparent deaths of most of his crew, including Nijū-Mensō after the train car he occupied exploded. His survival remained ambiguous initially. He later resurfaced temporarily, disguised as the detective Akechi, to aid Chiko during a critical moment. During this reappearance, he revealed his ongoing mission to thwart a clandestine continuation of the Great War before disappearing once more. His legacy, the "Legacy of the 20-Faces," became a central mystery in later events.
Having previously worked as a scientist for Imperial Japan during the Great War (World War II), Nijū-Mensō researched inducing the fourth state of water, a breakthrough with catastrophic military potential. Horrified by the destructive applications, he destroyed his laboratory and abandoned his colleagues. This experience solidified his opposition to warfare and killing, shaping his moral code.
He strictly prohibits lethal force within his operations, instructing his team to avoid killing unless absolutely unavoidable. His primary targets are individuals he deems morally corrupt, often called "pigs," and his heists are frequently preceded by warnings. His actions aim to prevent further global conflict and redistribute ill-gotten gains, establishing his anti-hero status.
As Chizuko (nicknamed Chiko) integrates into the group, Nijū-Mensō assumed a paternal role. He personally mentored her in thievery skills: disguise, acrobatics, observation, and critical thinking. He emphasized listening, keenly observing surroundings, and independent thought. His training guided her transformation from a vulnerable victim to a capable thief, with indications he intended her as his successor.
His group utilizes advanced technology and vehicles, including a double-balloon airship and a heavily armed tank, which appear decades ahead of their time in the series' 1950s Shōwa period. These inventions stem from his scientific background and facilitate their global operations.
A catastrophic train attack orchestrated by his nemesis, Tiger, resulted in the apparent deaths of most of his crew, including Nijū-Mensō after the train car he occupied exploded. His survival remained ambiguous initially. He later resurfaced temporarily, disguised as the detective Akechi, to aid Chiko during a critical moment. During this reappearance, he revealed his ongoing mission to thwart a clandestine continuation of the Great War before disappearing once more. His legacy, the "Legacy of the 20-Faces," became a central mystery in later events.