TV-Series
Description
Masaru Kaneda is a student in the fifth grade class five-three at Doumori Elementary School, the homeroom of the teacher Meisuke Nueno, known as Nube. From the beginning of the series, Kaneda establishes himself as the self-proclaimed class bully, physically larger and tougher than his more slender classmates. He has a slightly wider build, slicked-back black hair, and a menacing expression that he uses to intimidate others. His early behavior is marked by picking on weaker students, particularly Makoto Kurita, and he constantly seeks to assert dominance over anyone who challenges his position. He is often accompanied by two younger followers, Narumi and Shuji, and the trio frequently engage in acts of petty cruelty and extortion among the younger students.
Despite this rough exterior, Kaneda undergoes one of the most significant character arcs in the story. His motivations initially revolve around a desire for power and respect through fear, but his repeated encounters with supernatural forces gradually reshape his outlook. Early on, his bullying tendencies attract negative spiritual attention, such as in the Yami-ko incident, where he attempts to frighten the transfer student Hiroshi Tateno using a cursed tape recording, only to become trapped himself. Being rescued by Hiroshi forces him to acknowledge a debt of gratitude, and the two develop a grudging respect that evolves into a genuine, if combative, friendship. This marks the beginning of his transformation from an outright antagonist into a more complex figure who can act as an ally.
A turning point in his development comes through his relationship with the quiet classmate Ayumi Kinoshita. Initially targeting her for bullying, Kaneda inadvertently discovers that her face appears to melt when splashed with water, leading him to suspect she is a supernatural creature called a noppera-bo. However, after she recommends a book to him, he becomes genuinely interested in reading for the first time. When he learns that Ayumi is actually a sickly girl who uses a spiritual projection to attend school, he defends her from other potential bullies and offers his protection. This act of chivalry demonstrates a growing sense of responsibility and kindness that lies beneath his aggressive demeanor, and the two eventually become close friends.
Kaneda's role in the story is that of a secondary supporting character who often serves as comic relief due to his arrogance and inflated self-image, yet also steps up in moments of crisis. He lacks any supernatural abilities himself, but his physical strength and bravery make him a reliable ally when Nube faces threats. He is a member of the sumo club and is proud of his athletic prowess, though his academic performance is poor. His notable abilities include his physical endurance and his willingness to stand up for others once his conscience is awakened.
Over the course of the series, Kaneda's personality matures from a selfish bully into a loyal friend who is still rough around the edges but capable of genuine compassion. His key relationships include his rivalry-turned-friendship with Hiroshi Tateno, his defense and later deep bond with Ayumi Kinoshita, his subordinate followers Narumi and Shuji, and his respectful but often rebellious attitude toward his teacher Nube. He is consistently called by his surname Kaneda by classmates and Nube alike, a trait that sets him apart from many of the other students.
In the later continuity of the series, set many years after elementary school, Kaneda is shown to have grown into a kind-hearted young man. He works as a long-distance truck driver and pursues a side career writing romance novels, a hobby inspired by the books Ayumi introduced him to as a child. He ultimately marries Ayumi after supporting her through years of rehabilitation, and the two have a child together. This future reveals that his earlier capacity for loyalty and care has become the dominant trait of his adult personality, rounding out a complete transformation from a troublesome child into a devoted husband and responsible worker.
Despite this rough exterior, Kaneda undergoes one of the most significant character arcs in the story. His motivations initially revolve around a desire for power and respect through fear, but his repeated encounters with supernatural forces gradually reshape his outlook. Early on, his bullying tendencies attract negative spiritual attention, such as in the Yami-ko incident, where he attempts to frighten the transfer student Hiroshi Tateno using a cursed tape recording, only to become trapped himself. Being rescued by Hiroshi forces him to acknowledge a debt of gratitude, and the two develop a grudging respect that evolves into a genuine, if combative, friendship. This marks the beginning of his transformation from an outright antagonist into a more complex figure who can act as an ally.
A turning point in his development comes through his relationship with the quiet classmate Ayumi Kinoshita. Initially targeting her for bullying, Kaneda inadvertently discovers that her face appears to melt when splashed with water, leading him to suspect she is a supernatural creature called a noppera-bo. However, after she recommends a book to him, he becomes genuinely interested in reading for the first time. When he learns that Ayumi is actually a sickly girl who uses a spiritual projection to attend school, he defends her from other potential bullies and offers his protection. This act of chivalry demonstrates a growing sense of responsibility and kindness that lies beneath his aggressive demeanor, and the two eventually become close friends.
Kaneda's role in the story is that of a secondary supporting character who often serves as comic relief due to his arrogance and inflated self-image, yet also steps up in moments of crisis. He lacks any supernatural abilities himself, but his physical strength and bravery make him a reliable ally when Nube faces threats. He is a member of the sumo club and is proud of his athletic prowess, though his academic performance is poor. His notable abilities include his physical endurance and his willingness to stand up for others once his conscience is awakened.
Over the course of the series, Kaneda's personality matures from a selfish bully into a loyal friend who is still rough around the edges but capable of genuine compassion. His key relationships include his rivalry-turned-friendship with Hiroshi Tateno, his defense and later deep bond with Ayumi Kinoshita, his subordinate followers Narumi and Shuji, and his respectful but often rebellious attitude toward his teacher Nube. He is consistently called by his surname Kaneda by classmates and Nube alike, a trait that sets him apart from many of the other students.
In the later continuity of the series, set many years after elementary school, Kaneda is shown to have grown into a kind-hearted young man. He works as a long-distance truck driver and pursues a side career writing romance novels, a hobby inspired by the books Ayumi introduced him to as a child. He ultimately marries Ayumi after supporting her through years of rehabilitation, and the two have a child together. This future reveals that his earlier capacity for loyalty and care has become the dominant trait of his adult personality, rounding out a complete transformation from a troublesome child into a devoted husband and responsible worker.