TV-Series
Description
Hanpei Hattori is a human private investigator hired by Mitsuko Komyoji to track down Jiro after he fled due to a misunderstanding. Financially strained and lacking cases, Hanpei accepted the job both from necessity and a sincere wish to assist, unaware Jiro was an android and believing Mitsuko sought her missing brother. With his apprentice Etsuko Sarutobi, he scoured the city, locating Jiro drenched by rain near a clock tower in a shopping plaza. At a diner, Hanpei emphasized family bonds and Mitsuko's worry to mediate, but a distraught Jiro escaped again, vanishing into the crowd as Hanpei gave chase.
That night, witnessing an explosion near a radio tower, Hanpei investigated and found Jiro ensnared in Carmine Spider's web. Climbing the tower to rescue him, Hanpei saw Jiro transform into Kikaider. After Kikaider defeated Carmine Spider, the collapsing structure forced Kikaider to carry Hanpei to safety. Awakening in a field, Hanpei was discovered by Mitsuko, Masaru, and Etsuko. He pledged to keep searching for Jiro but demanded full disclosure about Jiro's android nature.
Hanpei persistently aided the Komyoji family against the DARK organization. During the climax at DARK's headquarters, he secured Dr. Komyoji's brain from Hakaider's body. Jiro entrusted the brain to Hanpei, who ensured its return to Dr. Komyoji's original body. Hanpei escaped the headquarters' destruction with Mitsuko and Etsuko, though Jiro's fate stayed unresolved.
In the OVA *The Boy with the Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman*, set after *Kikaider 01*, Hanpei was again hired to find Jiro. He mistakenly identified high school student Saburo Kazeda as Jiro. After correcting this error, Hanpei reunited with Jiro but saw him briefly lose control due to an implanted submission chip, triggering a clash with Inazuman (Saburo Kazeda's transformed state). Post-conflict, Hanpei remained as Jiro left to wander alone.
Hanpei blends comedic traits with unwavering loyalty. Frequently fearful in perilous situations—embodying a "Cowardly Lion" archetype—he nonetheless upholds his detective duties with tenacity. Claiming lineage from the historical ninja Hattori Hanzo, he sporadically uses ninja-inspired methods, like unorthodox car repairs. His core role supports the Komyoji family and Jiro, anchoring the android-driven conflict with a human perspective.
That night, witnessing an explosion near a radio tower, Hanpei investigated and found Jiro ensnared in Carmine Spider's web. Climbing the tower to rescue him, Hanpei saw Jiro transform into Kikaider. After Kikaider defeated Carmine Spider, the collapsing structure forced Kikaider to carry Hanpei to safety. Awakening in a field, Hanpei was discovered by Mitsuko, Masaru, and Etsuko. He pledged to keep searching for Jiro but demanded full disclosure about Jiro's android nature.
Hanpei persistently aided the Komyoji family against the DARK organization. During the climax at DARK's headquarters, he secured Dr. Komyoji's brain from Hakaider's body. Jiro entrusted the brain to Hanpei, who ensured its return to Dr. Komyoji's original body. Hanpei escaped the headquarters' destruction with Mitsuko and Etsuko, though Jiro's fate stayed unresolved.
In the OVA *The Boy with the Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman*, set after *Kikaider 01*, Hanpei was again hired to find Jiro. He mistakenly identified high school student Saburo Kazeda as Jiro. After correcting this error, Hanpei reunited with Jiro but saw him briefly lose control due to an implanted submission chip, triggering a clash with Inazuman (Saburo Kazeda's transformed state). Post-conflict, Hanpei remained as Jiro left to wander alone.
Hanpei blends comedic traits with unwavering loyalty. Frequently fearful in perilous situations—embodying a "Cowardly Lion" archetype—he nonetheless upholds his detective duties with tenacity. Claiming lineage from the historical ninja Hattori Hanzo, he sporadically uses ninja-inspired methods, like unorthodox car repairs. His core role supports the Komyoji family and Jiro, anchoring the android-driven conflict with a human perspective.