Hajime Aoyama (called Ned in some Spanish dubs) lives next door to Satsuki and Keiichirou Miyanoshita. He first meets them upon their move into their mother's childhood home, immediately spotting Satsuki's underwear as she lay down, sparking her anger. This incident establishes his recurring role as the "very perverted boy" within the group, frequently attempting to see female classmates' underwear, particularly Satsuki's, often by looking up her skirt. Standing roughly 4 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 4 inches tall, he has black hair, tan skin, and brown eyes. His typical outfits include dark blue sneakers, cargo or khaki pants, a yellow t-shirt with writing, and a teal green jacket; or black sneakers, indigo pants, a mustard-colored long-sleeved shirt, and a two-tone pea green and cream jacket-vest. He shares a close friendship with Leo Kakinoki, collaborating as self-proclaimed "Ghost Hunters." They first assist Satsuki by searching the old school building for her missing cat, Kaya. Hajime subsequently attends the same class as Satsuki and Leo. Within the group facing supernatural threats, he proves reliable when not paralyzed by fear, contributing to solutions during ghost encounters. His relationship with Keiichirou resembles an older brother dynamic, showing protectiveness and mentorship despite his frequent teasing of Satsuki. This teasing includes jokes about her appearance, provoking irritation, though he later apologizes after calling her ugly. Underneath this antagonism, he consistently demonstrates concern for Satsuki's safety and well-being during perilous situations. This pattern, alongside narrative implications and confirmation from the series creator, suggests unspoken romantic feelings for her, which remain unacknowledged by either character throughout the series. Outside ghost-hunting, he enjoys playing video games. His name, "Hajime," carries the Japanese meaning of "start" or "beginning." Certain adaptations incorporate additional elements: the English dub implies he lost his virginity to his babysitter and includes lines featuring sexual innuendos, cultural stereotypes, and profanity, amplifying his perverted traits and snarky commentary compared to the original portrayal.