Papa, also called Bakabon’s Papa, serves as the central character and father in his family. Initially appearing as a troublemaker, he eventually becomes the narrative’s main focus. His signature catchphrase, “Kore de ii noda”—meaning “It’ll be all right” or “This is how things should be”—often justifies his absurd plans and actions. Once a genius in infancy, Papa suffered a drastic decline in intellect after sneezing out a screw that was in his head. This incident transformed him into what is described as an amazing fool. He is a graduate of Bakada University, or Idiot University, where he was highly regarded by his peers. Some storylines feature him reuniting with fellow alumni for misadventures. His physical appearance is distinctive, marked by a consistent trademark hachimaki headband and haramaki belly warmer. His favorite food is octopus. Papa is perpetually unemployed without any long-term job, and the family’s source of income remains undefined. His daily life involves either failing at simple tasks or devising elaborate, nonsensical schemes to achieve basic goals. These plans usually require advice from his son Bakabon and invariably result in significant trouble or chaos. He exhibits a warped worldview and self-serious attitude toward his ridiculous endeavors, often speaking in a stilted, courtly dialect and ending sentences with verbal tics like “nanoda” or “’noda.” Despite his foolishness, he occasionally displays unexpected cunning, such as manipulating a doctor into shaving off his mustache, eyebrows, and hair. Papa frequently interacts with neighborhood characters, often distressing Omawari-san, the local police officer, whose frustration leads him to fire his pistol wildly. Papa also engages with bizarre creatures, like a ghost octopus he offers shelter to and later attempts to eat. His family includes his wife, Bakabon’s Mama, who is generally sensible and tolerant but can become angry when wronged by a prank. He has two sons: Bakabon, who often joins his exploits, and Hajime, a child prodigy whose genius starkly contrasts with Papa’s idiocy.