Der Beobachter, also known as the Beholder, is the enigmatic entity responsible for the creation of the immortal being Fushi and serves as the overarching narrator of the story. He is an otherworldly figure whose origins are shrouded in mystery, originally residing in a void alongside other beings like himself, where they would pass the time by creating things. Growing bored, he fashioned a world opposite to his own—one defined by change and limitations. It was from a desire to eventually experience this new realm that he created Fushi as a surrogate to preserve and protect the world in his stead.

In his original form, the Beholder is a stoic and nearly emotionless figure, often appearing as a man cloaked entirely in black. This appearance, combined with his detached demeanor, has led other characters to refer to him with nicknames such as the Man in Black, the Black Thing, or Monsieur Black. Fitting his inhuman nature, his personality is strictly rational and analytical. He rarely takes direct action, preferring to advocate for situations that will promote Fushi’s growth and development. He shows visible satisfaction only when Fushi demonstrates remarkable progress, yet he frequently withholds information, believing that direct experience is a more valuable teacher than simple explanation. This is exemplified by his hands-off approach, as he often chooses not to interfere in Fushi’s affairs, allowing the immortal to learn through trial, error, and loss.

Within the narrative, the Beholder acts as both a guide and an observer. He provides critical support and context to Fushi, explaining the nature of humans and the world in a purely descriptive manner, devoid of judgment or morality. Only Fushi is typically able to see or communicate with him for much of the story, cementing a unique and isolated relationship where the Beholder is the primary source of information about Fushi’s purpose: to preserve the world against a mysterious enemy known as the Nokkers. His primary motivation is to prepare Fushi to eventually fight alone, as the Beholder himself is not immortal and will one day die. He implies that his own goal is accomplished only when Fushi becomes self-sufficient and capable of defending the world without his oversight.

The Beholder possesses a vast array of supernatural abilities that underscore his near-godlike status. He is capable of complete invisibility to mortal eyes and can control Fushi's transformations, forcing him to take on forms he possesses. His power over matter manipulation is extensive, allowing him to alter tangible objects, transform inanimate items into living creatures, or hold people completely still as if time has stopped for them. He can also create new bodies or rebirth others by assimilating their essence into orbs. Furthermore, he can sense the presence of Nokkers and teleport across vast distances, appearing and disappearing from his realm at will. However, his most significant former ability was Territory Domination, which allowed him to connect to the ground and create a network to sense foreign bodies; he eventually passed this power on to Fushi, permanently severing his own connection.

Over the course of the story, the Beholder’s role evolves. After Fushi triumphs over the Nokkers, the Beholder chooses to experience the world he created by being reborn as a human boy. This reincarnation, whom he names Satoru, is a stark departure from his original form. As a young boy living in a modern era, he loses his memories of being the Beholder as part of the process, though he retains some of his otherworldly abilities, such as the power to freeze time. In this new life, he is cared for by a woman named Sumika and begins to experience the simple, mundane pleasures of human existence, such as eating good food and taking baths, yet his core personality remains largely stoic and rational. This final act represents the Beholder’s ultimate decision to no longer interfere in Fushi’s world, choosing instead to live a finite human life as a final form of observation and experience.