Hajime Katahira is a character who appears in the Paris Chapter arc of Nodame Cantabile. He is depicted as an adult male with black hair styled to ear length and black eyes, often seen wearing a suit and bow tie.

In the story, Katahira serves as the vice conductor, working under the main character Shinichi Chiaki. His primary role is to support Chiaki by handling conducting responsibilities, particularly during rehearsals for opera and concert productions. For instance, during preparations for a performance of The Magic Flute, Chiaki plans to leave many of the conducting duties to Katahira, demonstrating the trust Chiaki places in him as a reliable assistant. Katahira is shown to be directly involved in the musical rehearsal process, ensuring that the orchestra and performers are prepared for the final performance. His position as vice conductor establishes him as a competent and responsible figure within the musical ensemble, dedicated to the successful execution of the group's complex projects.