Land of the Blindfolded/Characters

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


The characters of Land of the Blindfolded:

Main Characters

Kanade Otsuka

If there were a "Land of the Blindfolded"... would people understand... the concept of "sight?" My "blindfold"... is defective. Sometimes it slips a little.

The heroine of the story. Kanade can only see the future ocassionally when in physical contact of someone. Optimistic and cheerful, Kanade wants to her power to help others. Her best friend is Eri. Kanade and Arou become a couple early into the story.

Arou Naitou

I think I've made a big mistake. But I don't care. "Why do you think you were given the power?" Don't care about that either. In fact... all of society could collapse. But, as long as Kanade is with me... I'll be happy.

One of the two male leads. Arou can see the past without fail when in physical contact of both people and objects. Although initially a foil in Kanade's ideals, as he felt it was wrong to meddle in people's lives, Arou gradually desires to help people as well. He is a wonderful cook, and he has a mysterious past that becomes a big arc in the story. Arou and Kanade become a couple early into the story.

Masahiro Namiki

"I wouldn't touch him if I were you." ... Must be nice to see the world through rose-colored glasses. But you heard those guys. What they said how most people think, or would think, if they knew. "Touching will make us feel less afraid." Yeah, right! Before you get the chance to touch... you'll be rejected! "Creepy." "Unnatural." "Monster." I mean, come on, you must be used to hearing it by now. When one of us touches someone, it's... scary.

One of the two male leads. Namiki can see the future more efficiently than Kanade as can see the future if he focuses long enough, but initially only uses his power for his own benefit. He develops unrequited feelings for Kanade and is Arou's rival for Kanade's affections.

Supporting Characters

Eri Nakamura

Also... I guess I like that he doesn't lie. Sure, sometimes he says thinks that aren't nice. And sometimes I can't tell what he's thinking. But, those things are a part of Ezawa-kun, too. So, I suppose I'd have to say I like everything about him. When he tells me he really likes me... or along those lines... I really believe in him!

Kanade's best friend. Eri is very protective of Kanade and treats her in a doting way. She goes out with the popular, ladies' man Ewaza and is really sweet around him instead of her usual self, but wises up when she discovers his playboy nature, punches him, and calls him out on it. Because of this display, Ezawa changes his ways, and they become a couple again, with Ezawa more faithful towards her.

Ezawa

Honestly, if anything tastes bad, I'll say that it tastes bad, but anything Eri makes I'll eat it all. I don't want to be someone that doesn't understand his own feelings.

A popular student and a ladies' man. Eri goes out with Ezawa, and Kanade tries to tell Eri of Ezawa's promiscuous nature. When Eri goes discover Ezawa's true nature first hand, she calls him out on it, revealing her true colors as a strong-willed person. Because of this, Ezawa changes his ways and asks out Eri, becoming a couple again. Although he may not always show it, Ezawa truly does care about Eri.

Kaicho

You... have it rough, too, don't you?

The student council president. Kaicho is a dutiful girl who takes her job seriously and selflessly only wants to help the school and the student body as much as possible. She develops unrequited feelings for Arou. Introduced in Volume 4.

Sou

You and I... are the same kind of people! Thus, it's possible for me to possess a power as strong as yours. So, Arou! What must I do in order to be able to see the past without any restrictions?

Arou's mysterious uncle. He is Arou's mother's brother and has the same power as Arou except that Sou can only see recent events, up to two or three days, unlike Arou, who has practically no limitations to his power. He seems to have a second agenda at hand... Sou's presence is significant towards the growth of Arou's powers, as well as learning more about his mother. Sou desires to make his powers as strong as Arou's so that he can see Sanae again. First appears in Volume 7.

  • All Take and No Give: Sou has taking care of Sanae for a long time since she's an Ill Girl and they were the only family they had left. After Sanae's death, Sou is willing to do whatever it takes to find a way to increase his power in order to have even a glimpse into the past to see her again. To place it simply -- he needed her more than she needed him.
  • Big Brother Instinct: Sou understandably gets upset when he sees that the only keepsake left of his sister Sanae in Arou's household is a picture of her. Sou also brings Arou to the house that Sou and Sanae lived together at when they were younger so Arou could see Sanae from the memories of the past and also the house Arou and his family lived seven years ago so Arou could see how Sanae died.
  • The Caretaker: Of Sanae when they lived together.
  • Character Development
  • Character Focus
  • Dead Little Sister: Sanae, Arou's mother.
  • Delinquent: According to Word of God, Sou has a "hoodlum look."
  • Expy: Sou greatly resembles Itachi:

Hair styles are greatly similar, aside from Sou's thin ponytail.
Both are greatly protective of their only sibling.
Tall, Dark and Handsome? Check.
Dislikes their other family members? ... To an extent.

    • For Sou, that is. The only people a part of his family that he cares about are his sister Sanae and his nephew Arou. He doesn't have a good relationship with Arou's father, Gorou, however. Sou even nicknames him, "Kumagorou." In a minor flashback in Volume 9, Sou even beats Gorou up after Sanae tells him that she's pregnant.
  • Green Eyes
  • Green Thumb: Sou and Sanae lived in the mountains in their younger years, where they would grow their own vegetables.
  • Irony: Sou briefly takes the picture of Sanae from Gorou's and Arou's home, the only remaining keepsake they have to remember Sanae. It makes sense, though, since Sou doesn't seem to have any keepsake of Sanae's and can't even use his power to see any memories of Sanae because his power, unlike Arou's, isn't strong enough to see past recent events - and it is implied that the reason why Sou wants his power to become as strong as Arou's is to be able to see Sanae again.
  • Jerkass Woobie: Sou is a character you want to punch a little but sympathize with at the same time. At one hand, he puts Arou in so much trauma trouble by leading him towards an overdose of memories of Sanae, including her death, and even tries to endanger Arou (by pushing him into moving traffic) in order to get into the same situation as Arou did when Sanae died so he'd be able to unlock the unlimited extent of power to see the past that Arou has. But on the other hand, you can sympathize with Sou because he just wants to see his only sister Sanae again.
  • Knight Templar Big Brother: Goes through great lengths to try to increase his power so that he'll be able to see memories of Sanae. From going to the world's best experts, the best supernatural, investigators, going to a temple... He even tries to push Arou in front of a moving car to be able to be put into the same emotional state as Arou when he couldn't find Sanae as a child, so that he could develop the same kind of unlimited power Arou has.
  • Love Redeems: When Arou gets lost during the ski trip in Volume 9 after overexterting his power, Sou realizes that he doesn't care about his power and only wants Arou safe (and finally learns to value himself more in the process). After this event, Sou places a picture of Arou right next to the picture of Sanae, showing that he does genuinely care about Arou and has stopped searching for a way to increase his power.
  • Mysterious Past
  • The Nicknamer: Sou nicknames Gorou, "Kumagorou." It's not out of fondness and more out of contempt, even if he calls Gorou this once.
  • Parental Abandonment: Sou's and Sanae's parents are nowhere to be seen in the flashbacks.
  • Promotion to Parent: Implied.
  • The Reveal: In Chapter 39, it is revealed that the reason why Sou wants to increase his power is so that he can get a glimpse of any memories of Sanae.
  • Tall, Dark and Handsome
  • Tsurime Eyes

Sanae Naitou

Even if people get hurt, they have the capacity to strengthen themselves again. So don't be afraid to make contact with others. You have to live for yourself.

Arou's mother. Sanae was an important person to Arou and the reason why he became so reclusive about his power to see the past until Kanade came along. Arou always looks back at the memories he shared with his mother to give him guidance. Sou is her brother. She is so important that her very first appearance is in Chapter 2.

Seven years ago, while Sanae was looking for Arou in the rain, she bumped into Arou's elementary school friend, Takeo, who just got into a fight with Arou after Takeo learned he was adopted. Takeo tries to leave, but slips and falls off a cliff and Sanae tries to save him. When Arou connects with the past of the air and rain in a desperate search to find his mother, Arou finds Sanae and an unconscious Takeo. Sanae hurt her foot and can't move and also has a high fever, and Arou panics, but Sanae reassures him to not worry and just stay with her. The police find them, but Sanae is soaked in the rain and does not recover the next day.

Marota

A abandoned dog left at the front of the school, Namiki foresaw that the dog would die in an animal shelter during a storm. Kanade wants to do something about it, but Namiki challenges this, saying how she can't rescue all the dogs in the world. Eventually, his conscience gets to him, and Namiki rescues the dog and names him Marota.

Minor Characters

Yuusuke Ootake

...Ah! Really... So this kid is not some kind of monster. ... He's only someone who got abandoned by his parents. A normal kid. But lately, he's changed a lot, I don't know what happened, but it's fine as it is. Just keep smiling... that bright kiddo smile of yours!

A stockbroker and Namiki's business partner and guardian, Ootake took in Namiki after finding him on the street. He discovers Namiki's power and decides to use him to win at the stocks. However, when he realizes Namiki's dysfunctional family life, Yuusuke grows to sympathize with Namiki. Seems harsh, but is actually a nice guy. First appears in Volume 2.

Ootake: I already have enough troubles! So I'm only going to be generous today...
[Namiki grabs Ootake's hand]
Ootake: ... This kid... Is he trying to comfort me? So you do have a cute side after all!
Namiki: I'm going to take a bath first.
[Namiki walks past Ootake]
Ootake: He went to take a bath before the host! Annoying kid! Definitely an annoying kid!

  • Jerkass → Jerk with a Heart of Gold: In his first appearance, the reader automatically gets a bad impression of Ootake for threatening Namiki when he cannot concentrate on his power to foresee the stocks, but the next few times you see Ootaki, it is discovered that he's not such a bad guy after all and genuinely cares about Namiki.
  • Megane
  • Parental Substitute
  • Smoking Is Cool

Kanade's Mother

Even though there are so many questions that can't be answered, I still don't find life to be so bad! After all, the only ones who can find meaning in their lives are themselves!

Kanade's mother. She is kindhearted, strong-willed, and ocassionally and insightfully deep.

  • Good Parents: Especially so towards Kanade, though she is very keen at reminding Kanade of her studies when studying for exams. Kanade's mother even reminds Arou and Namiki of their own respective mothers.
  • Hot Mom
  • Moe
  • Plucky Girl: According to Word of God, "the woman is invincible" and "the strongest person in this manga might be Kanade's mother!"
  • Tareme Eyes
  • Unnamed Parent

Gen

The future's not here yet. I live in the present!

Kanade's grandpa. As a child, Kanade foresaw her grandpa -- a former firefighter -- would die in a fire at a neighboring house. She followed him into the burning house when he took too long and had already rescued a baby. Gen found her and carried her out of there, scolding her for going in after him, though both were thankful the other was not too harmed. As it turns out, Kanade's sight into the future did not happen.

The School Doctor

Is it all right... for me to feel happy?

When Kanade harms herself while changing the future to save someone, she is brought to the Doctor, who learns of Kanade's power and drugs her to render her unable to save another person, in spite because his own sister had the same ability as Kanade and died. Arou reminds the Doctor of how precious his sister is to him and causes him to think better of the power to help others.

  • Character Development: Volume 3.
  • Character Focus: Volume 3.
  • Dark and Troubled Past: His sister's death.
  • Dead Little Sister: His sister Moe foresaw that she shouldn't go to school one day, but the Doctor thought she was just trying to ditch and made her go. Incidently, it is implied Moe died in a car accident, and the Doctor was apart of the medical staff that could not save her. Kanade reminds the Doctor of Moe and thinks of her as a little sister.
  • Heel Face Turn
  • No Name Given / Only One Name: Technically. Doctor/Doc/Sensei. We never learn his real name beyond his title.
  • Promotion to Parent: Possibly.
  • Tranquil Fury: When he finds out Kanade (who he thinks of as a sister) is dating Arou.
    • Also, during the Volume 9 ski trip, when the Doctor and Kanade's homeroom teacher express disapproval towards Kanade's idea of going with Arou on a ski trip next year since he couldn't come this year, thinking she'd be alone with him. Kanade's homeroom teacher disapproves out of the unfairness that the Doctor and he aren't even married yet. The Doctor disapproves because he thinks of Kanade as a sister figure.
  • Tsurime Eyes

Hiroaki Someya

... But I'm not scared of you. After all, you saved my bacon. I've been wanting to say this for a while now, but...
>Especially since I became a regular on the squad!
... Thank you. Thank you sooo much!

Kaicho's younger brother. Kanade and Namiki saved him from a skateboarding accident that would have broke his arm. Someya learns about Namiki's power and is grateful towards him. First appears in Volume 3.

Eiichirou Honma

Because you're blind! Blind to the fact that you've been chosen. You have an ability that the rest of the common herd doesn't. And holding out on it is a sin! But, since you don't seem to know what to do with your power... I'll decide the best way for you to use it!

Arou's classmate in junior high. He found out about Arou's power and was the only person who accepted him. However, Honma reunites with Arou only to use his power to find criminals and put them to justice. Appears in Volume 5.

Honma: I was sooo happy at that moment! It was kinda like being with an unfriendly cat that you suddenly manage to win over! I wanted to give him a hug right then and there!

      • + blushing and a background full of flowers.
    • And then again:

Kanade: You must have... really liked him!
*pause*
Honma: Arou is... special.

  • Poisonous Friend
  • Tareme Eyes
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist: After Arou refuses to use his power to help Honma put people to justice (by looking into their past and seeing if they have committed crimes), Honma blackmails Arou by threatening to use Kanade and her power instead, forcing Arou to agree on helping Honma.

Junya Namiki

Why do you always talk like that...? And twisting the meaning of my words, I didn't mean it like that at all! You are always so full of yourself! It's really annoying! You might be able to afford anything! But that doesn't give you the right to trample over people's feelings like that! I know you won't believe this, but Mom, Dad, and I are all worried about you, we are suffering!

Namiki-san's estranged younger brother. First appears in Volume 6.

  • The Dutiful Son
  • Hot-Blooded: Almost smacks Kanade away from him because he doesn't want to be touched by those who can see (Arou got in the way and got smacked instead). Then, when he sees Namiki smiling with Kanade and Arou, Junya interupts and acts rudely towards Namiki.
    • It is revealed that he acted the way he did when he saw Namiki was because he was upset at finding his brother smiling with his friends when he never cracked a smile like that even once at home.
  • Jerkass -> Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Although Junya doesn't make the best first impression, it is soon revealed that he is genuinely worried about his older brother Namiki and cares about him.
  • Oranyan
  • Sibling Yin-Yang: Namiki and Junya.
  • Youngest Child Wins: Was favored more than Namiki because he did not have the power to see.

Gorou Naitou

It's been seven years... since her death... It has already been so long...

Arou's father. He's often away on business, but he genuinely does care about his son Arou.

  • Good Parents: Arou's dad counts for this, but he just isn't always around and makes certain harsh choices (such as taking away anything that belonged to Arou's mother following her death so Arou - when he was only a child - won't unhealthily keep following his mother in his memories, which kept eating him away in the process) for Arou's sake.
  • Tareme Eyes
  • When You Coming Home, Dad?

Takeo Yamaguchi

My name is Yamaguchi Takeo, let's be friends! Friends can't keep secrets from each other!

Arou's friend during elementary school soon after Arou transferred schools. Makes a cameo in Volume 8 and appears in a flashback in Volume 9.

Arou told Takeo about his power to see the past, and Takeo accepted his power and wasn't scared of him. When Arou spends time with Takeo at Takeo's house and touches Takeo's mother's hand, she fears that Arou has learned that Takeo is adopted and not her biological son, but Arou didn't know of this. They are overheard by Takeo, who runs off and blames Arou for this. Takeo bumps into Sanae, Arou's mother, who is looking for Arou. Takeo tries to leave, but falls off a cliff and Sanae tries to save Takeo. Arou finds Sanae with an unconscious Takeo.

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