Detective Story

A private detective who evades the police and privately investigates a string of murders. He is cautious, morally complex, and willing to bend rules to uncover the truth. His relentless pursuit leads him through seedy locales and into the artist family's troubled history.

A brilliant hacker who moves in next door and offers tech aid to solve the case. He uses his digital skills to trace clues that the police miss, all while juggling the risk of being drawn into the investigation's danger. His persona blends wit with a cool, analytical edge.

A young woman who seeks the detective's help but is murdered on her way home, triggering the investigation. Her disappearance reveals the danger lurking behind fragile trust and small-town connections. Her death hooks the detectives into a deeper conspiracy.

A second victim linked to a jealous love affair with a bartender. Her murder widens the case to romantic entanglements and betrayals, showing that passion can turn deadly. Her death ties the investigation to a broader network of relationships.

A convicted child killer whose brutal history haunts the investigation. Kazama consults him for clues, but Gamou's presence brings a chilling reminder of past violence and the cost of vengeance. His role exposes the cycle of crime and punishment.

An elderly artist known for religious imagery who begins painting with blood and flesh, earning his titles. His shifting art marks a turning point in the murder investigation, linking victims to his oeuvre and revealing his complex family dynamics. The atmosphere around his studio is unsettling and ritualistic.

The housekeeper and lover who reveals family secrets after Yuki's wife’s suicide. Her role connects the artist's private life to the murders and suggests motives rooted in fidelity and revenge. She provides critical pieces of the puzzle to Kazama.

Yuki's daughter, living in a foster home, who learns the dark family history behind the artist's masterpieces. Her existence ties the present murders to the past and to the next generation caught in a web of secrets.

An art student who is the mother of Maho and lover of Yuki; her relationship patterns contribute to the motive economy. Her presence hints at complex family ties and the consequences of the artist's infidelity.

Yuki's son, also connected to the artist’s dramatic lineage. His role elevates the sense of inheritance and the intergenerational impact of the artist's obsession.