Hajime

**Hajime** (ハジメ) is one of the lead characters of the family in The Genius Bakabon, and a part of Akatsuka's Star System.

Although initially intended to be the smarter foil to Bakabon, his presence would recede somewhat as their father took over the role of being the protagonist.

## Overview

Hajime is a character whose birth provides an early turning point for the series, as many earlier stories focus on his brother and father's mischief causing him to delay being born when he becomes startled and recedes back into Mama's womb.

However, this gag proves instrumental into his general character setting, when his later-than-intended birth gifts him with much quicker development to become the "Genius" of the title (yet Papa would soon become more known as its "Genius Idiot").

## Physical Appearance

Hajime is a small child, ranging from being an infant to a young toddler, with short chestnut brown hair and a single spiral cowlick/ahoge (lit: "idiot hair") sticking out. His eyes are shiny and black, resembling his Mama's, and he bears the rosy spirals on his cheeks that his brother has. He often dresses in a shirt with a single button, and may or may not have pants and shoes along with that.

## Personality

Hajime is a gentle, easy-going young boy who nonetheless is a major genius and can wind up frustrated or confused by his Papa's way at times. In some situations, it may be him to provide a solution to the problem through his wise words and explanations.

Because Papa was once a genius as a baby, it may be figured that Hajime's intellect was passed down from him while he gained his mother's sensible nature. He is skilled in inventing items, repairing machines, as well as speaking and teaching English in conversation. Sometimes he can even be seen as a part-time tutor to others in the neighborhood, sharing his knowledge.

Hajime can easily explain the Pythagorean theorem and Kepler's Law, but as he is still a baby, he is not good at anything too physical like sports. He does not take kindly to being thought of as quiet or stupid for his age and size, and will let his displeasure be known. His love for his family has often saved them in many pinches, but there are many times that he will have to be saved due to being kidnapped for his genius mind.

## History

Hajime was born five weeks later than the projected due date, whenever a loud voice or chaos would cause Mama's labor to reverse itself. Eventually, Mama had a successful birth, and Papa and Bakabon wondered what the baby would be named; Bakabon wanted his brother to be named "Pochi" or "Tama", while Papa suggested "Torao", "Kabao" or "Kiritaro".

However, Mama had already decided the baby would be named Hajime ("first", "beginning"), as she wanted the best name for him.

Though most of his family couldn't realize it at first, Hajime began to show early signs of being a precocious young genius when he began to eat rice like the rest of them and secretly worked on a robot for Bakabon. Speech and other skills came fast, resulting in him being considered the smartest one of the family (though it can be still said that Papa himself is rather smart in his absurdity).

## Appearances in other works

*See also: Akatsuka's Star System*

* *Oh! Great Jailbreak*
* *Nyarome's World Expo Surprise Surprise Surprise Guide*
* *Cat's Eye News*
* *BC Adam*
* *Kensaku the Architect*
* *Nyan Nyan Nyanda*
* *Nyarome's Fun Mathematics Classroom*
* *Nyarome's Fun Cosmology Classroom*
* *Nyarome's Fun Biology Classroom*
* *Nyarome's Fun Computer Exploration*
* *Nyarome's Fun Exploration of the Body's Mysteries*
* *Nyarome's Fun Sexual Education Classroom*
* *Nyarome's Big Blood Type Studies*
* *Sheeh!* *Comeback*
* *Collapse of the Sheeh! Religion*

## Appearances in Animation

### The Genius Bakabon (1971)

Hajime is often portrayed at more of an infant size in this series, and wears a yellow onesie sleeper with a white bib. Though he is dexterous with his hands, he is often held by Mama and cannot yet walk (though he does move about in the opening sequence).

### The Original Genius Bakabon

Hajime can do a little more in this series, as with his evolution in the manga, down to walking about on two legs. His fashion is also changed to accommodate for him being more of a toddler, with him wearing a yellow shirt and green overalls.

### Heisei Genius Bakabon

Hajime continues to be a genius toddler, though his way of speech has become more polite in comparison to other children. He is also shown to wear a yellow shirt and green shorts, continuing the color scheme of *Original* but changing his fashion up some.

### Rerere's Genius Bakabon

In this adaptation, Hajime is by now considered to be one of the smartest men in the world and he has his own personal computer that he can use efficiently at his young age. As with the earlier manga, he wears a single-buttoned shirt but lacks pants.

## Portrayals

### Voice Acting

* The Genius Bakabon (1971) and The Original Genius Bakabon- Takako Sasuga
* Genius Bakabon Sonosheet- Michiko Nomura
* Hitachin Television City: Nyarome's Fun Mathematics Classroom- Kazuko Sugiyama
* Heisei Genius Bakabon, CR Genius Bakabon pachinko game, commercials- Chika Sakamoto
* Rerere's Genius Bakabon- Yukiji
* That's How Things Should Be!! Fujio Akatsuka★The Movie- Tae Kimura
* The Genius Bakavon: ~Reviving the Dog of Flanders~- Seira Miono
* Late Night! The Genius Bakabon- Ai Nonaka

### Live Action

The child actor Hirara Hayasaka played Hajime in the live action Nippon Television Bakabon specials from 2016-2018. Hajime is portrayed at a late toddler stage, and can speak perfect English and use a 3D printer on his own. His manner of dress is much similar to how he appeared in *Original*.

## Trivia

* A prototype to Hajime can be seen in the protagonist of Mi-tan, of Good Morning with Mi-tan, which had started serialization before *Bakabon* and had its last few chapters published during the early run of the series. Mi-tan's mother also happens to look like an early version of Mama. However, rather than being a shonen gag series, *Mi-tan* ran in a shojo magazine and is considered as such.

## External Links

* Hajime profile at Koredeiinoda (Japanese)