Kaibara

**Kaibara** is a character in *Phantom Tales of the Night*. He was once the research partner and best friend of Inamura. Kaibara was a guest at Murakumo Inn for decades, and forged a close relationship with Owner.

## Appearance

Kaibara is a tall man with light hair and a dark undercut. He has a bit of facial hair on his chin and sometimes wears a watch on his left wrist.

## Personality

Kaibara is a vey warm and friendly guy who sees the best in people. He goes out of his way to lend a such, such as when he pays for Sasaki's mandarin oranges and even offers to buy him some extra snacks. Kaibara also believes Owner to be kind, despite Owner constantly reminding Kaibara that he is a monster that should be feared.

## Early Life

Kaibara was a researcher and collected information about youkai. He and Inamura travelled all around Japan in their research and in pursuit of Owner, the youkai that they could not record. When Kaibara first visited Murakumo Inn he became lost in conversation with Owner and stayed for several weeks, during which time Owner sealed Kaibara's shadow in an emaki scroll as payment for his stay. Upon Kaibara's return from the Inn, he isolated himself inside as to not reveal the secret of his missing shadow. Though Inamura questioned him, Kaibara would not give any hint to where he had been, only saying that he would tell Inamura someday so they could complete their encyclopedia. Kaibara then left the emaki in his house for Owner to someday retrieve.

After seven years of being missing, Inamura begins searching for the emaki that Kaibara's shadow was sealed in, believing it contained research that Kaibara kept from him. However, Owner finds it before Inamura, leading to their long coming confrontation. Inamura wishes to surpass Kaibara and so he tries to interrogate Owner, to no avail. Owner then reveals Inamura's secret, that he is afraid of Owner, and seals his shadow within the emaki.

## Current Time

In Volume 6: Enigma 29, Kaibara was forcefully checked out of Murakumo Inn after decades, and exits into Akane's apartment. Here he meets Saejima, who was visiting the apartment after the events of Enigma 28, who then keeps Kaibara locked in the apartment. During a brief convenience store visit, Kaibara, Sasaki, and Saejima happen to meet, and they discover their shared interest in Murakumo Inn. Kaibara tells the two about when he was a scholar, and his research on the Saejima family. Specifically, his memory of Saejima Rei, the current Saejima's father.

## Quotes

"In this world, I think there are things that are better off left unknown..." (To Inamura)

"Owner... You don't seem all that scary to me."  (Kaibara to Owner)

## Trivia

* His introductory chapter makes reference to Yuki-onna and Yama-no-oni, youkai featured in the previous enigma.
* Kaibara doesn't know how to use a smartphone, he can only use a flip phone.

Kaibara and feminine OwnerKaibara and Owner
1. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume: 9 (pt. 114).
2. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 7: (pt. 152).
3. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 2: (pt. 65).
4. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 2: (pt. 51).
5. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 7: (pt. 165, 166).
6. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 2: (pt. 52).
7. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 2: (pt. 68).
8. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume: 2 (pt. 43).
9. ↑ *Phantom Tales of the Night* Manga Volume 8: (pt. 39).