Kaname

**Kaname** (カナメ, *Kaname*) was a minor character who appeared in the third episode of the Dororo anime. A former disciple of Jukai, Hyakkimaru's adopted father, he grew disillusioned with the doctor after learning his masters past. He also appears to have been Jukai's ward, before the latter found and adopted Hyakkimaru.

## Biography

Very little is known about Kaname's early life, but when he was a small boy, his father (who appears to have been a samurai) was killed following a battle with the Shiba clan. His father didn't die on the battlefield itself however, instead he was crucified by one of Lord Shiba's followers, as a warning to the latter's enemies. Kaname found the corpse after the battle and was deeply traumatized by the experience. His mother was killed in the same attack, leaving Kaname an orphan.

At some point in his life, Kaname lost the lower half of his right leg. Through means unspecified he came to meet Jukai, a doctor who freely gave his patients prosthetic limbs and with it hope for the future. Kaname was deeply grateful to the doctor, who took him on as his apprentice and gave him a home. For several years, Kaname lived with Jukai, learning his craft and helping to care for those who needed it. Yet even so, Kaname was curious as to why his master never allowed himself any comforts, which included staying up most nights without sleep.

Kaname's life and opinion of his master would be changed forever when the pair helped a woman whose young son had lost his arm to a passing samurai. After finding the pair on the road, Kaname brought them to his master, who treated the boy's injuries. After the boy recovered his strength, Kaname took them out for a walk. During this stroll, the mother admitted that she had originally been hesitant as to whether or not to bring her son to Jukai given the rumors about him. Curious, Kaname asked what she meant?

When Kaname returned home, Jukai could immediately tell that something was wrong. His student was not only wet from the rain, but cold and angry. To Jukai's horror, Kaname then confronted him with a question. Were the rumors true? Had he been a servant of Lord Shiba? Although shocked, Jukai did not deny it and told his ward the whole story, about how he had grown disillusioned after seeing Lord Shiba cruelly kill an innocent woman (Kaname's mother). How he'd tried to kill himself afterwards, but was rescued and made to live. More importantly, he told the boy about how his saviors helped him find a new calling in life and that whilst he knew he could never make amends for his past, his survival meant that there was something he still needed to do.

These confessions did not placate Kaname, who angrily revealed how his father had died. Thanks to his honesty, Kaname now knew with absolute certainty that the man who'd taken him in and previously looked up to, was the same man who had killed his father. Furious, Kaname lunged at Jukai, seizing him by the front of his clothes, he grabbed a chisel, threatening to kill the doctor right there and then. Offering no resistance, Jukai promised that Kaname could have his revenge if he wanted, but pleaded with him to first let them finish treating the young boy in their care. Remembering the hope Jukai had previously given him, Kaname relented for the sake of the child.

From that moment on however, the relationship between the master and his student was never the same again. Kaname frequently glared at Jukai hatefully. Perhaps sensing the boys anger, the doctor chose not to try and talk him round.

After the boy and his mother left in gratitude, Kaname coldly stated that nothing his former mentor did would ever make up for his crimes, a sentiment that Jukai already shared. Although Jukai had promised that Kaname could have his revenge if he wanted, the young man chose not to kill the doctor. Instead, he abandoned him. Casting aside the prosthetic limb that Jukai had preciously made for him as final a gesture of his contempt and hatred, Kaname took up a cane and after declaring that he would find his own salvation, left forever. This act hurt Jukai far more than any blade or other weapon and the old man wept over his former students abandonment. What happened to Kaname after this is not known.

## Trivia

* It is not clear why Kaname chose to spare Jukai. Whilst it was possibly done as a final gesture of gratitude, it is more likely that he did it because, as Jukai had stated, living with ones sins was a far worse punishment than being killed for them. This was something that Hyakkimaru would do to his own father at the end of the story.
* Ironically, Kaname's abandonment and the subsequent depression he suffered, helped Jukai find his purpose in life. Not long afterwards, the doctor found the infant Hyakkimaru, whom he would take in and raise as his own son.
* Since they both lived with and were cared for by Jukai, in some ways, Kaname can be considered Hyakkimaru's adopted older brother.