Characters / CLAMP School Detectives

Character sheet for cast members of Clamp School Detectives.

The Main Trio

In General

• Absurdly Powerful Student Council: Double it considering they're elementary school kids, and multiply it some more with unlimited financial resources to go with a boatload of talents. They're entirely benevolent Universally Beloved Leaders, though.
• Badass Adorable: As believed by the CLAMP School female population.
• Chick Magnet: As well, and quite exaggerated.
• Child Prodigy: All of them. Nokoru is so intelligent that even NASA has its eye on him, Suoh is already a badass ninja who can top adult martial artists, and Akira is a master thief and a world-class chef. However, interestingly, all of them have at least one Innocent Prodigy moment to remind the viewer that they are still children after all.
• Fighter, Mage, Thief: Nokoru (The Mage — he has all the resources while being the least physical of the trio, and even claims to be a sorcerer in the first episode of the anime), Suoh (The Fighter - literally) and Akira (The Thief - literally too).
• Freudian Trio: The fiercely loyal and by-the-book Suoh is the Superego; the impulsive, distractible, and melodramatic Nokoru is the Id; and Akira makes the calming middle ground between them, sometimes siding with one, sometimes the other, as the Ego.
• Kid Detective: The theme of the series.
• Master of Unlocking: All three show this skill: Suoh is an expert in lockpicking, which he teaches to Nokoru, and Akira can release cuffs with ridiculous ease.
• Old-School Chivalry: Nokoru's worldview and the reason the Detectives exist. Heartily supported by Akira and way-less-enthusiastically-so by Suoh (unless Nagisa is involved).
• Wise Beyond Their Years: Considering they are twelve, eleven, and ten, all three have their fair share of this, as do their kindergarten friends.

Nokoru Imonoyama

Voiced by: Akemi Okamura (JP), Carmen Calvell (SP)

• Adaptational Badass: The TV series pits him into far more dangerous situations and makes him skilled in hand-to-hand combat as opposed to the manga, where he only physically assaults a bodyguard once in a flashback in the only genuine life-or-death situation he faces. Also, in the manga he solves the first case by using his money to torment the lady's evil brother-in-law, while in the anime they face off directly on the outside of Tokyo Tower.
• All-Loving Hero: Especially towards the ladies.
• Brilliant, but Lazy: Solves seemingly impossible cases within seconds with simple but astounding hypotheses and deductions. Slacks off to the last minute to finish important tasks like school council paperwork and summer homework.
• Casual Danger Dialogue: He is a master in politely chatting with an obviously menacing antagonist as if it's nothing.
• The Charmer: It allows him to keep a safe, benevolent distance from the ladies almost as easily as it allows him to keep getting out of the work Suoh wants him to do.
• Complexity Addiction: He orders an inspection of Tokyo Tower from a dirigible as a prospective place for a party for no other reason than to see it, in his own opinion, with the proper perspective. Called out by Suoh.
• Crazy-Prepared: He always has a plan.
• Disguised in Drag: In one episode of the anime, for the sake of a female ferret and her owner. Naturally, he makes such a pretty girl that no one suspects him, at least not at the time.
• Grade-School C.E.O.: Mentioned to be running the electronics division of his family's business.
• Guile Hero: Is an expert in using his money, connections and smarts to outwit opponents.
• Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: Nokoru's not above mischief or laziness, but he's truly dedicated to helping people (especially ladies) in need.
• Innocent Blue Eyes/Icy Blue Eyes: Mostly the former, but anyone who has ever really pissed him off has met the latter.
• KidAnova: Subverted. Flirts and flatters every female he meets, but there's no romantic interest on his part.
• Large Ham: Nokoru's very easygoing, but he just can't resist trying to turn nearly everything into one gigantic production or another... Again, especially if ladies are involved.
• Lima Syndrome: With Casablanca in the anime. Pretty much entirely due to Nokoru's superlative Manipulative Bastard skills and with a strong side of You Saved My Life and Because You Were Nice to Me, her return ends up with her absolutely wrapped around his finger, and longing to see him 'when she isn't working'.
• Lonely Rich Kid: In the backstory. Due to his family's enormous wealth and connections, not to mention his own skills at things like physics, business, and computers, he was a target for repeated kidnapping attempts, and Nokoru distanced himself from nearly everyone for their own safety as well. Then he unexpectedly took a shine to the New Transfer Student in the grade below who turned out to be a ninja.... Suoh and Akira are his true friends not only for friendship's sake, but because they can handle themselves.
• Manipulative Bastard: Nokoru is a polite, caring, and frequently benevolent version, but he is really good at arranging events, people, and their emotions just the way he wants them to be.
• Not So Above It All: In the manga, Nokoru reflects on how he would like to stomp on Tokyo Tower because he just saw a Godzilla film.
• Only Friend: Suoh was originally this to him.
• Prince Charming: Exaggerated example. To the point even men view him as this and nearly any woman (including adults, like a kidnapper) fawn over him because of his charisma and engaging, magnetic personality.
• Student Council President: Noteworthy in that he's been doing it since at least 3rd grade ^note Four years is longer than he'd get the position in junior high or high school. He was also originally running the council by himself.
• Taking the Bullet: For Suoh, three years ago. Ironically, this led to Suoh vowing to do exactly this for him.
• Worthy Opponent: Commented in the manga by Akira of all people, who believes that, with all his talent and craftiness, Nokoru could be the best thief in the world, if he had the adequate mindset.

Suoh Takamura

Voiced by: Shiho Niiyama (JP), María Rosa Guillén (SP)

• Academic Athlete: Aside from more ordinary martial arts, he's also a master at archery, and pretty much a natural at any sport he tries. Plays baseball alone versus Nokoru's team in the anime. Also gets straight-As. See Genius Bruiser.
• Badass Normal: As opposed to other CLAMP heroes who have supernatural powers, advanced technology and/or fancy gadgets, superhuman attributes or a combination of the above, Suoh is just a regular human who relies on unarmed martial arts moves. Granted, he's a black belt in several styles and frequently wins first place in tournaments, but even his physical strength is shown as inferior compared to enemy mooks (though he's skilled enough to quickly overcome them in unarmed combat).
• Berserk Button: Whenever Nokoru's slacking or manipulations hit a certain point.
• The Big Guy: When fighting is needed.
• Catchphrase: Calling out Nokoru and the word 'paperwork' in the same sentence.
• The Comically Serious: His grimacing and Facepalms ensure this.
• The Consigliere: Nokoru's, but downplayed, considering: they're children; it's CLAMP and Nokoru so logic or Occam's Razor frequently ends up not applying, and Nokoru also tunes Suoh out almost as often as he does listen.
• Crazy-Prepared: Always carries a set of knives and tools aside from his ninja weaponry.
• Cute Bruiser: Able to kick asses and steal hearts.
• Deadpan Snarker: Especially around Nokoru's laziness.
• Declaration of Protection: Gave one to Nokoru three years ago, and meant it for life. So far it suits them both; the complications, however, may come further down the road...
• Genius Bruiser: A specialist in history and literature? Yes. Gets top grades, in a class full of very talented students, in a school full of geniuses? Yes. Professional ninja and bodyguard who can wipe the floor with armed adults? Suoh checks all the boxes.
• Legacy of Service: Variation. The Takamura are a freelance "servant family", so highly regarded as guards that clan tradition dictates they choose their lifetime masters at will. A double chapter of the manga and two-parter Whole Episode Flashback of the anime illustrate how Suoh came to do this for Nokoru.
• My Beloved Smother: Ms. Takamura is controlling only for the sake of Suoh being an excellent ninja, but this does involve her trying to kill him on a regular basis. Suoh merely asks that she not do it over tea.
• Ninja: Comes from a famous ninja family, and is a reasonably full-fledged one himself, despite still being in elementary school and undergoing regular Training from Hell from his very proper and traditional mother.
• Ninja Brat: Literally, though mostly lacking the character flaws of the archetype.
• Number Two: Second-oldest and second-highest ranking on the student council. Nokoru's right hand.
• Only Friend: Started as this with Nokoru three years ago.
• Only Sane Man: Somebody has to be one around Nokoru. He's the least imaginative of the trio by far and sees it as part of his role to reality-check his Kaichou.
• Stock Ninja Weaponry: Utilizes mostly kunai knives, though he occasionally unveils more exotic ninja weapons, like a chain.
• Technical Pacifist: He prefers to use his kunai to scare people off or nail them by their clothes to the wall instead of, you know, the old way.
• Tricked-Out Shoes: One of his shoes contains a secret compartment in the heel.
• Undying Loyalty: Goes with the whole "pledged his life to protect Nokoru" thing.

Akira Ijyuin

Voiced by: Omi Minami (JP), Carmen Ambrós (SP)

• Adaptational Badass: Zig-zagged. In the anime he fights and easily defeats a bunch of bodyguards, while in the manga he abstained from taking part in that fight and left it entirely to Suoh. On the other hand, the manga shows him casually taking part in a martial arts tournament and besting an adult judoka with traditional kung fu, which is omitted in the anime.
• Adaptation Dye-Job: His hair color in the manga varies, as colored artworks go between dark brown (better seen next to the black-haired Utako) and solid black. In the anime, it's the latter.
• Badass Normal: Like Suoh, Akira only resorts to peak physical skills and good planning, but he can definitely do wonders with them.

• Clark Kenting: Only wears a domino mask over his face as 20 Faces, and still people (most glaring example Cliff Edmond, in the anime) don't recognize him.
• Combat Parkour: His fighting style is much less direct or combative than Suoh's, but he is endowed with quite awesome dodging skills. In his first fight in the anime, he renders several mooks to the ground by just hopping around happily and making them crash against each other.
• Cloudcuckoolander: He is quite airheaded, especially when compared to his colleagues.
• Ditzy Genius: Genius as he can be, he is quite childish and a bit silly sometimes.
• Guile Hero: He naturally keeps it secret, but as seen in Man of Many Faces, his competence and resourcefulness probably match Nokoru's, even without the support of an immensely wealthy family like the Imonoyama clan.
• Hero Worship: Of both Nokoru and Suoh, but he really adds to the chorus for Nokoru.
• Hidden in Plain Sight: One of the most famous phantom thieves in the world is one of the CLAMP School Detectives. It is never addressed in the series, however.
• The Ingenue: He still believes in Santa Claus, although it can be said he has good reason: he has met a very real Badass Santa (who is actually his father).
• Meaningful Appearance: His gray eyes show his inner strength.
• Nonchalant Dodge: In the anime, he dodges several punches to the face with some amazing head boxing movements, all with a happy smile.
• Obfuscating Stupidity: Subverted in an unusual way, because his airheadness is genuine - it's only that Akira hides his more cunning nature away from his colleagues.
• Oblivious to Love: And not only Utako's love for him, but also his own love for her! He only has his Love Epiphany when speaking to his father.
• Phantom Thief: His other job, but his best friends and fellow councillors seemingly don't know about it.
• Secret Identity: 20 Faces's façade as the sheepish Elementary School Board treasurer is so convincing that it fools even his genius detective partners. Neither Nokoru nor Suoh are ever shown suspecting of Akira, despite the fact that some of his moments of deception aren't precisely going to convince the audience anytime soon.
• Sprouting Ears: Dog ears, to show his serviceable side.
• Supreme Chef: According to a student, Akira once defeated a world renowned chef in a cooking contest so badly that the guy ate his own hat in rage.

Other students

Utako Ohkawa

Voiced by: Yuko Miyamura (JP), Ana Orra (SP)

• Adaptational Nice Guy: Among the scenes from the Man of 20 Faces manga included in the anime, the moments in which she threw violent tantrums in her room are removed, and she is also made a bit sweeter and more composed in her relationship with Akira.
• Because You Were Nice to Me: She falls in love with 20 Faces not because he was a charming gentleman thief assuring her she had nothing to fear when he was broke in to her room while hiding from the authorities (a matter she's quick to Lampshade), but because he consoles Utako over her recent heartbreak, shares some of his own personal wisdom on love, and gave her chocolate candies.
• Damsel out of Distress: She escapes from the Fake 20 Faces's clutches and almost makes it out before being captured again.
• Raven Hair, Ivory Skin: Has black hair and pale skin.
• Tsundere: A type B, as she's usually calm and civil and only gets angry in Akira's moments of ditziness. Back in Man of 20 Faces, she was more of a type A,
• Wise Beyond Their Years: She is impressively reflexive over the subject of love despite her tender age.
• Yamato Nadeshiko: Rants aside, Utako is sweet, polite and competent, and desires to be a good wife.

Nagisa Azuya

Voiced by: Haruna Ikezawa (JP), Carmen Ambrós (SP)

• Adaptation Dye-Job: In the manga, her hair is silver with a purplish hue (originally blonde), while the anime gives her solid purple.

Kentaro Higashikumaru and Takeshi Shukaido

Kentaro voiced by: Kappei Yamaguchi (JP), Dani Albiac (SP)

Takeshi voiced by: Takeshi Kusao (JP), Jordi Nogueras (SP)

• Idiot Hero: They are the heroes of the CLAMP School, the famed Duklyon: CLAMP School Defenders, but they could hardly be any less apt for the job.

Idomu Yudaiji

Voiced by: Akira Ishida (JP), Ariadna Jiménez (SP)

• Canon Foreigner: An original character from the anime.

• Foil: To Nokoru. They are both immensely talented child prodigies who are the heir to a business family.

• Momma's Boy: All his motivation to break mayhem in the school happens to be because he is resentful towards Nokoru for receiving the only smile Idomu ever saw in his own mother's face.

• The Piano Player: At the end of the series, he leaves both the CLAMP School and the Yudaiji family to become a piano player.

Other characters

Chairwoman Imonoyama

Voiced by: Masako Ikeda (JP), Azucena Díaz (SP)

• Advertised Extra: Considering she appears in the anime's opening almost as much as the main characters themselves, you'd be forgiven for thinking she is much more relevant to the series than she really is.
• Captain Ersatz: She is supposed to be Rarisa Imonoyama (a character created by a former CLAMP member who took its rights with her) under a copyright-free outlook.

• Dramatic High Perching: Only in the opening, where she is shown standing on a pole in the vein of the classic superpowered anime villain. It's doubly weird, as she is actually neither superpowered nor a villain.
• The Faceless: Her face is always hidden by her signature fan.
• Kimono Is Traditional: Always wears one properly.
• Minor Major Character: Barely characterized at all, she is only known to be the chairwoman of the school and a member of the Imonoyama clan like Nokoru. Even their actual blood relation is never specified.
• Red Herring: The series's opening seems to picture her outright as the Big Bad of the series, but aside from some quirks, she is a relatively benevolent figure.