Mysterious Joker (Japanese: 怪盗ジョーカー, Hepburn: Kaitō Jōkā) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hideyasu Takahashi. The series was originally published as a one-shot, then later began serialization in Shogakukan's Bessatsu CoroCoro Comic Special, CoroCoro Comic, and CoroCoro Dragon manga magazines. The chapters were collected into 26 tankōbon volumes, which were released under Shogakukan's Tentōmushi Corocoro Comics imprint in Japan, from March 28, 2008, to September 15, 2017. There is also a sequel series set in the future after the events of the original series, centered on Joker's son Kaitou J: Kaitou Shounen Jokers (怪盗少年ジョーカーズ).
Volume 1[]
Released on March 28, 2008, ISBN 978-4-09-140497-8
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Chapter Illustration | Chapter | English Title | Japanese Title |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | The Phantom Thief of Miracles Appears!! | 奇跡の怪盗現る!! |
 |
2 | The Palace of the Genie’s Lamp | 魔神ランプの宮殿 |
 |
3 | The Skyscraper Pursuer | 摩天楼の追跡者 |
 |
4 | Dragon Kung Fu and Eyes of the Tiger | 龍神拳と猛虎の目 |
 |
5 | The Giant of the Snowscape | 銀世界の巨人 |
Volume 2[]
Released October 10, 2008, ISBN 978-4-09-140707-8
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Chapter Illustration | Chapter | English Title | Japanese Title |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
6 | The Sky Magician | 天空の魔術師 |
 |
7 | Requiem for the Masks | 仮面たちへの鎮魂歌 |
 |
8 | The Moonlight Castle’s Death Game | 月光城の死試合 |
 |
9 | The Immortal Dokuro Circus | 不滅のドクロサーカス |
 |
10 | The Ruler of Paradise | 楽園の支配者 |
Volume 3[]
Released on March 27, 2009, ISBN 978-4-09-140785-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Chapter Illustration | Chapter | English Title | Japanese Title |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
11 | The Capital of Fine Art and the One-Hundred Year Safe | 芸術の都と百年金庫 |
 |
12 | The Cyber Fortress’ Numerical Formula | 電脳要塞の数式 |
 |
13 | Legacy for the Brave | 勇者への遺産 |
 |
14 | Clash! The Ninja Clan of Darkness | 激突!闇の忍者軍団 |
 |
15 | The School Festival That Called the Storm | 嵐をよぶ学園祭 |
Chapter 11 - The Capital of Fine Art and the One-Hundred Year Safe (jp. 芸術の都と百年金庫)
Chapter 12 - The Cyber Fortress’ Numerical Formula (jp. 電脳要塞の数式)
Chapter 13 - Legacy for the Brave (jp. 勇者への遺産)
Chapter 14 - Clash! The Ninja Clan of Darkness (jp. 激突!闇の忍者軍団)
Chapter 15 - The School Festival That Called the Storm (jp. 嵐をよぶ学園祭)
Volume 4[]
Released September 28, 2009, ISBN 978-4-09-140848-8
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 16 - The Mermaid and the Ship of Deceit (jp. 人魚と偽りの船)
Chapter 17 - The Head of the Dinosaur King (jp. 古代竜王の首)
Chapter 18 - Island of the Crimson Evil God (jp. 深紅の邪神島)
Chapter 19 - Dr. Riddle’s Ambition (jp. Dr.リドルの野望)
Chapter 20 - Dash! The Great Golden Pursuit!! (jp. 疾走!黄金大追跡!!)
Special Chapter - The Concerto of Detectives (jp. 探偵たちの協奏曲)
Volume 5[]
Released February 26, 2010, ISBN 978-4-09-140894-5
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 21 - The Boy with the Eyes of God (jp. 神の目を持つ少年)
Chapter 22 - Terror! Yamiko-san of the Dark (jp. 恐怖!暗闇のヤミ子さん)
Chapter 23 - The Shadow Descends (jp. 影は舞い降りた)
Chapter 24 - The Magnificent Queen Express (jp. 華麗なる女王特急)
Chapter 25 - Escape from Demon’s Heaven (jp. デモンズヘブンからの脱出)
Volume 6[]
Released September 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-09-141126-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 26 - The Holy Night Soldier (jp. ホーリーナイト・ソルジャー)
Chapter 27 - Traveling Joker (Part 1) (jp. トラベリング・ジョーカー(前編))
Chapter 28 - Traveling Joker (Part 2) (jp. トラベリング・ジョーカー(後編))
Chapter 29 - Countdown Television (jp. カウントダウン・テレビジョン)
Chapter 30 - The Swung Down Cursed Sword (jp. 振り下ろされた魔剣)
Volume 7[]
Released January 28, 2011, ISBN 978-4-09-141198-3
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 31 - The Pharaoh’s Trial (jp. ファラオへの試練)
Chapter 32 - The Blazing Inspector and Evil Fox (jp. 炎の警部と邪悪な狐)
Chapter 33 - The Pirate Ship of Truth and Lies (jp. 真実と嘘の海賊船)
Chapter 34 - Summer, Fireworks, and the Art of Death (jp. 夏と花火と死の芸術)
Chapter 35 - Night of a Strange Tale (jp. 奇妙な小説の夜)
Volume 8[]
Released May 27, 2011, ISBN 978-4-09-141269-0
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 36 - The Magician and the Invisible Key (jp. 魔術師と見えざるカギ)
Chapter 37 - Lost Ones of the Starry Sky (jp. 星空の迷い人)
Chapter 38 - Journey into the Shining Night (jp. 輝く夜への旅立ち)
Chapter 39 - The Heroes of Fire and Ice (jp. 氷と炎の勇者たち)
Chapter 40 - The Cross of Blood and Ruin (jp. 血と破滅の十字架)
Volume 9[]
Released September 28, 2011, ISBN 978-4-09-141363-5
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 41 - The Queen of Diamond and Tears (Part 1) (jp. ダイヤモンドと涙の女王(前編))
Chapter 42 - The Queen of Diamond and Tears (Part 2) (jp. ダイヤモンドと涙の女王(後編))
Chapter 43 - The Wedding Ring of Captivity (jp. 囚われの結婚指輪)
Chapter 44 - The Requirements of a Hero (jp. 英雄の条件)
Chapter 45 - The Labyrinth of Shadows and Mirrors (jp. 鏡と影の迷宮)
Special Chapter - Oniyama’s 20 Years of Misfortune (jp. 鬼山20年目の災難)
Volume 10[]
Released January 27, 2012, ISBN 978-4-09-141384-0
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 46 - The Cursed Summer Camp (jp. 呪いのサマーキャンプ)
Chapter 47 - Beneath the Light of Ragnarok (jp. ラグナロクの光の下で)
Chapter 48 - The Sealed Truth (jp. 封じられた真実)
Chapter 49 - Bonds Formed Crossing the Ocean (jp. 大海を渡る絆)
Chapter 50 - Hidden Timbre (jp. 隠された音色)
Volume 11[]
Released on June 28, 2012, ISBN 978-4-09-141486-1
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 51 - Red-Hearted Lullaby (jp. 赤き心臓の子守唄)
Chapter 52 - Clash on the Idol Stage (jp. 激突のアイドル・ステージ)
Chapter 53 - The Demonic Armor and the Shield of Sorrow (jp. 悪魔のヨロイと悲しみの盾)
Chapter 54 - A Hot Duel in the Desert (jp. 熱き決闘の荒野)
Chapter 55 - Magnificent Casino Cruise (Part 1) (jp. 華麗なるカジノクルーズ(前編))
Chapter 56 - Magnificent Casino Cruise (Part 2) (jp. 華麗なるカジノクルーズ(後編))
Special Chapter - Christmas Recovery Directive (jp. クリスマス奪還指令)
Volume 12[]
Released September 28, 2012, ISBN 978-4-09-141523-3
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 57 - The End to a Long Night:The Jokers of Light and Shadow (jp. 長き夜の終わり 1. 光と影のジョーカー)
Chapter 58 - The End to a Long Night: Cyan and Rose (jp. 長き夜の終わり 2. シアンとローズ)
Chapter 59 - The End to a Long Night: Underneath the Great Goddess (jp. 長き夜の終わり 3. 大いなる女神の下で)
Chapter 60 - The Necromancer and the Garment of Light (jp. 死人使いと光玉の衣)
Chapter 61 - A Phantom Lurking on Campus (jp. 学園に潜む怪人)
Volume 13[]
Released December 28, 2012, ISBN 978-4-09-141568-4
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 62 - The Guarding Cloak of Dreams (jp. マントの守る夢)
Chapter 63 - The Dangerous Gourmet Party (jp. 危険なグルメパーティ)
Chapter 64 - King of the Lost Island (jp. 失われた島の王者)
Chapter 65 - Underwater Monster in the City of Fog (jp. 霧の都に沈む怪物)
Chapter 66 - The Classroom Phantom Murder Case (Part 1) (jp. 幽霊教室殺人事件(前編))
Chapter 67 - The Classroom Phantom Murder Case (Part 2) (jp. 幽霊教室殺人事件(後編))
Volume 14[]
Released on April 26, 2013, ISBN 978-4-09-141634-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 68 - The Adventures of Billion Quest (jp. ビリオンクエストの冒険)
Chapter 69 - Super Fast!! Fire Ball Grand Prix (jp. 超速!!ファイヤーボールグランプリ)
Chapter 70 - (jp. 魔道忍者の封印)
Chapter 71 - St. Christmas War (jp. 聖クリスマス戦争)
Chapter 72 - Poseidon My Home (jp. わが故郷はポセイドン)
Special Chapter - Phantom Thief Shadow Joker : The Siblings Going Through the Darkness (jp. 怪盗シャドウ・ジョーカー 闇をかける兄妹)
Volume 15[]
Released on August 28, 2013, ISBN 978-4-09-141667-4
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 73 - (jp. パンドラのカギと滅びの王国)
Chapter 74 - (jp. 天の塔と弥勒の瞳)
Chapter 75 - Escape from the No Return (jp. 人食い館からの脱出)
Chapter 76 - The Warrior's Champion Belt (jp. 戦士のチャンピオンベルト)
Volume 16[]
Released November 28, 2013, ISBN 978-4-09-141622-3
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 77 - Liar! Gokuou-kun VS Mysterious Joker (jp. ウソツキ!ゴクオーVS怪盗ジョーカー)
Chapter 78 - Reviving Legends of the Dead (jp. 蘇る死霊伝説)
Chapter 79 - The Luckiest Phantom Thief in the World (jp. 世界で一番幸運な怪盗)
Chapter 80 - The Beast Howling in Midsummer (jp. 真夏に吠える獣)
Chapter 81 - (jp. 集合!怪盗サバイバル!!)
Volume 17[]
Released on June 27, 2014, ISBN 978-4-09-141775-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 82 - (jp. 新!桃太郎伝説!)
Chapter 83 - Manga Artist Murder Case (jp. マンガ家殺人事件)
Chapter 84 - The Challenge from Phoenix (jp. フェニックスからの挑戦)
Chapter 85 - Wish Upon a Shining Star (jp. 輝く星に願いを)
Volume 18[]
Released September 2014, 9, ISBN 978-4-09-141814-2
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 86 - (jp. クリスマス奪還作戦)
Chapter 87 - (jp. ジョーカー先生の怪盗授業)
Chapter 88 - (jp. 財宝列車と新たな仲間)
Chapter 89 - (jp. キレイな花には牙がある)
Chapter 90 - For Her the Bell Tolls (jp. 彼女のために鐘は鳴る)
Volume 19[]
Released December 26, 2014, ISBN 978-4-09-141840-1
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 91 - (jp. 砂の魔神と仮面の女王)
Chapter 92 - Ghost Ship of the White Evil (jp. 白魔の幽霊船)
Chapter 93 - (jp. 怪盗学園への入学)
Chapter 94 - Dracula's Castle and the Holy Grail of Life (jp. ドラキュラ城と命の聖杯)
Volume 20[]
Released May 28, 2015, ISBN 978-4-09-142039-8
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 95 - Fierce Fighting! Battle Smasher (jp. 大格闘!バトルスマッシャー)
Chapter 96 - (jp. 温泉ドキドキパニック!ジョーカーをねらう恐怖の矢、湯けむりにしかけられた逆転死角トリックの謎!)
Chapter 97 - (jp. 影と瞳と偽物と)
Chapter 98 - (jp. うばわれた超傑作選)
Chapter 99 - Welcome to the Dark of Darkness (jp. 漆黒の闇へようこそ)
Chapter 100 - (jp. 雪降る王家の食卓)
Chapter 101 - Oniyama Family's Counterattacks (jp. 鬼山一家の逆襲)
Volume 21[]
Released October 28, 2015, ISBN 978-4-09-142103-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 102 - Moonlit Battle March (jp. 月夜の戦行進曲)
Chapter 103 - Awakening of Psychokinetic Z (jp. 超能力Zの覚醒)
Chapter 104 - Inseverable Dreams and Promises (jp. 切れない夢と約束)
Chapter 105 - The Phantom Thief Who Crosses Time & the Lost Gem (Part1) (jp. 時を超える怪盗と失われた宝石〈前編〉)
Chapter 106 - The Phantom Thief Who Crosses Time & the Lost Gem (Part2) (jp. 時を超える怪盗と失われた宝石〈後編〉)
Volume 22[]
Released on April 28, 2016, ISBN 978-4-09-142158-6
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 107 - Suspect Dokusaburo Oniyama (jp. 容疑者鬼山毒三郎)
Chapter 108 - Awakening Wild Kingdom (jp. 目覚める野生の王国)
Chapter 109 - (jp. 首鬼神社殺人事件)
Chapter 110 - Halloween and Stolen Town (jp. ハロウィンと盗まれた町)
Chapter 111 - Return of the Legendary Spy (jp. 帰ってきた伝説のスパイ)
Chapter 112 - Duel! Shinobi Battle in the Sky (jp. 激突!天空忍合戦)
Volume 23[]
Released on August 26, 2016, ISBN 978-4-09-142184-5
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 113 - Forbidden Witch Soup (jp. 禁断の魔女のスープ)
Chapter 114 - Light Night Fever (jp. 光のナイトフィーバー)
Chapter 115 - The Phoenix and The Marksman (jp. 不死鳥と魔弾の射手)
Chapter 116 - Heroic! Samba Carnival (jp. 豪傑!サンバカーニバル)
Special Chapter - J in 1888 (jp. 1888年のJ)
Volume 24[]
Released November 28, 2016, ISBN 978-4-09-142227-9
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 117 - (jp. 移ろう魂の天秤)
Chapter 118 - (jp. 死人の望みが叶う時)
Chapter 119 - (jp. めぐり会う夢の中へ)
Chapter 120 - (jp. 怪盗学園の幽霊キャンプ)
Chapter 121 - Hana to Arashi no Jugoemon (jp. 花と嵐の十五エモン)
Chapter 122 - The Brilliant Adventures of Hosshi (jp. ホッシーの華麗なる冒険)
Volume 25[]
Released on March 28, 2017, ISBN 978-4-09-142358-0
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 123 - Super Fast!!! Fire Ball Grand Prix 2 (jp. 超速!!!ファイヤーボールGP2)
Chapter 124 - On a Night Like This with a Beautiful Moon (jp. 月がきれいな夜だから)
Chapter 125 - The Guardian of Neverland (jp. ネバーランドの守護者)
Chapter 126 - Gather! Divine Beasts of Guidance (jp. 集え!導きの神獣たち)
Chapter 127 - Wings in the Galactic Wind (jp. 翼は銀河の風にのって)
Volume 26[]
Released on September 15, 2017, ISBN 978-4-09-142496-9
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
|
Chapter 128 - (jp. カネアルデスの揺りかご)
Chapter 129 - (jp. 安らかな夜の騎士たち)
Chapter 130 - Happy Birthday of Silver Heart (jp. シルバーハートのハッピーバースデー)
Chapter 131 - The Murder Case of Joker (jp. ジョーカー殺人事件)
Chapter 132 - Cobweb Castle in the Underground World (jp. 地底世界の蜘蛛の巣城)
Chapter 133 - (jp. 輝く夜でまた会おう!)
Volume 27[]
Bundled with the Otakara Mashimashi FW Set in 2019.
| Front Sleeve | Back Sleeve | Sleeveless Front | Sleeveless Back |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
File:Volume27-back.jpg |
Chapter 134 - (jp. 大空を舞う絆)
Chapter 135 - (jp. 大回転!シャドウVSジョーカー)
Character Differences[]
Joker[]
Joker's anime design
Joker's (later) manga design
Joker's anime portrayal is very similar to his manga character. They are both gluttons, bluntly honest, and they both enjoy the thrills of being a Phantom Thief. Past their different appearances however, there are other small differences between them. In the manga, Joker tends to let out a cheery laugh and wink when in desperate pinches but in the anime Joker usually smirks or smiles. Joker in the anime version, tends to use "magical" cards however, in the manga, no such things are present. Joker uses his J pin to create smoke screens in the anime but in the manga, he uses his cards. Their cards are different as well. Joker's cards in the anime are personalized with a white and yellow J and are blue. His cards in the manga, look like more average playing cards. He also uses the phrase "Au Revoir!" in the manga, however in the anime, Joker uses the phrase "Take care!" instead. Joker's anime portrayal tends to show a more caring personality than his manga counterpart. This is more obvious when it involves side characters like Rainbow Justice. When Rainbow Justice tells Joker about his dead parents and heads off to try to be a hero, Joker's manga version follows him and states that he will help out since he hasn't stolen the treasure yet. However in the anime, once Justice reveals his story, Joker openly shows sympathy and even shows anger when Spider Ace attacks him. Unlike his manga counterpart, Joker has favorite foods that being curry or Salisbury steak, Joker in the manga likes cuisines from all over the world and can't decide on a select few foods. In the anime, Joker tends to use more magical attacks. Whether it be "Emblem Fire", "Straight Flash", or "Shooting Star" among others. The Joker from the manga uses none of those and is seen using slightly more "realistic" ways to get out of pinches. Both mostly like to rely on brains and physiology however. Though both inspire people throughout their respective series, the anime version seems to do this more often. One thing to point out is in the manga Joker shouts "What should I do!?" in frustration and has to be given advice from Silver Heart in order to clearly think of a solution. In the anime however, this rarely (if it ever) happens and Joker is seen usually getting himself out of pinches.
Hachi[]
Hachi's character is very varied between the anime and the manga. In the manga, Hachi is
Hachi in the anime
Hachi in the manga
more involved in Joker's heists and is shown to be a little more competent as well. However in the anime, Hachi doesn't get too involved in heists for a short while in the show but eventually he starts helping out more and more. Hachi is a little more clumsy in the anime but again only for a short while. Hachi's admiration for Joker is also expressed more in the anime than in the manga. Even though both versions of Hachi gain confidence and skill throughout the series, the anime version seems to show this more clearly. As stated earlier, Hachi is shown doing more in heists as the series went on. Hachi in the manga is also shown to be the one driving Road Joker while in the anime, it is Joker who drives. Both versions of Hachi are fantastic at doing housework. They are both shown to be brave even in situations where they are nearly done in before being rescued by Joker. Both are compassionate and are usually the ones dragging both Jokers somewhere in order to help someone out.
Joker and Hachi's Relationship[]
Joker and Hachi's relationship is different depending on whether it is the manga or the anime.
Manga:[]
As stated above, Hachi was asked by Joker to be his apprentice. This is already a huge difference from the anime counterpart and this one difference vastly changes their relationship. Joker asking Hachi to be his apprentice leads to Joker putting more trust in Hachi, and thus Hachi seemingly does more on their heists. Hachi looks up to Joker, like in the anime, but it is shown very little. However he does fully trust Joker and is ready put his life on the line knowing Joker is right behind him. Hachi is more competent than his anime counterpart from the get go but still manages to get captured quite frequently. This is where the anime and manga go back and forth. Some moments where Hachi is shown to be in peril are responded to differently by Joker. As an example, In the "Death Game at the Moonlight Castle" chapter and episode, Hachi is covered in the stray cats living in the mansion and vanishes from sight. The Joker in the anime takes a more relaxed approach by saying that Hachi was eaten due to him still reacting to his Ailurophobia. However in the manga, once Hachi disappears from sight, Joker angrily runs up to Butler (the servant of Queen Siamese in the manga), grabs him by the shirt and demands to know where Hachi went. As for the reverse, in the episode "A Heroes Qualifications" and the chapter "The Skyscraper Pursuer", Hachi gets captured by Spider Ace and held hostage. In the manga this time, Joker tells Hachi that he doesn't have to get captured every time making Hachi reply he doesn't get captured because he wants to. In the anime, once Hachi gets captured, Joker lets out a worried "Hachi!" instead. Joker is seen saving Hachi quite frequently in the manga compared to the anime, but this is more than likely due to the manga holding more adventures than it's animated counterpart.
Anime:[]
As stated up above, Hachi asks Joker to become his apprentice after being inspired by Joker's miracles. While Joker turns him down in the beginning, Hachi remained persistent and eventually was accepted. As with the manga, the anime treats Joker and Hachi more like partners than a master and apprentice. They support each other both in pinches and emotionally. Unlike the manga however, Hachi is shown to be more of a beginner and therefore makes more mistakes than his manga counterpart. However, the anime shows him change throughout the show. While the manga has Hachi do everything from the get go, the anime has Hachi slowly get to earn those roles as the show progresses. For instance, in the second episode of season 1, Hachi just recently was accepted as an apprentice and Joker told Hachi that he wasn't ready for a heist just yet. Although he does allow Hachi to come along eventually, the manga has never once had Joker say that to Hachi. However as the show progresses, Hachi is seen participating with no objections from Joker. Joker also makes fun of Hachi for being useless in the anime, which is an thing not present in the manga. However, it is shown very clearly in the show that Joker doesn't truly see Hachi as useless, since he ends up having Hachi do more and more throughout the show. This not only shows Hachi growth as a Phantom Thief but it also shows the growing trust that Joker has in him. The anime also shows Hachi's admiration towards Joker more clearly than in the manga. While his manga version shows shock and awe with Joker's various miracles, his anime counterpart always would do that and respond with praise (usually on how amazing Joker is). While the two definitely grow in partnership, the show also shows more of how their friendship grows as well. The manga counterparts have a good friendship but you don't really see the growth that the anime shows. This is again due to the differences of Hachi's apprenticeship. While their relationship in the manga is that of complete trust like the anime, they have shown that since the very first chapter and on wards. While in the anime, Joker sees Hachi more as a nuisance in the first few episodes but ends up depending on him more and more as the show progresses. Joker's view of Hachi being just an apprentice changes to a close friend and even to family as Joker revealed in season 4. Their bond has shown to strengthen after moments such as when Joker told Hachi he can leave to be with his family if he wanted to. However Hachi tells him that his home is here, to which Joker reacts with surprise and then a noticeable chuckle of relief. Joker has even shown pride towards Hachi when he got himself out of a pinch without Joker's assistance in season 4. While Hachi got himself out of a pinch in the manga as well, Joker didn't nearly show as much pride as his anime counterpart.
Differences from the Anime[]
The Kaitou Joker anime (while still following the manga in themes and heists) tends to take its own spin on the chapters that it was originally based on, sometimes with incredible difference to the source material.
Big examples being:
- President D is an entirely anime-only character
- The Devil's Fang is an entirely anime-only entity
- In connection to this, many characters who are introduced in entirely different, earlier chapters with separate plotlines have been instead changed and introduced in segments related to the Devil's Fang and their attempts to assassinate Joker. For example, there are many opposing characters that appear long before Phoenix's appearance in the manga such as Red Scorpion and Spider Ace, but have been repurposed for plots after Phoenix's reawakening and tied into the overarching plot involving Devil's Fang and President D
- Commando Satsuko has zero connection with 'Kaneko'
- The finale of season 2 plays out with very significant difference in the manga compared to the anime and Professor Clover is never killed on-screen
- The episode where Joker and company are sucked back to the past to find a young Silver Heart has absolutely nothing to do with Clover or SIlver Heart in the manga and the main villain of the chapter is an entirely different character
- Phoenix was sealed for a significantly lesser amount of time (this section to be added with the exact difference) and the additional divine beasts known as Gacrux and Becrux never make an appearance or are mentioned in the anime (Acrux being the only divine beast to make a main appearance)
Season One[]
Episode 2/Chapter 11:[]
The first difference is right in the beginning. In the manga Joker is unsuccessfully painting a picture of a bowl fruit in Sky Joker, however in the anime, Joker is unsuccessfully painting the Eiffel Tower in Paris,France. In the manga, Viridian reveals Joker (who was disguised as Oniyama) by mentioning that he got off the phone with the inspector recently. In the anime version, Viridian video calls Oniyama to reveal Joker. Oniyama is working in Japan in the manga but in the anime he is looking for Joker in France. Joker is by himself in the museum in the manga but in the anime, Hachi is with him. The One Hundred Year Safe in the anime looks very different from it's manga counterpart. The safe in the anime is larger, more elegant, and has more treasures in it than the safe in the manga. When Joker tries to escape with a "Bomb Card" in the anime, Hachi sneezes causing Joker to drop it. Since Hachi isn't present in the manga, Viridian just handcuffs him before he could throw it. The main difference that should be noticed between the anime in
Joker being arrested in the manga
the manga is Joker's escape. In the anime, Hachi gets knocked into the safe and a jar gets stuck on his head. Joker then rushes into the safe after jamming the gears with a piece of image gum and creating a smokescreen. He then grabs Hachi and leaves. In the manga, Joker is placed into a police car by Viridian but it actually turns out to be Hachi in disguise. The manga chapter ends with Joker and Hachi driving into the night but in the anime Joker and Hachi eat salty ramen, only to run off to steal more treasures at dusk.