Kanenori Wakita

Kanenori Wakita
Profile
Japanese name:	脇田 兼則 (Wakita Kanenori)
Age:	56
Gender:	Male
Date of birth:	unknown
Statistics
First appearance:	Manga: Chapter 975 Anime: Episode 894
Appearances:	Chapters: 33 Chapters: 3 Episodes: 24 Movies: 2 Openings: 3 Openings: 1

Kanenori Wakita (脇田 兼則 ,Wakita Kanenori) is a sushi chef at Beika Iroha Sushi in the manga and anime franchise Detective Conan. He has relatively good deductive ability, a "true Tokyoite" personality, and an injury to his left eye.

Background

According to himself, Wakita is a drifter who doesn't work in one place too long. He wanted to work the prep line at Beika Iroha Sushi but can't safely wield the knife until his left eye heals. He is currently serving customers.

Personality

Kanenori Wakita is a true edokko ("child of Tokyo") and has the stereotypical personality: forward, confrontational, and fond of justice and sushi. He has notably decent deductive skills as shown in his first appearance. He has loved mysteries since childhood, is a fan of Kogoro's, and even wants Kogoro to take him to a murder scene.

Appearance

Wakita has a strong build, short black hair, a toothbrush mustache, prominent buck teeth, and soft medical dressing over his left eye.

Plot overview

Interchanged Betting Ticket Case (Manga: 975-977, Anime: 894-895)

Wakita correctly guesses which horse Kogoro must have bet on to cause him to visit Beika Iroha Sushi and order the highest quality servings. He also deduces it is very out of character for Kogoro. Conan, worried about Rum, wants to know what happened to Wakita's eye. Wakita offers, "Horrible stuff, that was! Wanna see?" which is hurriedly rejected by the hungry Mouris.

Wakita turns out to be a fan of Kogoro's and wants to know about Kogoro's cases. Kogoro tells him about the recent zombie murder, leaving out certain embarrassing details. A pickpocketing case then coincidentally falls into their laps. Wakita challenges Kogoro to a deduction contest: a race to figure out which customer stole the lady's million yen winning ticket first. Wakita cleverly and decisively comes up with excuses to keep all the suspects from leaving the sushi bar when they try to leave to avoid being accused. Although disappointed he won't get to see Kogoro in action, Wakita is also first to propose a solution, which is very, very nearly close to correct. Conan darts Kogoro to put the case to rest decisively. Wakita is impressed and asks to be Kogoro's disciple in exchange for discounts on sushi. Kogoro accepts, but it isn't clear if the response was serious.

Rumi Wakasa's Neighbor Murder Case (Manga: 980, Anime: TBA)

He is seen reading a Nichiuri newspaper, but it's not showed what article he is reading. He comments that 'this one is quick-witted'.

Kyoto School Trip Case (Manga: 1005, Anime: TBA)

After the case is solved, Wakita is seen reading an article that mentions Shinichi's involvment in the case.

Speculation

Temporary eye injury

The fact Wakita still has aspirations to work at the sushi counter implies his eye wound is not permanent. The soft absorbent medical gauze he wears is typical of a temporary cover meant to promote healing than a permanent solution like a true eye-patch or darkened glasses.

Rum?

Wakita is strong build, and 56 can be consider an old age, but there is nothing feminine about him. In file 1008, Rum messages Bourbon, stating that "Time is money", in English. In Japanese, however, this statement is said as "Toki wa kane nari", which can be rearranged to spell "Wakita Kanenori".

Trivia

Danpei Tangei from Ashita no Joe. The hat obscures his baldness.

• Two October 2016 Sherry's Soliloquy hints indicate that Wakita's character is a homage to one-eyed boxing coach Danpei Tange (丹下 段平 ,Tange Danpei) from the 1968 boxing manga series Ashita no Joe.