Hanten Shiranui

Hanten is extraordinarily quiet and defines much of his existence through preserving unusual things. For most of his appearances beside Ajimu, he neither speaks nor independently interferes with events, acting as her shadow rather than her adviser.

His refusal to intervene does not mean that he lacks opinions. Hanten recognizes when Ajimu's choices are foolish but regards his responsibility as a double as supporting rather than correcting the original.

His attachment to Ajimu is profound. He is one of the rare people to address her by her given name, and his later actions demonstrate that centuries of companionship have produced feelings much stronger than his near-silent behavior initially suggests.

Hanten possesses Skill Creation, the ability to create new skills and reproduce them as many times as necessary. Ajimu states that roughly one hundred of the enormous number of abilities she possesses were created by Hanten.

The ability develops around a century before the main story, when Ajimu begins the Flask Plan. Hanten explains that he develops Skill Creation so that he can better imitate Ajimu in his role as her double.

As a Not Equal, Hanten also possesses extraordinary physical capabilities. The full limits of his power are never systematically catalogued, but his classification places him in the tiny category occupied by Ajimu rather than ordinary Abnormals.

Hanten's history stretches back thousands of years. He establishes the Shiranui Household approximately ten thousand years before the main story, creating a lineage of backups capable of replacing him in his role of preserving unusual existences.

He meets Ajimu around 150 years before the series and becomes her double. Three years before the main story, Kumagawa seals both Hanten and Ajimu through the combined effects of All Fiction and Book Maker.

For much of the present-day story he remains silently beside Ajimu. After Iihiko kills Ajimu, Hanten finally begins acting independently. Although he blames Medaka for the circumstances that led Ajimu to sacrifice herself, he chooses to inherit Ajimu's will and protect Medaka rather than pursue revenge.

He also explains crucial information about the Shiranui Household and Iihiko, connecting the ancient history of the village to the present conflict.

Najimi Ajimu is the person Hanten serves as a double. His dedication to Najimi Ajimu lasts for generations, and after her death he chooses to carry out her wishes even while grieving and resenting the circumstances of her loss.

Hansode Shiranui is a member of the household Hanten founded and part of the system of doubles descended from his original purpose.

Hakama Shiranui is another member of Hanten's extended Shiranui lineage and the chairman of Hakoniwa Academy.

Misogi Kumagawa seals Hanten and Ajimu several years before the main story using his abilities.

Medaka Kurokami becomes important to Hanten through Ajimu. After Ajimu's death, Hanten resolves to protect Medaka because doing so continues Ajimu's final intention.

Iihiko Shishime is connected to the ancient responsibility of the Shiranui Village and the opponent whose killing of Ajimu finally causes Hanten to stop acting solely as her silent shadow.