Hideyoshi Nagachika

Hide is outgoing, friendly and energetic, providing a strong contrast to Ken Kaneki's quieter personality. He talks easily with strangers, enjoys music and tends to become intensely interested in a subject before eventually moving on to something new.

Behind that casual behavior is an exceptionally observant mind. Hide notices inconsistencies quickly and can assemble seemingly minor pieces of information into accurate conclusions. His curiosity about ghouls leads him to investigate matters that most ordinary civilians would avoid, and he proves capable of following evidence without formal investigative training.

His strongest trait is his loyalty to Kaneki. Hide does not abandon his friend when his behavior becomes strange or dangerous. He realizes that Kaneki has become a ghoul much earlier than Kaneki understands, but deliberately keeps that knowledge to himself and continues supporting him without forcing a confession.

Hide is an ordinary human and possesses neither a kagune nor the enhanced physical abilities of a ghoul. His principal strengths are intelligence, observation and information gathering.

He demonstrates an unusual aptitude for investigation. Hide independently connects information concerning ghoul cases, recognizes patterns in CCG reports and takes advantage of opportunities to gather information from the organization. During the Aogiri Tree investigation, his initiative allows him to follow events despite lacking the combat abilities of either ghouls or investigators.

Hide later works within the CCG first as a staff assistant and then as an investigator assistant. His analytical ability proves useful enough that he contributes to investigations despite not being a conventional combat specialist.

His willingness to enter dangerous situations is another significant asset, although it frequently places him at considerable personal risk. Hide relies on planning, disguise and deduction rather than direct confrontation with powerful ghouls.

Hide has known Ken Kaneki since childhood and attends Kamii University with him. He is present shortly before Kaneki's encounter with Rize Kamishiro, and afterward begins noticing changes in his friend's behavior.

As ghoul activity around the 20th Ward increases, Hide develops an interest in the CCG's investigations. His curiosity becomes more serious during the conflict with Aogiri Tree, when Kaneki disappears and Hide begins searching for information about him.

Hide infiltrates the area surrounding Aogiri Tree's hideout and secretly places a tracking device on Yamori, providing information that assists the CCG's operation. He subsequently begins working for the CCG, using the position to continue investigating the events surrounding Kaneki.

During the Owl Suppression Operation, Hide finds the severely injured Kaneki beneath Anteiku. He reveals that he has known about Kaneki being a ghoul and encourages him to confront Arima. Hide subsequently disappears and is presumed dead for years.

In Tokyo Ghoul:re, the mysterious figure Scarecrow is eventually revealed to be Hide. He survived his encounter with Kaneki but suffered severe damage to his lower face and throat. Working from the shadows, he gathers allies and information before openly returning during the conflict surrounding Dragon.

Ken Kaneki is Hide's childhood best friend and the person most important to him. Their personalities differ considerably, but Hide understands his reserved friend exceptionally well. He recognizes that Kaneki has become a ghoul and deliberately waits for him to reveal it himself, later risking his life repeatedly to help him.

Koutarou Amon encounters Hide through the CCG. Hide's intelligence and investigative instincts contribute to his usefulness around investigators even though he lacks their combat training.

Akira Mado also works with Hide during his period assisting the CCG, where his unconventional approach to gathering information distinguishes him from formally trained investigators.

Nishiki Nishio attends Kamii University alongside Hide and Kaneki. Hide's observations of the people around his friend contribute to his growing awareness that Kaneki's life has become connected to ghouls.