Joichiro Nishi

Nishi is cynical, antisocial and deeply self-interested. He views most people as expendable and sees little reason to risk himself for strangers who ignored warnings or failed to understand the game.

His worldview is strongly Social Darwinist. Survival is evidence of competence in Nishi's eyes, while people unable to adapt deserve little sympathy. This makes him one of the harshest contrasts to Katou's insistence that every participant deserves help.

Nishi is nevertheless highly observant. He studies Gantz itself as much as the aliens and pays attention to patterns that other players overlook.

Nishi has extensive experience with standard Gantz equipment. His preferred tactic combines the controller's invisibility function with ranged attacks, allowing him to avoid direct confrontation while accumulating points.

He is skilled with the X-Gun and understands the suit, radar and mission rules. Unlike stronger fighters, he relies heavily on information, concealment and positioning.

Outside missions, Nishi operates a website discussing Gantz and unusual events surrounding the game while avoiding explicit disclosures that would trigger punishment.

Nishi is the first experienced hunter Kurono and Katou encounter. Instead of acting as a mentor, he demonstrates how prolonged exposure to Gantz can produce isolation and contempt for other people.

Nishi is killed during the Tanaka Alien mission after his invisibility fails to keep him safe. His knowledge nevertheless remains important, particularly as other characters discover information he had collected about Gantz and the approaching Katastrophe.

Kaze later uses the 100-point menu to revive Nishi. After returning, Nishi continues operating largely for himself and becomes one of the characters most focused on understanding and preparing for the coming catastrophe.

Kei Kurono initially receives little help from Nishi, who regards inexperienced participants as liabilities. Nishi later recognizes Kei Kurono's unusual effectiveness as a hunter.

Masaru Katou represents almost the opposite of Nishi's worldview: Katou tries to save everyone while Nishi believes individuals should survive through their own competence.

Shion Izumi is familiar to Nishi from the earlier Tokyo team. Nishi treats Shion Izumi with unusual respect and remembers him as a highly capable leader.

Daizaemon Kaze eventually becomes responsible for Nishi's return to the game by selecting him for revival from the 100-point menu.