M

M projects a far more imposing presence than Taizou Hasegawa normally manages in everyday life. His avatar's appearance allows him to seem like a formidable veteran before the other players discover who is behind the character.

The personality behind M is still Hasegawa's, however. His familiar mixture of enthusiasm, misfortune and desperation emerges as the players interact more closely.

M exists as a player character inside Monkey Hunter rather than as an independent physical person.

His capabilities therefore come from the game's equipment, statistics and combat systems. Hasegawa has invested substantial time in the game, allowing M to present as an experienced character compared with newcomers.

M participates in the party's hunts and in the group's efforts to locate rare targets connected to their search for the aliens.

After aliens modify Sakata Gintoki, Shimura Shinpachi and Kagura into screwdriver-like forms, the trio learn that their attackers play an online game called Monkey Hunter.

They enter the game hoping to identify the aliens and encounter several other players, including the mysterious M.

M is revealed to be Hasegawa's player character, with the initial standing for MADAO. The revelation explains both his extensive time in the game and the avatar's otherwise unexplained identity.

Taizou Hasegawa is the real-world player controlling M.

Sakata Gintoki, Shimura Shinpachi and Kagura encounter M while playing Monkey Hunter.

Kotarou Katsura is another familiar figure encountered through the online-game storyline.