Cuticle Detective Inaba

Lore & Background

The story centers on Hiroshi Inaba, a genetically altered human-wolf hybrid and private detective who gains information by examining and tasting people's hair, leading to a hair fetish. He can transform into a more wolf-like form and use special powers based on the hair he eats. His agency includes Yuuta Sasaki, a cross-dressing secretary who is jealous of Hiroshi's former partner Kuniharu Ogino, and Kei Nozaki, a 16-year-old assistant who is the straight man of the group. The main antagonist is Don Valentino, a goat mafia boss who eats money and hates wolves. Other characters include police inspector Ogino, detective Yuzuki Ogata, and members of the Valentino family such as Lorenzo, Gabriella, and the mad scientist Noah.

Reader's Guide

Cuticle Detective Inaba is notable for its absurdist humor and unique premise, blending detective work with supernatural elements and a cast of eccentric characters. The series ran for nearly a decade in Monthly GFantasy, indicating a sustained readership, and received a full anime adaptation. Its significance lies in its parody of detective tropes and its focus on character-driven comedy, with recurring gags such as Hiroshi's hair fetish and Yuuta's murderous jealousy. The series explores themes of family and loyalty through the complex relationships between Hiroshi, his brother Haruka, and their father Somei, a former police dog. While not a mainstream hit, it has a dedicated fanbase and is remembered for its distinctive art style and voice cast.

Did You Know?

• Hiroshi Inaba is a genetically altered being made from spliced genes of human and wolf.
• The series includes a goat mafia boss named Don Valentino who eats money.
• Yuuta Sasaki, the secretary, cross-dresses and wants to kill Kuniharu Ogino out of jealousy.
• The anime adaptation was produced by Zexcs and aired 12 episodes from January to March 2013.