Kenji was a young boy with a cheerful and approachable appearance, characterized by his golden eyes and short blond hair that extended just past the nape of his neck. His bangs were parted in the center of his forehead, and a sprinkling of freckles adorned his cheeks, giving him an endearing, youthful look.

His attire typically consisted of blue overalls, cuffed at the bottom, and secured with a black belt at the waist. These overalls were worn over a loose beige shirt with tattered sleeves, paired with a black undershirt with sleeves ending slightly past his elbows. Kenji often carried an old straw hat around his neck and preferred to go barefoot, though he occasionally wore sandals. After the Cannibalism Incident, Kenji donned a white long-sleeved shirt and a black tie during the Agency’s celebration. Following the Agency’s framing as terrorists, Kenji was seen wearing riot gear, showcasing a stark contrast to his usual rural and carefree style.

Kenji, hailing from a small rural village, was a simple yet carefree and hospitable boy, whose ever-present smile made him a welcoming presence and popular among Yokohama’s residents. His genuine optimism and unwavering belief in the innate sincerity of others were hallmarks of his personality. Regardless of appearances, words, or actions, Kenji always chose to trust people, a trait that sometimes made him appear naive but often worked in his favor during investigations. His straightforward interrogation style, where he directly asked suspects about their involvement in cases, and his habit of accepting their denials with gratitude, surprisingly yielded effective results and even helped solve challenging cases.

Kenji’s rustic upbringing contributed to his lack of understanding regarding basic urban concepts like money, forcing him to rely on his countryside instincts. This led to unconventional methods of problem-solving, such as using his immense physical strength to subdue culprits, earning him a fearsome reputation among criminal circles. While his eccentricity often set him apart, even among his unique colleagues, his innocence and directness often inspired others. His candid suggestions, such as wrestling newcomers as part of entrance rituals, added a layer of humor and simplicity to his character. Despite his lighthearted demeanor, Kenji had a perceptive and motivational side, evident when he uplifted the Agency’s spirits during their darkest times, instilling hope and determination. However, beneath his gentle exterior lay a formidable, “menacing side.” When driven by anger or a need to protect those he cared for, Kenji became fiercely determined and unyielding, showing an entirely different, fearsome persona. This duality made Kenji a valuable and inspiring member of the Armed Detective Agency.

Kenji’s ability, Undefeated by the Rain (雨あめニモマケズ, Ame ni mo Makezu), endowed him with extraordinary superhuman strength and durability. This ability allowed him to perform incredible feats of physical power, such as effortlessly lifting cars, pulling street signs out of cement, and even tearing steel doors—like those used in high-security bank safes—straight off their frames. His durability was equally remarkable, as he could withstand severe impacts without injury, such as being struck in the back of the head with a lead pipe or kicked in the head by cows, suffering little to no damage from such potentially fatal blows.

The unique aspect of Kenji’s ability was its reliance on his physical state: it could only be activated when he was on an empty stomach. Once he consumed food, his ability would deactivate, often causing him to fall asleep immediately afterward. This limitation, while unconventional, emphasized his rural upbringing and simple lifestyle, making his extraordinary strength even more intriguing and memorable.

Until he was discovered and recruited into the Armed Detective Agency by Yukichi Fukuzawa approximately two months prior, Kenji lived in a rural village called Ihatovo. There, he herded cows with his family and lived a simple, rustic life devoid of modern conveniences like phones and electricity. The concept of money was entirely foreign to him, as Ihatovo’s inhabitants relied on bartering for their needs. Kenji’s upbringing was grounded in the tight-knit and communal nature of rural life, where the local constable’s duties ranged from repairing well pumps to sampling watermelons during the harvest, with rare occurrences of crime handled by tying offenders and throwing them off cliffs.

Despite its tranquility, Ihatovo faced its share of natural disasters. Kenji recounted a massive storm that destroyed an orchard the villagers had cultivated for a decade, prompting the community to replant seedlings and start anew with resilience. In another instance, the village was threatened by devastating landslides that occur every fifty years. Kenji, with his superhuman strength, saved the entire village by reshaping the mountain itself, redirecting floodwaters that could have otherwise wiped out Ihatovo. These experiences shaped Kenji’s unwavering optimism, sense of responsibility, and resourcefulness, qualities that made him a valued member of the Agency.

Kenji plays an important role in the agency, often handling cases that require physical strength or unconventional problem-solving. His down-to-earth perspective and unique insights frequently lead to solutions that others overlook.

Kenji’s compassionate nature drives him to protect the weak and stand up against injustice. He often serves as a moral compass within the agency, reminding his colleagues of the importance of kindness and understanding in their work.

Though he appears unassuming, Kenji’s immense strength makes him a formidable fighter. His ability to lift heavy objects, take down powerful enemies, and endure extreme conditions ensures the safety of his team during dangerous missions.

Kenji Miyazawa represents themes of kindness, resilience, and the power of simplicity in Bungo Stray Dogs. His unwavering optimism, combined with his immense strength and resourcefulness, makes him a vital member of the Armed Detective Agency. Kenji’s character embodies the idea that even the humblest individuals can possess extraordinary strength, leaving a lasting impression on both his colleagues and the audience.