Maeda
Maeda |
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| Kanji: | 前多 |
| Romaji | Maeda |
| Statistics | |
| Gender: | Male |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Eye Color: | Black |
| Portrayed by: | |
| Japanese: | Ryōtarō Okiayu |
| English: | None |
Maeda (前多), is a recurring character in the anime and manga series Asobi Asobase. He is the loyal and long-suffering servant of the wealthy and eccentric Hanako Honda’s family, often appearing alongside Hanako in her most bizarre antics. Known for his polite demeanor and butler-like appearance, Maeda plays a key supporting role in the series’ chaotic comedy, often serving as a straight man to the absurdity around him.
Despite his refined exterior, Maeda harbors one of the most bizarre secrets in the series: due to an encounter with aliens, he gained the involuntary ability to shoot lasers from his buttocks, an affliction that adds a surreal twist to his otherwise dignified persona.
Background
Appearance in Anime
Not much is known about Maeda’s early life, but it is revealed that Hanako’s grandfather took him in after a strange and unexplained alien encounter left him with a supernatural ability that causes him to fire powerful laser beams from his rear end. Since then, he has faithfully served the Honda household as a domestic servant and personal attendant to Hanako.
His responsibilities include escorting Hanako to and from school, assisting her with her extravagant whims, and trying (unsuccessfully) to keep her out of trouble. Maeda is unfailingly polite and dutiful, despite the constant stress and absurdity that come with being around Hanako and her friends.
Appearance
Maeda is a middle-aged man with a bald head, thin mustache, and somber expression. He typically wears a classic butler uniform, consisting of a black suit, white shirt, and tie. His professional appearance and calm mannerisms contrast sharply with the ridiculous situations he finds himself in.
When his laser-shooting ability is triggered often without warning his composed expression remains unchanged, adding to the absurdity of the moment.
Personality
Maeda is stoic, obedient, and exceptionally tolerant, enduring Hanako’s chaotic behavior and the general insanity of the series without complaint. His serious demeanor and dry tone make him the perfect foil to the other characters’ hyperactivity. Though he rarely shows emotion, there are occasional glimpses of weariness or exasperation beneath the surface.
Despite being dragged into wild and illogical scenarios, Maeda never abandons his duties and takes his role as Hanako’s servant with unwavering commitment. His loyalty borders on absurdity, yet it’s part of what makes his character so consistently funny.
Role in the Story
The Honda Family’s Butler: Maeda frequently appears whenever Hanako is involved in more elaborate antics, usually acting as her chauffeur or personal assistant. Whether he’s delivering forgotten items, preparing exotic meals, or being roped into nonsensical conversations, Maeda remains composed and professional, regardless of how outrageous the situation is.
The Alien Laser Incident: One of the most memorable reveals about Maeda is his backstory involving an alien encounter, which left him with the ability to shoot lasers from his buttocks. This strange affliction becomes a recurring gag throughout the series, often triggered by stress or awkwardness, and serves as a perfect example of Asobi Asobase’s absurd and unpredictable humor.
Relationships
Hanako Honda: Maeda’s primary responsibility is serving Hanako, whose eccentric and energetic nature frequently tests his patience. Despite the chaos she causes, Maeda treats her with utmost respect and attentiveness, even when she’s yelling, scheming, or dragging him into nonsense. Their relationship is comedic, with Maeda as the calm center of Hanako’s hurricane-like personality.
Olivia and Kasumi: While Maeda interacts with Hanako’s friends less frequently, he often ends up involved in their schemes through association. They find his laser ability both terrifying and fascinating, and his interactions with them usually highlight how far removed he is from normality, even in the bizarre world of Asobi Asobase.